Christmas Crafts
December 12, 2007|Comments (4)
Christmas gifts that come from shopping malls and catalogues are fine… sometimes useful and certainly expensive… but simply cannot compare to the gifts from the heart. There are a few people who sadly watch their grandchildren or children tear through mountains of gifts that cost hundreds (sometimes thousands of dollars) and then complain because they didn’t like what they were given. Those individuals remember a time when children got just a few small gifts that were made by their parents: paper-dolls, wooden toy trains and trucks, and other items. Those gifts stand out as being the most precious and as they stoop to pick up the gifts their grandchildren lost interest in just moments after the paper was off… they can’t help but wonder what happened to Christmas.
This year, we are giving Christmas baskets with Friendship Bread, cookies in cookie tins, apple butter, pear butter, strawberry jam, baggies of Russian Tea, handmade ornaments, soup mixes, and handmade quilted pot holders. We also made wreathes and swags with pretty bows that were made from Dollar Store ribbon, pinecones from the yard, and juniper from the woods.
Sure, someone will probably get a basket and think, “Now why didn’t they give me a gift card, video game, or cash?” That’s okay. We know that we spent a great deal of time and put a whole lot of love in those gifts. Each one. And if the baskets are thrown to the wayside, perhaps that person who remembers the way Christmas used to be will pick it up and enjoy it.
Barley Soup Mix
- 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup dried lentils, rinsed and well dried
- 1 cup regular barley
- ½ cup instant chicken bouillon granules
- 1/3 cup minced onion
- ¾ cup chopped dried mushrooms
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes (not oil packed)
- A handful of quick cooking rice
- Combine basil, oregano, rosemary, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well and set aside.
- Use a clean quart jar with a plastic storage lid or traditional lid and ring.
- Layer lentils, barley, bouillon, dried onion, dried mushrooms, dried tomatoes, rice, and seasoning mixture in the jar until full. Secure lid.
- Create a tag to read: Store mix at room temperature (out of the light) for up to one year. To prepare, 8 ½ cups water, 2 cups diced carrots, and 2 chopped cooked chicken breasts in a kettle. Bring to a boil and then rduce the heat. Cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes. Makes six servings.
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I love these kinds of gifts!
My mother in law’s family has a get-together every Christmas and up until recently (when THEY all became poor again) they exchanged gifts. Everyone was expected to show up with something for EVERYONE. Hubby and I, newly married, and trying to get on our feet, were expected to buy for each of her brothers and sisters (and his cousins)! That was 9 families, aunts, uncles, and cousins and it was costing us a fortune! After a few years I decided to make gift jars. Everyone was given a “Soup in a Jar” and a huge jar of homemade Hot Chocolate mix. People literally laughed. We have never taken gifts again-EVER….. on the other hand, I hand make gifts for my family and hubby’s grandpa every year because they truly love them.
Seems the people around here are starting to get a new appreciation for homemade items.
I read similar article also named as Crafts | Razor Family Farms, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me
Thank you for your comments! I sincerely hope to hear about the handmade gifts that you end up giving out.
Blessings,
Lacy
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