Do you ever find yourself short on time and money during the Christmas season? Living over forty miles from the closest mall and stop light, time is the one thing I find myself short on. I can't just run to the store for a forgotten gift, unless I can find three hours to spare.
Here's some tips for easy gift ideas and ways to cut time and still be able to get homemade goodies baked. For even more gift ideas, check out my homesteader’s gift guide.
1. Make your dough ahead of time. I mix up a enough pastry dough for two double crusts pies and divide into four balls. Wrap it in plastic wrap and toss it in the freezer. When I need to bake a pie or pop a quick Quiche in the oven for breakfast or dinner, I just need to open my freezer door. You can either thaw the dough in the fridge overnight or leave it on the counter for about an hour and a half. I also do this with cookie dough. It works great for sugar cookies, no waiting for that dough to chill before rolling. Just be sure to thaw in the fridge for a few hours. I do the same with chocolate chip cookies, but freeze the dough in a log and then chop while still frozen and bake at normal temp and time.
2. Baking mixes in a jar. Grab some quart size mason jars. I pick up extras at garage sales throughout the year for this. Fill them with your favorite dry ingredients for cookies or brownies. I like to add the Christmas colored M&M's, or crunch up some candy canes for the top layer on brownies. Use your imagination. A cute circle of fabric for the top and tie it with some ribbon or raffia. Be sure to include the directions for the liquids and baking. These are especially nice for neighbors, co-workers, and teachers.
My mother made brownie mixes this way a few years ago and when we were invited to a last-minute party, I just tossed a pan in the oven and didn't have to worry about finding something to bake.
3. Snowman poop. Yes, you read this right! Simply use a packet of hot cocoa mix, top with mini-marshmallows, and tie on a candy cane. There are tons of recipes on-line for this. You can put the ingredients in a mug or dump the cocoa in a Ziploc bag or clear cellophane and add some curled ribbon. Here's an adorable site w/ instructions.
4. Bring out the crock pot. Finding time to cook a meal for your family can be hard during all the extra holiday activities. Toss your favorite recipe in the slow cooker. Almost everything you cook in the regular oven can be adapted to the slow cooker. Just add a little extra liquid. Or, put oatmeal in the night before and set on low. Breakfast is served!
***Contest Closed***
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I'd love to hear what gifts you make or tips for saving time in the kitchen.
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I remember hearing about dry ingredients in jars w recipies. Totally forgot about that. Thank you! Love the snowman poop. Great ideas.
I’ve also done some soup in a jars, but I love the baking mixes the best. Guess it’s my sweet tooth!
For gifts I spend a weekend or 2 baking various flavors of quick breads and pumpkin rolls and freeze them. That way I can pull one out to serve for a last minute guest or give one as a gift. Works very well during the holiday season. I love all you ideas. I will be using some this year. Thanks for sharing.
Andrea, my grandmother-in-law makes pumpkin rolls every year and we fight over who gets to take the leftovers home. She’s given me the recipe, but I need to go to her house and have her walk me thru making one to get it like hers. I like the idea of freezing the made ahead goodies too! What’s your favorite quick bread?
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I’ve often done the cookie or brownie mixes in a jar to give for gifts. My daughter and I make a large batch of peppernuts each Christmas that we also give as gifts, usually in jars. A loaf of bread makes a nice gift as well.
I do enjoy homemade bread, Pam. My neighbor used to make a fantastic sweet bread from a family recipe called “Gift of the Magi” bread. When she moved away, she gave me a copy because it just wasn’t Christmas without, however, she asked me not to share it. I’ve also baked cinnamon rolls and biscotti for morning treats and delivered them. How do you make peppernuts?
[…] check out the virtual cookie exchange here. For other homemade Christmas gifts, here’s some baking ideas and for the crocheter’s out there, here’s some cute flower hat […]
I am trying to find your oatmeal recipe. I know it has oatmeal, brown sugar, salt and some dried fruit but dont know the amounts and cannot find the recipe Thanks for your help