Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

Christmas is just a few days away.

So...have you finished shopping for presents?

It's zany out there right now. I do NOT enjoy being pushed, shoved and standing in line...and I'm betting you don't, either. I'm also guessing that your budget is a tad limited, at this point. 

Some possibilities:

*'Shop' off your own shelves. Pasta, jarred sauce and a can of fruit make a nice meal, tucked in a basket with napkins and tissue paper. (If you don't have an extra package of napkins, make your own from fabric scraps, quickly hemmed by machine.) Have a bottle of lotion or shower gel you haven't used? Add an unused towel and bar of decorative soap. A mug you picked up goes well with tea bags or envelopes of hot chocolate, and a small package of cookies. Imported items have a "I had to search for this" appeal; I generally pick them up on clearance or at Denver's Friday/Saturday salvage store. (The latter closes in a week, sadly.)

 *Regift things you've gotten in the past, and not used. At this point, you probably won't use them in the long run. So why not send them to someone who can? 

*Make it homemade. Cookies, bread and cakes are surprisingly easy to make. Include a coupon for a future meal, to make your present even more appreciated. 

Or consider gifting soup.  One Hundred Dollars A Month does a tomato bisque that's not only fast and frugal, but tastes amazing. 

*Consider the grocery store. Fresh fruit and favorite snacks, accompanied by a bottle of wine, a six-pack of beer or soda, not only make great gifts -- but can be adapted for your own use, instead. 

*Or the thrift shop. You can often find gift sets, appliances and brand-new household goods still in their original wrappers for much less. Grab a sackful of books or videos for your fanatic; they'll enjoy reading and watching, and won't feel as guilty about discarding (or donating back) what they don't want to keep. 

*If you must go out, choose a store that offers a variety of options -- clothing, food, housewares, tools, etc. If one idea doesn't pan out, you can explore others without trudging miles. (This really pays off in late afternoon, when you're tired and Sick of It All. Store possibilities: Menard's, Home Depot, Lowe's, Target and the ubiquitous Wal-Mart.

*Give a movie that covers the rushed, too-busy parts of Christmas -- or one that's Christmas...but not. Our favorites: Die Hard 1 and 2, Trading Places, Homeless for the Holidays, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...or a new/old favorite: Jingle All the Way. The latter is only $3.74 on Amazon right now.

*A subscription could be just what your recipient would love. This includes not just magazines, but Netflix, Amazon Prime and similar streaming apps. One of our parents' most-appreciated gifts was a year's worth of cable tv. Our dad was in the last stages of cancer. The Mama was exhausted, caring for him. Cable gave them all sorts of viewing possibilities, and let them keep up with the news -- which was important to them.)  

     It's very easy to set this up online, even at the very last minute. You may also be able to take advantage of a free month or so on on your subscription.

*Gift cards are a possibility. Pair them with a small stocking gift, if you feel they're too impersonal.

*Then again, there's always CASH.

*Stocking stuffers make fine small gifts. 

     Thistlewood Farms has a 20-item list of stocking stuffers $5 and under; take a look. I've also done posts on the subject that may be helpful -- here's a general list.  Another list is here.   Bored Panda also has some good ideas. If your budget is severely limited, The Prudent Homemaker has some particularly good suggestions, including gifts using items you already have on hand.

One final quickie present that should please all sorts of people: several candy bars (the same brand, or an assortment) wrapped round with a fiver or multiple dollar bills, and tied with a ribbon.

You can gift me that anytime. 

All-posters.com

Grandma's Secret Recipe: Sugar Cookies

Grandma Cumings was famous in our part of Michigan for her wonderful cooking. Casseroles, bread, fried chicken, baked beans and pie all flowed through her capable fingers. And she was willing to share them all, recipe-wise, except one: an amazing sugar cookie that stayed soft and delicious. The recipe had come down to Grandma from ancestors more than a century before...and she was proud of it.

