Gifts From The Kitchen

Homemade gifts from the kitchen make wonderful gifts for teachers or coworkers as well as for friends and family. These gifts can be very personal; a nice way to acknowledge those who touch our lives in special ways. What are the recipients favorite treats? Maybe he or she is under the weather. Whatever the reason for the gift, try to make it special.

Gift In A Mug
This gift is really two gifts in one; the mug to use later and the edible gift in the mug. There are two different ways to make mug gifts. One way is by giving a mug filled with ingredients to make a cup of soup or a sweet treat. The second way is to bake a sweet treat inside the mug.

Tips:

• Use only mugs that are food safe, as well as safe for microwave and oven use.


• Choose mugs that will hold at least 12 ounces and have straight sides.


• Wrap your finished mug gift in clear wrap or small cello bags, tie with raffia or narrow ribbon, and add a gift tag that indicates the contents of the mug.

Gifts In A Jar
There are many options for making gifts in a jar; cookies, scones, muffins, quick breads, and soups to name a few.

Tips:

• Choose jars with a wide mouth, airtight lids, and are clean and dry.


• Check the recipe for the jar size needed.


• Fine ingredients, such as granulated sugar and flour, are best layered in the bottom. Level and tightly pack each layer.


• Cover the top of the filled jar with a 8" to 10" circle of fabric. Tie this fabric with curly ribbon, raffia, or twine. Include a gift tag and recipe directions.

Gift In A Basket
A basket makes a wonderful gift container for many food gifts. When you don't have time to put together a homemade food gift, purchase sweets from your favorite bakery, put together the makings for soup, or choose tea or coffee related items. Small packages of cookies or any other sweets are good additions to fill in any empty spaces.

Tips:

• The actual basket can be made of wicker, wire, or other materials. If you are working within a specific budget, visit your local dollar type store for the basket as well as tea towels, cloth or heavy paper napkins, ribbon, shred, and other inexpensive items.


• Choose the correct size basket to hold the food and other gift items you intend to use.


• Line the basket with a terry towel, tea towel, napkin, purchased shred or other decorative paper.


• If you choose to wrap your completed gift in a basket, place it in a cello bag (available in some dollar stores or party supply stores). Gather the ends over the top and tie with narrow ribbon or raffia. Curly ribbon cascading over the basket really looks nice. Top it off with a gift tag.

About the author:
My web site is all about making wonderful gifts such as Kitchen Gift Baskets plus a variety of Gifts From The Kitchen.

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