6 Frugal Food Gifts To Create And Give

DIY Sugar cookie kits: Bake sugar cookies and place them in a container along with a can of frosting and sprinkles. So, that the receiver can decorate their own holiday cookies. The busy mom will love this gift.

DIY Gingerbread house kits: Place in a fun container or gift bag - Graham crackers, frosting, assorted candies and cardboard squares covered in tin foil. All the supplies needed to make mini gingerbread houses. The receiver can now create their own houses.

- Valerie’s CRISPIX Cereal Treat
A perfect treat to place in cellophane bags for simple gift giving.

1 pound butter
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 boxes of 14 oz Crispix cereal
Almonds or pecans (optional)

Heat all ingredients until glossy. Pour over 2 boxes of Crispix cereal and nuts. Mix well until coated. Divide in 2-3 pans and bake in oven at 225 degrees for 1 hour mixing every 15 minutes. Spread to dry on wax paper.

Jar Mixes

I found a BIG selection of recipes and ideas over at About.com. These are simple to make and your kiddos can even join in the fun.

• Baking Mixes
• Cookie Mixes
• Convenience Food Mixes
• Soup Mixes
• Seasoning and Dip Mixes
• Homemade Salad Dressing Mix

Fudge
NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Famous Fudge

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups (9 oz.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Directions

LINE 8-inch-square baking pan with foil.

COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

STIR in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan; refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.

FOR MILK CHOCOLATE FUDGE:
SUBSTITUTE 1 3/4 cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Morsels.

FOR BUTTERSCOTCH FUDGE:
SUBSTITUTE 1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Butterscotch Flavored Morsels for Semi-Sweet Morsels.

FOR PEANUTTY CHOCOLATE FUDGE:
SUBSTITUTE 1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Morsels and 1/2 cup chopped peanuts for pecans or walnuts.

Holiday Peppermint Bark by Nestle

Ingredients

• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels
• 24 hard peppermint candies, unwrapped

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Directions

LINE baking sheet with wax paper.

MICROWAVE morsels in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.

PLACE peppermint candies in heavy-duty plastic bag. Crush candies using rolling pin or other heavy object. While holding strainer over melted morsels, pour crushed candy into strainer. Shake to release all small candy pieces; reserve larger candy pieces. Stir morsel-peppermint mixture.

SPREAD mixture to desired thickness on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with reserved candy pieces; press in lightly. Let stand for about 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces. Recipe makes 1 pound of candy. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Creative Containers:
Add fun to your homemade food gifts wit the use of creative containers:
- Chinese Take out containers
- Holiday plates from the dollar stores and dollar bins at Target
- Holiday boxes and cellophane bags
- Cookie jars, purchase these all year long on clearance sales to give filled with goodies.
- Altered Paint cans ( My friend Valerie created the ones in the picture)