More Christmas Cheer!

(Published on surfKY News on December 8, 2011)

This is quickly turning into one of the busiest times of the year. We are rushing around trying to find that perfect gift, planning our family get-togethers and planning our holiday menus, not to mention dealing with the growing excitement of the little ones around us.

Back before my life schedule became super busy, I used to plan for months the gifts that I was going to give my family and friends. I was a lot more “crafty” in my younger years, having more time and better eyesight for things like needlework and any craft that involved a glue gun. Several years ago, I put away my crochet needles and traded in my heated glue gun for a bottle of Gorilla Glue. But this year, I feel my crafty side itching to drag out my craft boxes, my ribbons and of course, my hot glue gun.


There are so many quick and easy gifts to make so do not be intimidated by the thought of spending many hours laboring over a table full of crafts. As you are making gifts for family and friends, remember elderly neighbors and shut-ins. I'm sure they would enjoy a small token gift and the thought of being remembered this time of the year could be priceless to them.

Try your crafty hand at these quick and easy recipes, you just might surprise yourself.
 

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE MIX IN A JAR

●¾ c light brown sugar
●½ c granulated sugar
●1 c semisweet chocolate chips or small chocolate candy-coated candies
●2 c all-purpose flour
●1 t salt
●1 t baking powder
●Dash baking soda
Mix salt and baking powder and soda with flour. Layer ingredients in jar in any order. Cover lid with a fabric circle and tie with a ribbon, if desired. To the ribbon attach a card with the following recipe and instructions:

 
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

●Cookie Mix in a Jar
●1 c butter
●1 egg
●1 t vanilla
Beat butter in a mixing bowl until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. With a wooden spoon, stir cookie mix into creamed mixture until well blended. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 350° oven for 8 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Depends on size of cookies, makes about 3 to 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies.


CAKE IN A MUG

●Coffee Mug
●4 T flour
●4 T sugar
●2 T unsweetened cocoa
●2 T whisked egg (Whisk 1 egg, but only use 2T) (For a fudgier version, omit egg)
●3 T milk
●3 T oil
●3 T chocolate chips
●Splash vanilla or other flavoring - try peppermint or cinnamon

Add all the dry ingredients to the mug and mix. Add the egg and combine well. It gets pretty pasty at the point. Stir in milk and oil. Add chocolate chips and splash of vanilla. Stir well. Microwave for 3 minutes in a 1000w oven, or 4 minutes in a 700w oven. It will start to crown over the top of the mug but will collapse once the heat stops.
 

Other Quick & Crafty Gifts--
 
•Purchase a Christmas coffee mug at your favorite dollar store, fill with individually wrapped candy, wrap mug & candy in cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon.

•Purchase candy canes or other flavored candy sticks. Dip them in melted semi-sweet chocolate and let harden. Wrap in cellophane with bows to be used as coffee or tea stirrers.

•Line a large, heavy oven mitt with colored cellophane, fill with gourmet jellybeans or nuts and tie with a bright ribbon.
•Line a small wicker basket with colorful kitchen towels and add small kitchen gadgets or spices. Tie a big red bow on the handle and present to your favorite culinary artist.

•Purchase holiday platters at dollar stores, thrift shops or flea markets and fill with cookies or candy.


NEXT WEEK—Get Shorty.

Remember......Life is short. Eat Dessert first!!