Holiday Finds For Token Gifts

[pollypurebred39]

I've been looking for some token gifts for those on my Christmas list. Here's a few winners I've found. I thought I'd share.

Envelopes for Hot Chocolate


Tea Bag Envelopes


Candy Bar Wrappers



I like the popping by with a holiday Hi!
wrapper for micowave popcorn

Here's one for Jiffy pop for the stove. Kinda neat too!

Jiffy Popcorn Toppers


Maybe I could use a bag topper printable for one of these;

To prepare the following coffee recipes: mix in food processor or blender until you have a fine powder. For all the coffee recipes except the cafe' au lait, use 1 to 2 spoonfuls to one mug of hot water (to desired taste).

Bavarian Mint:
2/3 cup instant coffee
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. dried mint leaves
2/3 cup nondairy creamer
(you might have to turn the mint leaves into powder - not sure about this)

Cafe' L'Orange:
2/3 cup instant coffee
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. dried crushed orange peel
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Cafe' Mocha:
2/3 cup instant coffee
3 TBS. unsweetened cocoa
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 cup nondairy creamer
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk

Cinnamon and Spice:
2/3 cup instant coffee
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice

Toffee Coffee:
1 cup instant coffee
1 cup nondairy creamer
1 cup brown sugar

Cafe' Vienna:
1 cup instant coffee
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 1/3 cups nonfat dry milk
1 tsp. cinnamon

Cafe' Orange Cappuccino:
1 cup instant coffee
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups nonfat dry milk
1 tsp. dry orange peel

Swiss Mocha:
1 cup instant coffee
1 cup sugar
2 cups nonfat dry milk
4 tsp. cocoa powder

Cafe' Vienna Mix:
1 cup instant coffee
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cups nondairy creamer
1 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk
4 TBS. cocoa

Cafe' Au Latte':
1 11 oz jar nondairy creamer
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup instant coffee
Dash of salt
(use 1/4 cup mix to 2/3 cup hot water for the cafe' au lait)

The next four are from a book I have and I've made them all - they're good:

Night Cap Coffee:
2/3 cup nondairy powdered coffee creamer
1/3 cup instant coffee
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cardamom (I've made this - I'd use less)
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Use one heaping TBS. to 1 cup hot water.

Chocolate Malt Coffee Creamer:
2 cups instant hot cocoa mix
2/3 cup nondairy powdered coffee creamer
2/3 cup malted mil mix
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
(I've made this one - I like less hot cocoa powder and more malted milk powder). Use to desired taste.

Raspberry Cocoa Mix (Cherry would be good too):
3 cups instant hot cocoa powder
1 pkg. unsweetened raspberry Kool-aid (0.13 oz size)
Use 2 heaping TBS. to 1 cup hot water.

Forget- Me- Not Tea (hot or cold):
1 15 oz jar orange tang-type mix
1 cup sugar
1 cup unsweetened tea mix
1/2 cup sweetened lemonade mix
1 package cherry Kool-aid (0.14 oz, unsweetened)
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
To serve, stir 2 heaping tablespoons of tea mix into 8 oz. hot or cold water.

TEAS-from AOL craft niche message boards:

Russian tea:
1 cup instant tea mix (unsweetened and no lemon)
2 cups dry tang powder
1 pkg. lemonade, unsweetened powder
1 cup sugar
1 TBS. nutmeg
1 TBS. allspice
1 TBS. cinnamon
Mix all ingredients together and store in air tight container. To use, place 1-2 rounded teaspoons of dry mix to 1 mug of hot water. (You can use a shot of whiskey or spirits for hot toddy.)

Russian tea -Utah Style:
2 cups tang powder
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup sweetened lemonade powder (country time)
Mix together and store in cupboard in an airtight container. When ready to use, add 3 Tbsp. mix to 1 cup hot water.

[mauimagic]

Mahalo Polly - some great ideas!! I used to drink the Russian tea all the time when I lived in Ct. Shall definitely make up some for this winter season!!

[pollypurebred39]

This is such a great project, and so inexpensive! Notebooks are on sale right now 10 for a $1. Great token gifts! I really need to get my sewing machine skills down for next Christmas.

Notebook cover tutorial My Patchwork

[AspiringToBeFrugal]

Thanks for the awesome homemade gift ideas, Polly!

One question--what are the notebooks for?

[pollypurebred39]

I would think anything you might need a sheet of paper for, or it could be the cover for a day planner. It would be totally cute for those little steno pads with a pen attached for someone to carry in their purse, instead of using a receipt to jot down someones number. I can't tell you how many times I've done that. Anyway, I thought it was a rather cute idea.

[pollypurebred39]

I found this page on flavored coffee creamers. I'm thinking this may be a more economical way to go since coffee prices can be rather high. I haven't purchased Aldis creamer in quite awhile, but I do remember it was very reasonably priced.



Flavored Coffee Creamers


Amaretto Coffee Creamer

3/4 cup nondairy powdered creamer
3/4 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Store in an airtight container. To serve: Stir 2 TBS. creamer into 6 ounces of hot coffee. Yields 12 servings.

Bavarian Mint Coffee Creamer

3/4 cup nondairy powdered creamer
3/4 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid. Shake to blend well-store in an airtight container. To serve: Stir 2 TBS. creamer into 6 ounces hot coffee. Yields 15 servings.

Cafe Vienna Flavored Creamer

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup dry milk or nondairy creamer
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Place all in a blender or food processor and whirl until combined. You can also place in a jar and shake well. Store in an airtight container. To serve: add 1-2 tsp. min into hot coffee and stir.

