Pizzelles? Frugal, Edible Holiday Gift Ideas

[Shoshana]

When I lived on the east coast, I remember an elderly, Italian woman making these for holiday gifts and they were simply scrumptious. The pizzelle makers range from about 40 to 50 on amazon. Not terribly frugal, but a good investment since I love them... The ingredients are pretty basic too (flour, eggs, butter, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, anise). The good thing about pizzells is that if you make the large ones, you could probably give a stack of ten for a gift, wrapped in waxed paper or plastic wrap and a ribbon.

I'm going to try to make gifts this year -- I thought of

Chex Mix (a personal favorite, but probably expensive, even without the nuts).
Popcorn balls
Rice crispy treats (probably not all that special)

I'd prefer not to make big batches of cookies (except, of course, for pizzelles). I really am looking for ideas. Money is tight and the pizzelles, while a great idea, still might be rather costly.

Do you all have any other ideas? I need both Hanukah and Christmas gifts for friends and family...

Thanks!

[Edna_E]

I love pizelles, and they are something that requires special equipment so you don't run across them often, so if you can afford the initial investment, they've got my vote.
Recognizing that the initial investment might be a problem, I'd suggest biscotti. There are a number of different recipes, and you can always dip them in chocolate too. Again, they are off the beaten track as cookies go, though they are pretty fool proof (ok, it is possible to burn them, but other than that...)

[Moor]

Shosana,

Some of the things that I make are:
Chocolate covered peanuts
chocolate covered almonds
chocolate dipped pretzels
peanut butter fudge
homemade turtles, made with peanuts and with almonds
for kids, i make chocolate pops, shaped like snowmen, santa and such
popcorn balls, caramel balls
pretzels with kisses on top with an m&m pressed on them (holiday colored)


I can give you more, but I have to go.

[pinetree]

You might watch walmart or kmart, the kids got me a pizzelle maker a couple years ago for around $20.00. I think it was at walmart. It makes 2 at a time but I love it.