Homemade Gift of the Week: Kits

I initially got this idea from an idea I saw on Pinterest... and then the wheels in my head started turning.... Homemade kits!!! I love receiving kits because they always contain things I love but won't necessarily get for myself.  Homemade kits are PERFECT for anyone on your holiday list this year. And I have a kit idea for just about anyone.

Little Boys: 

• Science Kits: Complete with everything you need to complete really cool science experiments
• Visit these two sites to read more about homemade science kits:
• http://rootsandwingsco.blogspot.com/2009/11/make-science-kit-gifts.html
• http://koreamom.blogspot.com/2010/02/science-kit.html

Little Girls:

• Sticker and Art Kit: I remember getting a sticker kit as a kid and just LOVED it. 
• Fill a plastic shoe box with things such as stickers, glitter, glue, sticky foam shapes, ribbon, scissors, markers, colored scrapbooking paper (just use your old scraps), sequins, rhinestone, stamps/stamppads, etc.

Teenage girls: 

• Jewelry-making kit:
• Beads, wire, tools, charms, crystals
• Nail care kit:
• Nail polish, polish remover, cotton balls, nail clippers, file, buffer, cuticle trimmer

Teenage boys:

• Beginner Tool Box: 
• If this is the first tool box, fill it up with simple things like a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, nails, screws, adjustable wrench, etc. 

Gifts for Adults: 

• Sewing Kit: 
• Visit here for a great beginner's sewing kit.
• http://tiffanylanehandmade.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/anthropologie-sewing-kit.jpg
• Craft Kit:
• Small scrapbook paper, scissors, glue dots, flat colored buttons, glue gun/glue sticks, stickers, embellishments, etc.
• First Aid Kit: 
• BandAids (various sizes), scissors, tweezers, adhesive wrap, safety pins, cotton swabs, moist towelettes, matches, hand sanitizer, pain relievers, cough drops, stomach relief medication, insect bite cream, hydrocortizone cream, eye drops, rubber gloves, etc.
• You can also make a mini-first aid kit for those who enjoy biking, hiking, or other outdoor activities
• 72-Hour Kit:
• Visit this site to find out the details of what to include in a 72-hour kit
• http://72hours.org/build_kit.html
•  Spa Kit: 
• Lotions, face mask, bath salts, aromatherapy candles, loofa, body wash
• Do you know a newlywed couple?
• They send out a lot of mail in the first year of marriage.  Consider a mail kit with address labels, stamps, pens, even cards (if you know them well enough).

You can get creative with kits.  Just think of your audience and what their interests are.  

Gift Idea: Books

Now, I know not everyone loves books.  But, book can be a gift often overlooked.  Especially for kids.  Kids already have so many toys and let's face it.... they'd rather play with the box it came in anyway.

So give a different kind of gift this year and give the gift of books.

Here are some ways to score a great bargain on books:

• Scholastic Book Clubs (Book Orders): If you know a teacher or have a student in a class, ask about book orders.  In almost every book order, there is a $1 special book.  Books in book orders tend to be a little cheaper than your average book store. 
• Amazon: It seems like Amazon.com always has book cheaper that the listed price as well.  Some items even qualify for free shipping if you spend $25.
• Barnes & Noble:  Sign up to receive their email specials and they often have coupon codes for 10-20% off books.
• Dollar Tree: The Dollar Tree often has coloring books and workbooks for $1. They often carry popular characters like Spiderman, Disney, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street and My Little Pony. 

Crafty Fun for the Holidays

Here are some of my favorite craft ideas from Martha Stewart.  Many of these crafts can be made with your little kiddos.

Holly Napkin Holders

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easy-holiday-crafts#slide_6

Pinecone Elves

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easy-holiday-crafts#slide_10

Baby Sock Advent Calendar

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easy-holiday-crafts#slide_15

Cookie Gift Tags

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easy-holiday-crafts#slide_22

Gift Idea for Friends and Neighbors

'Tis the season to be jolly... and to be stressed about finding the perfect gift.  Here is my solution for gifts for friends, family, neighbors, teachers, etc.  

Make them goody trays! 

Almost everyone loves goodies (especially during the holidays)... and there are so many great recipes out there with very few ingredients.  They are fairly inexpensive to create as well.  

Be sure to include a wide variety of treats (sweet and savory). 

Here is a list of items I have used for others:

• Chex mix
• Muddy Buddies (Chex)
• Caramel Chex
• Rice Krispy Treats (You can shape them into fun wintery shapes, or add a stick to the middle and make a Rice Krispy Pop)
• Homemade caramels (YUM!)- A little goes a long way with these
• Chocolate dipped prezels
• Homemade peppermint bark
• Assorted winter fruits (pears, oranges, etc)
• Nuts

And I just made two treats to bring to work this morning and they were FANTASTIC.  They both came from the Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies and Candies 2010 Magazine.  Everyone at work was raving about them... so I thought I would share.  They are incredibly simple to make.

Cookie Dough Truffles (adapted from Lanita Dedon)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Cookie-Dough-Truffles (I had to make a few minor adjustments from the original)

Makes around 5 dozen

• 1/2 c butter, softened
• 3/4 c packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 c flour
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 c miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 to 1 1/2 pound of chocolate candy coating

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar.  Beat in vanilla.  Slowly, alternate adding condensed milk and flour, beating after each addition.  Sire in chocolate chips.  
2. Chill dough for about 15-20 minutes.  Shape into 1 inch balls; place on waxed paper on a cookie sheet.  Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours. 
3. Melt chocolate according to directions on package.  Dip chilled balls in chocolate.  Allow excess to drip off.  Place back on waxed paper.  Refrigerate until firm (about 10-15 minutes).  If desired, drizzle additional chocolate or white chocolate on top.  Store in refrigerator. 

Mint and Chocolate Fudge Candies (adapted from Candy Clarke)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Peppermint-Candy (Recipe changed slightly from original)

Makes about 5 dozen

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, divided
• 1 cup vanilla or white baking chips
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 2-3 drops of green food coloring

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips with 3/4 cup of condensed milk.  Stir often.  Line an 8-inch square dish with buttered wax paper.
2. Spread the chocolate mixture over the bottom of the dish.  Chill for 10 minutes.  
3. In another saucepan, melt vanilla chips and remaining cup condensed milk over low heat until smooth.  Remove from heat and add peppermint extract and food coloring. Pour over the layer of chocolate in the dish and smooth out.  Refrigerate until firm.
4. Cut into 1-inch square pieces.  Store in airtight container in refrigerator. 

** Add red food coloring and crushed peppermint candy cane to top layer for a festive look.