I haven't really been posting this week due to how crazy things have been since the very quick and unexpected death of my Grandma on Sunday. (By the way, thanks so much for all of the kind comments. It really means so much to have had such support through a variety of venues.)
But, I guess I couldn't let the chance pass by when Works for Me Wednesday's theme this month is holiday tips.
One thing that I really love to do for Christmas is to make baskets and platters of home baked goodies to give to family and friends. (You can check out our platters from last year, as well as a list of what was on each platter.) For people like closer family, I put together baskets that contain a larger quantity of goodies, and then the platters tend to go to people like Eric's employees, the boys' therapists, religious education instructors, and so on.
The easiest way that I make something like this happen (since we give out somewhere around 20 - 25 baskets/platters total) is to do some baking ahead of time and freeze any cookies possible. Then, closer to the time to actually deliver goodies, I make things that can't be frozen ahead of time. If you are making just a few types of cookies/treats, it may not be as difficult to make them all close to delivery time. However, I like to give a good variety of items, so it just becomes a necessity to do some of it ahead of time.
I know this is probably not an earth shattering revelation as a Christmas giving idea, but it is definitely one that works for me! I think this gift is especially appreciated as more and more people lead such busy lives and have stopped making goodies (or anything) from scratch.
Do you give any homemade goodies for Christmas? What kinds of things do you like to give?
This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday, Finer Things Friday, and Frugal Friday.
12 comments:
I love to give goodies out as well. I like to give nice cookies and special breads and savory pastries. Hopefully I'll get to blog about it when the time come.
In the past we purchased gifts but not this year!
I plan on doing some baking with our teen.
Sorry to hear about your lost.
It may not be an earth shattering tip, but one I never thought of.....dah!
How do you know which cookies can be frozen and which can't? I bake a little bit, but not enough to know what I can freeze. I am having a big baking day with 2 friends and would love to be able to freeze some until I need them!
I totally agree with you. What we do is give some sort of gift through an organization (i.e. World Vision, The Salvation Army, etc.) to each grouping of people as well as some homemade treats.
What a great idea! I am always baking for the holidays anyway. Why not share the love?
I like to make Jewish apple cake, pumpkin bread, banana bread, snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, and candy cane snowballs. Mmmmm!
:)
Thanks for sharing!
I definitely enjoy baking for the holidays. I don't make a lot of things that are baked so much as assembled. Things like white trash (chex, pretzels, m&ms covered in white chocolate), fudge, Pioneer Woman's sugar cookies, my homemade chocolate chip cookies, and usually something new. I love doing the preparing and I think people enjoy the treats.
Sorry to hear about your Grandmother. My prayers and thoughts go out to your family and you.
I make baked goodies for gifts each Christmas. I make an anise cookie called bischochitos, these are a family favorite and tradition. I also make different kinds of bread that freeze well. THANKS!!! for sharing and May God Bless.
Geri
I love doing this. Each year I get together with my mother and sister-in-law and we spend an entire day baking Christmas goodies. I look forward to it every year.
We are trying to give more homemade gifts this year, and this is the perfect idea! I know several friends and teachers that don't bake, and would love a goodie tray! Thanks for the wonderful idea and the link to your list from last year. You've given me a great place to start!!
Annikke -- Here is a link with some info: http://allrecipes.com/howto/freezing-cookies-and-cookie-dough/detail.aspx
Also, they said that cookies can be frozen (baked already) for up to 3 - 4 weeks, but I think it is much longer. One magazine I had said for up to 3 months. I did many for about 6 weeks before (prior to Christmas), and there was no problems with that.
So sorry to hear about your grandma. Very hard to lose loved ones. :(
I like to freeze early and often, too. Then I'm not stressing and throwing in the towel when it's time for delivery!
I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I love your platter idea! Can you come link up at my Holiday Recipe Exchange http://bit.ly/cOOkBook ??? Thanks so much!! It will help you get more traffic back to your blog too!! This is a perfect post to show how to share our goodies!
Thanks so much!
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