Gifts and Tips, 2nd Edition

It is time for another edition of Gifts and Tips! I figure when you are in the midst of one the busiest (and costliest!) times of the year you can never have too, too many!

GIFTS:

As you all know I just LOVE to bake. This does not not mean I am an expert baker by any means, but I find it to be very enjoyable. Three or four years ago one of my aunts, who is an expert baker (she even did my cousin's wedding cake!), gave me a darling gift. It was all the dry ingredient I needed to make her signature cookies. All I had to do was add milk and eggs and voila! The ingredients were packaged in a fun jar and the recipe/instructions were attached. This was a FABULOUS gift and it would not be too expensive to re-create. Buy a bunch of jars at your local grocery or dollar store, measure out ingredients for your signature or favorite cookie, print out some cute monogram or custom stickers to adorn the jars, type up instructions, tie a bow on and present your gift!! If you want to add an additional touch consider adding a spatula or personalizing the jar with paint pens. This gift is one that can be used be anyone and everyone so it is sure to be a hit!

*I think this would also be fun to do with cakeballs! You could decorate the frosting container with festive scrapbook paper and tie the to items together. I would put all the dry ingredients on the bottom then add in loads of chocolate chips, for covering, on top!
What hostess does not LOVE candles?
One of my very favorite candles of all time was the Slatkin Christmas candle (and the Slatkin Elton John candle!!). It smelled so good I could just sit there holding it even when it was not lit. Well thank goodness for me the Laura Slatkin continues the tradition with her NEST Holiday candle. This candle warms up any house and the packing is just beautiful as well. All this red velvet box needs is a well tied bow and a little ornament and voila, yet another gift!
If NEST candles are not in your budget (they quickly add up after a few parties) consider trying some of Henry Slatkin's (Laura's husband) holiday candles from Bath and Body Works (Winter, Tree and Spice are all nice) or a Belle Fleur holiday candle which is currently on sale at Talbot's (if you have never tried Belle Fleur candles you are missing out too!).

TIPS:
A quick candle related tip: always have a candle burning when you are home. The lovely aroma makes a winter night so much better! Plus, if you happen to have a guest pop in you can rest assured in that your house smells delightful!

Sometimes it is the simplest of things that are the most elegant. Plain garland around the door, a vase filled with nothing but boxwood or a silver bowl full of ornaments. Pick up a few boxes of ornaments (on sale of course) in your favorite colors and fill any size silver bowl to the brim. You can place this on a kitchen counter, a bedside table, a bookshelf or a coffee table (assuming you do not have a toddler) for an instant dose of holiday!

GIVING:
Surely the majority of you have at some point sent a card to a solider through Let's Say Thanks. However, this is the time of year when days get long and the young and old are away from their families so it cannot hurt to send another. Let a hero know you are thinking about them today!

If you have any questions of suggestions for "Gifts and Tips" please email me. Christmas is near so be full of CHEER!