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Crafty Gift Items
1. Scented Bath Salts
Makes 3 cups of bath salts
Large glass or metal mixing bowl, 2 cups Epsoms salts, 1 cup sea salt, rock salt or coarse salt, food coloring (green or blue-optional), 1/4 tsp. glycerin, essential oil for fragrance such as vanilla, citrus or peppermint, clean dry jars with cork stoppers or metal screw-on lid.
Combine salts in bowl and mix well. Add food coloring, a few drops at a time, until desired color is achieved. For white salts, skip this step. Add glycerin and essential oil (4 or 5 drops) and mix well. Spoon salts into containers and seal. When giving as a gift attach tag describing scent (if used) and recommend using 1/3 to 1/2 cup in the bath. Of course, this amount can be changed depending upon the individual's taste.
2. Fireplace Starters
Use pinecones with a flat base so they will sit upright Pinecones, several pounds of wax, crayons, candle scent-optional, candle wicking cut into 4" lengths, wax paper.
Wrap each pinecone at the top with a length of candle wicking leaving a short end for lighting. Melt the wax in a coffee can placed in a pan with several inches of water over low to medium heat. Do not leave pan on stove unattended. Add crayons/candle coloring and candle scent as desired. Stir wax while melting - I use a piece of wooden dowel. Place sheets of wax paper on the counter where you are working-you will put the pinecones on the wax paper to dry when complete. Once the wax has melted, remove from the stove and place on trivet or hot pad and allow to cool for several minutes. Holding pinecone by short piece of wicking carefully dip into wax covering entire pinecone-watch your fingers! You will have to dip each pinecone several times in order to get a nice coat of wax. When it comes time to make the fire, place one pinecone on top of your kindling and light-you will have a fire in no time!!
3. Ice Candles
Empty half gallon cardboard milk/juice carton - rinsed and dry, 10" white candle, ice cubes, crayons, candle scent-optional, 2 lb. wax ( I use Gulfwax which can purchased at the food store. It comes in 1 lb. pkgs. and each pkg. contains 4 slabs of wax. If you buy Gulfwax you will need 7 slabs of wax. Prior to melting the wax you can prepare the mold. Place candle in the middle of the carton and fill with ice cubes. Make sure candle is centered while filling carton. Place carton in freezer until ready to use. Melt wax in coffee can placed in a pan with several inches of water over low to medium heat. Add bits of crayon/candle coloring and candle scent as desired. Stir wax while melting-I use a piece of wooden dowel. Do not leave melting wax unattended on stove. When the wax has melted, remove the mold from the freezer and slowly pour the melted wax into the mold. Make sure the coffee can is not too hot to handle prior to pouring the wax. Fill to the top of the mold and let sit for at least 15 minutes. The ice cubes will start to melt and you can drain water out of the candle by holding over the sink. Let candle sit for another 15 minutes and drain again. Repeat several more times, then carefully peel away the carton from the candle. Let the candle sit for several more hours in order to ensure all of the water has drained out. You can dust the outside with glitter or attach sequins for decorations. For a nice display, place the candle on a plate covered with tin foil, put some greens around the base, light and enjoy!!!
Now for some Goodies from the Kitchen
1. Crystallized Orange Pecans
1 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 to 3 cups pecan halves Combine all ingredients in 2 & 1/2 quart microwave-save bowl. Cook uncovered on 70% (medium can also be used-increase cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes) power for 6 minutes. Stir, then resume cooking on 70% power for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crystallized, stirring several times. Spread nuts on waxed paper, separating and cool. Makes 2 to 3 cups.
2. Cranberry Jam
2 cups boiling water, 1 bag of cranberries, 2 & 1/2 cups sugar
Wash and drain cranberries in colander. Bring water to boil in large pot. Add cranberries to boiling water and listen to them pop!! When most of the berries have become soft, add the sugar and stir. Bring mixture to a boil and cook until thick. Cool and pour into containers. My daughter made this in kindergarten and brought some home. It was delicious!
3. 7 Layer Cookies
1 stick butter or oleo, 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 3 & 1/2 oz. Angel Flake coconut, 6 oz. butterscotch chips, 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, 1 cup chopped walnuts.
Melt butter or oleo in 13x9x2 pan on top of stove on low heat. Remove from stove and sprinkle graham cracker crumbs evenly over butter. Sprinkle coconut evenly over crumbs. Next sprinkle butterscotch chips, then semi-sweet chocolate chips. Next, dribble can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top and finish off with chopped nuts, sprinkling them evenly over the top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into small squares-these cookies are very rich. Do not use generic butterscotch or semi-sweet chocolate chips-the flavor of the finished product will be affected. Use name items for these 2 ingredients.
All of the above gifts are nice for giving alone or you can combine with other items and make gift baskets or "goodie bags" as I like to call them. I like to use wicker baskets, spray paint with gold paint, add lace around the edge and add a pretty bow. You could make the 3 food items listed above, add a loaf of homemade bread, a can of coffee or box of tea bags, a candle or bag of potpourri and give a gift that can't be bought in a store. I find homemade gifts, whether simple or fancy, make the best gifts. Have fun and enjoy the holidays!!
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