I thought it would be really fun to create a list of ten (fairly) simple to make Christmas gifts. These days no one wants to waste resources or money and besides, homemade gifts mean so much more!
So with that in mind, I’m issuing a challenge to all you creative SFN members…
All you have to do is post your gift idea, with step by step instructions and photos, preferably of both the process and the finished item.
We will then collate all the gift ideas onto one page and decide on a winner! We might even give out prizes for second and third place too if Mr. H is feeling suitably Christmassy and generous by then…
So let’s get making things - Blue Peter style!
Mulling spice bags for wine or cider
make up small muslin bags and fill with
For hot spiced cider:
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon all spice
pinch ground nutmeg
grated rind of scrubbed and dried orange
Tie or sew bag shut and pack with the following instructions
To mull cider
1 litre cider
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 large orange, quarter
Add all ingrediants to saucepan and heat gently, do not allow to boil, add a slurp of apple brandy optional to taste just prior to serving.
a colourful ribbon and printing/ writing the instructions on pretty paper also helps
For muled wine
1 cinamon stick
30 cloves
20 all spice berries
3 cardamon pods
grated rind of orage or lemon as above
Sew or tie up the bag and add the following instructions
Add spice bag, 3 tablespoons sugar sliced orange and bottle of wine
Heat gently for 15 minutes, do not boil
Brandy optional to taste at the end
These can then be given with a wooden spoon and a bottle of red wine or cider suitable for mulling, ie not expensive.
It can also be teamed with some homemade shortbrad biscuits which our French friends go wild for.
Enjoy