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Make Holiday Gifts
in Your Kitchen
Looking for a way to spend some time with the kids over the
holidays? Bring them into the kitchen for a little fun and
creativity—and knock some gifts off your list at the same time!
They’ll enjoy the quality time with you, learn their way around the
kitchen and sharpen their math skills to boot! In the end, they can
proudly present their creations to a few lucky people.
Pick Your Project
Decide as a family what you want to make. Dawn Bunting,
Texas
Children’s Hospital Registered Dietitian, recommends “no-cook”
projects where dry ingredients are gathered, organized attractively
and then sealed in a creative package. Simple instructions are
provided to the recipient for final preparation. Typically, these
have about a one-year shelf life.
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Holiday Bean
Soup
(fills 10 16-oz.
containers) |
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1 lb. dried black beans
1 lb. dried great northern beans
1 lb. dried navy beans
1 lb. dried pinto beans
1 lb. dried red beans
1 lb. dried black-eyed peas
1 lb. dried green split peas
1 lb. dried lentils
Layer ¼ cup of each type
bean in a plastic tube or jar. Seal tightly. Attach
a gift tag with the following cooking instructions.
Wash soup mix and place
in a large dutch oven. Cover with water 2 inches
above beans. Let soak 8 hours or overnight. Drain
the beans and return to dutch oven. Add 2 quarts of
water and a ham hock. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce
heat and simmer 3 hours or until the beans are
tender. Stir in the following:
1 28-oz. can crushed
tomatoes
1 large chopped onion
1 tablespoon chili powder
juice from one lemon
salt and pepper to taste
Simmer another hour and serve. |
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Endless Possibilities
There
are many no-cook gifts you can choose from. Beverage mixes like
cocoa or friendship tea are soothing on a cold day. Soup mixes are
healthy, colorful and can encourage kids to try new foods. Granola
or trail mixes are also good choices. And who doesn’t like cookies?
But, make sure you watch the sugar and fat.
Check out these websites
for some great ideas:
Organized Christmas,
All
Free Crafts
Purchase Everything in Advance
Help your kids use their math skills to calculate the quantities of
ingredients before you buy. Shop ahead and take advantage of sales
to make sure you have everything you’ll need. If you’re making
extra-large quantities, locate oversized mixing bowls to accommodate
the ingredients (aluminum turkey roasters work well). Have all your
utensils, bowls and final packaging (including the tags) washed and
ready to go for production day.
Production Day
Choose a day when your whole family can be involved in making your
special gifts. Set up an assembly line and give everyone a job.
While you’re in the kitchen, expose your children to a variety of
utensils like measuring cups, funnels and sifters. And, when age
appropriate, encourage them to do their own measuring math!
Pretty Packaging
Packaging is a key ingredient to making your kitchen gift
successful. But, you don’t have to spend big bucks. Inexpensive jars
are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, and cellophane bags
work well, too. Metal tins and Chinese takeout boxes are fun options
for items that don’t require see-through packaging. And, mugs/coffee
cups are great for beverages—and they last long after the mix is
gone! Check your local grocery, dollar or party supply store or look
online.
In addition to the container, spice up your packaging with cute
ribbon, paper or fabric (to cover the tops of jars) and tags. Gift
tags can be purchased, or you can make your own on the computer –
just remember to include appropriate preparation instructions. And,
don’t forget to add special touches like candy canes, cinnamon
sticks, holly or berries! Enjoy!
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