| For many years I have been looking for | | | | tomatoes, bell peppers, squash or onions. |
| alternatives to Christmas shopping. I find | | | | Following the directions of your dehydrator |
| the crowds annoying, the pushing and shoving | | | | chop herbs finely or thinly slice fruits, dry |
| unnecessary and parking a nightmare. Having | | | | and put into zip lock bags. Keep in the |
| to buy all those presents in a few days | | | | freezer until time to pack into your |
| shopping after working all day or on a | | | | Christmas baskets and deliver. |
| Saturday when everyone and his cousin is | | | | |
| doing the same thing takes away from the joy | | | | Every cook loves fresh herbs. Plant seeds a |
| of really appreciating the true meaning of | | | | couple of months ahead of time in very small |
| Christmas. I made a plan to do things | | | | pots and put under growing lights. Chives, |
| differently. | | | | parsley, rosemary, or different mints are |
| | | | favorites. Including these in your Chistmas |
| The idea came to me when I was out looking | | | | baskets will make you a favorite of any cook. |
| for a special present. On every aisle they | | | | These are beautiful gifts to give and |
| had gift box ideas. I thought why not take a | | | | receive. |
| box and personalize it. I had a friend who | | | | |
| loved to read. I bought her a book by her | | | | For your favorite gardener put a variety of |
| favorite author, put a mug inside with a | | | | flower or vegetable seeds, bulbs, a favorite |
| gourmet hot chocolate tucked in the cup and | | | | tool, gloves or a unique garden ornament into |
| an aromatic candle. All told the Christmas | | | | your Christmas basket. |
| basket cost me eleven dollars and I knew she | | | | |
| would be thrilled with the thoughtfulness of | | | | The last ten years I have been making goody |
| my choices. | | | | baskets for my siblings and immediate family. |
| | | | They have been a huge hit. I bought several |
| For many of my family members I make | | | | 12inch x12inch x 8inch baskets at my local |
| Christmas baskets full of goodies. For those | | | | hobby store. In each basket I put a jar of |
| of you who are familiar with making jellies | | | | homemade spaghetti sauce, relish or pickle, |
| or canning there are hundreds of recipes that | | | | packages of dried herbs and a jar or two of |
| are very easy to fix, require little time and | | | | jelly, homemade pint bag of 12 bean soup, hot |
| are so much more fun than the traditional tie | | | | cocoa or chocolate coffee. |
| or sweater. Some choices are zucchini | | | | |
| pineapple preserves, jalapeno jelly, lavendar | | | | The exact list that goes into the Christmas |
| sugar, chocolate coffee, or spiced tea. Make | | | | basket changes from year to year depending on |
| your own gourmet instant soups. All of these | | | | how much gardening I have an opportunity to |
| are incredibly easy to make and take very | | | | do; new ideas or recipes I have found. The |
| little time and can be made months in advance | | | | wonderful thing is my Christmas baskets are |
| of December. Wonderful Christmas baskets! | | | | ready to be packed in August or September at |
| | | | the end of the gardening season and I didn't |
| If you have a backyard garden try making your | | | | have to beat the rush or the crowds. I hope |
| own spaghetti sauce, enchilada sauce, pickles | | | | this has inspired you to try something new |
| or relishes. All vegetables can be dried as | | | | this gift-giving season. Try Christmas |
| well as herbs. Why not try dehydrated | | | | baskets! |