Here's a great
gift the children can make and present to that special someone. Present
this Mocha Mix by itself with serving directions, or as part of a fun gift
basket with holiday themed mugs and other goodies.
Mocha Mix
prep. time 5 minutes
2 1/2 cups nondairy creamer
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup instant coffee granules or crystals
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1. In a large bowl or container, combine all ingredients; mix well.
Spoon mix into decorative jar or airtight container.
2. To serve, spoon 1/4 cup mix into mug; fill with 1 cup boiling
water. Stir to blend. 5/14 cups mix; about 21 servings.
Is there a
gardener on your list? She will love a "bulb kit" which will enable her to
"force" a bloom in a month and let her enjoy a taste of spring in the cold
winter months.
Give a festive
gift that will help your recipient think of you first thing in 2002!
Prepare a "happy new year" basket with goodies to celebrate the big
night...bubbly, or sparkling cider, party hats and blowers, an ice bucket, and
fun confetti.
For neighbors
or your hostess, bake a loaf of fresh bread and include with it this wonderful
"Citrus and Spice Honey Spread" and a cute holiday spreader.
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients; blend well. Serve immediately or
cover and refrigerate until serving time. Makes 1 cup.
Running short
on time to shop and ship? Most online vendors can get it there on time (or
even a day or two early) if you shop now and have the gift sent directly to the
recipient. Visit our Shop to Help page
for a variety of quality online vendors.
This
one's not very "creative", but here's a reminder...for the person on your
gift list who already has it all, why not consider making a donation in
his name to a special charity? A gift to his parish, alma mater, or
even a local Religious Order would be a double blessing. Make a
beautiful card to accompany a "gift certificate" announcing your donation.
Use
gingerbread men to liven up your Christmas! They can be used as fun tree
ornaments, gift tags, or even "place cards" for your holiday table - use
decorative icing to write your guests' names or decorate the cookie to resemble
the guest!
For the
"correspondent" on your list, or an older individual who may have trouble
leaving his or her home, put together a gift basket including note cards,
greeting cards, a nice set of pens, a book or roll of stamps, personalized
return address labels generated on your computer and a special mug with herbal
tea. You'll be at the top of their "thank you" list!
For the
history lover or student on your gift list, consider purchasing the Lord
of History Playing Card set. This 24 card set features beautiful
artwork and significant information on the lives of the saints.
Is
there an ice cream lover on your gift list this year? Create a fun gift
basket for them including a gift certificate for their favorite parlor (or
better yet, homemade ice cream from you!), a scoop, fun toppings, and a cute set
of sundae dishes and long spoons. This one's sure to be a winner!
Make your
gifts even more special this year by focusing on the wrapping, and save money
while you're at it. Purchase leftover blank newsprint from your local
newspaper and turn the kids loose. They can use rubber stamps (find the
rolling type for fun and colorful designs), markers, or paint. If you're
the proud mom of a toddler, paint your child's feet with washable poster paint
and let him run free all over the paper. For parents of preschoolers,
recycle works of "art" made at school as wrapping for grandparents gifts...be
sure to explain first what will be happening with the artwork and how much it
will be enjoyed by the recipient. Finish off with ribbon or raffia for a
special touch.
Looking
for a fun gift for your favorite male teacher/coach/scout leader? Find out
his favorite team and purchase a baseball cap with the team logo. Turn the
cap upside down and fill the cap with home-baked cookies or candy or a magazine
subscription to a sports or news magazine. Wrap in clear cellophane.
Here's a gift your children can put together and give themselves that will
provide many wonderful mornings. Help them to prepare the "Perfect Pancake
Mix" by providing ingredients and a clean workplace and let them do the rest!
Place mix, a special syrup, fun pancake shapers, and a big wooden or plastic
spoon into a mixing bowl and you'll have a wonderful gift in no time.
Pancake Mix
Ingredients:
5 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
Measure all ingredients into food processor and process for 15 to 30 seconds or
mix by hand until thoroughly mixed. Spoon mixture into 2 quart jar.
Include mixing directions: "Stir 1 1/2 cups of pancake mix, 2
eggs and 1 1/4 cups of milk in a mixing bowl until smooth. Cook over
medium heat, approximately 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Serves 4."
