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Our presidency is looking for a cute but also inexpensive gift to present to our sisters at our Christmas party. Last year we wrapped oranges in celophane and gave them a copy of the "orange story". This year we've been looking for an ornament to make. But we are open to any ideas you might have. Thanks in advance.
1 103 Quick and Easy Christmas Ideas
2 12 Days of Christmas stories
3 Potpourri
4 Outstanding (positive) Traits Recognition
5 Candle Idea
6 Candle Idea and Handkerchiefs (+ poem)
7 Food Storage Poem
8 Candy Cane Origin and Recipe
9 Another Candle Idea
10 Rice Bag Poem #1
11 Rice Bag Instructions
12 Rice Bag Instructions
13 Rice Bag Poem #2
103 Quick and Easy Christmas Ideas
1. M&M's - "Have a Merry and Most wonderful Holiday
Season!!"
2. Soup or soup mix - Wishing you a "Souper" Holiday
Season!!
3. Frozen or ready to bake pizza - "Warm up to a
wonderful Holiday Season "Topped" with Christmas cheer!"
4. Apples and Hershey's Hugs - A teacher
can't live by apples alone...She needs "Hugs" too!!
5. Popcorn Balls - Hoping you have a
"Ball" this Holiday Season!
6. Loaf of Bread - For being there when you were
"Kneaded", for "Rising" to the occasion, large or small. For never
"Loafing" on the job, for helping others to "Heel" with TLC.
No matter how you "Slice it", you do a terrific job loving Others.
Merry Christmas!!
7. Jolly Ranchers - Have a Holly"Jolly" Christmas!!
8. Rootbeer - We're "Root"ing for you to have
a Happy Holiday Season and a Wonderful New Year!!
9. Chex Party Mix - Remember Santa "Chex" his
list twice to see who's been naughty or nice...so be good for goodness
sake!! Merry Christmas!!
10. Box of Hostess Ho-Ho's - Hope a merry "HO
- HO - H0" fills your heart the whole year through! (Put a santa
sticker on the label)
11. Wire wisk - (Filled with Chocolate kisses)
"We WHISK you a Merry KISSmas!!"
12. Jar of Jelly - jelly is like love - you
can't spread it around without getting some on yourself! Merry Christmas!!
13. Christmas Tray - We "Tray"sure your
friendship! Merry Christmas!!
14. Bell - With each chime of this festive
bell, may a Christmas wish come true. And bring you peace and happiness
to last the whole year through! Merry Christmas!
15. Yule Log - "We send you warm greetings this Christmas
Season!!"
16. Potpourri - "May this sweet scent bring back
thoughts of warm Christmasses long ago!" Merry Christmas!
17. Cleaners - "You add sparkle and make our
life brighter!" Merry Christmas!
18. Nuts - "We're nuts about you!" Merry Christmas!
19. Lifesavers - " You've been a life saver!"
Have a great Christmas!
20. A juice pitcher filled with candy canes- "We
pitcher you raising a little "cane" during the holidays!" Have
a merry Christmas!!
21. Broom - You're "Dust" the finest
neighbors we know! Merry Christmas!
22. Paper Towels - "Blot out your troubles; absorb
the Christmas Spirit!"
23. Measuring Cup or Glass Measure - "Wishing
you Joy Beyond Measure!
24. Bananas - If we could choose our friends, and
we searched the whole world through, we'd go bananas trying to find
a better bunch than you!!"
25. Any Star ornament - "Remember the reason for
the season!"
26. Chocolate Mousse Mix - "Merry Christmousse" to
our "Deer" Friends!
27. Wooden spoon - Whether stirring up cakes,
cookies, soups or souffles; You'll find this spoon useful in so many ways.
But whatever it's use, it says, "Merry Merry Christmas from us to you!"
28. Flower - "If friends were flowers, we'd
pick you! Happy Holidays!! Or "You make friendship bloom all
year round!"
29. Heart Christmas Ornament - "May the Joy and Love
you give away, come back to you on Christmas day!"
30. Cinnamon Sprinkles - (Cinnamon & Sugar, or
cookie sprinkles) "May your Christmas be sprinkled with laughter and love!"
Merry Christmas!
31. Hersheys Hugs - "A friend always knows when you
need a little hug!"
