Christmas Hamper Ideas

[chicksta44]

Hi Frozzie, The Lemon Butter is still fine in the jar. The inside of the lid is plastic, so hasn't gone rusty at all. Although I wouldn't be tempted to put it in the dishwasher. Definitley really suited to the dry curry powders etc. There are some other great jars at Ikea also with stainless steel lids wish are dishwasher and oven proof and i think they are $3.95 each

[Frozzie]

thanks lisa...i plan on going there today to see what they have over here...that spice jar size is good but they tend to have non suitable lids...i have come across the clip type jars in mini format which are cute too..im planning on doing gifts for the kids teachers and some friends just to try it out and see if it is well received over here..most things at christmas here as food gifts are fois gras, paté and liqueur!..it gets a bit old after a while! 

[Frozzie]

Last day of school here and finally got the foodie hampers done for the kids teachers...I finished only seconds before having to race out the door to be on time to pick the kids up...here are some photos...i didnt have enough time to do the whole list of things I wanted so ended up with only 4 items ..I am planning on doing some for new years for our dinner guests and some friends too so will give myself a few more days for them!!  I ended up doing Dukkah, Fudgy Wudgy Cookies, Gingerbread bikkies in star and angel shapes and mini bottles of vanilla extract (which in the little bottles didnt smell too vanillery lol so I added a couple of vanilla pods split open into them and put in my little note in the hamper that its best to keep the longer the better???  I think I will start anohter couple of bottles but this time leave them for at least 9mths to a year so ready for next chrissy!)

ok photos...

[Frozzie]

wanted to also do some sugar coated nuts, lemon butter, cookie fudge and the cake release....didnt give myself anywhere near enough time..

[judydawn]

They are lovely Frozzie, I'm sure the teachers will appreciate them.  Time waiteth for no man  Last year I did baskets for relatives, this year it was for friends - can't do everyone, there is just not enough time.

[Cornish Cream]

They look fabulous Frozzie I bet the teachers loved them.

[Frozzie]

thanks JD and CCµ..so true about the time JD...i will do something bigger for friends for new years..just need to start at the beginning of the week and not half way through lol

the teachers were very pleased.. just wish i could have made more...however they were quite impressed..just hope they enjoy the contents...

[Cuilidh]

They look good Frozzie - remember, it's quality not quantity and I think you got that right!

I'm attempting a recipe for preserved cherries in port today - I haven't got time for hampers, just a single tasty (with luck) gift.  Hope they turn out OK otherwise I'll have to do some panic buying in the next couple of days. 

[Frozzie]

i was thinking the same thing this afternoon cuilidh lol..thought worst case ill jsut go and buy a nice box of choccies each...thankfully i was happy with the end result..after buying all the mini trays, xmas paper, celophane, mini jars and bottles and deco then cooking it all ..i hope they enjoy them...guess ill hear about it in the new year 

[Cuilidh]

If all the students of all the teachers gave them a gift like yours, we would have a whole very happy profession on our hands (not to say slightly tubby as well!).  I would love to know if any of our teachers on the forum got such special gifts.

[Frozzie]

they didnt at our kids schools...sometimes its flowers, others chocolates but havent seen any homemade goodies...think there are alot that either dont cook or cant be bothered with all the prep that goes into it..actually this year I didnt see hardly any gifts...Sad really...they spend all year with our kids and teach them every day...think a small gift is a nice way to say thankyou

next on the list will be deciding a meal for christmas dinner...already have some stuff for the apero...DH came home with a gift basket of different goodies and a bottle of moelleux (sweet wine...just need to make some bread in my festive tins for toasts..have fois gras, different terrines, rillettes etc etc...

[faffa_70]

Help please everyone!!

I have my Christmas hampers to finish off this week and as you can imagine my brain is not working properly!

I have managed to misplace my list of recipes that I wanted to make to make matters harder.

I am doing hampers of nibbles this year and pretty much have the sweeter side of things covered so am now looking for some savoury ideas.

So far I have managed to remember the crispy olives 

please help me with some suggestions!! 

[Frozzie]

you could also do dukkah, unami paste, chutney?? will get back to you with some others..oh chookies KFC kit with instructions..I remember seeing that last year..you could also do savoury salts

quatre epices (chookies recipe)
spiced mixed nuts (brazen)
sauces ..ketchup, bbq sauce, worcestershire sauce
mayo
stock
different spices
the cake release that i think fundj posted that CC found

other than that I cant think of anything more for the moment..hope it helps 

[Cuilidh]

Welcome back, Kathryn, you are amazing tackling hampers at the moment.

I can't add to Frozzie's list, I'm afraid, I just wanted to post that the preserved cherries in spiced port that I made yesterday worked out well - for once I'm pleased with my gift making efforts.  I'll try to post the recipe in non-thermomix recipes tomorrow if anyone is interested.

[DizzyGirl]

My dear old grandma is 90 in Marchand going blind so this Xmas I have made her some apricot jam and tomato sauce. I would love to make her some XMas Shortbread but can't find the recipe on here. Can someone help me find it please.

Thanks ever so much

DG xxxx