Wow! I just want to be on your list!! :)

Your walnuts could be packaged in a pint jar with either ribbon or the fabric circle under the lid. Or, in a plastic bag (fold top sandwich type) with ribbon or raffia.

Additions: I think you have a lot already! But, some other ideas that come to mind would be:

Chocolate dipped pretzels, dried fruit, etc.
Muffin mix
Shortbread
Dip or salad dressing mixes
Jarred soup mixes
Gourmet coffee or cocoa (either ready to use or mixes)
Homemade vanilla
Homemade liqueurs

I love "basket" gifts. They are always well received and I think the recipient feels like they were given a bunch of gifts!! And they were!

This sounds very thoughtful, Tricia.

Deanna

Deanna, yout dressing mix gave me an idea! I can mix up several dressing mixes & put them in a small shaker jar for use as a "seasoning". I can do things like homemade lemon pepper too. Thanks, now I've got more ideas running thru my head that only require tossing some things together from our food storage.

/t

And how about a "rice pilaf"...basmati rice with herbs and dried fruits and perhaps toasted nuts and directions to add a box of chicken broth.

Thanks, Linda! Another easy food storage mix that will look pretty in a jar. I don't want to give the identical things to everybody since they'll all be here at the same time. So I can make small batches as my ability allows & hopefully be done by the holidays.

/t

Tricia,

My favorite container store..

Specialty Bottle...I'm sure you can find exactly what you need.

Here is a link that might be useful: Specialty Bottle

Nine Bean Soup mix
(or however many kinds of beans you'd like to use)
Layered in a jar.
Put the smallest in first,
Each layer is the next size bigger bean.
A foil wrapped packet of the seasonings
On top of the lid.
Cover top with a pinked circle of
"homey' print fabric,
Tied on with a few strands of raffia.
A small card with directions
(done on your computer)
Can be attached to the raffia, too.

Making up the seasoning packets
Is the hardest part of putting these together.
And that could easily be omitted.
Just remember to list seasonings in your directions.

The different colored
And different sized beans
Makes this an attractive gift.

Cookie mixes can also be layered in the jar,
To make them more attractive,
Attach a wooden spoon with the raffia.
Or an appropriate cookie cutter
Could be attached, too.

Rusty

Terri, thanks for the bottle/jar site. Those are exactly what I need & since I can't go shopping - ordering from the net & my stash in our storage program are my only options. I'll be getting an order off today.

Rusty, I was thinking about soup but I've personally had trouble cooking those mixes. I can't seem to get all the different beans/lentils, etc. to cook properly all together. Probably, just me. Still, I'd hate to give a gift that might not have perfect results.

Cookies...great idea. I'll give that some thought to come up with something a bit different/unusual. I've got a favorite sesame seed cookie that might be nice for a couple without children (there not too sweet) & the seeds would be pretty in a jar. There's a few others I'll take a look at this weekend. I would want to do something besides just a basic CCC or oatmeal...something they can't just pick-up at the Seaport giftstore, for example.

DH is going to Penzey's this weekend to load up on mustard seeds & spices. I don't eat mustard (although DH does) so we don't keep but for a couple cups in storage to make mustards. I also need to get the preserved lemons going soon & will need way more lemons than I keep in storage. Other than those 2 things though I've got everything else available...just needs to be put together.

/t

That's a wonderful basket and so creative!

I have been giving homemade granola for the past few years and though I don't like repeating gifts I had so many requests for it again so I did.
This year I have already told dh no granola.
So it's going to be a jar of french onion soup and a bag of Parmesan toast crisps.
I like buying the half gallon canning jars, a nice generous size. Most family members gave me the jar back from the granola (so I could refill it!)

Here is a recipe for Eggplant Makdous that I like. I'm not sure whether it is a true pickle or not, but it is very tasty and looks attractive in the jars. I like the walnuts to be coarsely chopped, and I've had this dish made with walnut halves.

Lars

Triciae, I certainly understand your thinking.
About not being sure of results.

I've never had a problem cooking mixed bean soups.
But then maybe I'm not as sensitive about
Just how perfectly each bean is cooked.
And maybe I've just been lucky,
That the beans I've used all
"worked" together, just fine.

I honestly don't remember the exact
ingredients (bean varieties)I used.
Started with a layer of barley
In the bottom of the jar.
Next came split peas,
A 'half' layer of green,
Then another 'half' layer of yellow.
I imagine I used kidney beans,
Lima beans,
Great Northern Beans,
Pinto beans, etc, etc.
All layered from the smallest on the bottom,
Graduating in size,
To the largest on the top.

It makes a pretty gift,
Which can be pretty doggoned good, too.
And they make an attractive
Display item, too.

I used to have a small book full of recipes
For layered cookies in a jar.
I looked all over for it today,
It's apparently hiding from me somewhere.
There was a recipe in it for
Dreamsicle Cookies that were pretty good.

The food baskets are a wonderful
And very thoughtful gift!

