Any Food/Christmas gifts i can make now/freeze?

**FridayAngel** · 09-09-2011, 04:04 PM

I was thinking are there any gifts i could make for
neighbors/ co workers. That i could make now and freeze for
December? or is it too early/?

I am not the best baker in the world..
So any ideas/ Recipes would be welcomed!!!

Thanks!

**dcompton** · 09-09-2011, 04:07 PM

To me it seems it's too early to freeze baked goods - others will have more experience.

However, I think you could put together cocoa, spiced tea, or soup mixes and have them ready to go, as long as they are in airtight jars.

**Libby** · 09-09-2011, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by dcompton

To me it seems it's too early to freeze baked goods - others will have more experience.

However, I think you could put together cocoa, spiced tea, or soup mixes and have them ready to go, as long as they are in airtight jars.

I agree it was too early to start the baking & freezing however dcompton also said what I was thinking - things in jars: cocoa mixes, teas, soup mixes etc.

**krbshappy71** · 09-09-2011, 04:28 PM

You could start watching the sales and clearance racks for your chocolate chips and other baking supplies until it gets closer, then you wont have to go out and buy a bunch of ingredients at once.

Basics that I will use in Christmas baking this year:

chocolate chips
sprinkles!! love sprinkles
baking soda, baking powder, sugar, flour (keep the four in the freezer if you can) salt, brown sugar
Bar chocolates both sweetened and unsweetened
peppermint candies
candy canes
nutmeg, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, these are all expensive to buy in one shot.
Pretzels should stay fresh enough if you keep them in an airtight container as well as not opening their original packaging.

**FridayAngel** · 09-09-2011, 06:06 PM

Awesome!! will keep that list in mind!!!
thanks

**SarahElmore** · 09-09-2011, 06:54 PM

Yes. You can start putting together mini homemade pies in a jar. They are absolutely adorable. You would use the half pint sized mason jars. They are super easy to do & you can freeze them up to 3 months & bake them the week you will be passing them out as gifts! 2 pie crusts make 4 jars & you can use canned pie filling- it's delicious!
Here is the link: go to website our best bites.com & search pie jars
Enjoy!! They are always a HUGE hit & something slightly different & cute!!

Sorry I don't have 15 posts yet so I'm unable to post URLs..

**pollypurebred39** · 09-09-2011, 07:17 PM

What a wonderful idea Sarah! Thank You!

Here, I'll post it for you

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/09/...-pie-in-a-jar/

**brenda67** · 09-09-2011, 08:25 PM

May I go off topic and suggest making Homemade Kahlu? It need's a few month's for all the flavor's to blend..I ask my family & friend's for their empty wine,liquer bottles or you can get the bottles at the dollar stores. Or homemade jam (that you could make now) using fruit juice then just add a homemade loaf of bread...I also make homemade rice pack's that can be a hot or cold pack with added essential oil's if you like..LMK if you would like the recipe's or direction's for the rice packs..HTH..

**Birdie** · 09-09-2011, 08:46 PM

One year I made up a bunch of 9 bean mix and attached a recipe for ham and bean soup. It would look great in a pint canning jar, but I made fabric bags with some scraps and tied them with yarn.

Previously, I had bought a package of a bean mix and picked it apart to see what was in it. It was even amounts, so I just bought one pound of each, mixed it all together and weighed out a pound for each package.

The mix has black beans, pinto, small white, red beans, pearl barley, lentils, black eyed peas, green split peas and yellow split peas. It is nice and colorful.

If anyone wants the soup recipe that came with it let me know.

**Debbie-cat** · 09-09-2011, 10:49 PM

Would love the recipe birdie!!

Sarah - LOVE the little pie idea!! I will be making these for sure!!

**Birdie** · 09-09-2011, 11:17 PM

Legume soup

Wash and soak bean mix overnight. Drain and place in a 5 qt pot. Cover with 2 qts water and add 3 ham hocks. Simmer 2 1/2 hours.

Then add:
1 large onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
3 stalks celery chopped
1 large can whole tomatoes chopped or crushed
2 cloves garlic crushed
juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Simmer 30 minutes more. For extra flavor during the last 30 minutes add 1 lb sausage or ground beef browned and drained. (I've never added the sausage or ground beef).

IF you prefer to use Turkey or chicken parts to replace the ham, eliminate lemon and add 2 chopped carrots. Freezes well.

I use ham chunks instead of hocks and frozen tomatoes from my garden. It makes a wonderful hearty meal with a hunk of bread.

**Debbie-cat** · 09-10-2011, 08:48 AM

Thanks birdie!!! Sounds yummy. Will have to try it!

**madhen** · 09-10-2011, 11:23 AM

Fruitcakes need some time to age, so you could make those. Same with Christmas pudding. You have to start that sucker early.

I would think fudge might hold up well in the freezer, but it IS a little early for baking. I typically start right after Thanksgiving.

**FridayAngel** · 09-10-2011, 01:31 PM

Wow i love the pie too!
thanks for all the suggestions!!
i so appreciate it!
Friday

**shoiji** · 09-10-2011, 06:02 PM

If you have friends with cats you can make catnip toys out of scaps of cloth or old clothing. Just need to purchase cat nip.

I made some using a cookie cutter shaped like micky mouse's head. Put it in the card. Owner could not figure out why the cat was so interested in the card. Then they figured it out.

If they have a dog and walk it a small flashlight is a great gift to watch where they are going and pick up stuff. Or a dog bisquit in a jar. Same principle as cookie in a jar but with a dog bone shaped cookie cutter.