Homemade Christmas!

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I would be doing a post on some of my favorite gift ideas for Christmas. I have changed that idea a bit and have decided to post some of my favorite homemade gift ideas with recipes so you can make them yourself. I will post them over the next couple of days because it's too long to put it all into one post! If you are anything like me, there are so many people that you'd like to give to each year but, you just can't buy everyone a gift. That's why I like making homemade gifts. This first one is really easy, yummy, and inexpensive; It's cocoa mix! My kids love hot cocoa and I actually make this mix for us to use because it only has a few ingredients and none of them are artificial (except for the marshmallows if you add them.) This recipe has been tested by my family and has received rave reviews! Here's how to make it...

Hot Cocoa Mix...*

1 C. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/4 C. sugar (or 1 1/2 C. if you like it sweeter)

3 C. nonfat powdered milk

dash of salt

mini marshmallows (optional)

Combine all of the ingredients (except mallows) in a large bowl, until thoroughly mixed.

Put into desired giving containers, top with mini mallows, if desired and attach with these instrunctions...Add 3 Tbsp. cocoa mix to 6 oz. hot water, stir and enjoy!

Another thing I love to do is to attach a candy cane and on the instructions add "stir with candy cane". It's makes a yummy peppermint hot cocoa!

You can also use several containers for this. This year I used a variety of different containers; cellophane bags, jars, tins, just about anything and decorate it as you'd like. Another idea I like is to fill a cellophane bag with the mix and put it into a ceramic mug. This is a really fun and simple gift to give. The mix makes alot but, I doubled the recipe to be sure I had enough for everyone I wanted to give it to, and the leftover, we'll drink!

Tomorrow, I'll share my recipe for biscotti!

*Recipe from All You Magazine