Toffee Coffee Flavored Creamer

1/2 cup nondairy creamer
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Place in a blender or food processor and whirl until combined, or place in a jar and shake well. Store in an airtight container. To serve: add 1-2 tsp. mix to coffee and stir.

Mocha Espresso Flavored Creamer

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/8 cups dry milk or nondairy creamer
2 TBS. cocoa powder

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and whirl until mixed, or place in a jar and shake well. Store in an airtight container. To serve: add 1-2 tsp. mix to coffee and stir.

Cinnamon and Spice Flavored Creamer

3/4 cup dry milk or nondairy creamer
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. allspice

Place in a blender or food processor and whirl until combined, or place in a jar and shake well. Store in an airtight container. To serve: add 1-2 tsp. mix to coffee and stir.

[pollypurebred39]

Now this would be far more money then I want to spend, but I'll bet it looks really pretty in a jar and it's not your standard jar mix.

DREAMSICLE COOKIE MIX
.

1/2 cup Tang instant breakfast drink powder

3/4 cup sugar

1½ cups vanilla chips

1¾ cups flour mixed with 1/2 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredient. .

Recipe to attach to jar:

Empty cookie mix in a large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix until completely blended. Roll heaping tablespoonfuls into balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 375º for 12 to 14 minutes or until tops are very lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 2½ dozen.


This one is more my budget, and it sounds really Yummy too!

Scottish Shortbread Mix in a Jar


This older recipe never fails to bring a smile.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt

In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients, blending well. Store in an airtight container.

Attach this to the Jar

Scottish Shortbread
Makes 16 pieces

1 cup butter, softened
1 package Scottish Shortbread Mix

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Knead the butter into the
shortbread mix and press the mixture firmly into an 8-inch pie plate, or shortbread mold. Bake for 1 hour. The shortbread should be pale in color, not browned. Cut into wedges while still warm.

[pollypurebred39]

Now for the ladies who might not like to cook, or who are watching their diet I'm thinking I need to find something in a more pampering realm. But it still needs it to be incredibly cheap, these are just token gifts and I'm looking to spend 25 to 50 cents each on them. I found these so far;

Ocean Bath

4 cup coarse sea salt (look at natural food stores)
few drops of fragrance oil (optional)

This looks pretty for a gift if packaged in a glass jar. Add a large shell for a scoop and add these instructions: Use 1/4-1/2 c per bath.

Fizzing Bath Crystals

1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup citric acid (look by canning supplies)
2 Tbsp cornstarch

Mix well and store in a dry, airtight container. Fill tub with warm water and when full, sprinkle 1/4 cup in bath. For a little more fizz, increase citric acid to 1/3 c.

Colored Bath Salts:

1 cup epsom salts
1/4 cup kosher salt or sea salt
food coloring
fragrance oils (optional)

Mix together epsom salts and kosher salt. Add a few drops of your favorite color and stir well. If you would like your salts scented, add a few drops of fragrance oil. Store in an airtight container - preferably glass. Add 1/4 c under running bath water.
Note: you may substitute cornstarch or baking soda for the kosher salt.

Fine Bath Salts:

1/2 cup fine sea salt or table salt
1/2 cup baking soda
1 tsp sunflower oil
2 to 3 drops fragrance oil
1/4 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)

Place all ingredients in a resealable plastic bag and knead until well mixed. Add 1-2 T to bath under running water.

3-2-1 Bath Salts:

3 cups epsom salts
2 cups sea salt
1 cup baking soda

Mix together in a BIG zip lock bag. Add a few drops of fragrance and/or food coloring and knead to saturate the salts. Let sit overnight with one corner open just a little so the mixture can "breathe". Use 1/4 cup per bath.

Bath and Body Recipes - Index - Bath and Body Recipes You Can Make at Home

It would be nice if I could find bag label toppers without having to create my own. I'll keep searching.

[pollypurebred39]

This has to be the best craft to make for kids and adults alike, that I have ever seen, and it's frugal to boot!

I just may make these next year for the men on our token gift list. This would be great to give to the male pastors on our list to put on their desks, only I'd skip the gum balls and fill it with other hard round candy.

How to Make a Faux Gumball Machine

[pollypurebred39]

I found the Mother load of token bath gifts!!!!

Sugar and Spice Bath Salts

Lemon Scented Bath Salts Recipe

Chocolate Milk Bath Recipe

Homemade Bath Salts and Decorative Glass Jars

[mauimagic]

There is no stopping our Polly once she gets on a roll!! Mahalo plenty for even more great ideas - love the gum ball machine - may make them for the office staff this year!!

[Syn D]

Call me duh, but where do you get kosher/sea salt and fragrance oils?? I mentioned in another part of FV that I have a bunch of empty dr. pepper bottles, and someone mentioned putting bath stuff in it..


Thank you!

[pollypurebred39]

Wholesale Bulk Unscented Sea Salts, Natural Sea Salt, Unscented Bath Salts Crystals - scents4less.com

kosher salt you can find at your grocery.

It might be kind of neat if you could find a Dr. Pepper scented oil! Maybe a cherry & Vanilla mix?

[Syn D]

Wholesale Bulk Unscented Sea Salts, Natural Sea Salt, Unscented Bath Salts Crystals - scents4less.com

kosher salt you can find at your grocery.

It might be kind of neat if you could find a Dr. Pepper scented oil! Maybe a cherry & Vanilla mix?

Thank you very much Polly!!

Good idea on the scents also, thanx!

[pollypurebred39]

Here's another cute token gift

Blue Cricket Design