Holiday Gift Guide #1 2010

What's better than a holiday gift guide consisting of DIY decorations, DIY gifts, recipes and much more!

hOLidAY GiFT GUidE 2010

[ #1 ]

DIY Gift & Recipe in ONE!

Last Christmas I gave Matt's mom "Gingerbread Cookie in a Jar". I thought it would be perfect since she likes to bake and it could be something that his mom and youngest sister could do together. It is all of the dry ingredients to make a gingerbread man (or chocolate chip cookies) in a jar. Although last winter when I was stranded at Matt's moms with Matt (not complaining!) during a big blizzard Matt, his sister and I baked them and made all kinds of shapes. They were delicious! I got the idea from a gift my mom had received from someone a looong time ago. They are perfect, affordable and cute! Cute significant others parents gifts, teachers, neighbors or whatever!

My mom had received chocolate chip cookie, I wanted to spice things up with gingerbread men...

"Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Jar"

Ingredients (makes 2 dozen)

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Directions

Combine the flour, baking soda, white sugar, and the chocolate chips. Place 1/2 of the mixture in a clean quart sized glass jar, and pack firmly. Place the brown sugar on top, again packing firmly. Place the remaining flour mixture on top. Cover with a lid.

Attach a card to the jar with the following directions:

*Chocolate Chip Cookies*

- Empty contents of jar into a large bowl.

- In separate bowl combine 3/4 cup of butter, 1 1/2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture.

- Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

-------------------- surprise! gingerbread recipe found! *--------------------

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Directions

Mix 2 cups of the flour with the baking soda and baking powder. Mix the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour with the ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice. In a 1 quart, wide mouth canning jar, layer the ingredients starting with the flour and baking powder mixture, then the brown sugar, and finally the flour and spice mixture. Pack firmly between layers.

Attach a card to the jar with the following directions:

*Gingerbread Cookies*

- Empty contents of jar into a large mixing bowl. Stir to blend together. Mix in 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine, 3/4 cup molasses, and 1 slightly beaten egg. Dough will be very stiff, so you may need to use your hands. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

- Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Place cookies on a lightly greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven.

Time for the fun part--- DECORATE!

I use mason jars for my cookie in a jar. I place the flat part of the lid on and then for decoration place a piece of fabric ontop then twist the final part of the lid on (cutting a square piece of festive fabric that fit to the size of my jar). I then add a ribbon around the metal lid and this is wear i tie the attached directions. You can do a lot with these cute jars like tying cookie cutters around the lid or playing a big bow ontop!

Enjoy!

let me know if you use these gifts & how it goes!

If you want to join in on the fun and be a guest blogger just leave a comment with your email and we can chat or contact me : Preciousjen12 [at] comcast.net

[xo]

-jenna