Homemade Gift ideas

Snowman Soup

1 package Hot Chocolate Mix
3 Hershey Kisses or Hershey Hugs
10 miniature marshmallows
1 peppermint Candy Cane

Place all the above into a new mug, then cover or wrap with cellophane, decorate
and attach the following poem:

Was told you've been real good this year.
Always glad to hear it.
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the spirit
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick
Add hot water, sip it slow.
It's sure to do the trick!
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Playdough

"Playdough" is much cheaper to make than it is to buy. Make up a batch in your child's favorite color, wrap it up nicely, and include it with other goodies in a "theme basket" for your child. Or just save the recipe for a rainy day when the kids are bored, and looking for something to do.

I have included 3 different recipes, so that you can see which one you like the best. Experiment and have fun!

Recipe #1

1 cup Flour
1 cup Water
1/2 cup Salt
2 tbsp. Cream of tartar
1 tbsp. Oil

Cook all until it forms together. Turn it out onto a plate and cover with wet cloth. Store in the refrigerator.

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Recipe #2

1/2 cup Salt
1/2 cup Hot water
1/4 cup Cold water
1/2 cup Cornstarch

Mix salt and hot water and heat to boiling point. Stir cold water into cornstarch in a small bowl. Add cornstarch mixture to boiling water. Stir continuously to break up lumps. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is like stiff pie dough. Remove from heat, and turn out onto plate to cool. When it is cool enough to handle knead until smooth and pliable.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

When stored in an airtight container, the "dough" will keep a long time without refrigeration.

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Recipe #3

3/4 cup flour (no self-rising)
1/2 cup salt
1 1/2 tsp. powdered alum
1 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil
Food coloring

Combine flour, salt, and alum in a mixing bowl. Add vegetable oil and boiling water. Stir until well blended. Dough should not stick to the sides of the bowl and should be cool enough to handle. Add food coloring and knead into until the dough is the desired tint.

Makes about 1 cup. Double the recipe for large projects. For groups, mix several double recipes rather then one large amount.