To
commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and our giving recommendation is
truly one of a kind. For your most special loved ones, consider a Rosary
or Chaplet from Terra
Cotta Originals. Each bead is artfully hand crafted to create a unique
treasure. Our Lady called us to the devotion of the Rosary. Your
family member or friend will be truly inspired!
Use
your personal computer this year to personalize your Christmas gifts and
greetings: create your own gift tags with photos of your family or
children, or of the gift recipient. Another fun idea: create return
address label featuring a small picture of your children or family near the
Christmas tree or another special holiday spot. Your friends and family
will love the card even before they open it! To share family news on the
web, create a free web site at MyFamily.com
and share the site URL on your Christmas card. And while you're at it,
invite fellow Catholic parents to join us here at Catholic Mom!
To
celebrate the Feast of St.
Nicholas who has been popularized as one who gave to children.
Send a friend a St.
Nicholas e-greeting today or share Santa's Christmas
Prayer (thanks Stephanie!) with loved ones. While we know that today's
"Santa Claus" bears little resemblance to St. Nicholas, but today is another
wonderful opportunity to savor the joy of giving.
"Don't wait
until Christmas To Open" Present Basket: create a basket of goodies for
your friends to enjoy before the holiday. Include your favorite Christmas
music, a cherished Christmas story book, a few of your favorite holiday season
recipes and an ornament or two featuring photos of your family or children.
You might even include stamped thank you notes with a Christmas theme if this is
going to a homebound friend. Encourage them to open and enjoy this gift
early as they prepare for the big day. And for next year, consider being a
real early bird and include an Advent calendar and goodies!
Little
fingers will love the gift of a "Smelly Play Dough" bonanza!
Follow the recipe below for great home made play dough and send along plastic
"tools", a mini rolling pin, cookie cutters, or even discount kitchen
gadgets. (December 4)
Smelly
Play Dough
Mix 2 1/2 cups flour (more if dough is too sticky), 1/2 cup salt and 2 teaspoons
cream of tartar. Add 3 tablespoons oil, 1 3/4 cups boiling water and 1 to
4 packages of Kool Aid. Stir until sticky dough begins to form.
Remove from bowl or pan and knead with hands until lumps are gone and dough is
smooth. Store in ziploc or covered container.
For a favorite
family - create a "game night" basket for an evening of family
fun. Include a board or card game, deck of cards, dice, pad and paper for
score keeping, favorite snacks, a homemade tape of family music and a list of
your favorite games. Divinity
Religious Products offers a variety of Catholic game
products for family fun and learning.
For your
neighbors - instead of the usual tray of homemade cookies, give a
"gingerbread man kit": pre-bake one gingerbread man per family
member (or two if it's a small family), include a small tube of white
decorator's gel, and small bags of decorations (thin licorice whips, mini
m&ms, tiny chocolate chips, etc.). Tuck all the fixings into a disposable
(Glad -type) container and your neighbors are ready to decorate and eat their
creations.
Giving
books for Christmas? Have your children create book marks and have them
laminated or create a collage of pictures of your little one into a book mark
shaped size and laminate. This will be treasured for years to come!
Thanks to my Fresno friends Vaughn and
Michele for the great ideas! Do you have a tip to share? E-mail Lisa
at lisa@catholicmom.com today.
Related
Resources:
Here's a great
gift the children can make and present to that special someone. Present
this Mocha Mix by itself with serving directions, or as part of a fun gift
basket with holiday themed mugs and other goodies. 
Is there a
gardener on your list? She will love a "bulb kit" which will enable her to
"force" a bloom in a month and let her enjoy a taste of spring in the cold
winter months.
Give a festive
gift that will help your recipient think of you first thing in 2002!
Prepare a "happy new year" basket with goodies to celebrate the big
night...bubbly, or sparkling cider, party hats and blowers, an ice bucket, and
fun confetti. 
For neighbors
or your hostess, bake a loaf of fresh bread and include with it this wonderful
"Citrus and Spice Honey Spread" and a cute holiday spreader. 
Running short
on time to shop and ship? Most online vendors can get it there on time (or
even a day or two early) if you shop now and have the gift sent directly to the
recipient. Visit our 
This
one's not very "creative", but here's a reminder...for the person on your
gift list who already has it all, why not consider making a donation in
his name to a special charity? A gift to his parish, alma mater, or
even a local Religious Order would be a double blessing. Make a
beautiful card to accompany a "gift certificate" announcing your donation. 
To
celebrate the Feast of