32. Christmas music..CD or Tape - "May the sweet
song of Christmas make your heart rejoice!" Or "May the
merry sounds of Christmas bring a Joyful Melody to your holiday season"
Merry Christmas!!
33. Filled Basket - "Wishing you a basket
full of Christmas blessings"
34. Salsa - "Add a little Spice to your Holidays!"
Merry Christmas!
35. Stocking or filled Jar - "Have a fun filled christmas
this year!"
36. Lamb - "Have "eweself" a Merry little Chistmas!!"
37. Candle - "May your days be happy, your
heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year Bright!!
38. Holly - "Happy Hollydays!"
39. Calendar - "Keep Christmas in your heart
the whole year through!"
40. Shaped Sugar Cookies - "Rolling out a batch of
Christmas Cheer, for Someone we think is very dear!!"
41. Cherry 7-up - "Just a Little Christmas Cheer
from Happy Hearts this time of year!! Merry Christmas!!"
42. Sparkling Cider - "Wishing you a Sparkling Holiday
Season!"
43. Warm Casserole or Bread - "Bundled up with
warm wishes!!"
44. Popcorn or Carmel Corn - "Just "Popping"
by with a Holiday Hi!" Or "May your Holidays be Poppin'!"
45. Seasoning Mix - "Seasoned with Love"
Merry Christmas!!
46. Eggbeater - "Have an "Eggstra"
Special Holiday!!"
47. Hersheys Hugs and Kisses - "Christmas Hugs
and Kisses to You " Or "Holiday Hugs and Kisses to you!"
48. Apple Pie of Apple Crisp - "Wishing you
a Srumptuous Christmas!"
49. Fruit Basket - "May your New Year be Festive
and Fruitful!!"
50. Any Sweet Treat - "Wishing you a season
filled with sweetness!"
51. Oranges - " Orange" you glad we're
Friends!?" Merry Christmas!!
52. Chocolate Orange - "Orange" you glad it's
Christmas? Hope your Christmas is a Sweet one!
53. Sprite - " May your Christmas be Merry
and Sprite!"
54. Ice Cream Snowballs and Hot Fudge - " Here's
some packaged"snowball" treats - Just Drizzle Hot Fudge and its ready to
eat!...Enjoy!!"
55. Snicker Bar - "Don't "Snicker", just
be glad you got Something!!"
56. Mints - "Friends like you are worth a Mint!!"
Merry Christmas!!
57. Matches - "No one Matches you as neighbors!"
Merry Christmas!
58. Strainer - (With a christmas bow) " We
could'nt restrain ourselves from wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!"
59. Box of Light Bulbs - "Have a bright and
radiant Christmas"
60. Bubble Gum or Bubble Bath - "May your holidays
"Bubble" over with fun!!
61 Pencil and Notepad - "Merry Christmas from
our pad to yours!!" or Merry Christmas to a "noteworthy" friend!"
62. Jar of Pickles - "Just in brine,
Our wish for a merry Christmas!!"
63. Grater and Cheese - " To a Grate Neighbor!
Merry Christmas!"
64. Ice Cream - "Have a "Cool" Yule!!"
65. Bear shaped Honey - "Have a Bear Sweet
Christmas!!"
66. Santa - "Ho - Ho - Hoping your
Christmas is Heavenly!"
67. Angel - "Hoping you have a Heavenly Christmas!!"
68. Eggnog - " Have an "Udderly Moovalous"
Christmas!!"
69. Gingerbread House - "Nibble, Nibble like a mouse,
We hope you'll nibble at this house!" Merry Christmas!!
70. Mugs with Hot Chocolate Mix - "To our special
friends who are so Dear, We wish you all a cup of Cheer!" (One Mug
would be a special gift for a aTeacher. "To a Special Teacher dear,
wishing you a "Cup of Cheer"!"
71. Cocoa Mix - "Wishing you a warm and wonderful
Christmas!"
72. Muffins or Muffin mix - " You're getting
"Muffin" for Christmas!!"
73. Gum - "By Gum, You're a great Neighbor!!
"Have a Merry Christmas"
74. Veggies and Dip - "Dip into a wonderful
Holiday season and a Healthy New Year!"
75. Christmas Shapped pasta - ( Or any Pasta
and a bottle of Sauce ) " Have a Pasta-tively Happy Holiday!"
76. Jar of Jam - "Hoping you have a Holiday
"Jammed" packed with fun!!" "Have a "Berry" nice holiday season!!"
