Homemade Gifts

Holiday Decorations and Recipes to Make With Your Kids

By Ann Douglas

Mucho Munchies Snack Mix

A do-it-yourself version of a popular snack mix.

• 1/2 cup of butter or margarine
• 5 cups of Shreddies
• 2 cups of Cheerios
• 1 cup of bite-sized pretzels
• 2 tbsp. of Worcestershire sauce
• 4 tsp. of garlic powder
• 1 tsp. of celery salt

Combine the Shreddies, Cheerios, and pretzels in a large mixing bowl. Melt butter in a large saucepan and then add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and celery salt to the melted butter. Add the buttery mixture to the mixing bowl and stir thoroughly. Then spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so. The mixture should be lightly browned but not overcooked. Cool the mixture on paper towels. It can then be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Ginger Crinkles

Delicious and eye-catching cookies that will be appreciated by any gingerbread lover.

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar\
• 1 egg
• 4 tbsp. molasses
• 2 cups of flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ginger

Cream together sugar and shortening. Add egg and molasses. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add to mixture. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredietns. Shape into small balls, roll in sugar, and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Glatten slightly with the bottom of a glass. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350°F.

Zesty Lip Balm

An inexpensive alternative to name-brand flavoured lip glosses.

• 1/2 ounce of refined beeswax beads
• 4 ounces of sweet almond oil
• 2 teaspoons of lemon or tangerine essential oil

Place the sweet almond oil in a glass measuring cup. Add the beeswax beads and melt on low heat in the microwave. Stir with a spoon and allow to cool slightly before adding essential oil. Pour into small glass or plastic jars with tight-fitting lids.

Bath Bombs

A gift that's guaranteed to make a splash with mom, grandma, or a favourite aunt.

Dry ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of citric acid
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1/4 cup of baking soda

Wet ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, almond oil, or an essential oil (orange, lime, lemon, etc.)
• 3 to 6 drops of liquid food colouring (optional)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of foaming agent (sodium lauryl sulfoacetate)

Mix dry ingredients thoroughly. Mix wet ingredients thoroughly. Slowly add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and blend well. Shape into tennis balls and allow them to harden for 48 hours. Store in a tightly-sealed container.

Sparkly Play Dough

An affordable gift for a younger brother or sister.

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
• Food colouring
• 1/4 cup of glitter (available in craft stores)

Combine the flour, salt, water, cooking oil, food colouring, and cream of tartar in a saucepan placed over low heat. Stir regularly until the mixture begins to form a ball. Knead the glitter into the play dough once it's cool enough to handle. Store in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.

Simply "Scentsational" Holiday Ornaments

• 1/3 cup cinnamon
• 1/3 cup flour
  2/3 cup applesauce

Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl and knead dough until it is thoroughly mixed. Roll dough out on a lightly-floured surface and use cookie cutters to cut the ornaments into shapes. Using a straw, make a hole near the top of each ornament that is large enough for a piece of ribbon to pass through. Bake the ornaments for two hours at 225°F. Allow the ornaments to cool and then thread a piece of brightly-coloured ribbon through the hole.

Ideas Unlimited

• Looking for more gift ideas? The following books will provide you with plenty of ideas and inspiration.
• I Can Make That! Fantastic Crafts for Kids by Mary Wallace. Toronto: Maple Tree Press, 2002. 160 pages, $19.95.
• The Jumbo Book of Crafts by Judy Ann Sadler. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 1997. 208 pages, $16.95.
• The Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts by Judy Ann Sadler. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2001. 205 pages, $16.95.