photography by: Nicholette von Reiche
Yeah! It’s December!
Christmas always inspires me to bake up a storm and this year is no acception. So don your apron, get out your mixing bowls and let’s get baking. Beautifully presented food gifts are what we are giving loved ones and colleagues this year. Hand made, tied with a pretty ribbon, accompanied with a handwritten message and given from the heart. Can you think of a more special way to say Merry Christmas? Home-made gifts are also a lot of fun to prepare, especially with kids, they are cost effective and show that you have put a lot of thought, time and love into your gift.
Delight and impress those shameless chocoholics in your life with cherry chocolate salami rolls. Quite a mouth-full to say but simply irresistible. These chocolate logs are the perfect Christmas gifts as they can be served as dessert to unexpected guests, as an after dinner treat or a teatime indulgence. Simply accompany these lovelies with a note to store in the fridge, cut into generous slices on serving and enjoy with good quality coffee. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Chocolate candy cane cookies are the perfect gift for adults and children alike. One bite and they will be in Christmas heaven. Alternatively use the raw cookie dough as the gift. Simply wrap the dough in wax paper and tie the ends with a pretty ribbon. Recipients need only slice, bake and enjoy. The overwhelming smell will fill their house with festive cheer.
Give the gift of sweet flavor with these easy to make cranberry and walnut loafs. Besides being delicious they are perfectly good for you. Tie them in cheesecloth with a beautiful ribbon and include the serving suggestions as instructed on the recipe. These delicious home-made breads also make a great hostess gift.
Chewy pecan and cranberry bars presented in a pretty tin make a scrumptious gift and is just the right anytime treat when you are on the road, have a sugar craving or need an energy boost.
In the mood for baking, but not looking forward to cleaning up? Try these mess-free gourmet solutions. Carefully measure and layer the ingredients of your fail-proof brownies or favorite Christmas cookies into a beautiful jar. Add a festive ribbon and remember to include the recipe so recipients can create your masterpiece at home. You can also buy beautiful Christmas mugs and fill them with packets of gourmet hot chocolate (my favorite is Jacques Torres). Add in some hand made marshmallows and you have the gift that any food lover will adore.
Of course who can resist the temptation of truffles. Satisfy sweet tooth’s with a striking gift box filled with luxurious chocolate truffles or wrap different colored macaroons in cellophane bags and tie with ribbons and a Christmas tree decoration. You can also make your own Christmas crackers using baking paper. Roll nuts, hand-made candy or chocolates in the paper, decorate with hand-made paper strips and tie the ends together with gold thread or ribbons.
Another very charming and useful gift idea is to make your own homemade muesli. Pile the cooled muesli into big generous jars or spoon them into cellophane bags. Just be sure that whatever you use can be tightly secured so the muesli will stay crisp. Your recipients will think of you every time they sink their teeth into this lovely breakfast favorite.
As a last resort keep in mind that the kitchen is the heart of the home and the place where all the action happens during Christmas time. Why not give a beautiful mix and match arrangement of stylish cooking and home-ware hampers as a gift. Or give a ginger-bread house gift that families can assemble and decorate together.
Once you have made all these scrumptious gifts, remember to dress them up so that they look too good to open. Use gift bags, tins, cellophane, Christmas candy and ribbons to add that final touch. With so much inspiration on the net you should have no problem finding the perfect wrapping solution for each of your gifts. When it comes to gift-wrapping, I usually find a color theme using two or three colors or shades. Try layering patterned gift-wrap over plain colored paper. Wrap goodies in colored tissue paper and place in a Chinese noodle box. Finish with a pretty ribbon or place treats in beautiful paper cones. Simply draw a large heart shape on the paper you plan to use and cut out the heart. Roll it into a cone, secure it on the inside with double sided tape and decorate as desired with ribbons, paper clips or threads.
Remember to have fun, relax and take in the merriment of the season. Indulge in great food, friendship, family and have a merry Christmas indeed.
photography by: Nicholette von Reiche