By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
If you are living through the 2020-21 pandemic, then you are probably pinching pennies. Christmas and the holiday season, in general, can be expensive, so it’s important to try to be creative with whatever is wrapped underneath the tree. Alternatively, maybe you have had terrible luck giving smile-inducing presents and want to ensure greatness. Gifts that you can eat are awesome for several reasons. It’s low-cost, creative, and you can share it together on Christmas day. All it takes is a little thought. Here are five gifts that will wow the crowd and taste amazing:
Infused Olive Oil
Supplies:
- Garlic, fresh rosemary, and lemons
- Premium olive oil, extra virgin
- Glass bottles
- Handmade labels
- A sheet pan
- Basket and ribbon
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place garlic cloves (skin removed) on the tray and roast for 45 minutes until fragrant and soft.
Juice lemons and remove any seeds until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Zest the remaining lemons and combine zest and juice with olive oil, filling the bottle and closing it tight. Shake oil a few times and store for at least one week.
Pour olive oil in a bottle of large stalks of rosemary (the more, the better). Fasten the top and shake, then store for at least one week.
Once the garlic is roasted and cooled, place it in a bottle and pour olive oil over the top. Fasten the top and shake a few times. Store for at least one week.
Create labels for each oil and write the date it was infused. Place bottles in a basket and tie the ribbon around either the bottles or the basket. Ready for Christmas!
Gingerbread Cookie Wreath
Supplies:
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of white sugar
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- 1 cup of molasses
- 1 tbsp of freshly grated ginger
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 stick of unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp of cinnamon
- 1 tsp of nutmeg
- 1 tsp of salt
- 1 nonstick ring pan
- Nonstick cookie sheets
- Cookie cutters
- Cookie icing
In a large bottle, add flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir together.
In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, mix white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, butter, ginger, and molasses. Slowly add dry ingredients while mixing at low speed until the batter is evenly-mixed with no dry clumps.
Pour batter into the ring pan and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Dump the remaining batter onto a floured surface and knead for three minutes. Use a rolling pin to flatten dough and press cookie cutters into the dough to make shapes.
Place cookies on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for nine minutes.
Once the cookies and cookie ring have been baked and cooled for at least 30 minutes, ice cookies and use icing to paste each cookie onto the ring. Layer cookies to make the wreath look abundant.
Place the wreath into the freezer for an hour to allow the icing to harden. Remove when ready to exchange!
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Supplies:
- Chocolate of choice, at least 3 cups in total
- Whole milk
- 1 bag of medium or large hard pretzels
Toppings, such as mini peanut butter cups, butterscotch chips, or caramel drizzle
Fill a saucepan with water and place it on the stove over medium heat. Break up the chocolate into a metal bowl and add 1 cup of milk per cup of chocolate.
Place the bowl over the boiling water and stir it constantly until chocolate transforms into a thick sauce.
Once the chocolate is cooled and taken off the heat, dip each pretzel in the chocolate and place it on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Add toppings to the pretzels while the chocolate coating is still wet. Place sheet pan in the fridge and let sit for at least 2 hours.
Repeat this process with different chocolates and toppings. Once finished, place pretzels in a beautiful container and top with a bow.
Hot Chocolate in a Jar
Supplies:
- Large mason jars and lids
- Cocoa powder
- White sugar
- Powdered milk
- Toppings and spices of choice
Clean jars and line them up (lid off) on a flat surface.
In a large mixing bowl, combine cocoa powder, sugar, and powdered milk and distribute them into each jar, filling each jar halfway.
Add toppings on top of the dry ingredients. Examples: marshmallows, peppermint, chocolate chips, sprinkles, caramel squares
Seal each jar with the lid and add a ribbon and gift tag. Just add milk and enjoy!
Tea Sampler
Supplies:
- A beautiful mug
- Various tea bags or leaves
- An infuser (if using leaves)
- Raw honey
- Honey dipper stick
A book about tea history or ceremony (optional)
Find a box and fill it with tissue paper or shredded paper.
Arrange the mug, book, honey, stick, and infuser in the box, facing up. Surround the items with different tea bags (or leave bags).
Close the box and wrap it in pretty paper. Your recipient will love it!
