Christmas Gift Baskets Recipes Food Cooking International Guide
Christmas Gift Baskets For All Your Family And Friends
By Katerina Octanova
Christmas gift baskets are given to friends and family members
on Christmas Day. You can buy them at the store or you can make
your own Christmas gift baskets.
I make my own and make them during the year. I construct my own
crafts and include specific food I know the recipient likes. It
is all a labour of love and it is my art that I give to my family
and friends on Christmas Day.
Different Christmas For Different People
The holidays conjure up all sorts of feelings in people. For
families that have experienced happy harmonious celebrations,
the holidays are something to look forward to.
For families with a history of being dysfunctional, the holidays
may mean sad memories and dread at getting together again. For
families that do not celebrate the holidays due to their beliefs,
it may be a time of feeling excluded and even alienated.
No matter where you fall in this continuum, the holidays are
quickly approaching and gift lists and shopping needs to begin.
Wonderful Memories Of Christmas’ Past
I have been fortunate to have wonderful memories of Christmas’
past. My family had many wonderful traditions involving gift giving,
baking, visiting relatives and friends and of course attending
religious services.
Now that I am an adult I continue to see Christmas as a magical
time. I rarely stress about what I am going to give people on
my gift list because I make the majority of my gifts. Through
the year I review my options and make several different craft
items which I include in Christmas gift baskets along with goodies
that I make in my kitchen, closer to Christmas Day.
Home Made Christmas Gift Baskets
I originally started giving the Christmas gift baskets when I
was a college student and could not afford a great deal for gifts.
Now I continue to give them because the recipients look forward
to the homemade goodies they contain.
Because not having funds is not longer a factor for me I use
the best ingredients in my food items and high quality materials
in the craft items.
Different Containers
Through the year I look for different containers to use for the
Christmas gift baskets. Most times I do use baskets however depending
upon the likes and personality of the recipient I may use another
type of container.
One year my nephew was just getting into fishing so I used a
tackle box for his container. There are also times when I come
across beautiful hat boxes that make a great alternative to a
basket.
Although each of the gifts I give is unique the standard fair
for the Christmas gift baskets include something knitted or crocheted,
either socks, slippers mittens, scarf or hat, a piece of beaded
jewelry for the women, a loaf of bread, homemade jam, caramels,
fudge and a specially made candied apple.
People Cheer When I Show Up
It really makes me feel good when I hear people cheer when I
show up with the Christmas gift baskets. I feel like I am giving
part of myself in each gift that I give. Also I do not have to
fight crowds and full parking lots. The making of the gifts are
my year long past time.
I try to hide away some of the gifts I create for my own family
and work on them when they are not around. Sometimes it can get
hairy when one of them suddenly turns up and I am working on their
Christmas gift baskets. This is the reason I lock all doors when
all the family members are away and I am working on their gifts.
The Only Key For A No Go Zone
My husband does not try to sneak a peak at his potential Christmas
gift, but the children are always trying to locate next years’
Christmas gift baskets. I have declared my workroom as a no go
zone and I have the only key, so no one can sneak a peak before
Christmas Day!
When I hear the cheers and see the smiles of the children when
they open their Christmas Gift Baskets, always brings tears to
my eyes. Tears of happiness. Looking at the eyes of the recipients,
gives me the satisfaction for a job well done.
About the Author:
Katerina Octanova has written a number of articles on Christmas ideas, food and
cooking including
Christmas,
Santa Claus,
Christmas Gift Food,
Christmas Hamper,
Christmas Party,
Christmas Gift For The Office.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles on this website.
Did You Know?
How can I make an office Christmas party great?
There are lots of Christmas party ideas to
be found if you know where to look for them. The best place is
the internet. But as you will find out, many of those sites cater
to home Christmas parties.
An office Christmas party is a bit different
because there are going to be more "rules" you have to follow.
You may have coworkers that do not celebrate Christmas because
of their religious beliefs so you have to take that into account.
You can, however, make it a holiday party
so that everyone feels comfortable. You can have gag gifts, games
and plenty of great finger foods to make the office party a true
success.
One idea is to ask people to bring a dish
or potluck food that they traditionally celebrate with. It is
a great way to get conversations started and you may even find
a new recipe to add to your collection.
If your office party is going to be held
outside of the office, you may want to consider serving alcoholic
beverages. But make sure that if you do, you provide those non-drinkers
fabulous alcohol free concoctions that they will love just the
same.
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