Homemade gifts - how long do they keep?

mummycm

I have been lurking for years, and finally plucked up the courage to ask the first of what I am sure will be many dumb questions. I have a few books with Christmas gift ideas, but they don't say how long they keep, eg truffles, biscotti, christmas tree gingerbread decorations. As money is tight this year I want to make more presents, but don't want to be doing it all at the last minute. Does anyone know, or can you direct me to a website which has recipes with storage instructions.

Many thanks

Nargleblast

Hello Mummycm, and it's not a dumb question! Lots of people are getting into home-made gifts nowadays. I am not an expert myself, but I would think the home-made food gifts would not keep as long as commercial stuff because you would not pack them full of preservatives. And they will taste nicer because you will make them with the best ingredients you can afford. I am sure there are plenty of people on here who will point you in the right direction.

MandM90

Have you thought about chutneys and jams which can last a year if in a sealed, sterilized jar?

I know you can freeze biscotti so that's worth looking into. I've never made them but most homemade biscuits only last a few days in the cupboard. I'm pretty sure with the truffles it depends what type; choc dipped, cream, alcohol? What does the recipe call for? I bet there's a recipe you can freeze somewhere!

Sorry I'm not much help on the rest!

meritaten

Its a really good question! when it comes to making cookies etc you can usually make the dough in advance and freeze it until you want to bake it. I found a jar of pickled beetroot in my cupboard a couple of weeks ago that I had made july last year - and it was perfect! If you sterilise the jars/containers and make sure you fill them well - then seal them airtight - they should last at least a couple of years. The dangers are if you use unsterilised jars and air gets in.
baked goods dont often dont last more than a couple of days if not in airtight containers - save pretty biscuit tins and seal the lids with sellotape when filled. that way a few weeks or even months should ensure they are still fresh.
I love to get homemade goodies - and I would love it even more if my daughter included the recipe for this gorgeous relish she makes! she aint noted for her cooking - but the relish is divine! and the little so-and-so wont give me any clues as to how she makes it! or even whats in it!

MandM90

meritaten wrote: »

and the little so-and-so wont give me any clues as to how she makes it! or even whats in it!

Are you sure she isn't just scooping it out of an M and S jar into and old one :rotfl:

ladylouise62

I'm not a big fan of things like biscuits and choccies for Christmas - they need to be eaten quickly, but people will probably already have more biscuits and chocolates than they could comfortably eat.
I would definitely think about jars of jam or chutney. Get cheap range jars (e.g. 22p for Sainsbury's Lemon curd - won't be the pretty ones, but you can made a pretty paper cover for the top). See if there are unharvested apple trees in local gardens and ask if you can take some, or hit the markets for some cheap fruit. I would be very happy to get a couple of jars of home made jam for a pressie, and if you are lucky it could cost you very little. I just made a load of jam, chutney and liqueur from free damsons and some of it will be finding its way into presents this year.

annie123

I love getting HM chocs and biscuits, always nice than shop bought.
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/1047/making-chocolate-truffles
Says can be frozen upto a month in advance but I've made some at the beginning of November and still been fine for Xmas.
And some lovely tasty ideas here: http://www.carnation.co.uk/pudcasts/ultimate-fudge?section=Recipes

and 29 pages of ideas here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2560947

hth

meritaten

MandM90 wrote: »

Are you sure she isn't just scooping it out of an M and S jar into and old one :rotfl:

LMAO - I wouldnt put it past her! but her daughter says that mam makes it - and she doesnt lie! when I ask daughter what her mam puts in it she says tomatoes - which I already knew. its the OTHER ingredients I cant quite put my finger on!

outofmoney

If you are unsure of dates how about getting some nice jars and then layering the ingredients and maybe a fancy but cheap cutter and make a label which includes the recipe. Then they can make their own biscuits when they fancy them.

nirroc

I've always wondered how long gingerbread Christmas decorations last before they go soft? (that is of course they don't get eaten first:D)

squeaky

Once again the be-ro book comes to the rescue...

Here's the on line version:- Home Freezing