A Present for Lynda

February 15, 2014 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

I have a lot of friends turning fifty this year!

Lynda is the latest to reach the half century, so I made her a fifty piece gift, similar to the one I made for Gill at the end of last year. Since I’m always banging on about homemade gifts, I thought I’d give you another example of what we do here.

Lynda’s present began with twenty of her favourite chocolate chip cookies. I’ve packaged them in sealed bags of five, so that she doesn’t have to eat them all at once…

Inspired by a photo in Alice Medrich’s book, I individually wrapped twenty of my amaretti cookies in tissue paper, then packed them in two bags of ten…

There has to be chocolate of course, including the birthday card in the top photo, and six chocolate lollipops. They’re all made with a dark/milk feuilletine blend…

And in case you’ve been keeping count, that’s forty-seven pieces, so I added three treasure coins to round up to fifty…

The cookies all went into a floral shopping bag, and the chocolates were wrapped and decorated with a tissue paper flower.

Happy birthday, Lynda!

Posted in Food & Friends, Frugal Living | 47 Comments

47 Responses

on February 15, 2014 at 6:37 am Jeannette

What lucky friends you have! I’m sure they appreciate you though whether you shower them with gifts or not.
on February 15, 2014 at 6:39 am Sandra Thorman

that is such a thoughtful gift, you are a dear friend
on February 15, 2014 at 6:41 am marymtf

Adopt me.
on February 15, 2014 at 6:53 am sallybr

Can I be marymtf sister?
on February 15, 2014 at 6:54 am andreamynard

What gorgeous gifts! Home-made ones, with time and effort put into them, are so lovely aren’t they. And if they include chocolate, even better!
on February 15, 2014 at 7:23 am ardysez

Delightful!
on February 15, 2014 at 7:28 am Danielle

What a lucky lady is Lynda! I can’t think of anything better than a handmade by Celia chocolate birthday card. What a lovely idea to do a 50 piece present!!
on February 15, 2014 at 7:42 am Rose

Happy birthday lucky Lynda. Love love love these non-stuff pressies that mean a world more than any stuff could.
on February 15, 2014 at 7:57 am Haley

Looks like she will be having a very yummy birthday! Great job!
on February 15, 2014 at 8:07 am CWan

What a fantastic idea. Homemade gifts are the best, made with love and care.
on February 15, 2014 at 8:14 am Suelle

All I can say is lucky Lynda! You have a great knack for good presentation too, which makes homemade gifts even nicer.
on February 15, 2014 at 8:16 am hotlyspiced

That’s a generous, thoughtful and beautiful gift. How special Lynda must have felt when she received it. I love how you packaged everything xx
on February 15, 2014 at 8:22 am Kathy

Yum that all looks good. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
on February 15, 2014 at 8:38 am saucygander

What a thoughtful gift! I may have eaten a few while packaging, and tried to pass it off as a compliment on Lynda’s youthful appearance…! :-D
on February 15, 2014 at 8:40 am lambsearsandhoney

What a lovely gift – I’ll email you my birthday date, shall I? ;-)
on February 15, 2014 at 8:58 am EllaDee

Lovely :) And just enough to get Lynda through to her 51st ;)
on February 15, 2014 at 9:27 am heidiannie

This is the best kind of gift- homemade with love is so much better than bought at the last minute at the corner drug store. You are such a talented gifter, Celia, and a loving and loyal friend.
Thanks for the many gifts of caring you share!
on February 15, 2014 at 9:31 am Spoon Feast

This far surpasses ANYTHING anyone could ever buy! You are amazing Celia!
Happy Birthday to Lynda. (I’ve got a big 60 in 2015 hint hint!)
on February 15, 2014 at 10:35 am Madge

When I sit down to a coffee and biscuit a friend has given me it is the next best thing to having a coffee with that friend. Keep the homemade gift posts coming Celia they are wonderful and enjoy your weekend.
on February 15, 2014 at 10:38 am Stefanie

What a lovely gift Celia, you are a thoughtful and generous friend. The food lover in me thinks edible gifts are great and homemade ones are even better. During Christmas when we were exchanging gifts with our closest friends, we brought up the subject about how stressful gift buying is and you end up buying just for the sake of it and often things people don’t need. It was such a relief and we decided that each year we would instead just go out together and treat ourselves to a nice meal instead and I’m going to make a little something as a gift.
on February 15, 2014 at 10:49 am Jan Rhoades

Oh my! How absolutely delightful and what a lovely gift for your friend turning 50. My only other comment is that I turn 70 this year :~} I know you don’t know me personally but I did get to hear about your blog because of Fiona’s (daughter) blog so we have a connection! Would that count?

