How’s the Christmas prep going?
We left our run quite late this year, but we’ve finally finished putting together our mini-hampers. Here are a few last minute suggestions (which hopefully won’t necessitate a visit to the shops)…
Packaging
Our hampers are packed in paper gift bags decorated with discount store stickers…
We always make our own gift tags, and thought we’d share them with you. Just print them out on thin card and cut them up as needed (we use a guillotine). The links are here…
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Decorating
Marilyn’s Christmas geese are a perfect school holiday project. They’re a little fiddly to assemble, but oh so very cute…
Have a look at the other Christmas papercraft on Marilyn’s website!
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Last Minute Treats
Every year, in the final days leading up to Christmas, I decide we need just one more thing for the hampers, and we end up making these spiced nuts. They’re incredibly easy! I made a quadruple batch this time (two kilograms) using egg whites leftover from a recent batch of microwave custard.
This year’s mix included hazelnuts, macadamias, brazil nuts, walnuts and almonds, but you could really use whatever nuts you have on hand…
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I have two batches of June’s vanilla kifli dough sitting in the fridge, waiting to be rolled, cut and baked just before Christmas day…
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I hope to bake a batch of toffee bars this week – at this hectic time, I instinctively seek the uncomplicated, and this is one of the easiest recipes I’ve come across in a long time. For more simple baking recipes, please have a look at our recent Five to Share post…
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Here’s a peek inside this year’s hampers – each bag contains a jar of jam, a bag of vanilla sugar, six plum pudding truffles, and a bag of spiced nuts…
I hope you’re all having fun this December! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 