Fortunately, she was willing to pass on the recipe to her children and grandchildren, who made her cookies by the bushelful at Christmastime. My mom would make dozens of sugar cookies, which were then decorated by Little Brother, yours truly and a close group of cousins during one very long day. 
    First, the confectioner's sugar frosting in different colors. (One cousin, a democratic sort, made sure to use a little of every color on each cookie.) Then chocolate chips for snowmen buttons, red cinnamon hots for eyes and lacy edges on stars and bells. Silver dragee balls for shoes and hats. (How come you can't find these much anymore?) And sprinkles everywhere...on the table, our smeary mouths, and the floor. By nighttime and supper, it looked as if someone threw up in rainbows on the kitchen floor!


Now you too can make these wonderful sugar cookies for your cookie platter. 

GRANDMA'S SECRET SUGAR COOKIES


1 cup margarine (that's what Grandma used - but you can substitute butter)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup sour milk  (or use regular milk with a teaspoon of vinegar stirred in - wait 5 min.)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (may be omitted)
1 teaspoon nutmeg

4-5 cups flour

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together margarine, sugar and eggs until they're mixed and fluffy. Add everything else and mix - last of all, the flour, added in one cup measures until you've got a moist cookie dough.
    Heavily flour your work area. Thump a large batch of dough in the middle, and sprinkle generously with 1/2 cup flour. (I generally work with a quarter of the batch at a time.) Carefully fold the flour into the dough until it's easier to work without sticking, then roll out thickly (approx. 1/4") on your floured work area. (Add more flour whenever needed.) Cut cookies with whatever cutter you like -- or use a sharp knife to cut diamonds or squares. (A floured glass can also cut circles.)
     Transfer the cookie cutouts to an ungreased cookie sheet, then bake 8-10 min., until the cookies are set and juuuussst starting to turn brown. (This step is very important.)  Do not, if at all possible, let the cookies actually brown. Remove from the cookie sheet, and let cool before frosting.


These are not as sweet as some cookies -- something I actually prefer. You can sprinkle them with sugar, sprinkles or add red-hots before baking, to add sweetness. Or frost and decorate after the cookies are cool. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen. (Store flat in layers, with waxed paper in between -- or if you don't mind a bent leg or busted hat or too, just bung them in the cookie jar.)


Thank you, Grandma!

    Back by popular demand -- I originally published this in the Holiday Goodies blog. You can read it there, along with many other recipes, by clicking on the link. We'll be making cookies tomorrow -- and I'll be thinking of Grandma Cumings, as well as The Mama, who made these ever since I could remember.

               You'll love these soft, tender cookies.

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Christmas Week

 Hanging in there... hopefully you are, too. We've got a few decorations up, but things are quiet this year. After all, we're "camping" in The Mama's house...or so it seems. 

     The Brick has been enjoying our slate of Christmas movies -- if they're not Hallmark ones, that is. I can't really blame him; Hallmark stuff is incredibly mushy. And yet I don't mind a smoochy one now and then. 

      Cookies need to be made -- and several packages sent off at the beginning of the week. A few reports need to go out. (Maybe the Christmas cards, too.) Then we can relax and enjoy the holiday.

Celebrities who love their dogs... including Jackie Chan and his golden retrievers.

REALLY easy candy recipes. Why not give some of these for last-minute presents? (From Candy Club)

This fudge recipe may be my easiest candy this season.  (From All Recipes)

Movie 'mistakes' that made for memorable scenes.

The Viking legend of the 'blood eagle' IS possible, according to a recent study. What a relief...I, for one, have been staying up nights worrying about this.

Gourmet hot dog recipes. Including my own personal favorite: the Chicago Dog. (I get one of these whenever we're at Midway or O'Hare Airport.)

A five-year-old finishes the AT (Appalachian Trail) with his folks...just in time to start kindergarten! (I'm waiting to hear what the teacher thinks after his 'what I did this year' report.)

A piece of fudge from Tsarist Russia surfaces -- trapped in the sleeve of a 120-year-old ballgown!

"Have you ever caught someone trying to steal something from the inside of your car?"  Quora readers unload...some of these are quite funny.

