GIVING

Every year I try to come up with some fantastic idea for little gifts to give to friends, neighbors, people we do business with, and have on hand to give when we need a quick gift! I did not come up with anything earth - shattering this year, some times the old stand-by's work just as well.

A few of the gifts we'll be giving this Christmas....

Cappuccino Dry Mix

1/3 cup dry milk

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup dry creamer

1/3 cup instant coffee

Mix together and put in a cute little something...

Directions for card/label:

Mix 2-3 Tablespoons with 8-10 ounces of hot water

There are lots of recipes on the Internet for "Cookies in a Jar", this is the one we chose.

Butterscotch Chip Cookies

1 1/8 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 cup flaked coconut (I omitted)

1 cup rice krispies

3/4 cup butterscotch chips

1/2 cup pecans ( I left these out as well)

Layer the ingredients in a clean, wide mouth canning jar. Firmly pack each ingredient. It's a tight fit! Trim out the jar with a festive fabric and attach a card with a coordinating ribbon or raffia.

Directions for the card:

Empty cookie mix into a mixing bowl, add: 1/2 cup margarine or butter, 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix well. Roll into walnut size ball and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with palm of your hand. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Chocolate Cake in a Mug

4 Tablespoons of flour

4 Tablespoons of sugar

2 Tablespoons of cocoa

2 Tablespoons of chocolate chips

I put the mix in the holiday bags that I already had, and popped them in these plain white mugs, decorated with a little bow.

Directions for the card/label:

Add the following to the contents of the mug:

1 egg
3 Tablespoons milk
3 Tablespoons cooking oil
2 - 3 drops of vanilla

Stir the dry ingredients in the mug. In separate container, mix egg, milk, oil and vanilla. Pour over the dry ingredients in the mug and mix well. Put your mug into the microwave oven and bake for 2 – 3 minutes on high. (Depending on the wattage of the microwave.) The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed. Allow to cool at little, and tip out onto plate if desired. Eat!