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["Lynda" <lurine AT softcom.net>]

We make candy--peanut brittle, taffy, divinity.  We make those German hard
cookies (I have great-grandmother's from Germany).  We also make
mix-in-a-jar goodies that are specific to the person we are sending them to
and that way they can have the cookies or cakes or chili using my recipe but
at their convenience.  those are always a hit.

Youngest kidlet is making her cousin a memory wire beaded bracelet.

Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: Lisa Perry <lkvp AT floydva.net>
To: <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 4:21 PM
Subject: [Homestead] Favorite homemade gifts


> It's that time of year again and the holidays are fast approaching.
> Don't blink.
>
> Every year our family makes homemade items we send to relatives for
> Christmas (substitute your holiday that you celebrate here). It
> originally started out necessity.  Way back when, we spent $35 on baking
> supplies and turned it into 15 gifts. Then it became something that
> people looked forward to receiving (they've said as much--unless they're
> lying) and now it feels strange if we don't bake, we tried it one year.
> It has become part of our celebration and tradition.  We bake one loaf
> of pumpkin bread and one of cranberry bread (truth is the cranberry
> bread doesn't always get made--it's a 50/50 shot) and an assortment of
> cookies or bars per gift box.  Over the years we've branched out and
> experimented by adding an additional homemade item and have tried making
> hand-dipped beeswax candles (from a kit), packed bulbs in flower pots,
> ornaments, and decorated picture frames, to name a few.  Making
> something helps me find meaning in the holiday, it feels less
> commercial.  Depending on the recipient, we may include a book or
> journal, boxes of tea or food items, locally handcrafted soaps, etc.
>
> One year we sent a Chinese food kit to our siblings and that was a big
> hit.  I'd do that again except I like to make something.  My husband
> feels differently.  He's been wanting to give it up, make things easy
> and give gift cards.  I have to admit it sounds a bit tempting to give a
> gift card, but between our two families we still send 12 gifts to
> recipients in 10 states--so we couldn't pick just one card--we'd have to
> figure out which store was near them and the more I think about it, it
> feels like a cop out.  My husband says people like gift cards, they can
> pick out what they want.  He went on.  He said people make their own
> bread and cookies, they might not miss ours.  Ouch.  You think?
>
> So I need some new ideas.  And I need whatever it may be to be
> reasonably lightweight.  The last couple years we spent as much on
> shipping as we did on the cost of the gift.  I thought this year I'd
> make jam from our own blueberries and raspberries  I picked however,
> that's another heavy item (and glass jar) to mail.  So I scratched that
> idea.
>
> By the way, I recently read Hundred Dollar Holiday (subtitled The Case
> for a more Joyful Christmas) by Bill McKibben and was inspired by the
> book.
>
> What does this list full of inspiring and creative homesteaders do for
> gifts for the holidays?  What do you make--or do you make some or all of
> your gift?  Please share some of your tried and true or your favorite
> holiday gifts.  Only 42 shopping days until Christmas.  Sorry, had to do
> it.  Thanks much.
>
>
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