98. Christmas In A Can by: Valerie in SF Utah This is from my personal list. I can't remember the original site but these are the instructions.
Take a clean, unused, gallon paint can, with a handle. (Clear paint cans are available at craft stores) Cover the outside with Christmas themed craft paper. On the front center of the can, attach a label (5 1/2" tall x 8" long) that says: "Christmas in a Can". Add border and some Christmas clip art then in the bottom right hand corner in smaller print using a font that looks like handwriting, it says "Tenderly and Carefully Packed with Love"
On the top of the lid, glue a round circle of paper that lists the ingredients inside.
Inside the can place:
1 pkg. Gingerbread Cookie Mix (instructions below)
1 pkg. Wassail Mix
1 Gingerbread Ornament
1 Gingerbread Cookie Cutter
1 pkg. Microwave popcorn
1 pkg. Hot cocoa mix
1 Christmas story
Several small candy canes
The Wassail mix and the hot cocoa mix are either purchased or homemade. Put a cup of wassail mix in a Christmas print cellophane bag, then staple the top shut with a little card stock label on the front with the instructions for use on the back. The hot cocoa mix was about 2 cups of mix in a bag, with card stock stapled to the top, Hot cocoa mix on front of the label, and instructions on the back. Both labels had cute clip art that matched that on the front of the can (you fold the card stock in half, fold the top of the bag down, put the card stock over the rolled bag and then staple it all together)
The Christmas story included was "A Memorable Christmas" by Thomas S. Monson December 1995 Ensign.
Tan paper, matching clip art etc. This was folded in 1/2 the long way and then rolled up into a tube. Popcorn is self explanatory. The ornament and the cookie cutter were purchased at a dollar store or similar. The cookie mix is just a spice cake mix, taken out of the box.
Staple a card stock label to the top of this as well, with Gingerbread cookie mix on the front and these instructions on the back:
Mix 1 medium egg, 2 Tbs. water 2 Tbs. flour and 1/4 cup soft shortening with cookie mix. Makes a stiff dough. Mix well, chill dough. Roll out on floured surface and cut with cookie cutter.
Place on un-greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
Decorate if desired.
Pop everything in the can, put the lid on top and you've got a cute family gift. I hope these instructions are easy enough to understand!
Here's a recipe for a wassail type mix.
2 cups Tang
3 oz pkg. pre-sweetened lemonade mix
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Use 2-3 teaspoons of mix with one cup of hot water. Makes 3 1/2 cups. keeps up to 6 months.
99. Jingle Jaunt Basket: This has been posted often in the past. Unsure of who the original poster is. In a basket or fun container place microwave popcorn, hot cocoa mix, car mugs (to prevent spills),inexpensive Christmas CDs, Jingle bells, and a city map. You could also add fleece blankets for car use later. Include the following instructions.
"Warm up the car, get it ready to go. Pop the corn, heat up the cocoa and pray for snow. Ring the bells, wake up the kids, grab a blankie for all and off to the show".
Pop a CD in the car player then take a drive to see the "best lights" in the town.
(The only credit to be taken for the bad poetry, unfortunately, is mine )
100. "Get Organized" Basket: Posted by txinia (and OC/OH Cohorts) In a set of lined stacking baskets add combinations of the following: Copy of House Works by CEO (Or organizing title of choice), trash bags (various sizes), Sharpie pen, label maker, Home Notebook 3-Ring Binder, printed forms (See Home page of Organized Home), planner, Calendar, timer, small notepad for lists, etc.
101. "Busy Mom" Basket/Tote: Posted by MrsTea and OC Friends: Water bottle, change, notepad, hand sanitizer, fleece throw (or lightweight jacket), GC for dinners, Slow-Cooker Cookbook,Coupons for Baby sitting, small first aid kit, hand lotion, magazine subscription, puzzle
book and pencils, paperback, small pillow, address book, pocket planner.
102. Brownie Mix in an Oven Mitt: Posted by Jody664
In an oven mitt, make or buy a brown mix (or cake or cookie mix), add a wooden spoon, matching tea towel, maybe even tie a cookie cutter on it. (I like this one!)
103. Reader's Basket: Posted by HallmarkLady and OC Friends. This one would be great in a library tote bag. Include a gift card to recipients favorite book seller, card case for a library card, a fleece blanket, cozy socks, nice bookmark, and a booklight. A bottle of bubble bath or bath salts and a "DO NOT DISTURB" door hanger sign (for reading in the tub). Toss in the recipients favorite snack or an apple or two, a mug and cocoa mix, an electric mug warmer or a tea cup,
saucer and tea or a bottle of water. Top off with a Reader's Journal and a nice pen.
