christmas gifts, a few thoughts

**jinx** · 10-27-2006, 08:03 AM

Hi Everyone,
I do a good amount of baking (cookies, tea breads, and other treats) to give as gifts for christmas. How I give them is I buy cheap christmas plates usually after christmas, arrange the baked goods on the plate wrap it in celophane with a bow and give to the recipient. They not only get the baked goods they also get a plate to keep or pass on. Last year before christmas I found some holdiay decorated ceramic bread pans for 2.50 each. In which I placed a premade loaf of cranberry bread. I have also filled coffee mugs with small bite size cookies and wrapped them like a gift basket give as gifts. This year I am using clear 12 inch plates that have snowmen on them and soup size mugs that are bright red. I got a set of 6 plates for 4.99 and the set of 2 sets of 4 soup mugs were under 8 dollars for both sets I have done this for years.

Just so we all know christmas is on the way. The store where I work started playing christmas music yesterday.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 10-27-2006, 08:30 AM

Jinx - Way to go on those before hand preps!

I'm a basketmaker too and spend the whole year looking for items to fill them.
Have scoped out a new quick bread recipe with cherries, bananas and choclate chips. Also have my brandied fruits soaking. Working on finishing up a couple of winecork hot boards.

Laurie in BRadenton

**littlemotherhaywood** · 10-27-2006, 08:31 AM

Yes, it is fast approaching. Normally I love xmas, but now that we live so far away I'm not all that excited. We were supposed to go back home for two weeks since dh has the time off, but I'm so sad that we won't spend xmas morning looking at our own tree

I must be settling in I guess

I'm still considering exactly what I'm making. Last year we did baked goodies in little baskets, but I do like your plate idea. That's a cute idea.

**Dave'sGirl** · 10-27-2006, 12:34 PM

Everyone in my family is getting fireboxes!!! My daughter laughed and said to me..."I know, we're all getting fireboxes, aren't we!?"

I can't say it strong enough...you never know, you NEVER know!! If there is something you don't want to lose...protect it! At least your identity!

**yankeegal** · 10-27-2006, 08:02 PM

great ideas jinx...
I use plates and mugs for my cookies, as well as baskets, take-out containers, gift bags, plain paint cans, wine containers, etc.. what ever I can find on sale, with the Christmas theme...sounds like you did very well.

**danni** · 10-28-2006, 12:17 PM

I've done the gift baskets, plates, coffee mugs and am doing some again this year. Last year I also did treat of the month for my brothers birthday. On his bday(march 31) he got a loaf of banana bread and a letter saying that he would recieve baking on the 31st of every month for one year. I bake every month anyways for dh and the kids.

**DixieJ** · 10-28-2006, 12:34 PM

I have found some really cute plates and cups at DollarTree. I plan on making some homemade goodies to give for gifts. I am planning on making divinity, pecan tassies and maybe some sweet breads to give.

Dixie Jean

**Katybird** · 10-28-2006, 01:06 PM

I always do candies in a basket. I try to find baskets throughout the year and then add homemade candies and other homemade treats to the baskets at the holidays.

**kittyrose** · 10-28-2006, 01:41 PM

i went online and found a site where you can get yr round magazines for under $5 (yes, redbook, LHJ, etc...) ... some are under $10 ... xmas is going to be very simple this year... we are getting ready for dh's 3rd amputation and bypass... only the grandmothers are getting gift certificates to the local supermarket too...
for the kids, they know that with dad going into the hospital, they will be getting a sub. to their fav magazine (ds buys the computer ones all the time and dd buys her harpers all the time)... as far as me and dh, we dont want anything...

**ScrapMama** · 10-28-2006, 08:31 PM

I've already made it clear that I'm not doing extravagant Christmases for friends anymore. I end up very disappointed in the amount I spend and what I get back feeling wise. My MIL was by today and had actually asked for a list for the kiddos, so I'll get that to her this week. Dh and I worked on our list for the kids today. I have a few friends I'm getting something for, but it's baking I will be doing and some handmade stationary.