Home baked cookies, cakes, brownies, bread, candy or even the fixings for a full course meal can be some of the tastiest gifts that you give this holiday season. Edible homemade Christmas gifts are an absolutely delightful gift idea for virtually any one who enjoys being pampered with a tasty treat.
Students not only attend classes, but generally spend a large number of hours afterwards in study or preparing essays. When they get some free time, they are usually going to use it for play, rather than baking. So when someone else is willing to pass a few home cooked, or home baked goodies their way, they are more than a little appreciative. Life is busy out there, and between work, commuting to and from work, family and housework, the hours just seem to fly by. Many people just don't have the time to prepare home baked goodies for themselves, and their families, so receiving these special edible goodies during the holiday season is just so nice. Others, like those newly out on their own, and some bachelors, or bachelorettes, just may not know how to cook up these special treats. So for many these edible gifts are a real pleasure to receive.
Usually baking in bulk makes this task much easier. So prepare a list of those who you will be baking, or cooking for this year, and then multiply your ingredients to cover the larger batch. If you are planning on giving cookies, bake several varieties, and then divide each batch so that a few of each type of cookie goes into each gift package. You can then gift box, bag, or place into a tin the selection of cookies that will be given to each person. Tie your gift package together with a colored ribbon, and you have an absolutely wonderful, and attractive present to hand out to those on your list. Muffins or homemade candy are also best when given in a selection. Baking large batches actually makes this very easy, and a number of gifts can be made, and packaged in a single afternoon.
Ethnic, or a traditional family food is an absolutely wonderful gift to give and a pleasure to those who receive it. These distinct dishes are generally not easy to find at local restaurants, and nor is their preparation, or ingredients generally widely known. So having one of these rare, and delicious meals appear at the door, usually finds it greeted with much excitement. There are so many dishes that just taste so much like home, pierogi, cabbage rolls, Irish stew, babka, corn bread, lasagna, apple strudel, Asian duck, homemade kielbasa or head cheese. These are dishes that just taste so much better when they come from home. Pop your food into a box or basket, pop a bright red bow on it, and surprise someone with a very special treat made from one of your handed down family recipes.
Jams, jellies and preserves also make wonderful Christmas gifts. If you have extra in your pantry, tie a white, green or red ribbon around the neck of the jar, attach a gift tag, and you have the perfect gift for someone on your list. If you have smaller jars of these homemade treats, adding them into a gift basket with a selection of preserves, cookies, crackers or candy can make a wonderfully attractive gift. Gift baskets can also be filled with a selection of teas, fruit, chocolates and nuts.
Home baked bread, buns, brownies or cakes are items that make wonderful hostess gifts for when you are attending parties or dinners during the holiday season. A lot of work goes into preparing for a seasonal function so any extra home baked foods that arrive with the guests is generally very much appreciated.
Don't forget the pets. Providing home baked cookies and biscuits for the pet in the home, are just as important as are goodies for the adults, or children in the family. Just watch the family's eyes light up when you present your gift of homemade dog cookies to their pet.
Just in case you don't have a recipe of your own:
Puppy cookies:
Preheat oven to 350 degree temperature.
2 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 beef or chicken boullion cube
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 cup water
Mix together the first 3 ingredients. Blend in the oil, egg and water to form a stick dough. Roll teaspoonfuls into balls, and place these onto a greased cookie sheet, then flatten these slightly with a fork. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Kitty cookies:
Preheat oven to 350 degree temperature.
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
5 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
1/4 cup cornmeal
3/4 cup flour
Blend together the first 3 ingredients. Mix in the cornmeal, and flour, and add a small amount of water if needed to make dough. Knead till smooth. Form a ball with the dough and then roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into 1 inch squares and bake on greased cookie sheet for about 20 to 25 minutes.
Have a merry Christmas!
Sources:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/The-Best-Doggy-Biscuits /Detail.aspx
http://www.petplace.com/cats/homemade-treats-for-you r-cat/page1.aspx