The Gift of Time
If you're on the receiving end of a homemade food gift, you're pretty special in the eyes of the giver. It means he or she has given you the gift of time -- a rare commodity in today's hustle-bustle world. It's a present that says, "I know who you are and the entire time I was preparing and assembling this gift, my thoughts were of you."If you're on the giving end, you've chosen the quintessential way to say, "I care," "Thank you for your hospitality" or "Because friendship matters."
Plan Ahead
If you plan to give cordials, brandied fruits, preserves or pickled items, make them well in advance of the gift giving. For Christmas presents, start in July. Decide how much time you really have. If you're scrunched, make muffin, bread and cookie mixes that include everything but the liquid and fat. They take the least involvement. Whatever you decide to give, include the recipe tied to the item with a pretty cord.What's Your Style?
Decide how you will wrap your gifts before you start. Are you a nature lover who prefers simple, earthy wraps? Consider brown paper, string and raffia. Or do you like a bit of sparkle? Choose gold and silver ribbons, napkins, metallic tissue and cellophane. For ethnic flair, think embroidered tea towels and Polish pottery.Get Organized
Collect the necessary materials, including scissors, tape, ribbons, tags and labels, instead of scurrying around at the last minute for each item.Wrap It Up
Anything goes. Containers can include baskets, a spatterware soup pot, a charlotte mold, a Polish pottery bowl.Gift Basket Ideas
You needn't make every item in the basket yourself. With some store-bought tea, local honey, cloth napkins, mugs, jam pot, and a silver spoon, you can build a whole basket around just one jar of your homemade jam. Here are some examples:- Polish Basket
- Blueberry Cordial
- Antique Cordial Glasses
- Dried Fruit Compote
- Brandied Fruit
- Garage-Sale China Dessert Bowls
- Imported Hungarian Paprika
- Sweet Cabbage Strudel
- Dobosh Torte
- Hungarian coffee
- Dollar Stores -- Bottles, conainers, mugs and boxes
- Supermarkets -- Canning jars, disposable loaf pans
- Hardware and Cookware Store -- Canning jars, tins, canisters, labels, bottles and corks, baskets
- Stationery, Art Supply, Craft Stores -- Tags, notes, ties
- Fabric Stores -- Fabric for jam jars, ribbons, trinkets to decorate packages
- Cake-Decorating Stores -- Cellophane, cellophane bags, candy boxes, petit-four cases
- Yard Sales and Antique Shops -- China plates and bowls, old glass jars and canisters, canning jars
- Hungarian Basket