Or "Hoping your Christmas is "Jam-packed" with Christmas Cheer!!"
77. Cookie Dough - "Here's a little extre "Dough"
for Christmas! Or "Everyone Needs a little extra "Dough" for Christmas!!"
78. Homemade Frozen Rolls - "Here's a little
holiday treat. Rise and bake, it can't be beat! Warm
fresh rolls just for you. Top with butter that's all you do!
Warm Holiday Greetings to you"
79. Brownie Mix - (Or any Mix) "Whip
up this mix for a wonderful holiday fix! Wishing you a "rich"
Holiday Season!!" (Be sure to attatch the recipe!)
80. Homemade carmels - Hoping you have a "Rich"
and "wonderful" Holiday!!"
81. Pie - "Just a "Holiday Hi" and a tasty
Pie!! Happy Holidays!!"
82. Divinity - "May your Christmas be "Devine"
and your Holidays so Fine! Sweet Christmas Wishes!"
83. Rice Krispie Treats - "Snap, Crackle, Pop"
We think You're really Tops! "
84. Toffee or Brittle - "Any way you break
it, We think you're the greatest!"
85. Fudge - "Fudge" a little on the calories
and enjoy the Holiday Season!"
86. Cheese Ball and Crackers - "We don't mean
to sound "Cheesey", we just hope you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season!
Or "Spread a little Christmas Cheer this Holiday Season!"
87. Apple Anything - (Pie,Cobbler, crisp, muffins
etc.) "Sending you a "Bushel" of love this holiday Season!!" Or
" You are the apple of my eye, Teacher!"
88. Banana Bread - "Banana Bread just for you,
because you have so much to do... We also love youa whole "Bunch" too!
Merry Christmas!"
89. Cinnamon Rolls - "Here's a sweet treat
"Rolled" up with warm Holiday Wishes! Merry Christmas!"
90. Homemade Chocolates - " You're so Sweet...having
you as neighbors is really a treat! Have a Heavenly Holiday Season!"
91. Cake or Cupcakes - "You take the "Cake"
neighbor, We think you're first rate! Happy Holidays to you!!"
92. Cornbread or Mix - "We're not trying to
be "Corny" we just want you to have Merry Christmas!"
93. Carrot Cake - " I Really "Carrot" alot
about you!! Merry Christmas"
94. Spiced Drink Mixes - " Hoping your Holidays are
"Spiced" Just right!"
95. Homemade Ice cream of a Frozen Treat -
"Here's the Scoop,,,,Hoping your Holidays are a "Blizzard"
of fun!"
96. Recipe - "Just like you friend...it's tried
and true, just for you! Happy Holiday Baking or Merry Christmas Cooking!"
97. Pizza - "Hope your Holiday has a touch
of "Pizza - z!!" Merry Christmas!!"
98. Candle - "You Light up my Life!" Thanks
for your friendship! May your Christmas be Merry and Bright!"
99. Crayons and Coloring Book -
Hope your Holidays are Colorful!
100. Plant - " The kindness you showmakes our friendship
grow and grow! Hope you have a Happy Holiday!!"
101. Soda Pop - "I'd "Soda"
like to wish you a merry Christmas!
102. Stuffed animal - (Beanie Baby) "Pawsing"
to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
103. Dounuts - "Donut" you know we love
you??? Have a happy Holiday
Merry Christmas, Bev
Our Presidency is giving the RS sisters booklets I made containing the 12 Days of Christmas stories as a new tradition for their families. For the board members we are giving them Beet Jam (my sister in law gave this receipe to me) in fancy glass jars and I whipped parfin wax and decorated the top with holly. Turned out so cute.
Last week for homemaking, we did a mini-mini-class on potpourri bags for the sisters. We made the bags and the potpourri in advance (because the potpourri has to set for 3 weeks), then let the sisters have them for $1 each. The bags are just calico about 4" x 5" serged on three sides and hemmed at the top. The potpourri is a wonderful blend of spices, and it smells just beautiful! The sisters then tied a ribbon at the top of the bag to close it. Some got 2 or 3 bags to take home! Here's the recipe for the potpourri:
4-oz. cinnamon sticks, broken in small pieces
3-oz. whole allspice
1-oz. whole cloves
1/2-oz. crushed nutmeg
1/2-oz. ginger
2-oz. orange peel, minced
12 drops each of cinnamon, allspice, and orange oil
Combine spices and oils and place in a covered container. Allow to set for about 3 weeks.
