My intention (ahhh, that lovely road to hell) was that this entry into the Green Holiday Series
would be just as comprehensive as the others have been. Unfortunately,
it's just not going to be. In fact, it's likely to be the last
Green Holiday entry for 2008. I'm trying to look on the bright
side--it just means I'll be able to continue additions to the series
and fill in the few gaps in 2009!
..........................................................................................................
In my opinion, homemade and edible is the way to go this year. It's frugal, you can do it all in one big batch, but it says that you care enough to spend some time and labor to show your appreciation for the people who support you on a day to day basis--friends, neighbors, teachers, service people.
Plus...it's not too late!!
Remember that easy Pumpkin Apple Butter I did in the bread machine? The "old family recipe?"
10 minutes to put the ingredients together, an hour & 20 minutes to cook while I do any number of other things like sit and make goo-goo faces at my new baby, then 5 minutes to package. I made it in double batches and it will go to our neighbors, the mailman, and a few friends.
My dream neighbor gift would have been to make up small "Bread and Spread" gift baskets (our thrift store always has a bunch for 50 cents). They would have included a pint jar of pumpkin apple butter, a half pint jar of the spinach pesto, and a small one pound peasant loaf from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
.
A speaking of this idea, any of the Gift Baskets from that entry in the series would be great neighbor and friend baskets.
Another great idea is Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls. She's got a great big batch recipe that turns out 8 pans of the smack. It looks amazing and the reader reviews are downright evangelical.
I also considered making cookies--a wonderful and traditional standby for this kind of gift. I would have done a half dozen Ginger Molasses Cookies and a half dozen Snickerdoodles (with red or green cinnamon sugar). They would have been stacked, wrapped in wax paper and tied with that simple red and white baking string. I'm still thinking that I might get around to putting up a bunch of dough to have on hand for Christmas cookies--but at this point, it will be for us!
I'm afraid that's all I can muster for ideas this year, but please add your own ideas in the comments section. What are you giving to friends, neighbors teachers and service people this year?
My dream neighbor gift would have been to make up small "Bread and Spread" gift baskets (our thrift store always has a bunch for 50 cents). They would have included a pint jar of pumpkin apple butter, a half pint jar of the spinach pesto, and a small one pound peasant loaf from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
.A speaking of this idea, any of the Gift Baskets from that entry in the series would be great neighbor and friend baskets.
Another great idea is Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls. She's got a great big batch recipe that turns out 8 pans of the smack. It looks amazing and the reader reviews are downright evangelical.
I also considered making cookies--a wonderful and traditional standby for this kind of gift. I would have done a half dozen Ginger Molasses Cookies and a half dozen Snickerdoodles (with red or green cinnamon sugar). They would have been stacked, wrapped in wax paper and tied with that simple red and white baking string. I'm still thinking that I might get around to putting up a bunch of dough to have on hand for Christmas cookies--but at this point, it will be for us!
I'm afraid that's all I can muster for ideas this year, but please add your own ideas in the comments section. What are you giving to friends, neighbors teachers and service people this year?
...........................................................................................................
For any last minute Green Christmas ideas,
be sure and check out the whole list of Green Holiday entries.
May your days be merry and bright!
For any last minute Green Christmas ideas,
be sure and check out the whole list of Green Holiday entries.
May your days be merry and bright!
Subscribe to my feed!
