making home made gifts as I am skint?

[eggontoast]

On maternity leave, due in 2 weeks. As having a year off, without a full wage, I plan to make chilli jam and ?? who knows (ideas welcome) as Christmas presents for my family who refuse not to buy me anything hence making me feel too guilty to boycott altogether.

Basically, I am going for its the thought that counts?

Thing is, it's not about the cash, it is definately about the thought. If you think that someone would like a pot of jam and give you a pat on the back for 'making an effort' that's great. Nobody's going to tell you to your face they're naff and they feel a bit embarassed on your behalf and would have felt more admiration for you if you just said 'I can't afford it this year so you're getting bugger all'.

Although, saying that I've not been lucky enough for someone to give me some sloe gin as a HM pressie, perhaps I'm just feeling hard done by with my teddy table mats?

Aw Bleep, come on. Surely there is much more thought going into jam or gin or whatever, than there is in a bog standard toiletries set from Superdrug or M&S for example?

I love home-made gifts (and cards) too - chocolate truffles always particularly gratefully received

Homemade stuff is wonderful to get. Am also on a makeathon this year. Chutney and jam already done, blueberry vodka and Christmas gin planned for this week. (hoping that lasts til Christmas . Also doing marinated olives that went down a storm last year.

Card production starts shortly as does the various assortment of bags I'm making.

Really adds to the Christmas spirit.

Go for it. They will be appreciated...honest.

saltyseadog - you said in your post above that W&H Mag have some nice ideas - the ones that you posted (chilli oil etc) sounds lovely, tried googling W&H Mag but the American version of Womens Health came up - is that what you were talking about ? Couldn't really see anything else !

Have been on mat leave for 7 months now so pretty skint ourselves, would probably save us some money by making gifts!

Thanks

How are you doing your olives, Knotty?

Chilli Oil Recipe Don't use fresh chilli's as can result in botulism!! Unless you wanted to give it as a present to someone you don't like

with you shortly with olive a la Knotty. No measuring needed. DS2 bit restless.

OP, YANBU. I would love homemade chilli jam as a present. It shows that you have gone to a lot of effort.

Texas, I suspect W&H stands for Woman and Home magazine.

I would love chilli jam. Some relish type stuff would be nice. And normal fruit based jam too.

Neighbour makes me tomato and onion relish (is that the right word?) and it's so yummy.

Go for it. Any leftover you can send on to me?!

Brilliant idea, whatever you do, it'll be so thoughtful.

great plan

Here's an idea.
Asda sell their own basics range of sweets for about 25p a bag ( midget gems, wine gums, mint imperials, toffees, lots of other stuff.)

Decant a couple of bags into an empty glass jar and tie with a nice piece of fabric and a ribbon

Check that the ingredients & cooking power wont be as costly as buying something.

Good point mybox. Will do a budget!

thanks for all the ideas of where to get recipes, guys!

egg, i'm having the same problem as you this year (actually, every year so far....)
for the past couple of years we've made jams and stuff for the families (although i have to say my family were more grateful than ex's family, stuck up snobs)
now, this year, i'm doing it again, with new OH, because he really is poor!
he's really looking forward to making christmas puddings and jam.

one of my favourites is port and grape jelly (but you'd have to buy the book, i suppose it's google-able). it's lovely on ice-cream

another thing that's really pretty is biscuits with stained glass centres: you make a normal biscuit mix and cut a round hole in the middle (cut them into shapes like trees and reindeer etc) then put a boiled sweet into the hole.
bake as normal and the sweet melts and fills the hole.
so pretty!

Olives a la Knotty

Ingredients:
Large jar olives (get cheapest pitted in brine from supermarkey)
Olive oil (Lidl's rated by 'Which' mag)
Whole garlic cloves, peeled
Unwaxed lemon
Rosemary sprigs
Dried chillies/ chilli flakes
Balsamic vinegar - optional (cheapest is fine)

How to:

drain olives, chuck into large bowl with garlic, splash of oil, splash balsamic, either lemon peel or lemon chunks , if using chilli flakes add now. Swirl around a bit. Cram into sterilised jars, adding 1 or 2 sprigs rosemary per jar, and 1 or 2 chillies. Top up with olive oil, making sure herbs well covered, or they go a bit yucky.

Put in a dark place. Consume within 2 months.
These will be ready to munch in about a week.

Serving suggestion:

Put olives into bowl. Consume with pint of wine.

Alternatives:
Can substitute any woody herb. If using soft herbs, chop finely before adding.
Thai styley - use lime, lemongrass, slurp of thai sweet chilli sauce, chopped coriander. Omit balsamic.

My work here is done.

the rule in our family is that once you have a child, your presents stop, thank god. who needs more stuff? i sometimes get really pretty christmas tree decorations, though, and agree chilli jam sounds delicious. i'd much prefer a home-made gift to more smellies. (unless they were home-made smellies).

Homemade stuff is great.

im doing baskets with biscuits for all my family,

they will be all made up wrapped in cellophane and ribbons, im so excited. lol

ill be doing about 15 and it all together will cost me £35. and thats including ingredients.

Love the biscuits idea, but couldn't do it myself as I'd scoff them all. That's why I am mostly sewing my prezzies.

The blueberry vodka is now winking at me, the cheeky sod.

We are generally pretty skint. The last couple of years I have made calenders.
Did a nice mix of new & old photos. The parents really look forward to it now. They don't really need anymore "stuff". (last year they asked for charity goats cos the house is full!!)

You can find calender templates free on t'internet. You just need card, a printer and the pictures.
Boots also do a calender you can slip photos into, but they aren't so cheap (about £8)

YANBU. nice homemade stuff is lovely. good for you. anyone who doesn't appreciate a personal touch like that is an old meany.

But i am in awe of you managing to find the time with a newborn!!! i barely managed to get dressed the first 6 weeks of dd1's life. now expecting twins in 2 weeks, so sadly, i won't be able to make anything this year. doubt i'll even manage to send cards!

love homemade gifts - yanbu