Excellent idea for a thread, MissTina! Thankyou!
Yes, we always hand out foodgifts to neighbors and aquaintences that we care about, do business with or just flat out like. This year, close friends will also be added to the food-gift and handmade list. Things have just gotten way too expensive. For one or two people, it's fine...but, any more than that. Sigh. The kids and I, think this is going to be way more fun anyways...and meaningful. We're also giving the headsup, so that noone is suprised come Christmas (we usually give out some good stuff!! Days spent scouring flea-markets & and antique malls for just the "right" item for each person. No more!) Handmade, or food items only! If they don't like it, too bad!
They'll be dropped from my baking & goody list next year.
We haven't decided what all we are including this year, so I'll have to come back on here when I have more time. I'm eager to see everyone else's ideas, as well.
A yearly staple is
chocolate pretzels. Easy to make and inexpensive. You can get a bag at the dollar general store (1 & 1/2 lbs) for a $1.00. Two bricks of dipping chocolate from dollar general or my other local discount...$3.00. This makes ALOT of finished pretzels. We put a generous handful on each goody tray we make up.
Rosettes...mini funnel cakes. Probably the cheapest thing we make. You need a Rosette iron and a fry daddy to do it. Recipe for batter:
1 egg
1 C. milk
1 C. flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tblspoon Sugar
Mix well, should be on the runny side (a real loose pancake consistency). Heat up fry daddy, dip iron into oil to get hot. Dab on paper towel and then immerse iron shape about half-way up the iron enough to coat...insert into oil. You can make 100's of these things for less than $5.00. I kid you not. Dust with powdered sugar.
We make up several trays of just these for the holidays....everyone loves them. Folks just don't make them anymore (I grew up around them), and fall for them instantly. They're cute (look like 3" snowflakes) and are lite and yummy.
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I always do
"homemade" fudge, and just use the recipe on the back of a brick of baker's chocalate. It's never failed me.
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Rice Crispy bars, of course! Use the recipes on the back of boxes of the cereal. I buy the cheap stuff, and the discount marshmallows. Pretty reasonable to make, just add sprinkly decorations on the top.
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We pour our own chocolate candy & suckers every year. We've accumulated quite a few molds from garage sales & thrift stores. They are fairly cheap newly purchased, so if you don't have any...you should be able to get 3 or 4 for less than $10.00 new. Use the bricks of dipping chocolate (run from $1.50 to $1.67, usually), melt in double boiler and pour into molds. If you're making suckers, just add your sticks and add an extra dollop of chocolate to secure. They're fun, gorgeous looking and a big hit.
Will can come back on here when I have more time.
Can't wait to see what everyone posts!