T minus 7 days to Christmas.
Don’t want to freak you out or anything, but Christmas Eve is a week tonight.
I’m not sure about you, but my list ain’t getting any shorter.
I should really know better. Every year, the same thing happens. During the last week of November , I look at my calendar and think “wow, I’m really ahead of the game”. And, then December 1st hits and I’m on complete overwhelm for the next month!
Whether you have crossed everything off your list and are now sitting by a roaring fire sipping on some hot cocoa (which, if you are, please show me your ways!) or if your list is growing longer by the minute, I thought I would share some simple ways to make last minute homemade gifts that anyone would be happy to receive!
Even if you have absolutely no time, there are ways you can wrap up store bought items and give them a festive flair. Like the wreath of mini meringues above that are placed in a wreath shape. Homemade (these were my aquafaba meringues which you can find a recipe for here) or store bought, any cookie would do. And, when they are placed strategically on a beautiful board and wrapped in cellophane with a big bow, who wouldn’t love to receive this?
Sometimes, it’s just about finding things you already have at home and jazzing them up in your own festive way.
How about using clementines to make a double whammy hostess gift?
Carefully peel the clementines and, using a cookie cutter, cut shapes out of the peel and tie them with festive string to use as Christmas tree ornaments or air fresheners! Then, separate the segments, dip them in chocolate and place them in a pretty box…they’d make an amazing addition to any dessert platter!
Do you have any chocolate lying around? I know. Crazy question, right? But, seriously, now is the time to grab a few extra bars of milk and dark chocolate to have on hand for things just like this! Melt your chocolate and pour into festive molds you can pick up at most craft and bakery supply stores (heck, I found mine at the dollar store!!). Before the chocolate sets, decorate with green pistachios and red cranberries or drizzle with white chocolate. When they’re set, wrap up in festive containers and keep them on hand for quick last minute give aways!
And, how is this for a great hostess gift? In mason jars, place the peel of a few clementines, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and cranberries and then attach directions for heating this homemade potpourri …It would make any homeowner swoon with delight!!
And, if we’re talking edible gifts, nothing says I love you more than some quick bars. I always have some frozen cookie dough in the freezer to give away as gifts (because who wouldn’t want to bake their own warm, tummy warming cookies at home?). But, if you would rather wrap up some already’baked bars, try this recipe for magic bars or this recipe for chocolate bark (also known as chocolate crack!) pictured below. Both of these come together in a minute and require no mixer! Easy peasy!
And, if you’re going to go to the trouble of making edible gifts, why not make some crackers, like these below? Using any recipe, you can make it easier by using a trusted old pasta machine for rolling a thin cracker and then baked in sheets to make the process faster!
And if you haven’t been keeping up with my holiday shenanigans, take a peek at this post which is all about keeping the kiddies happy (aka occupied) over the holidays; and this post about wowing your guests with cool holiday appetizers (including a recipe for a Cheese Bun Christmas tree); or this sweet Nutella tree; and finally the cutest cocktail ever that is super yummy and will have your guests talking about your creativity for a very long time.
Have some fun in these next few days. I know the stress-o-meter is probably on overdrive but what’s a holiday without a little fun, right??
