Your list is long, and your money is short. So how do you manage to give a great gift that will be well received and valued? It's easier than you think. Remember the saying, "It's the thought that counts?" Well, that is very true on a variety of levels. First of all, you are giving a gift to someone because you are thinking of them. Second of all, you need to give thought to what the recipient likes, needs, or would enjoy to ensure that your gift hits the mark. There is nothing worse than giving or receiving a gift that screams, "I just grabbed the first thing I saw because I am expected to be giving you a gift!"
STEPS TO THE PERFECT GIFT: Begin your gift giving by making of a list of the folks for whom you'll be buying. Next, go down through the list and think about each person as an individual. What do they enjoy? Do they have any specific needs? Now, make a few quick notes answering those kinds of questions beside each person's name. Your gift does not need to be expensive. It does, however, need to be carefully considered. Your goal is for the recipient to open their gift and think, "Wow! How did they know? This is so perfect!" Taking the time to complete these few, quick steps will ensure you give great gifts that are spot on with your recipients.
SOME IDEAS. Here is a list of inexpensive gifts that will help you get started. Hopefully, these ideas act as a springboard to get your creative juices flowing.
- Basket with kitchen gadgets.
- Hat, scarf, and gloves.
- Box of all occasion cards and a nice pen.
- Photo album with pictures of a special time or event.
- Deck of cards with a book of several card games.
- DVD rental certificates or coupons.
- Lottery tickets.
- Customized family photos in a collage frame.
- Candle set.
- Specialty coffee or tea and a mug.
- Fancy bath soaps and lotions.
- Small radio.
- A houseplant.
- Slippers.
- Book by a favorite author.
- Pizza pan and boxed pizza mix.
- Bath towels.
- Small tool kit.
- Wallet or change purse.
- Tarts and a burner.
- Emergency flashlight for the car.
- Small lamp.
- Brush and comb set.
- A clock.
- Cookbook.
- Seeds and a garden trough.
- An ornament.
- Box of favorite candies.
- A bottle of wine.
- Car wash accessories.
- Book of stamps and stationery.
- A manicure or pedicure set.
- Fuel coupon.
- A belt or scarf.
- Board game.
- Hobby supplies.
- Laundry basket and detergent.
- An audio recording of special memories, a poem, a story, or bible scriptures.
Blessings and may your gift giving be joyous and merry!
With the holiday season upon us, it's time to whip up an awesome holiday treat that's easy to make, inexpensive, and has that wonderful WOW factor from anyone who tastes it. This candy makes an impressive gift for family, co-workers, unanticipated holiday visitors, neighbors, and friends. It is so simple to make and tastes heavenly. The following method is my favorite for gift giving because it is so pretty. However, if you prefer, the following recipe can be completed using only white or dark chocolate alone.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
One 12 oz bag of dark chocolate chips.
One 12 oz bag of white chocolate chips.
2 tsp vegetable oil.
About 30 starlight peppermints or 5-7 candy canes, standard size.
1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract.
STEP ONE: Put your peppermint candies into a sturdy gallon size freezer bag. Place the bag onto a wooden cutting board and crush the candy to the desired-size pieces using a wooden rolling pin. You can also place the bag onto a cement floor and carefully use a hammer to crush the candy.
STEP TWO: Line a rimmed baking pan with wax paper.
STEP THREE: Place the white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl or in a heat safe bowl placed over a pan of steaming water until just melted. Mix in 1 tsp of vegetable oil. (The purpose of the oil is to simulate tempering of the chocolate. This will keep the chocolate shiny, give it a nice "snap" when it's broken, and prevent white spots from appearing. These spots occur in untempered chocolate due to the cocoa butter rising to the surface of the chocolate.) Pour the melted chocolate onto the wax paper covered cookie sheet and spread it around with a wooden spoon or spatula until it is evenly spread to the edges of the pan. Set aside.
STEP FOUR: Heat the dark chocolate in the same manner. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Pour this mixture over the white chocolate, which should be just slightly set. Use a knife to swirl the chocolates around a bit to create a marbled look. Just a couple of swirls is all you need; otherwise, your chocolates will blend together too much and no longer look pretty.
STEP FIVE: Immediately sprinkle the desired amount of the crushed peppermint candies over the top of the chocolate and carefully push them into the chocolate using the palm of your hand.
STEP SIX: Place the cookie sheet in a cool place until the chocolate is well set. Once set, break the candy into the desired sized pieces.
STEP SEVEN: Store the candy in an airtight container. If the candy is to be used as a gift, place it into decorative party bags or holiday tins lined with wax paper. Keep in a cool place prior to eating or giving as a gift.