Rusty

Bumblebeez, Would you share your granola recipe please. I have been looking at recipes on the net but it would be great to have a T&T recipe.

Thanks - Karen

I always have a huge Rubbermaid tub of baskets that I pick-up during the year at garage sales, antique stores, etc. to use as gift baskets this time of year. I was rummaging through what I had last night. I haven't been able to add to them, or even look at them, for a couple years. Sorta a sorry-looking group. Some need a good scrub or a bit of sponged stain here/there to spruce them up. Darn, a task I wasn't counting on. They're all in good shape construction wise, just not pristine but fixable. Guess that's why they only cost $.25-$1.00, huh? :)

Anyway, after I've got them cleaned up...what do you think of adding a string of these lights wound throughout the baskets (I'll use moss & fresh cut winterberries to fill in around the gifts 'cause I've got tons of it growing in the gardens.)?

I thought they might look really pretty under the tree lit up without much additional cost & reuseable to the recepient? I'd go with the shorter strand & warm white. Pretty...or too cutsey?

Opinion, please?

/tricia

Here is a link that might be useful: Teeny, Tiny Lights

I think the baskets would be pretty with the lights!!
I can just visualize the glow under the tree.

You can always spray paint the baskets if they won't come clean.
Depending on the look you're going for, a soft white, brick red or forest green all work. Gold/silver are options too!

Would love to see photos of your finished baskets.

Deanna

Ditto to everything Deanna said!

The lights would make an already special gift
Even more special!

I'm hoping for pictures of your finished baskets, too!

Rusty

This is my granola recipe. It is not chunky the way granolas with more oil and sugar would be but we like it.

8 cups Old Fashioned oatmeal
2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
2 cups pecans coarsely chopped
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup pumpkin seeds
2 teaspoons vanilla.
1/ cup oil ( I use peanut)
1/2 cup honey
2 bags (5-6 ounce) dried berries. I use either all cherry or 1 cherry and 1 blueberry. May use all cranberry.

Warm oil and honey over low heat.
In a large roasting pan, gently fold everything together except fruit and coat with warmed honey/oil.

Bake at 250 for 2 hours tossing every 30 minutes.
When done, add dried fruit.
Cool thoroughly before transferring to airtight containers.

When I am making gifts in jars, I portion the granola out and in a separate bowl, add the dried fruit for that portion. That way, the fruit is evenly divided.

Thanks Bumblebeez, It sounds really yummy. I'm just so excited about making food gifts for the holidays. Usually, everyone appreciates gift baskets of homemade goodies.

Just today I made the citrus sea salt and a batch of gourmet carmel corn to see how it would turn out. I had a problem with the marshmellow melting in the chocolate. I guess I need to try another brand. The carmel corn is really good though. I'm not sure how long it will keep that is why I wanted to make some now to experiment with that.

Karen

How do you like the salt, Karen? Fragrant?

I saw your other thread on the carmel corn. Try Kraft marshmallows but check the ingredients. Good Luck.

/t

A few years ago, sister announced... no more "gifts"! She's no Scrooge, just had the guts to say how silly it was for us to BUY things for family members who really don't NEED anything... short of one of us winning the lottery and sharing!

On my out-law side of the family (people I DIDN'T divorce when I divorced husband)... 2 little grand niece/nephew and a 16 yo... only ones getting a store bought present. Pretty clueless about what a 16 yo wants that's NOT a zillion $... she likes silver jewelry, gonna look for a special charm for her to add to collection. Little ones are 3 and 1.5... LAST thing they really need is another toy, but they'll get something... preferrably "creative" in nature.

Have been doing food gifts for past several years. One year, hand-made herb/spice blends for rubs/dip with recipes. One year dipped sweets... dark, white, butterscotch chips melted to dip pretzels, cookies, etc. One year messa homemade cookies. Last year variety of mini loaves of quick breads... savory and sweet. One or more of these past successes will be the plan for this year.

Karen, here's another granola recipe, I really like this one and it's fron gardengrl (kathy).

MAPLE GRANOLA (from gardengrl)

7 cups thick oat flakes (rolled oats), uncooked
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup almonds, sliced or broken up
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped or broken up
1 cup sunflower seeds, raw or toasted
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup raisins
additional dried fruit/nuts as desired
In a very large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts, seeds and salt. Mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Pour over dry mixture in bowl, stirring and tossing till everything is very well combined (your bare hands are the best tools for this step).
Spread granola on a couple of large, ungreased baking sheets. Bake in a preheated 250�F oven for 2 hours, tossing mixture every 15 minutes or so. Remove pans from oven and cool completely. Transfer granola to a large bowl, and mix in raisins and any additional dried fruit desired -- dates, figs, currants, dried cranberries or blueberries, etc. Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature.

I use "old fashioned" oatmeal for this, and I leave the coconut out sometimes and add dried cherries because several people in the family don't like coconut. This is one of those things you can "fiddle" with and make to your liking, even the grandkids like it when add some butterscotch chips.

