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mrs_ursus
Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Posts: 27 Location: Wiltshire
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 09 10:18 am Post subject: Ideas needed for easy (& cheap) Christmas pressies |
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I'm in a severely financially challenged situation this year, and really can't afford to splash much cash on pressies. However, being a postive-thinking kinda girl, I'm looking at this as an opportunity to get creative, learn a thing or two and hopefully give some presents that will be appreciated for the effort and thought that's gone into them. That's the theory anyway.
So, I'm looking for some ideas of fairly foolproof things I can make and give. Need to be foolproof as I can't afford to muck stuff up and have to start from scratch
Things I'm thinking of so far:
Sweets and choccies - I'm going to make coconut ice & fudge as I know I can do those with my eyes shut. Might also have a bash at the truffles on Cab's Homemade Chocolates article. How long before Xmas can I get away with making them? I have no idea how long homemade choc's keep (any I've ever made tend to be eaten within hours )
Chutney - anyone got a foolproof recipe? Again, when should I make this?
Soap - just read Sally's post about rebatching soap. Is it really as straightforward as it looks? Grate, chuck in extra bits, add water, squidge, mould, leave to dry, wrap?!
Can any of you good folk think of anything else I could have a go at? Ideally it would be great if I could get my daughter (10yrs) involved in the making process too, to help reinforce the idea that presents aren't always something you have to buy in a shop.
Incidentally, my knitting & sewing are both truly shocking, but I can crochet a little.
Thanks in advance |
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sally_in_wales Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 20809 Location: sunny wales
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sean Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 42207 Location: North Devon
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Fee
Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 15922 Location: Earth
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mochyn
Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 24585 Location: mid-Wales
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lettucewoman
Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 7834 Location: Tiptoe in the Forest!!
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Midland Spinner
Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 2931 Location: Under a green roof
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wipka84
Joined: 07 Feb 2009 Posts: 221 Location: Essex, UK
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marigold
Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 12458 Location: West Sussex
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 32429
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 09 10:58 am Post subject: |
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If you're planning the chocs, cost it out carefully before you start, it isn't THAT cheap. Well worth it though if it isn't too expensive. I usually set aside a day sometime in the week before Christmas, they keep okay till New Year or a little later if need be (they're usually scoffed well before that though). 20 boxes last year if memory serves, seemed to go down well.
Try getting teaspoons and interesting cups/mugs from charity shops. Melt some chocolate, and dip the heads of the spoons in, allowing the choc to harden, and then do it again, and again... till its thick enough. Then put them in the cups with a marshmallow, wrap in some cellophane, and you've got a hot chocolate kit for a cost of next to nowt.
Home made soap goes down well.
If you're a competent shroomer, then jars of dried mushrooms are good. I'm experimenting now with a jar containing risotto rice, dried milk, dried shrooms, dried onions and garlic salt, and some herbs... Hoping to perfect my home made risotto kit for presents this year.
If you've got good photos of friends, like any couples you know looking good together or pics of their kids, have maybe three or four different prints of them done, give them alongside a photo frame (got the skill to make one? Easy enough, or buy them for a quid or two in a discount shop).
Will be raiding the store cupboard for excess jam, chutney, jelly, wine and liqueurs. Alongside the chocs, shrooms, soap, quilted christmas baubles (she's making those, I'll try to find a link for that some time soon), cake stands (in progress), chopping boards (done and stored away), and photos thats Christmas presents almost sorted. |
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 32429
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Fee
Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 15922 Location: Earth
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jamanda Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 35056 Location: Devon
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Fee
Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 15922 Location: Earth
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mochyn
Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 24585 Location: mid-Wales
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