Lovely story and it gave me some ideas for gifts to my own friends. Well done you.
on February 15, 2014 at 11:14 am dianeskitchentable

I’ve never seem such gorgeous homemade creations. I love how you individually wrapped the cookies..it’s such a beautiful presentation. And those lollipops! I’ll be turning 63 Celia – just in case you need a big head start :)
on February 15, 2014 at 11:24 am Claire @ Claire K Creations

What a wonderful gift Celia!
on February 15, 2014 at 11:26 am Joanne T Ferguson (@mickeydownunder)

G’day Happy Birthday Lynda!
Count me into the recently added 50th birthday and love your homemade gifts of love and thoughtfulness too!
Lynda is very luck Celia to have a friend like you and vice versa!
Cheers! Joanne
on February 15, 2014 at 11:50 am Jane @ Shady Baker

I cannot imagine a more perfect, thoughtful gift Celia. I love that you packed the biscuits into manageable portions, so practical! x
on February 15, 2014 at 1:04 pm narf77

I don’t think I could imagine a bought gift as lovely as your homemade one. You can add me into the 50 (last year) it looks like we “women of a certain age” can discern a great blog at a hundred paces ;). Happy birthday Lynda and don’t eat them all at once!!! ;)
on February 15, 2014 at 2:06 pm Sandy

What a fabulous idea Celia! Such a thoughtful and personal gift
on February 15, 2014 at 2:40 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

50??? A mere babe. :) I think homemade gifts are way more thoughtful and loving than something picked up from a shop. I love your chocolate!
on February 15, 2014 at 2:54 pm Tandy | Lavender and Lime

What a wonderful gift!
on February 15, 2014 at 3:09 pm My Kitchen Stories

Who would not like a beautiful gift like this especially made by a great friend . Lovely
on February 15, 2014 at 3:13 pm Manuela

Marvelous! Happy Birthday Lynda! I think this gift is better than a store bought one.
on February 15, 2014 at 4:56 pm Jody

What a lovely gift for your friend Celia. So much more thought goes into hand made gifts. They are of much more value than anything shop bought. What a special friend you are , even to those of us who read your blog:)
on February 15, 2014 at 7:13 pm thecompletebook

How very special to make such a beautiful gift. Happy Birthday Lynda.
:-) Mandy xo
on February 15, 2014 at 8:49 pm Debra Kolkka

What a wonderful gift. I’ll bet you had fun putting it together.
on February 15, 2014 at 10:40 pm Chica Andaluza

What a wonderful idea – my very best pal in the whole world turns 50 in December…you are inspiring me!
on February 16, 2014 at 12:41 am Glenda

I am sure your friends appreciate you lovely gifts.
on February 16, 2014 at 6:57 am Cat

Long time reader, first time commenter…. Can we pls be friends, ps I’m turning 120 tomorrow :)
on February 16, 2014 at 7:09 am The Life of Clare

That is the most lovely gift!
on February 16, 2014 at 9:20 am helenbeee

I love these posts Celia but somehow wind up feeling envious of the people who get to call you best friend. :)
on February 16, 2014 at 11:35 am cityhippyfarmgirl

Such a great present Celia. Bet she loved it.
on February 16, 2014 at 2:18 pm theintolerantchef

What a thoughtful lot of gifts indeed Celia! It’s wonderful to have such close friends and to be able to share life together xox
on February 16, 2014 at 7:27 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Thank you all for your kind and lovely comments! I wish I could make presents for you all this year! :)
on February 16, 2014 at 8:41 pm Fig & Quince

You are the best kind of friend, best give giver, and as always blowing me away with your chocolate making skills. Such a happy post! :)
on February 16, 2014 at 9:52 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

Not only are you a lovely friend but you also make friends chocolates for their birthday? Is there no end to your virtues? :D
on February 18, 2014 at 2:55 am I'm Gonna Cook That

What a fun gift, and a neat idea!
on February 18, 2014 at 7:55 am Sophie33

Georgous special home-made chocolate gifts for your friend! Lucky friend, indeed! x
on February 18, 2014 at 3:10 pm Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

Thoughtful and fun…what will you do for my 64th…LOL