| Homemade gifts from the kitchen make wonderful | | | | - Fine ingredients, such as granulated sugar and flour, |
| gifts for teachers or coworkers as well as for friends | | | | are best layered in the bottom. Level and tightly pack |
| and family. These gifts can be very personal; a nice | | | | each layer. |
| way to acknowledge those who touch our lives in | | | | - Cover the top of the filled jar with a 8" to 10" circle |
| special ways. What are the recipients favorite treats? | | | | of fabric. Tie this fabric with curly ribbon, raffia, or |
| Maybe he or she is under the weather. Whatever | | | | twine. Include a gift tag and recipe directions. |
| the reason for the gift, try to make it special. | | | | Gift In A Basket |
| Gift In A Mug | | | | A basket makes a wonderful gift container for many |
| This gift is really two gifts in one; the mug to use | | | | food gifts. When you don't have time to put |
| later and the edible gift in the mug. There are two | | | | together a homemade food gift, purchase sweets |
| different ways to make mug gifts. One way is by | | | | from your favorite bakery, put together the makings |
| giving a mug filled with ingredients to make a cup of | | | | for soup, or choose tea or coffee related items. |
| soup or a sweet treat. The second way is to bake a | | | | Small packages of cookies or any other sweets are |
| sweet treat inside the mug. | | | | good additions to fill in any empty spaces. |
| Tips: | | | | Tips: |
| - Use only mugs that are food safe, as well as safe | | | | - The actual basket can be made of wicker, wire, or |
| for microwave and oven use. | | | | other materials. If you are working within a specific |
| - Choose mugs that will hold at least 12 ounces and | | | | budget, visit your local dollar type store for the |
| have straight sides. | | | | basket as well as tea towels, cloth or heavy paper |
| - Wrap your finished mug gift in clear wrap or small | | | | napkins, ribbon, shred, and other inexpensive items. |
| cello bags, tie with raffia or narrow ribbon, and add a | | | | - Choose the correct size basket to hold the food |
| gift tag that indicates the contents of the mug. | | | | and other gift items you intend to use. |
| Gifts In A Jar | | | | - Line the basket with a terry towel, tea towel, |
| There are many options for making gifts in a jar; | | | | napkin, purchased shred or other decorative paper. |
| cookies, scones, muffins, quick breads, and soups to | | | | - If you choose to wrap your completed gift in a |
| name a few. | | | | basket, place it in a cello bag (available in some dollar |
| Tips: | | | | stores or party supply stores). Gather the ends over |
| - Choose jars with a wide mouth, airtight lids, and are | | | | the top and tie with narrow ribbon or raffia. Curly |
| clean and dry. | | | | ribbon cascading over the basket really looks nice. |
| - Check the recipe for the jar size needed. | | | | Top it off with a gift tag. |