My Christmas Gift Idea

[70707Bride]

Since my family doesn't have a lot of money to spend on Christmas this year, my mom came up with this idea that if we each get 5 really cheap things and wrap them all up, then we could all just pick which ones we wanted to open. I found some small pails with lids at Wal-Mart in the Christmas section for only $1 each. I got 5 of them because that's all there was lol. I have to go see if they have some here in Macomb today. I thought it would be neat to fill them with candy or some sort of Christmas goodies that we don't traditionally make. I also thought about doing this for 2 of my managers.

[septemberbride06]

Sounds okay for siblings, but I would probably get like a cute little basket or somethig for your managers LOL!

(at least your crafty...I buy my boss a popcorn tin every year!)

:snide:

[70707Bride]

Sounds okay for siblings, but I would probably get like a cute little basket or somethig for your managers LOL!

(at least your crafty...I buy my boss a popcorn tin every year!)

:snide:

I just have to figure out what to put in them. I wanted to make truffles, but all of them are supposed to be refrigerated. I don't know if I would be able to put them in the pail. (They are Christmas pails too, They have penguins and snowmen on them :)) Do you think that if I used non-dairy whipping cream, they wouldn't have to be refrigerated?

[ladymelissa]

I wouldn't make anything that might go bad, especially for your boss! I also didn't know truffles had to be refrigerated, in fact I just bought a box of truffles which were not refrigerated. Maybe look for a different recipe.

[SerendipityCrafts]

Make a batch of almond bark ... it's quick, easy and very very nummy!!!!

http://img.recipezaar.com/timer.gif 30 min 15 min prep

3/4 cup slivered almonds (http://www.recipezaar.com/library/getentry.zsp?id=104) or almonds (http://www.recipezaar.com/library/getentry.zsp?id=104) 16 ounces semisweet chocolate pieces or white chocolate pieces (http://www.recipezaar.com/library/getentry.zsp?id=225)

(I prefer white chocolate & I buy the ingredients at the bulk food store)

Toast the almonds in a 9"x 13" pan at 350 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler over hot, not boiling water stirring until smooth.
Pour chocolate over almonds in the 9"x 13" pan (cookie sheet with a lip)
Spread evenly and chill until hardened.
Break into pieces and store in a cool place.

[BriansBride07]

Sounds like a good idea. I would also put something diff. into each bucket so it is a little more personal for the person your giving it to. ex. candles, bath and body stuff ect.

[lize566]

Make a batch of almond bark ... it's quick, easy and very very nummy!!!!

http://img.recipezaar.com/timer.gif 30 min 15 min prep

3/4 cup slivered almonds (http://www.recipezaar.com/library/getentry.zsp?id=104) or almonds (http://www.recipezaar.com/library/getentry.zsp?id=104) 16 ounces semisweet chocolate pieces or white chocolate pieces (http://www.recipezaar.com/library/getentry.zsp?id=225)

(I prefer white chocolate & I buy the ingredients at the bulk food store)

Toast the almonds in a 9"x 13" pan at 350 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler over hot, not boiling water stirring until smooth.
Pour chocolate over almonds in the 9"x 13" pan (cookie sheet with a lip)
Spread evenly and chill until hardened.
Break into pieces and store in a cool place.

Peppermint bark is also really good but I don't have a recipe..i'm sure you could find one if you google it though. I am doing something similar for my boss and co-worker, but I am making chocolate covered pretzels. So much fun to make!!

[Jenn060306]

We've done stuff like that as well. But i get Christmas tins and fill them with home made cookies. Mark's grampa loves the cookies! My grandma refused to share hers. It's great! lol.

You could also make Candy Cane Bark. Same receipe as the one Elizabeth posted. But you use crushed candy canes instead of almonds.
Also, if you are very careful and watch the chocolate closely. You can melt it in the microwave. But only put it in for 30 seconds at a time stiring at each beep.

Have fun making your treats!

[dimple]

really cool idea. I'm on a tight budget to. I'd probably be doing something like that, for the family of course.

[SerendipityCrafts]

I am not normally home to watch Oprah but I caught her Friday show ..... Rachel Ray made a 5 min fudge .... looks easy, presentation is festive, all you need to do to turn it into a present is a plate from the dollar store, some celo wrap and a ribbon.


http://www2.oprah.com/foodhome/food/recipes/food_20051123_wreath.jhtml


Five-Minute Fudge Wreaths: Chunky Chocolate Fudge Wreath with Walnuts and Currants
Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray
From the show Oprah and Rachael Ray
Throw a Holiday Party

Makes 2 pounds

This super-simple recipe will be a hit at your holiday party! Try all three varieties: the Chunky Chocolate Fudge Wreath with Walnuts and Currants, the White Chocolate Wreath with Pistachio and Cranberry or the Goober and Raisinette Wreath!

http://images.oprah.com/images/foodhome/food/200511/food_20051123_wreath_120x90.jpg

INGREDIENTS
12 ounce package semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk (save the can)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8 ounce can walnuts, plus more for topping
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants (a couple of handfuls)
candied red and green cherries to decorate top (like holly)
softened butter to grease an 8 inch round cake pan

Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with softened butter. Pour the chocolate and butterscotch chips, condensed milk and vanilla into a medium saucepan. Put the pan on the stove and turn the heat to low.
Cover the empty condensed milk can with plastic wrap and put it in the center of the round cake pan.

Stir the chips and milk until they melt together, about 3 minutes. Stir in nuts and raisins. Scoop the fudge into the cake pan all around the plastic-covered can in the center to form a wreath or ring shape. Let it be all bumpy on top. Keep pushing the can back to the center if the fudge moves it away from there. Cut the red cherries in half with scissors and the green cherries into quarters. Use the green pieces to make leaves and the red to make holly berries. Decorate the fudge with several groups of holly berry sprigs made from the cherries and garnish with walnuts between the sprigs.
Put the fudge in the fridge and chill until firm. Remove the can from the center, then loosen the sides and bottom of the fudge with a spatula. Cut the fudge into thin slices to serve.
To give the wreath as a gift-wrap in cellophane and secure with a bow or ornament.

Variations:
White Chocolate Wreath with Pistachio
and Cranberry
Substitute the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips, 1 1/2 ounce bag plus 1 cup.
Substitute 1 to 1 1/2 cups of shelled natural pistachio nuts for walnuts.
Substitute 1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries for currants.
Goober and Raisinette Wreath
Swap butterscotch for peanut butter chips
Swap large whole peanuts for walnuts used in original recipe (such as peeled Virginia Peanuts)
Swap 1/2 cup large raisins for currants in original recipe