Ending the Insanity of Holiday Gift-Giving
sameboat
10 years ago
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emma
10 years agojannie
10 years agoRelated Discussions
holiday gift for GC & designer?
Comments (4)You could buy the crew a nice lunch and or beer at the end of the workday on the last day they work before Christmas. I do believe that would be about it in my opinion. If the GC's super had been on site constanatly and you feel he did a good job watching everyone's back (including your's) you might give him an envelope ($) if your so inclined as well....See MoreHoliday food gifts
Comments (30)I've made Ann T's cream cheese danish a couple of times, it's easy to substitute an artificial sweetener in the cream cheese filling for my diabetic father I always make her Cream Cheese Brandied Cherry Balls for Amanda and lots of fudge, but the thing that everyone likes the best is the maple butter twist, kind of like a cinnamon roll, but twisted into a wreath. Everyone loves it. Sometimes I drizzle it with maple glaze or a white glaze and decorate with cherries. Sometimes not, depending on my mood but everyone loves them. Maple Butter Twists INGREDIENTS 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°) 1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°) 1/4 cup butter, melted 2 eggs, beaten 3 tablespoons sugar 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 3-1/4 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour FILLING: 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup butter, softened 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring DIRECTIONS In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the milk, butter, eggs, sugar, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into a 14-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Combine filling ingredients; spread over each rectangle to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. With a sharp knife, cut each roll in half lengthwise; carefully turn cut sides up. Loosely twist strips around each other, keeping cut sides up. Shape into a ring and pinch ends together. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 2 coffee cakes. I put the dough into my bread machine, my big one will handle a double batch. Shaping is done by hand, and I put each one on a pretty plate. I usually get those plates at the dollar store with a Christmas theme but sometimes I get something really special and the recipient can keep that plate. Annie...See MoreHoliday gift for contractors?
Comments (18)Gave $25 GCs to Target and a $5 loaf of cinnamon bread from a local baker to all electricians, plumbers, cabinet workers, carpenters, and perm employees of my contractor. It ended up being about 15 people. I also give a bday gift to my two head contractors who each get a $200 bday gift and at the end of the project, a $2,000 gift of some sort. Last house I gave a GC to the Four Seasons Hotels for $2,000. This is our third or fourth house together and they work HARD for me--including not saying one word when I move an outlet or ask for the heater vent to be moved to another location. To be honest I find it a bit embarrassing that I don't give the workers more--they really go out of their way every day to make me happy. But I remember their names, greet everyone with respect and try never to talk in a demanding way, and they know that I appreciate their time and talent. If I had the budget I would give each of them $100, but I don't have that in my ability. My token gift and my everyday respect is all I can offer and I hope that it will be well received. It is given with sincerity and all of the most respectful, appreciation and intent. I always build these gifts into my total budget, so that I have enough to do this....See MoreImportant remodeling advice....my holiday gift to you all....
Comments (3)begoniagirl, Welcome and I can't wait to see pictures! I found the laundry forum at the end of 2004 (not knowing then it was part of the GW Forums) and then found this decorating and the paint forum at the end of 2005. I found the kitchen and appliance forum at the end of 2006. I am now a regular and love giving advice, posting comments and sharing as well. The posters are more talented than many of the magazine pictures I see and pictures I see on other sites. We are blessed to have such generous and talented members....See Moreemma
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