We used only about 2 tablespoons of the mix in each bag, because of the demand, but 1/4 to 1/3 cup would have been better.
Enjoy!
Belinda in KS
Last year at our Christmas dinner we gave each sister a small bow with a bell attached and a slip of paper listing her most outstanding (positive) traits (safety pin on back to pin it on her dress).
This proved to be a challenge-first to anticipate who could reasonably be expected to come (which numbered over a hundred), to get them typed, printed out and hot glued to the corsage type favor.
We had a dinner and a short program and then handed out the favors. So as not to make it too lengthy, we (the then homemaking board) sorted them by table and put them on trays and passed them out by table. We decided that calling each sister up individually would be way too time consuming; reading them would be perhaps embarrassing.
It challenged us to get to know a lot of sisters (or know about sisters) who we didn't see regularly, if at all, at church. But many sisters will come out for the Christmas dinner who don't normally. We also had extras which we could quickly fill in as necessary (which it was!-we went to whoever had brought her for a quickie list).
On the whole it went over well-most people felt it was a special recognition of them as individuals (what was intended). A few thought some of our comments about them were actually negatives-when we had only intended to put good things down (perception is everything, sometimes). Another challenge was trying not to use the same words over and over. A good lesson in vocabulary. It turned out to be personally good for me-6 months later I was called as RS President!
Maralyn in Maryland
Last year we gave an ornament made from a candy cane and lace with the candy cane story attached. Jane F.
The Candle
A Candle's but a simple thing,
it starts with just a bit of string.
Yet dipped and dipped with patient hand,
it gathers wax upon the strand
until, complete and snowy white,
it gives at last a lovely light.
Life is so like that bit of string,
each deed we do a simple thing,
yet day by day if on life's strand
we work with patient heart and hand
it gathers joy, makes dark days bright,
and gives at last a lovely light.
by Clara B. Thurston
Also one year we found some inexpensive white cotton material and bulk lace and had a sister in the ward help us make beautiful handkerchiefs (for the temple, etc...) with this note attached:
I hope you will excuse me if the tears begin to fall but sometimes I like to water my testimony - it helps to make it grow.
We are on such a tight budget that usually by the time Dec. rolls around, the take home gift for Christmas is furnished by us in the presidency, so if you have a good idea, PLEASE share. I've been doing this for 4 years and Bishop told me last night there is no end in sight!:) I'm glad.....I love my calling, but I am running out of ideas! Thank heaven for all of you and your wonderful ideas!!!
Mindi
West Valley, UT
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Barbara Erickson in WY
Twas the month before Christmas
And all through the house-
The storage was low-
Hardly a crumb for a mouse.
The shelves were about empty,
Oh, what a plight!
The wolf's at door,
And no money in sight.
All the children were nestled
To keep warm in their bed.
Hoping that before long
They would surely be fed.
The prophet had counseled,
"Each one be prepared."
We had procrastinated the day.
Why hadn't we cared?
ALAS! "Twas only a dream.
But that didn't matter.
I jumped from my bed
Making a loud awful clatter.
Away to the basement
I flew like a flash,
Stumbling over boxes and bottles,
Along with some trash.
As I surveyed my storage
With eyes all aglow,
The security of filled bottles
All straight in a row.
Filled my heart with a warmth
And my eyes with a tear
To think I had food
To last us a year.
This feeling of warmth
And security too,
Is what we, as loving friends,
Wish for you
So put gifts of storage
Under each Christmas tree
For those on your list,
Is our warmest plea.
Give honey, give sugar,
Give flour and wheat.
Give milk, give salt,
Give something to eat.
And you'll hear them exclaim,
When Christmas is here,
"Thank-you so much,
It will be a good year."
This is the story we gave with a tree ornament made from a candy cane to our sisters last Christmas. We printed the story one side and recipe on the other with a clip art candy cane on red paper. Rolled up like a scroll and tied with a white ribbon. Very inexpensive but pretty.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CANDY CANE
The symbol of the shepherds' crook is an ancient one, representing the humble shepherds who were first to worship the newborn Christ. It's counterpart is our candy cane--so old as a symbol that we have nearly forgotten its humble origin.
