Cheap Chic Gifts for the Foody X3!

You've more than likely seen all of these gift ideas before, but the most fun (in my opinion) with these "foody" gifts is they're so darned ca-uute! Plus, they are inexpensive and easy and quick!

First, let's take the cookies in a jar gift.
Here is the recipe:
(I used a standard Ball jar.)

2 1/2 c. flour
1 teas. salt
1 teas. baking soda
1 teas. vanilla powder* (I don't use this, because I don't have it on hand.)
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
3/4 c. sugar
Approx. 1 c. candy pieces

Mix the flour, salt, and soda together. Layer all ingredients in the jar, pressing down after each addition. (I like to divide the ingredients, so there are 2 layers of the brown sugar, since the other layers are white, then top with the candy.)

Attach the following instructions on a decorative tag:

Candy Cookies in a Jar

Pour contents into a large bowl. Blend in 2 eggs, 1 teas. vanilla, and 1 c. shortening. Drop by tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350^o for 8-10 min. *Makes 2 doz.*

To "wrap", I just couldn't bring myself to put the traditional "hoody" you generally see on these because I didn't want to hide the m&ms.
[I was at Pier 1 a couple of days ago and saw bubble bath or something with a little felt Santa suit on and immediately thought "Why, not!?" ]
I'm sure you don't need step by step instructions for the Santa suit. What you do need are red, black, and white pieces of felt. The red doesn't quite fit all the way around, so I pieced in a little extra. I glued the white fleece pieces on and just "buckled" the black belt over it. The buckle is made with a small piece of poster board that I cut out and painted. The Santa jar doesn't have the recipe attached yet, but why not use a piece of green or brown paper cut in the shape of a sack!


Secondly, let's take a look at the jumbo Hershey's kiss.

You will need: Foil, regular-sized Hershey's kisses, a strip of white tissue paper, and a piece of cardboard cut into a circle. I used a paper plate and traced my painter's tape. My circle is about 4" in diameter. Put the foil under the circle cut out, bring up the sides. (You can put your tissue strip in like the "real" kisses, or just tuck it in the side.) Carefully start filling with small kisses. Form into the classic "kiss" shape.
You can really use this for any occasion and just customize your tissue paper message.



Lastly, I've had this recipe for-ev-ah, but the cute Chinese carry-out containers really turn these cookies into a gift home run! You may already have this recipe by another name, but mine is called Chinese New Year cookies.


Chinese New Year Cookies

1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips
5 oz. (about 2 1/2 c.) Chow Mien noodles
7 oz. (slightly over 1 cup) Spanish peanuts

Place the chips in a microwavable bowl. Heat in your microwave for approx. 2 minutes (this will vary!). When melted stir in the noodles and peanuts.

Drop by spoonfuls onto a tray lined with waxed paper. Place in refrigerator until hardened.


For one of the cutest gifts ever, purchase a Chinese carryout container (Michael's has them year-round.) and load with these cookies.

There you go! Gifts as easy as
one
two
three


Merry, Yummy Gift Giving!

I will be adding to Linky parties during the week!
Homebody's Thrifty Gifty Party










The Shabby Nest
Frugal Friday - Holiday Edition

 Blue Cricket Designs

Edited to add: