Cheap Christmas Presents

[Guest guest]

I originally sent this to Pat privately, but saw that other people may find

these ideas good too.

Here are two ideas that I just saw about a week ago, and have tried both, and

both are hits!

Potted Pens

1. Flowers (I bought my by the bunch at walmart)

Pen - cheap ones

green florist tape

2. terra cotta planter

pinto beans

Take the top of the flower and stick a thin wire in the middle and wrap it (the

wire) on each side of the pen. Start at the bottom of the flower (that is

sitting on top of the pen) and cover the wire that is holding the flower to the

pen. Make sure to cover pen all the way down. You can stick a couple of the

leaves from the bunch half way down.

The finish result is a pen with a flower on top. Then you put the pinto beans

in the terra cotta pot and stick the different flower/pens and make a bouquet.

They are really pretty, and trust me, the recipient will never have to look for

a pen again. I have made several to give away to friends.

Second idea

Easy Bake Quarts

Get 1/2 doz quart sealers. Take a recipe (chocolate chip is a good one) Layer

the dry ingredients to fill up the quart jar. Cut a square cover (xmas print)

and place over the top....tie with ribbon.....attach the recipe card....on the

recipe card it will say, add contents of jar to wet ingredients, and then list

the wet ingredients needed to finish the cookies....Simple, really pretty when

in layers......fast......not expensive....and people who love to bake, and don't

have the time only have to add the wet ingredients to the dry and bake....oh

yeah, be sure to put on how long to bake and degrees.

If you need and clarification, let me know....sometimes things seem simple but

when explaining to others it can be complicated (clear as mud

KJ