Homemade/Handmade Gifts - Giving any this year?

[Rockfordmom]

Originally Posted by tntsmomie

Good Seasonings? It's a light tannish colored packet. We've used the italian one they have, but garlic and herb is by far, the yummiest for this bread.


Grabbed a bottle of Olive Garden salad dressing while we were at dinner tonight. Thought that'd be fun to add to the goodies for the Italian basket. Thought maybe a bread basket would work b/c I'd like to add a cutting board for the bread and don't think it'll fit in the bottle. And then wrap it all up in shrink wrap???
I'm really gonna have to think on this one! The execution of it all is killing me! I have all these ideas, but don't want to spend a fortune.

maybe you can find a smaller cutting board, you can fit a bread knife in there maybe and one of those little dip spreader knives, a small cheese cutting board and knife, some kind of non-frigerated garlic spread (if there is such a thing), a really small bottle of olive oil

and now I'm getting hungry

[sassyME]

I've seen some of the 'little dip spreader knives' (LOL) at Target next to the dollar spot it was $2.50 for 3 in the package or it might have been 4.

[floridasun5]

I have a question for those who regularly make homemade gifts, particularly baked goods. I am thinking of making up a couple of boxes of fancy french chocolate macaroons to give to friends this year as we are trying to really scrimp on costs this year. I dont know how much a box of these usually sell for because our patisserie here doesnt sell them!

but...my question is.....if I give a box of macaroons to someone, what kind of small coordinating thing can I give along with them to make it seem like a real gift instead of just a box of cookies? Any small, cheap things that would go along with it, that I can wrap up with the cookies, or even tie within the bow on the box? And, if anyone knows how much boxes of macaroons sell for so I can get an idea of worth, please let me know as well. Thanks!

[jenrein]

Originally Posted by floridasun5

I have a question for those who regularly make homemade gifts, particularly baked goods. I am thinking of making up a couple of boxes of fancy french chocolate macaroons to give to friends this year as we are trying to really scrimp on costs this year. I dont know how much a box of these usually sell for because our patisserie here doesnt sell them!

but...my question is.....if I give a box of macaroons to someone, what kind of small coordinating thing can I give along with them to make it seem like a real gift instead of just a box of cookies? Any small, cheap things that would go along with it, that I can wrap up with the cookies, or even tie within the bow on the box? And, if anyone knows how much boxes of macaroons sell for so I can get an idea of worth, please let me know as well. Thanks!

I honestly think that if you make them look really nice in the box, and wrap it beautifully that is gift enough. Attach a small card, maybe hand made. I think presentation will sell that alone. And...you can send some my way!

[ShoppingChick13]

Originally Posted by floridasun5

I have a question for those who regularly make homemade gifts, particularly baked goods. I am thinking of making up a couple of boxes of fancy french chocolate macaroons to give to friends this year as we are trying to really scrimp on costs this year. I dont know how much a box of these usually sell for because our patisserie here doesnt sell them!

but...my question is.....if I give a box of macaroons to someone, what kind of small coordinating thing can I give along with them to make it seem like a real gift instead of just a box of cookies? Any small, cheap things that would go along with it, that I can wrap up with the cookies, or even tie within the bow on the box? And, if anyone knows how much boxes of macaroons sell for so I can get an idea of worth, please let me know as well. Thanks!

Hi floridasun,

This company sells French Macaroons online. A small box of 8 is $14.00 and a large box of 15 is $23.00. www shopsucre com (I can't post links yet)

You can wrap them up in pretty boxes and festive ribbon and include a nice card telling the recipient how much you appreciate them and care for them. I would love a gift like this.

You do not need to add anything, the cookies and heartfelt wishes are a perfect gift on their own.
If you do decide to add to them, Starbucks has small, one pot size bags of their Christmas Blend Coffee. (one of my Mom's favorites) They are less than $3.00 or you can buy a 6 pack gift set with 6 different individual pot coffees for $12.95 and split it up and attach one pack per box of cookies.

You can find very pretty boxes and wrappings for homemade gifts at The Container Store, and Michaels Arts and Crafts.

Have fun!

