Usually for Christmas, I like to think of a DIY gift craft or something I can make to give to extended family and friends. In the past, I've made soy teacup candles, sugar scrub, goodie bags, cinnamon honey butter, and hot chocolate.
This year, I didn't give myself enough time to make something and I've been a little busy preparing for baby's arrival :) I did manage to assemble these mini gift baskets.
I was inspired to do something with these red produce-type baskets that I found at Michael's craft store. They're just like the ones you buy fruits and veggies in at the farmers market.
And they're just big enough to hold hand soap from Bath and Body Works (my favorite), a kitchen tea towel and a small candle.
I got a pack of large cellophane treat bags to wrap them in and paper confetti to put in the bottom of the baskets.
Once I figured out how to fold the tea towels to fit neatly in the baskets, I set to work assembling these cute little packages.
I used the ribbon that Bath and Body Works included with each hand soap purchase (and some great coupons!), and I added these cute little Christmas tags that I picked up for $1.
Aren't they fun and festive? Something that anyone would like to receive. These would also make great favors or prizes at a party, teacher gifts, or seasonal thank-you gifts. I could even see these with a Valentine's Day theme.
There's still plenty of time to whip up some tasty Christmas treats, like chocolate covered pretzels. Perfect for handing out to friends and co-workers. I saw many varieties on Pinterest.
I decided to use milk chocolate, mint chocolate, and white chocolate chips. The mint chips are my new favorite! Some festive colored sprinkles, jimmies and nonpareils. And of course, a tub of pretzel rods, which actually has about 85 pretzels in it for around $6. I also crushed up some candy canes for an additional topping.
Start melting the first chocolate over a double boiler (I placed a glass bowl on top of a sauce pan with simmering water) and stir to melt. Once melted, you can remove from heat and re-heat as needed. Dip the pretzels, one by one, tapping off the excess. Add your sprinkles and set on parchment paper to solidify. You can place them in the refrigerator briefly if you need them to set up quickly. I left them on the counter while I worked on the rest and they set pretty well.
Repeat with each type of chocolate and toppings. Aren't they pretty? I ended up making all 85 or so pretzels - I felt like I was in a chocolate factory!
I packaged them up in cellophane treat bags, 2 per bag, and tied them with a ribbon. I found some great treat bags at Big Lots that came with ribbon and little peppermint circles.
I wanted to add a personal tag so I printed, stamped and wrote my own, including Luke 2:10-11 at the bottom, "And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for; behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which sill be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
I definitely enjoyed trying a couple of these! I may need to make a batch for myself.
