It’s Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas Eve!
Are you ready? Have you picked out or made something special for everyone on your list? Are your sweet treats ready to be devoured? Are you ready to share and celebrate with those you love?
I’m ready. It’s been a long, sleepless week, but I’m ready.
For the less-organized, I have some last-minute gift ideas that can be ready in no time. And better yet, they will have been made by you. Home made = thoughtful, sweet, lovely.
Vanilla Extract
Who wouldn’t love it? I followed these instructions from the always reliable Joy the Baker. I’ve made vanilla extract before and it was truly fabulous.
Vanilla Bean Sugar
Head on over to Skinnytaste to find out how to make your own Vanilla Bean Sugar. It’s unbelievably easy and totally awesome!
Lemon Pepper Rosemary Salt
Wickedly easy, delicious, and can be used on meats, fish, veggies, and in soups, stews, you name it! Here are some lickety-split instructions. The recipe is from O Magazine, Dec. 2008.
Ingredients: Grated zest of 2 lemons (about 2T) Fresh rosemary leaves from 2 branches (about 3T) 1 T freshly ground black pepper 3/4 cup coarse sea salt In a food processor, process the lemon zest, rosemary, and pepper until finely chopped, about 1 minute. Add salt and pulse until salt forms smaller crystals and mixture is blended, about 30 seconds. Pack into glass jars with tight-fitting lids and store in a cool dark place for up to 2 months.
PS. I found the small jars for the salt at the local dollar store, and the larger jars at Ikea. Mason jars for the vanilla are from Michael’s.
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Cookies!
I’m not sure that I’ve ever met a soul who doesn’t like cookies and who wouldn’t be tickled to receive a freshly baked batch of such delicious treats. Last week I got together with a group of lovely ladies and we had a blast making these gingerbread heads. Serious fun people.
Looking for other cookie ideas? Why not try…
And I highly recommend giving someone you love some crack for Christmas – Christmas Crack.
Time to start the celebrations. I’m getting fueled for my day with strong french press coffee and cookies for breakfast. I’m kidding…maybe. No matter how ready you are for Christmas, I sincerely hope that the coming days are filled with love, happiness, and lots of good food and drink. Merry Christmas my dear readers, I’m thankful for you all. Best wishes for the holiday season. <3
Adorable ideas. Merry Christmas!!!
Thanks lovely lady. Merry Christmas!
I appreciate what you contribute here on your blog..Really great ideas!
Thanks Roberta! And I so appreciate your sweet comments…thanks for reading! 🙂
I love the idea of giving homemade gifts to loved ones- it’s such a simple way to spread the love! I usually go with shortbread (so easy to make and can be easily done ahead of time) but I’ll definitely keep your wonderful suggestions in mind next year, especially that delicious sounding lemon pepper and rosemary salt!
Merry Christmas!
Anything homemade is golden, in my opinion. And you just can’t go wrong with shortbread. I’ve proposed the idea of a “homemade gifts only” Christmas next year to my family and friends, but unfortunately I’m not getting any bites.