[tntsmomie]

Originally Posted by floridasun5

I have a question for those who regularly make homemade gifts, particularly baked goods. I am thinking of making up a couple of boxes of fancy french chocolate macaroons to give to friends this year as we are trying to really scrimp on costs this year. I dont know how much a box of these usually sell for because our patisserie here doesnt sell them!

but...my question is.....if I give a box of macaroons to someone, what kind of small coordinating thing can I give along with them to make it seem like a real gift instead of just a box of cookies? Any small, cheap things that would go along with it, that I can wrap up with the cookies, or even tie within the bow on the box? And, if anyone knows how much boxes of macaroons sell for so I can get an idea of worth, please let me know as well. Thanks!

Yep, I agree with the other responses. A box of macaroons - especially if they are homemade - is plenty a gift! You can find gorgeous little boxes at Target, etc, or even boxes more related to giving food gifts at Big Lots, Target, etc. Probably even the $ store, then you can wrap them up with nice ribbon.

I love the coffee idea as an add-on. Maybe a nice pretty cloth napkin? Or a package of cocoa or tea if they're not coffee drinkers? They make some nice peppermint tea and cocoa. Very yummy!

[tntsmomie]

Originally Posted by sassyME

I've seen some of the 'little dip spreader knives' (LOL) at Target next to the dollar spot it was $2.50 for 3 in the package or it might have been 4.

Thank you!
And that's exactly what I would've called them! Actually, I probably would've butchered it more and said "those little knifey spready thingies...you know, with the handle and you (insert spreading motion here done by me very animated-like)...please tell me you know what I'm talking about."

I need to run over there later anyway, so I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip!

[Mommax3]

Originally Posted by tntsmomie

Yep, I agree with the other responses. A box of macaroons - especially if they are homemade - is plenty a gift! You can find gorgeous little boxes at Target, etc, or even boxes more related to giving food gifts at Big Lots, Target, etc. Probably even the $ store, then you can wrap them up with nice ribbon.

I love the coffee idea as an add-on. Maybe a nice pretty cloth napkin? Or a package of cocoa or tea if they're not coffee drinkers? They make some nice peppermint tea and cocoa. Very yummy!

I picked up a bunch of the flavored coffe sample type packs in the dollar bin at Target. I got Giradella Chocolate caramel, peppermint chocolate and a bunch of others to throw in a basket for my sons teacher who is a big coffee drinker.

[floridasun5]

Thanks for the suggestions on the macaroons all. After I thought about it some more, I might pick up a few sample sizes of coffee or tea bags to put in a tiny gift bag along with the cookies. Unfortunately, these friends that I am planning on giving them to like cookies, but dont understand and wont appreciate macaroons and probably just see them as me giving them normal cookies for Christmas lol So, I think if I add a nice card and a small gift of only $2-3 with it, it will look better.

[tntsmomie]

Originally Posted by floridasun5

Thanks for the suggestions on the macaroons all. After I thought about it some more, I might pick up a few sample sizes of coffee or tea bags to put in a tiny gift bag along with the cookies. Unfortunately, these friends that I am planning on giving them to like cookies, but dont understand and wont appreciate macaroons and probably just see them as me giving them normal cookies for Christmas lol So, I think if I add a nice card and a small gift of only $2-3 with it, it will look better.

Well, is there another type of cookie or goody they'd like?
Or perhaps you could include a card about why you chose to make them the macaroons?
Just b/c they don't understand or appreciate it now, doesn't mean you can't be the one to make them come around.

[SelenaV]

Okay, I've read the thread a couple of times and I'm in awe of you ladies. I tell you, these are some million dollar ideas. Now, I took careof DD's teachers at Target's 90% off sale last year so I can't do the 2 litre for them. DS is in high school so we don't do gifts there either. In wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to use the bottle idea I think I want to do one for each of his coaches. He has the same core set of coaches in football, wrestling, and track. I need ideas of what to put in the bottles for the men. The only thing I'm sure of is the coaches LOVE DS's fudge so he'll make some fudge and we'll cut and wrap the individual pices.

What else can I add? More baked goodies? Hand sanitizer? Small flashlights?

THanks!
Selena

[tntsmomie]

Originally Posted by SelenaV

Okay, I've read the thread a couple of times and I'm in awe of you ladies. I tell you, these are some million dollar ideas. Now, I took careof DD's teachers at Target's 90% off sale last year so I can't do the 2 litre for them. DS is in high school so we don't do gifts there either. In wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to use the bottle idea I think I want to do one for each of his coaches. He has the same core set of coaches in football, wrestling, and track. I need ideas of what to put in the bottles for the men. The only thing I'm sure of is the coaches LOVE DS's fudge so he'll make some fudge and we'll cut and wrap the individual pices.