Annie

There is a typo in my posted recipe, it should be 1/2 cup oil.

Thanks Annie, Now I have a couple of recipes to experiment with.

Years ago, I would buy a book around Christmas called "The Spirit of Christmas." I think it was published by Leisure Arts. They always had several homemade food gift recipes in them. I loaned them to my daughter-in-law this year so I can't reference them for ideas. Is anyone familar with these books? I think I bought one each year for about 8 years. They have a lot of craft ideas for Christmas too, some of which are quite out of date now. I made Kaluha one year for gifts and flavored vinegars from recipes out of these books. They were my favorite holiday books and I still reference them for ideas (except this year since I don't have them.)

Karen

I just wanted to mention, in case anyone isn't familiar with her, that Helen Witty has two wonderful books chock full of gourmet-style foods that are wonderful for gift giving. One is called Fancy Pantry and the other is called Good Stuff Cookbook. I like Good Stuff, but for gift giving Fancy Pantry can't be beat.

Judi

Thanks for the information on the book Judi. I just went out to Amazon and found the book. They also have one called "Better than store bought" by Helen Witty. That looks really interesting.

I may just have to buy one.

Karen

OK, need some help here...

I'm trying to name my Christmas gifts (see my first post).

Here's what I've got so far,

1.) Olives Marinated With Rosemary & Orange Peel
"Offer of Peace (with rosemary & sage)"

2.) Preserved Lemons
"Do You Know The Land Where The Lemon Trees Flower"
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

3.) Walnuts Roasted With Rosemary & Sage
"Wealhhnute, with rosemary & sage"

4.) Yellow Cake Mix
"Let Them Eat Yellow Cake, torta amarilla"

5.) Spicy White Wine Mustard
"Take Me Out To The Ball Game Spicy White Wine Mustard"

Can anybody think of a name for the BBQ chips???

Thanks!

/tricia

Karen, I have Better Than Store Bought, too. I think I have all of her books and like them all, but I think that for gourmet-style, gift-giving foods (and if you were going to choose only one book) Fancy Pantry fits the bill.

Judi

Tricia.. Smoke Won't Get In Your Eyes Chips ??

Btw, I'm steeping my vanilla now, so I'm planning to give out a bit of that. I have some really cool bottles with swing tops I got a few years ago. I'll paint the name vanilla on it and a little something else. Maybe a vanilla pod or orchid. No promises..lol

Judi, I'm going to order Fancy Pantry.

Coconut, I'll bet those bottles will be so special after you paint them. I wish I could paint. I assume you are going to free hand it?

Coconut, I love it! Thanks!! That's got the chips named.

We made the preserved lemons today. Took 37 lemons! We needed about 3 cups of juice so had a large pile of squeezed lemon halves. Couldn't bring myself to compost them so cut them up a bit & froze on a cookie sheet then bagged. They'll be great all winter for sauces, tea, etc. Used a few tonight in a pasta sauce.

/tricia

Got 4 gift packages in the mail yesterday. They should arrive tomorrow. This was really fun. After looking at the goodies though I decided something from the oven was needed. So, made a quick batch of Palmiers using Pepperidge Farms. I took my time, pinched the ends well & was fussy about spreading the tops evenly. They came out beautiful perfect hearts. It was a last minute thing just before DH left to get them mailed so didn't get pictures.

Here's the other gifts though...

Preserved Lemons, Citrus Salt, Homemade Vanilla, & Grand Marnier Fig-Walnut Butter

I'm so pleased with the Preserved Lemons. They have bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, red chili peppers, whole peppercorns, corriander seeds, whole cloves, & Kosher salt. After 30+ days they smell heavenly. I'm going to preserve blood oranges this way when they're available.

"Tamaya Blue" & Blueberry Muffin Mix, World Peace Marinated Olives, & Spicy White Wine Whole-Grain Mustard

The "Tamaya Blue" is a special roasted before milling blue cornmeal from Pueblo Santa Ana & I used our food storage freeze-dried blueberries, organic powdered eggs, butter, & milk. They're "Just Add Water". The olives have orange & rosemary plus peppercorns.

I'll wait until just before Christmas to put the baskets together that will be given from under our tree. All in all, this was more fun than baking all the cookies, probably because it was different for me. I think I'll start planning next year's gifts soon.

/tricia

You've done so great! I love it tricia. I was wondering how you were faring during this season, but obviously, you're doing quite quite well. Glad to see it.

I can't wait to see your baskets too. Awesome job lady!

They are each fabulous and fantastic all together. Wow - just WOW,I'm sure everyone who gets a basket will be be overwhelmed and thrilled.

Lee

I have the book "Gifts in a Jar" for muffins and breads. I have given these when I don't know what they like. They keep up to 6 months. You put all the dry ingredients in a canning jar, cover the lid with a nice piece of cloth and screw it down with the the jar ring then attach the recipe with a pretty ribbon or raffia, etc. I found this website that has lots of ideas.
Clare

Here is a link that might be useful: Mixes in a jar.