Who among us hasn’t, at some point during the hectic days of December, said those old familiar words, “Next year I’m going to get started earlier!” I don’t know what you meant by “earlier,” but today seems about right.
Be Known for Something
There is a lot to be said for doing something so well that soon your friends and relatives associate it with only you.Years ago, one of my readers made small lemon Bundt cakes for Christmas gifts—a personal-size cake in a beautifully wrapped cake box for each person on her list, including myself. Let me tell you, hers are not just any Bundt cakes; they’re homemade, lemony, and simply spectacular.
I don’t know if she set out to make this an annual tradition, but her recipients’ raves and reactions certainly encouraged her to consider a repeat. It didn’t take long for her to become known for her lemon Bundt cakes, which have become a holiday tradition her friends and family anticipate with exceedingly great joy.
Make a Limited Edition
One way to ease the holiday stress is to give every person (or each family) the same thing. If this is something you put together or make, you can think of it as a limited edition, and that only adds to its uniqueness.A Gift They'll Relish
I’m a big fan of consumable gifts—items recipients will use up and enjoy while not feeling compelled to display or store for years to come. Consumable gifts, especially some kind of decadent food item, are always the right size and color.
One Christmas, I received a lovely gift of Harry and David gourmet food items. Tucked in with all the goodies was a small jar of sweet pepper and onion relish.
I can say without hesitation that it was some of the best stuff I’ve ever eaten. My husband and I put it on crackers, paired it with cream cheese—basically inhaled it to the last drop. No problem, I said. I'll just order some more. Right. I went to the company’s mail-order site only to learn that one small jar back then would cost about $17.98 delivered, plus tax. Hey, it’s good, but not that good!
The following summer I spent a couple of days doing all I could to replicate that amazing relish, using the list of ingredients on the jar’s label as my guide. I can’t say I achieved an exact duplicate, but my husband says I nailed it.
Mary’s Sweet Pepper and Onion Relish
Makes 5 quarts- 20 to 25 medium-sized sweet red and/or yellow peppers, seeded and finely chopped
- 4 to 6 large white sweet onions, finely chopped
- 3 to 4 finely chopped jalapeño peppers (or more depending on your desire for heat)
- 4 cups white granulated sugar
- 3 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons salt
Spoon into sterilized pint or half-pint jars, apply the lids while the relish is still hot, allow to cool, and store in the refrigerator.
Serve with crackers, poured over cream cheese, alongside beef or poultry or (shhhh!) straight from the jar.
Keep refrigerated for up to four months.
Would you like more of my edible Christmas gift recipes? They’re waiting for you at EverydayCheapskate.com/ultimate-last-minute-edible-gifts.
