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~Gifts Made From The Heart~
Sometimes we get so caught up in the present buying mode and mall shopping sprees, that we forget that the very best gifts of all, are the gifts that come from the heart. Often these precious gifts are not only heartmade but also handmade.
I don't think there is anyone, anywhere
who would not enjoy receiving something you made in your kitchen all by yourself!
When you are baking all those Christmas goodies, bake some extras that you
can present to friends and family. You could wrap them in a decorative tin
for giving, or wrap them in a festive piece of cloth. Another idea is to purchase
an inexpensive plastic container and some Christmas stickers. Use the stickers
to decorate the container, place the baked goodies inside and give to that
special someone.
Parents and grandparents would love to receive a "Memory Book".
Purchase an inexpensive scrap book or photo album and compile a collection
of pictures to place in it. You may decorate the pages using stickers, confetti,
cutouts and anything else you can dream up. Write a little about the collection
of photos on that page; where you were when they were taken, how old you were,
the date, etc.
Prior to and during the holiday season you can purchase plain glass ornaments
at craft stores. Purchase some Acrylic Ceramcoat paints also. Wash the ornaments
inside and out with a solution of 1 part water to 3 parts vinegar and allow
to dry thoroughly (preferably overnight). Once dry squeeze a quarter size
amount of paint into the ornament and slowly rotate until paint has covered
inside of ornament. Turn upside down, over Styrofoam cup and allow to dry
for up to 5 days. The paint will continue to marbelize as it dries. You may
also choose to design and paint your ornaments free hand if you wish. I painted
cats on one of mine and gingerbread men and holly on another. If a friend
or family member has a favourite thing such as these, design and paint an
ornament for them. You can even date it, so they will always know when you
gave it to them. Maybe you will paint an entire set, one for each member of
your family.
As silly as this may sound, one of my favourite things about the holidays
is the way they "Smell". All those yummy things cooking and baking,
the fresh scent of balsam garlands and holly sprigs, the wonderful pine smell
of the Christmas tree. They all smell so wonderful.
When I was a little girl, I use to spend an afternoon with my grandmother and we would make an Orange-clove pomander. They always smelled delightful and that smell would last forever. We made these each year and now, I continue to make them by myself.
They are very simple to make. You will need an orange or two or three and
some cloves. Not the crushed kind, you want whole cloves. Begin at the top
of the orange and insert cloves down one side and up the other. You want to
insert the straight stick part into the orange, so that the spur portion is
sticking out of the orange. Continue with this method until you have covered
the entire orange. It is a time consuming task but well worth it. You may
sit them in a bowl or fasten a hanger to the top of the orange and suspend.
They will fill your home with the most wonderful scent.
In keeping with the "Scent of the Season", I have two wonderful recipes for scented ornaments to share with you. They are very easy to make and smell fabulous. For as long as I can remember, my family has made these during the holiday season and used them for many decorative purposes, such as wreaths and trees. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
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Cinnamon
Dough
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| Materials |
| 2 cups flour |
| 1 cup salt |
| 5 tsp. cinnamon |
| 3/4 to 1 cup warm water |
| Process |
| Mix flour, salt, and cinnamon. Make a well in the centre and pour water into it. Mix with hands until dough forms a ball. Dough shouldn't be crumbly or sticky, so you may need to add more flour or water. |
| Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and satiny. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 20 minutes prior to using. |
| If you are going to use cookie cutters, roll the dough out to about 3/4" thick. You may make any shape your little heart desires ! |
| Bake at 350 F until hard. Don't over cook. |
| *Note* Don't forget to put a hole in the top before baking if you plan to use as ornaments. Dough put through a garlic press makes great hair and may be added to the pieces, along with any other details you may want to add, by dipping the "accessory" in water or brushing with water and then attaching to the piece. |
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~Cinnamon
Applesauce Ornaments~
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| Materials |
| 1 16 oz. jar of Applesauce |
| 8 oz. Cinnamon |
| 1 oz. of either Nutmeg, Allspice, or Cloves |
| Process |
| Combine all ingredients together and mix *thoroughly*. Roll the dough out to a 1/4" thickness. Cut out the ornaments using cookie cutters or be creative and design your own freehand shapes. While the dough is still wet, poke a hole in the top of each one that you plan to use for an ornament. Air dry for 3 days, turning over as the ornaments continue drying. |
| Last year, I used this recipe to make heart and gingerbread boy/girl ornaments. I decorated a 4 inch high table top tree in our kitchen with them. It received many compliments, especially about the aroma it created!!!! Yum!!!! |
Graphics by
If you can hear the music, you are listening to Dixieland Christmas.
Midi by Jack's Shack (He is no longer online)
You are the
visitor to our country Christmas.
~Home For The Holidays~