When I was in elementary school, I remember coming home after school and spotting a new present under the Christmas tree. My mother made all of our packages look like they came from a fancy department store. That was not an easy thing to do when you live in a town of 10,000 people. She would add ornaments, greenery, dollar store finds, well, just about anything to our gifts. I couldn’t wait to open them!

Be creative with your wrapping this year. Spend less money on expensive ribbon and make them all unique with a package topper. It’s an easy way to personalize each gift. They can be found anywhere—dollar stores, checkout lines, even in your junk drawers! The key is lightweight and attachable.

Food Gifts

You can always tell a food gift that works—it’s eaten the first day or two. The ones that linger around until New Year’s Eve and end up in the trash, well, . . . .

My sister, Beth, better known as “Sugar” since she became a grandmother, has a foolproof, microwave praline recipe that takes the guesswork, thermometer, and mess out of the process. They are so easy to whip up and make a wonderful gift for neighbors and friends.

Sugar’s Pralines

Makes 2 dozen

1 pound (1 box) of light brown sugar

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 ½ cups pecan halves

In a large microwave-safe bowl, heat sugar and whipping cream on HIGH for 11 to 13 minutes, until hot and bubbly. (Cooking time may vary slightly with microwaves.) DO NOT LET IT BURN.

Remove from the microwave, and add butter, combining thoroughly until completely melted. (I like to cut the butter into smaller pieces, to allow it to melt quickly.) Add pecans, and stir to combine.

Learn from Leslie: I do 11 minutes in my 1200 watt microwave. 

Drop pecan mixture immediately onto wax paper with a spoon or small measuring cup.

Allow to cool completely. It may take an hour or two.

Christmas Charcuterie

Everyone likes a good cheese plate, so I decided to add this to my friends’ and neighbors’ gifts this year. I picked three or four of my most favorite cheeses (Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt Tam Triple Cream Brie, Manchego, and Port Salut), a hard salami, several nuts, an apple, a few cornichons, and a miniature honey with dipper. I assembled on a bamboo paper plate and packaged in clear gift bag.

This is a fun project to do with your family—create an assembly line and give everyone a job.

Fabulous Finds, Stocking Stuffers, and Unusual Gifts

A Customized Creation 

Now, take a deep breath and relax. You still have plenty of time to get everything done before the big day.