Five Christmas gifts that also save their recipients money.  (From My Abundant Life)

Remember Nick Sandmann, the kid who was ridiculed by the media, for no cause? Another (expensive) lawsuit has been very, very quietly settled -- this time with NBC. (I wonder if they've learned their lessons yet not to jump to conclusions?)

Three-ingredient sugar cookies. Really! (From Betty Crocker -- I wonder if this is their standard mix for their slice-and-bake cookies?)

Seventeen top-level executives who lied on their resumes.   At least one said he'd do it again, just to get the job. Speaking of that...

The funniest resumes of all time.

Toilet roll snowflakes...before you sneer (like I did, initially), they're quite lovely.

Dealing with 'mean girls' -- as an adult. One of the suggestions is to indulge in 'forest bathing.' Really??

Some of the strangest historical artifacts out there. Including one of only two 'Jolly Roger' pirate flags known to exist today.

Hidden treasure that may still be out there! Take a look; one of these may be in your neighborhood.

Feed yourself on $15 a week .Or maybe a bit more, since this is a classic from years back.  (From Get Rich Slowly)

How to give several gifts -- and still spend $25 or under! ; (From one of my favorite bloggers, The Prudent Homemaker)

What was Keanu Reeves really thinking of when his "sad photo" was taken? I'll give you a hint: "I'm just eating a sandwich, man!"

Way weird, frightening...and cool Google Maps discoveries all over the world. Including a UFO!

One of San Francisco's accused looters -- a fine upstanding woman whose crimesheet dates back to 1989. (An opportunist, apparently. P.S. She's now back out on the street - on bond.) Now San Francisco's mayor is begging for more money for police intervention.

"Lazy fetch--" how to do it when you're (ahem) dog-tired.

Hidden facts about some Christmas songs.  Like "Jingle Bells..."

Have a great week. Enjoy your Christmas.

Better Start Over, King #3...

 

Dead Right...

 

I Feel This Way At Christmastime

Guess which one I feel like, during photos? (Hint, big dog -- hide behind the little one!)

Seven Fish Dishes - A December Tradition

      We love the Seven Fish Dishes! 

We traditionally celebrate this Italian tradition on Christmas Eve --7 fish dishes to commemorate the seven Sacraments. But the girlies and Son #1 couldn't make it to Michigan for Christmas. So... we had it the first week of December. The table was full of glowing Lady of Guadalupe candles and smiling faces, including several much-loved cousins. 

Here's what we had:

Cracker Barrel illustration

1#:  Cod chowder -- recipe coming soon

2#:  Angels on Horseback -- oysters wrapped in bacon. We tried for Devils on Horseback, but in spite of scouring Grand Rapids, couldn't find chicken livers! (The grocery manager told me they'd been out of them for months. You may not have noticed this, but I've tried to order fried chicken in at least three local restaurants, only to be told it's not available. Is there a connection?) So we had Chicken on Horseback -- strips of breast meat wrapped in bacon. Still tasty.

3#:  Tuna Casserole --- cooked noodles, mushroom soup, peas and a can of tunafish mixed in. Topped with a layer of cheddar, and baked. Yum. (Cousin, who is gluten-free, brought her version of the casserole.)

4#:  Shrimp Scampi -- another basic on the Brick family menu

5#:  Salmon teriyaki bites -- salmon basted in teriyaki sauce and baked. These were inhaled by family members.

6#:  Scallops and greens -- there's always a 'dud' dish in the yearly runup, and these won the honor. Bland, and not much taste.

7#:  Fried Smelt -- we lived on these as poor and broke college students in Ann Arbor. They were cheap, tasty and quick to make. They're still two of the three -- but not cheap anymore. Ah well.

Refreshers between courses helped clear the palate and make the next dish more enjoyable: salad, rainbow sherbet, dried beef-wrapped purple asparagus, crackers and cheese. I also served linguini, for use as a complement to #4 and #6. 

Dessert, served to a chorus of groans, included coconut cake and a gluten-free apple crumble. Plus coffee, wine, beer and raspberry lemonade. 

A good time was had by all. In fact, the girls plan to have their own version of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, in Colorado. 

Here are previous years' menus, if you're curious:  2016's menu and 2015's version.