Christmas Gift Ideas! Teachers and Neighbors

This Christmas I got in to my baking mode in a big way!  I blame Pinterest.  There are so many cute ideas and wonderful looking recipes on there. 

I could not narrow down what I wanted to do so I just did a lot.  I am using these gifts, or a combination of these gifts, as my teacher and neighbor gifts this year.  I think they turned out really cute.  Especially cute since I am a crafty impaired mom.  And they all tasted so good.  Thank you Pinterest!

The first thing I made was Sugared Nuts.  I followed the recipe exactly.  I only used Almonds in making this gift, because I had almonds - duh, but it would be great on any kind of nut.




Sugared Almonds

These Almonds turned out wonderful!  They were so crunchy, sugary, and yummy.  I hope my neighbors like them!  I also packaged some up in little jars and gave to the office staff at String Beanes school. 

Next on the list was English Toffee.  I actually could call this English Crack!  Once I start eating it, I can't stop.  As a result, not as many people will be getting Toffee in their gift baskets this year.  Oh well, I can tell them about it.



English Toffee


This stuff is AWESOME! The only change I made in the recipe is that I used Fleishman's unsalted margarine so they would be Milk/Dairy free for my Sting Beane.



Reindeer Marshmallows

This one is not really a recipe.  I followed some inspiraton from the web and dipped large marshmallows in semi sweet chocolate.  I used Gharidelli since it has no milk.  Then, while the chocolate was setting up, I stuck on some candy eyes and a red hot.  I used a pretzel twist for the antlers.  I stuck an 8 inch sucker stick in the marshmallows before I dipped them.  The kids in String Beanes class really like these at the Christmas party!



Cookie Decorating Kit



My favorite Christmas gift this year was the Christmas Cookie Kit.  They turned out so cute and very expensive looking.  I regret that I cannot take wonderful pictures and I don't think you can see how cute these were.  Taking better pictures will be my resolution in 2012.  I got the corsage boxes from my florist and packed them with 4 gingerbread men.  I used Pillsbury gingerbread cookie dough and rolled it and cut it.  There is no milk in Pillsbury Gingerbread cookie dough!  Yea for String Beane.  I bagged up some Red Hots, Raisins, and gum drops.  I found the small bottles in the cake decorating section at Walmart.  I made a Royal Icing and filled the bottles up about half way.  Then I tied a ribbon on and Viola!  A cookie decorating kit. 

I sent these home with every child in String Beane's class.  They loved them!



Hot Chocolate on a Stick



My other favorite gift this year was the Hot Chocolate on a Stick.  It turned out to be so cute and everyone seemed to love it.  It also made a wonderful cup of Hot Chocolate!  The chocolate part does contain milk so they went out as gifts here but the Homemade Marshmallows are safe for String Beane.  Making Marshmallows is a VERY sticky job, but I really think it is worth it!  They were like puffy clouds of wonderful.  The Little Beanes loved them. 



Breakfast in Bed



The teacher gift that String Beane gave his kindergarten teacher was what I called Breakfast in Bed!  I used my new Silhouette machine to cut vinyl and make a personalized mug for her.  I stuck two of the Hot Chocolate on a stick in the mug.  I made up some of our favorite English Muffins and put in a small jar of Strawberry Spread.  I packaged it in a store bought cupcake box I found at Walmart. 



Teacher Gift

Butter Beane goes to preschool two days a week.  I used the Silhouette and made a personalized mug for his teacher.  I put two of the Hot Chocolate on a Sticks in there.  I wrapped it up in a Thirty-One Littles tote.  I think she really liked it. 

I had so much fun making all of these things.  What did you make for Christmas gifts this year?  

I am linking up with Metamorphosis Monday and these other Awesome Parties!