What else can I add? More baked goodies? Hand sanitizer? Small flashlights?

THanks!
Selena

We saw the COOLEST flashlights at Target and Kroger. They're 4-in-1 lights. They are a flashlight, a glowstick, a whistle and a flashing light. The lights cycle through as a you push the button. I think they were $4. And they'd fit into a bottle.

[allshoppedout]

Originally Posted by SelenaV

Okay, I've read the thread a couple of times and I'm in awe of you ladies. I tell you, these are some million dollar ideas. Now, I took careof DD's teachers at Target's 90% off sale last year so I can't do the 2 litre for them. DS is in high school so we don't do gifts there either. In wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to use the bottle idea I think I want to do one for each of his coaches. He has the same core set of coaches in football, wrestling, and track. I need ideas of what to put in the bottles for the men. The only thing I'm sure of is the coaches LOVE DS's fudge so he'll make some fudge and we'll cut and wrap the individual pices.

What else can I add? More baked goodies? Hand sanitizer? Small flashlights?

THanks!
Selena

Hmm coaches, so I am thinking stuff they'd keep in a "locker" or gym bag...

Small water bottle (canteen?), "bod spray" or AXE, something a guy might use-- sometimes you can find them in travel sizes, or a multipack and separate it for each coach...hmmm what do guys use...aftershave, shave cream, disposable razors, socks!, I love that my Dollar $tores here have socks that say STEELERS for $1 I always stick them in guys gifts... TOOTHBRUSH, paste,
Do they golf? A small golf towel (for ball cleaning) and some tees....
Small bottle of gator ade, If these things end up being "bulky" then you could use a 3 ltr bottle...
That is all I got this a.m.
GOOD LUCK

A fast food gift card to stop and get a bite to eat on the way home....

[kjunea]

Originally Posted by floridasun5

I have a question for those who regularly make homemade gifts, particularly baked goods. I am thinking of making up a couple of boxes of fancy french chocolate macaroons to give to friends this year as we are trying to really scrimp on costs this year. I dont know how much a box of these usually sell for because our patisserie here doesnt sell them!

but...my question is.....if I give a box of macaroons to someone, what kind of small coordinating thing can I give along with them to make it seem like a real gift instead of just a box of cookies? Any small, cheap things that would go along with it, that I can wrap up with the cookies, or even tie within the bow on the box? And, if anyone knows how much boxes of macaroons sell for so I can get an idea of worth, please let me know as well. Thanks!

I am a teacher and I bake a lot of things for my co-workers! Not only my team (6 other teachers), but my office staff (6), assistant principal and executive principal (2), other teachers on either side of my room (2), janitors (5) and a couple of others who I am close to! And that doesn't even include my husband's office! I have found the cutest little bread dishes at Michael's. They are only $1 and they would hold a mini loaf of bread or you could put some confetti and put little chocolates, etc in them.

My friends would KILL me if I didn't make things for them for christmas!

[tchubb]

Originally Posted by floridasun5

Thanks for the suggestions on the macaroons all. After I thought about it some more, I might pick up a few sample sizes of coffee or tea bags to put in a tiny gift bag along with the cookies. Unfortunately, these friends that I am planning on giving them to like cookies, but dont understand and wont appreciate macaroons and probably just see them as me giving them normal cookies for Christmas lol So, I think if I add a nice card and a small gift of only $2-3 with it, it will look better.

Check out Barnies coffee shops - they have a coffee. tea and hot cocoa called Santa's White Christmas in little bags. I'm giving our neighbors homemade banana bread and a sample size of the coffee. They have increased the size of their single coffee bags so it makes a full pot now.

[tchubb]

I went to a thrift store and picked up some hard back books and red and green baskets. I had left over material from quilting so I made a scented "hot pad" a little bigger than the size of a coffee cup. I purchased some single serving size bags of the Santa's White Christmas from Barnie's and found some Christmas mugs. I then took some pretzels and dipped them in white candy and coated them with sprinkles. I'm putting everything in the baskets and including a note that this contents of the basket are to help the person relax during the crazy holiday season. Total cost for each basket was less than $5!

[kbes3277]

I think awhile back someone had asked what to do with pinecones.... I just found this online, and thought it was really cute however, I think I would tweak it a bit, such as double up on pipe cleaners for legs, and maybe make the feet a bit bigger so they actually stand =)

http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/...crafts#slide_0