Unique Gifts from the Kitchen

December 20, 2021May 1, 2022 RefreshHer4 Comments

With the week of Christmas upon us, maybe you’re still wondering about a few last minute gifts to give? My favorite place to conjure up a gift is in my kitchen! Here are a couple of ideas you could consider! I’m also linking several posts from the past that will give you LOTS of ideas to whip up!

If you have no time, but you have homemade jam, find a holiday lid, pop it on the jar, tie on a ribbon and you are good to go! You could include a loaf of bread, either homemade, or baked from a purchased frozen loaf, like the Rhodes bread loaves.You could also purchase a jar of jam and share it with some bread!

This Healthier Granola can be made up and baked within 30 minutes. Let it cool, then pour it into a holiday cellophane bag. Voila! Gift accomplished!

This granola is so good on Greek yogurt!

Here’s a sweet gift made in your kitchen, but it’s food for birds – not food for people! Since my husband had Covid and we have been quarantined and not able to shop much, I had a friend purchase some birdseed for me and I made these as a gift for him because he loves to see the birds at our feeders/trees. (I feel like an old person saying that! I guess it’s true!). Anyway, these turned out so cute, and the birds will have a feast this winter.

Here’s the recipe and instructions:

Birdseed Ornaments

1 Cup Birdseed
1/4 Cup flour
1/4 Cup water
2 Tbl. corn syrup

Mix. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon birdseed mixture into metal cookie cutters. Let dry 24 hours. Dangle ornaments from twine looped through a hole made with a skewer.

Tip: I put my tray into the oven that was OFF, but still warm after I had baked something else. This sped up the dry time.

I hope I”ve inspired you a little to head into your kitchen and whip up some gifts that are truly unforgettable! Here are some other suggestions:

Here is a biscotti recipe that makes a terrific gift to bag up and share!

Here is another post of food gifts I shared a few years back.

Here is a post of gift basket ideas for the hardest people on your list!

Tell me, are you still finishing up your gifts? Or are you all done?

Three Things I LOVE That Would Make a Terrific, Inexpensive Gift

November 27, 2020November 25, 2020 RefreshHer4 Comments

It’s post-Thanksgiving! Have you started that huge (overwhelming) task of buying for everyone on your Christmas list? I know some people who just have a knack for buying the perfect gift…I’m not one of those people. I struggle with this so much! If you’re like me, I thought you might appreciate a few suggestions for the women in your life that need an inexpensive little something that is super-special in my book!

Bath & Body Works Bubble Bath – I’m always on the lookout for a good bubble bath that smells wonderful and makes the best bubbles! I found Bath & Body Works Bubble bath this year during one of their super sales. I love this stuff so much that I probably won’t ever change! There are other fragrances, but I love Rose & Vanilla! If you wanted to bump up this gift, you could include a super-soft, large bath towel.

2. Bath & Body Works Hand and Foot Cream – With all the extra handwashing and sanitizing we’re doing, hands are taking a beating. Also, those rough heels need some TLC, too, right? I apply this cream at bedtime and in the morning it feels like I’ve had a spa treatment! My skin is so much softer after application! It’s super thick so it can really penetrate through that dry skin. If you wanted to bump up this gift, you could include some cozy slippers or plush socks.

3. Hobby Lobby Pillow Slipcovers – If you want to keep your home decor to a minimum, buying slipcovers from Hobby Lobby is the way to go! They have a zipper that allows you to throw your pillow in there. That means you can put the slipcover into the wash, if needed. Aaaaand, you can snag these at 50% off if your watch their sales. I got two of these fuzzy covers for a total of $15! What? You can’t even buy one pillow for that price! I love that it adds a winter touch to my couch, but I’m not stuck with having to store a whole pillow in the warmer months!

Don’t you think these would make great gifts for a woman on your list?

Which of these three items is your favorite?

Happy shopping!

baking · Bread · breakfast · Cooking · dessert · Gifts

(L)Oven Monday – The Best Food Gifts from Your Kitchen

December 5, 2016November 29, 2022 RefreshHer2 Comments

As I make my preparations for a more “simple” Christmas this year, I’m reminded that giving gifts from what you love is the best kind of gift to share. If I do what I love – I bake and the receiver knows that it was prepared especially for them with lots of (L)oven from my oven!

I have many recipes on my blog that I have given away, and I’m going to compile a short list of some of my favorites for you today. These are simple to make and are LOVED by those that receive them. Let’s get shopping/baking…

Nutty Orange Coffee Cake – – This is a fancier form of Monkey Bread. It’s made from canned biscuits, cream cheese and cinnamon and sugar. It’s pretty, it’s easy to make and is so good it became a Christmas tradition for our breakfast!
Cranberry Crumble – Another great coffee cake that anyone would LOVE to receive!
French Bread Loaves – A good old crusty bread tied up in a linen kitchen towel is as lovely as it is delicious!
Homemade Granola – Gifted in a jar with a pretty ribbon, this granola is perfect for any breakfast lover!
Cream Cheese Coffee Cakes – These are more like Danishes and who doesn’t love a Cream Cheese Danish???? This recipe makes four, so it really makes great use of your time in the kitchen!
Deep Dish Hershey Brownies – This is my family’s favorite brownie recipe and I’ve made them for years. Any chocolate lover will be delighted to receive a plate of these!
Microwave Caramel Popcorn – This is the easiest caramel popcorn! It makes a nice pile of popcorn for the snacker on your list!