Christmas Food Gifts

I am really great at planning, if I do say so myself. However, my performance on the follow through leaves a lot to be desired. Starting last year, my extended family decided that we would give an edible gift for each family and just buy gifts for the children. I'd been pushing for this (or KK's for the adults) for quite a few years now, as it seemed a bit crazy buying for each of my aunts and uncles etc. Everyone usually ended up getting little gifts which generally weren't that great. Not that they weren't appreciated, it was just that when buying for so many people, on a strict budget due to the number of gifts required, it was hard to find something truly useful or that would really be loved.

This year, i'm planning some super lovely hampers. Time will tell whether all of the elements get completed and they come together in time. Let me share the Christmassy goodness that I hope will get into each of the four hampers I need to create:

Raspberry and Lemon Cordial: image from http://yummy-books.com/2010/09/21/anne-of-green-gables-raspberry-cordial/

Almond Bread: Picture and recipe from http://www.cathyskitchen.energyaustralia.com.au/recipes/almond_bread

Peach and Vanilla Jam: picture and recipe from the lovely My Tartlette, http://www.mytartelette.com/2010/08/recipe-peach-vanilla-jam.html

Bejewelled Chocolates: picture and instructions available at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial who has oodles of fantastic ideas, http://figjamandlimecordial.com/2009/12/15/bejeweled-chocolate/

I'm also thinking of making quite a few extras to give as small gifts to people like the staff at the daycare centre that my girls go to. I think they'd look great wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon. They'd also look very christmassy if you used cranberries and pistaccio's as your "jewels", like in the nougat below.

Dulce De Leice: This is also from the very clever Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, http://figjamandlimecordial.com/2010/02/26/dulce-de-leche-from-scratch/



Pistaccio and Cranberry Nougat: This picture and an accompanying recipe are from http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipe/3636/Pistachio_and_cranberry_nougat/search/true, although I will be using Donna Hay's recipe from her "Christmas" book.

Poached Pears Infused with Cinnamon, Cloves and Star Annise: Picture from http://www.achefshelp.info/article/302/poaching-and-preserving-fruit-and-desserts-chefs-tips


One of the most difficult things so far has been sourcing the packinging (ie. bottles and jars etc). I bought a whole bunch of what I believe are preserving jars at the Reject Shop for $2 each, which is not too bad. I still need a whole bunch of smaller jars and smallish brown glass bottles for another Christmas project (more info to come shortly).

I have found a lovely idea for a gift basket that you can make from card.

Picture from the ever inspiring Fig Jam and Lime Cordialhttp://figjamandlimecordial.com/2009/11/13/origami/ and instructions are at: http://www.craftideas.info/html/origami_basket.html

These boxes would look lovely filled with Christmas treats and wrapped with cellophane a lovely ribbon.

Hope that I've inspired you!

Have a great weekend, Mary xxx

P.S. Stay tuned for another post coming shortly which will show all of the lovely non-edible gifts that I hope to make in time for Christmas.