The holiday season is here with the season-ending celebrations of Tuesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas and Hanukkah from Sunday, Dec. 14-Monday, Dec. 22.
Gifting doesn’t have to be a hugely expensive hassle. A few thoughtful, handmade, homemade gifts will leave a lasting impression on friends and extended family.
Crafted Popcorn
Shop thrift or dollar stores for inexpensive glass containers for your homemade popcorn treats. A holiday tin or a colorful plastic holiday food storage container can also be used.
Popcorn is inexpensive to make and can be colored using edible food dyes. Let your imagination go wild.
The flavor combinations are infinite. Here is one option.
Peppermint Popcorn
9 cups popped popcorn
12 ounces white candy melts
3 ounces dark cocoa candy melts
1/4 cup peppermint crunch sprinkles or candy cane pieces
Layer parchment paper on baking tray.
Heat white candy melts on high in 30-second bursts, stir until chocolate melts.
Heat dark cocoa candy melts for 15-second bursts on high, stir until melted.
Pour white candy melts over popcorn, stir until coated.
Spread onto baking tray. Immediately drizzle dark cocoa melts over popcorn followed quickly by peppermint crunch sprinkles or candy cane pieces.
Chill for 15 minutes until chocolate hardens.
Break up peppermint popcorn into chunks.
Chocolate Truffles
Become a holiday hero with this welcome gift.
8 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
1 tbsp. butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
4 oz. melted dark chocolate candy melts
4 oz. melted white chocolate candy melts
Flaky sea salt
Crushed candy canes
In a medium bowl, add chopped chocolate and butter. In a saucepan heat heavy cream until simmering. Pour heavy cream over chocolate and let sit 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a small cookie scoop, roll into smooth balls and place on sheet. Refrigerate until firm, 30 minutes.
Place cocoa powder in a small bowl and roll truffles in cocoa powder.
For chocolate-dipped truffles, dip truffles in white or dark chocolate. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt or crushed candy canes, or pipe frosting decor onto truffles. Refrigerate until hardened.
Wreath Tree Ornaments
Here’s a simple fun gift. Wrap a Mason jar screw lid in red or green yarn, holding it in place with dabs of hot-glue. Once fully covered, add miniature holiday decorations and bows. Tie a loop of ribbon around each lid for hanging.
You can also wrap the rings with twine or festive, thick ribbon.
Mulled Wine Kit
Adults will love this thoughtful gift to celebrate the holidays. The drink originally dates to ancient Roman times, when it was consumed to keep warm during winter.
6 dried orange slices
6 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise pods
1 whole nutmeg
Package the ingredients and provide a bottle of red, Merlot or zinfandel wine or let the recipient choose their own wine.
Add a recipe card with instructions Over medium heat, bring wine and contents of jar to a simmer, do not boil. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Strain into mugs. Instant holiday cheer awaits.
Reindeer Chow
Reindeer Chow is a Christmas classic treat. Who wouldn’t want a tin, or cellophane bag tied with thin holiday ribbon or bow, of this festive mix?
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 cups Chex cereal
3 cups Cheerios cereal
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 (7.6-oz.) package Reese’s mini peanut butter cups
1 (12-oz.) bag holiday M&Ms
3 cups mini pretzel twists
Place chocolate chips in a bowl and melt according to package directions. Stir in peanut butter.
Place Chex and Cheerios in a large bowl. Pour melted chocolate over cereal, stir until coated. Transfer cereal mixture to a gallon-size plastic storage bag. Add confectioners’ sugar, seal the bag and shake until cereal is evenly coated. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Stir in mini peanut butter cups, M&Ms and pretzels.
