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