We have so many people to buy gifts for during the holiday season and I never know what to get. I always like doing a gift involving the girls. Last year we made calendars and picture frames. This year I was stuck on ideas until my mom came to visit over the weekend and brought the girls the Kids in the Holiday Kitchen, by Jessica Strand and Tammy Massman-Johnson. Maddie has gone through the book a few times picking out what she wants to make. When she finally put the book down and wasn’t looking I was able to sneak a peak and found a few cute ideas to give as gifts for friends and/or family. Below are two ideas from Kids in the Holiday Kitchen, that we will be giving to grandparents/ great grandparents this year. I can’t wait to make them with the girls.
Image from WilliamSonoma.com
This one-of-a-kind, do-it-yourself layered glass cookie jar comes with all the necessary dry ingredients already measured out! It is a “just add butter, eggs and vanilla” kind of gift, which will delight grown-ups and kids alike. Any favorite cookie recipe will do; however, we chose a recipe with walnuts, dried cherries and chocolate chips for a festive look and delicious taste!
Ingredients:
Note: Since we have allergies in our house we will not be adding walnuts. To make it personalized you can elimate the walnuts, cherries, chocolate chips and let your child get creative with what he/ she would like to add for the person they will be giving it too.
- 1-quart wide-mouthed jar (with a lid) in glass or clear plastic
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (not instant)
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 3-by-3-inch piece white card stock
- Hole punch
- 16 to 18 inches narrow ribbon or kitchen string
Directions:
Add each ingredient into the jar in the order listed. After each addition, use a large spoon or a small fist to level and pack down each layer. Attach the lid.
On the white card stock, make a gift tag that includes the following instructions: “For scrumptious holiday cookies in a flash, preheat the oven to 375°F. Beat together 3 ounces (3/4 stick) softened unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 egg in a large bowl or mixer. Add the contents of the jar and stir or mix until well blended. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Makes 2 dozen cookies. Enjoy!”
Punch a hole in a corner of your gift tag, and thread your ribbon or kitchen string through. When the tag is centered in the middle of the ribbon, tie the ribbon around the jar’s neck, or secure it under the threads of the lid. Makes 1 jar.
Adapted from Kids in the Holiday Kitchen, by Jessica Strand & Tammy Massman-Johnson (Chronicle Books, 2007).
Tasty Treasures (Fill with home made cookies from your child, we will be using decorated sugar cookies)
- Newspaper
- 6x6x4- inch craft box (white or natural color)
- Assorted beads, such as rhinestones (any flat bottom is fine)
- Assorted colored poms poms (my addition)
- Assorted colored glitter glue (my addition)
- Assorted Holiday Stickers (my addition)
- Good quality craft glue
- Parchment or waxed paper
Directions ( I made my own shortened version of the directions):
On a work surface spread a newspaper, take the top off the box and set the bottom aside. Let your child get creative and start decorating. Once your child is done, let the glue dry for about 2 hours so that the decorations hold. Line the bottom and sides of the box with a large piece of parchment or waxed paper. Fill with your child’s favorite cookie.
Tip: These boxes are a very versatile craft. Buttons, beads, pieces of ribbon, (you name it!) will all work beautifully. Pom- poms add a fun dimension and contrast nicely with rhinestones.
Adapted from Kids in the Holiday Kitchen, by Jessica Strand & Tammy Massman-Johnson (Chronicle Books, 2007).
Tastefully Childish 
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