Edible Xmas gifts that can be made well in advance.....

Anglea

http://www.taste.com.au/delicious/article/ask+valli/sterilising+jars,342

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Hi Rosie

I was wondering a few things though - is Lakeland the cheapest place to buy jars and bottles? Also, how do you sterilise the jars before putting in the chutneys etc? Also what kind of pot/jug/jar do you make the vodka in? Just any that can be sealed tight? Then you transfer it to a sterilised bottle?

I found this site called jamjarshop which appears to have reasonable jars and bottles - I'm thinking of ordering some. But I've also been advised to just buy cheap sauces, use them and then sterilse them. (stores own brand ones at 9p a jar)

I've been sterlising my bottles with the tablets they use to sterlise baby bottles

So far I've made flavoured vodka in - a water bottle, whisky bottle, vodka bottle, beer bottle, pasta sauce jar and jam jar I sterlise them first and they go to live under the stairs. The wine has been started in a plastic bucket covered with cling film.

Hope this helps.

The reused jars arn't 'pretty' but I intend to decorate them when giving them as gifts.

chasingsunshine_2

Thanks for the tips there - thats really handy info! Cant wait to get started now

chasingsunshine_2

I remember coming across a post where someone had made those chocolate dippers (chocolate on a stick, i think for stirring hot chocolate??) but cant find it again... Anyone made these? Wondering what moulds to use

alfieroux

Adding to the bottle topic - as someone else has mentioned before buying small individual bottles of wine has the bonus in that the wine needs to be drunk first!

Also no frills vodka/gin etc bottles and equally no frills pasta/chilli/curry sauces etc have no label on the lids - they are the cheapest and the easiest to decorate.

Our home bargains shop has mini kilner jars at 3 for a £1 - they are enough for single portions of jams so I bought a box load (£4 worth!!) I plan to put a selection of different things in them so that they can be stocking fillers or mini gifts for children's teachers/nursery staff etc.

Also wondered if Christmas cakes but in a muffin form would work for individual sizes like school staff and people at work. Will need to think it through more though.:think:

Alfie

Anglea

Alfie, re individual christmas cakes/muffins, I have always planned to make some in these small metal tins that look like buckets with handles (might sound weird unless you see them) alternatively I've seen them made in small terracotta flower pots lined with greaseproof paper and look good given as presents.

alfieroux

Anglea wrote: »

I've seen them made in small terracotta flower pots lined with greaseproof paper and look good given as presents.

I love this idea - though I will have to clear out the plants first:rotfl:. I am looking now for a nut and marzipan free recipe, as well as small terracotta pots. Will cost all this up before I decide to plough ahead. My usual response is to spend a load of money trying to save money when a £1 special offer box of chocs wrapped nicely will do!!!

Alfie

Rosie1978

Thanks for the advice everyone - I think jamjars is the best site (they have a little sale on at the mo as well).

I'm thinking my plan is to make:
- Onion Marmalade
- Lime Pickle
- Toffee vodka and mint vodka
- Blackberry Jam (1st try at jam!)
- Other chutneys maybe - need to look up some recipes but the sweetcorn and tomato ones sound nice!

I've never made anything like this before so wish me luck!

Our best friends are real foodies so that will be good for them, then I'll give the rest as little extras - my sister and friends will like the vodka!!! I might do some little ones for people at work too.

Anglea

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2651389

Look at the first post for the Nature website about blackberries with loads of info and recipes.

Then scroll down the thread to find one of the posters tried and tested Blackberry Wine recipe.

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I remember coming across a post where someone had made those chocolate dippers (chocolate on a stick, i think for stirring hot chocolate??) but cant find it again... Anyone made these? Wondering what moulds to use

I've seen people that just dip small plastic spoons in choc and use those. I reckon an icecube tray would work too, DH got me one that looked like this: and it was really good Found this too - http://giverslog.com/?p=3290

I've made muffin/cupcake Xmas cakes Aflie and they worked fine Put a little circle of icing on top with silver balls and they really looked the business

A work collegue had just brought in 8 old coffee jars for me I'm really chuffed!

P.S Does anyone know any good mint recipes?