Anyone else care to add more to the list?
_________________
LJ
www.snrproject.com
~The Magic of Christmas never ends because of the gift of family and friends~
POSTED BY DAHLIADOLL ON OC
Do you have certain gifts you like to give for special events? Recently, I have developed the following:
*Baby gift - hooded towell (made with towel and wash cloth) or hand-knit afghan. I keep a lookout for cute towels/wash cloths and currently have about 4 in my stack for babes to come along. They only take about 15-20 minutes to sew up. I have one afghan ready to go and yarn for at least one more. So that's one gift for a shower and one for the birth.
I've also given the "mini vacations" to new mothers and to friends who have lost loved ones or are in treatment for cancer. I keep the supplies on hand, and I think they are just a little more than a card for people undergoing high stress in their lives.
*Sibling gift - Recently I've made Sock Monkeys which seem to be really well-received, but are also labor-intensive and pillow cases - also well-received and super quick to whip up.
*Wedding gift - here's where I'd like some input. I like to get something on the gift registry, but I've been thinking that something home-made to go along with it would make it feel really special (as far as I'm concerned). I'm thinking about developing a technique to apply pressed flowers to a candle chimney or to a vase.
That's about all I've got...
Any ideas fom others - say for graduation (male/female), anniversary, retirement . . .?
I'm really looking for ideas that would be good for anyone - not ideas that relate to special interests. Things I can have on hand, and as you can probably tell, I'm particularly fond of giving something I have made.
DJ
PS: I think I should title this the "one-size-fits-all gift list"!
POSTED BY MS. BON ON OC
I hope I'm not too late with this! A mini-vacation is:
tea bag
wrapped piece of chocolate
bath cube, small bag of bath salts, or bath oil beads (enough for one bath)
tealight candle
... all in a jar or box or organza bag...
...plus this poem:
This mini vacation is just for you
For when you are stressed or for when you are blue
A candle-lit bath, a nice cup of tea
And the sweet touch of chocolate... for you, from me!
Hope that helps!
Bonnie
http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?...en=100A2A5C-A4C3-4A2D-B59392282C57819A6402568
Gift Basket Theme Ideas
Pampered Spa Basket (Twirly towel, bath mitts, cozy slippers, eye pillow, luffa sponge, body sugar scrubs, bath salts & bubble bath, shower gel, bath bombs, candles)
Chocolate Lovers Basket (Chocolate of every kind and in every shape, nuts, gourmet coffee)
Coffee Lovers Basket (Gourmet or flavored coffees, flavored sugars, cinnamon sticks, two coffee mugs, demi spoons & a coffee table book about coffee )
Homemade Specialty Treats Basket (Flavored sugars, extracts, flavored vinegars)
Gourmet Basket (Pickled peppers, gourmet cheese, deli crackers, fruit, wine, smoked oysters, olives, pickled asparagus, deli meat sticks)
Tea Buddy Basket (Gourmet teas, flavored sugars, cinnamon sticks, tea cozy, two pretty tea cups and saucers, homemade cookies/baking, homemade jam, small potted houseplant)
Pet Lovers Basket (Personalized pet dish, pet toys, pet treats, hair brush, pet shampoo–see the Rachel Ray video above)
Gardeners Gift Basket (Gardening gloves, gardening book, garden journal, small hand tools, handmade seed packets, garden clogs)
Bookworm Gift Basket (Books, bookmarks, gourmet coffee or tea, snacks, online bookstore gift card)
Productivity Guru Gift Basket (Moleskin notebook, index cards, post it notes, post it flags, expensive pen, book on productivity tips)
Welcome Baby Basket (Baby blanket, washcloths, socks, rattle, toys, sleepers, check out the diaper cake for more ideas)
Crafty Gift Basket (Expensive scissors, rotary cutter blades, needle case, pin cushion, spools of good quality thread, glue sticks, needle threaders, box of pins, sewing machine needles, fat quarters, craft store gift card, craft magazine or book)
Movie Lovers Basket (DVDs, popcorn, popcorn seasonings, bottles of water or pop, chocolate bars, licorice, movie rental coupons)
Christmas Gift Basket (Poinsettia plant, homemade cookies, tarts, baking, Christmas tree ornaments, Christmas music CD, neatly handwritten Christmas poem or prayer–scroll or framed, pine, peppermint or cranberry scented candle, box of chocolates, candy canes, mix of nuts and nutcracker, Christmas crackers, angel figurine, paper snowflakes, mini-stockings filled with candy, fireplace firestarters, hot cocoa mix with mugs, small prayer or blessings book)
posted on Christmastomax a few years ago.