In 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the long Living Creche ceremony. In honor of the occasion, he had the candies bent into shepherds' crooks. In 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant named August Imgard of Wooster, Ohio, decorated a small blue spruce with paper ornaments and candy canes.
It wasn't until the turn of the century that the red and white stripes and peppermint flavors became the norm. In the 1920s Bob McCormack began making candy canes as special Christmas treats for his children, friends and local shopkeepers in Albany, Georgia. It was a laborious process--pulling, twisting, and cutting and bending the candy by hand. It could only be done on a local scale.
In the 1950's, Bob's brother-in-law Gregory Keller, a Catholic priest, invented a machine to automate candy cane production. Packaging innovations by the younger McCormacks made it possible to transport the delicate canes on a large scale.
Although modern technology has made candy canes accessible and plentiful, they've not lost their purity and simplicity as a traditional holiday food and symbol of the humble roots of Christianity.
HANDMADE CANDY CANES
Unlike today's candy canes, this treat was handmade in Victorian times. While the candy for the canes could be purchased from the confectioner, some families preferred to make the taffy themselves.
You'll need:
a candy thermometer
2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
1/4 tsp. cream of tarter
3/4 tsp. peppermint extract
1 tsp. red food coloring
This recipe makes about a half dozen medium sized canes.
1. Mix the sugar, corn syrup, water, and cream of tartar
in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan.
2. Stir until sugar dissolves.
3. Place a candy thermometer in the mixture, and cook without
stirring until the thermometer reaches 265 F. degrees.
4. Turn off the heat and add the peppermint extract.
5. Divide the mixture in half by carefully pouring part
of it into another pan.
6. Add the red food coloring to one of the pans.
7. While waiting for the candy to cool, grease three cookie
sheets (2 as work space and the third to provide a non-stick surface for
the canes to cool).
8. Butter your hands, and use a buttered spatula to cut
off a portion of the clear taffy. Have a helper do the same with
the red taffy. Be careful. It will be VERY hot. And work
fast or the pans will cool before you get to them.
9. Pull and fold the pieces repeatedly on your cookie sheet
until they appear glossy, then roll them into an 8-inch long coil.
10. Give the head of the cane a twist before setting it aside to cool
on the greased cookie sheet.
Last year our Christmas homemaking was based on the "Light of Christ" We decorated with stars.
Each sister was given an ivory candle in a crystal candle holder (inexpensively purchased at the Dollar Store) with a beautiful ribbon (color matching the table decorations) tied around the holder. Attached with a thin gold ribbon was a small wooden star painted gold and the following scripture:
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid; Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house; Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your goodworks, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
They looked beautiful placed next to each plate at the table.
Another inexpensive candle and holder idea is to glue three candy canes
upside down around the base of a candle (as the holder) and then tie a
ribbon around the whole thing.
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Inexpensive Christmas gifts
The Little Rice Bag
I'm your little comfort bag.
Keep me by your easy chair.
"2" minutes in the microwave,
I'll warm you everywhere.
I'll ease the aching in your knees,
Your feet, and twisted neck--
That arthritis in the hands,
I'll chase away by heck.
Keep me very close to you
When chilly times begin,
Just zap me several times and see
Together we'll have more "Vim".
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from Jane's brain //(º_º)\\
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Sew up one end. We sewed them by hand with a slip stitch. When complete, place inside the second sock to use like a pillow case. When it becomes soiled, just take off the covering sock and wash. They work great.
Sharon
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Darla
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I just made 40 of these rice bags. We had rice in food storage that was 30 years old and had never been rotated. It looked perfect but our local cannery person said that food value was probably nil. I was about to toss it when I heard about these bags. I made them all up in flannel and tied each one with a raffia bow and a gift tag made from brown paper (mailing stuff). I had to make up my own poem which is kind of corny but they looked cute. I gave them out at homemaking in my VT segment with a little lesson about pains we all suffer (seen and unseen) and encouraged VT's to be sensitive to the pain in others. I hope they will in turn make them for their sisters. Good use for old food storage rice.
"Pain Pal"
Two minutes in the microwave
Or in the freezer over night,
Makes this little "Pain Pal"
A virtual delight.
On aching backs or shoulders
Or necks or hurting heads,
Apply it cold or heated
For Comfort it is said.
Linda from the Calif Sierras
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