A few years ago in our household we started a new tradition for Christmas… Homemade, recycled & second hand gifting. It sounds rather alternative but in actual fact its a lot of fun and it ensures that every gift really gets a lot of love and thought put into it.
Before the ‘new tradition’ started we would allocate a budget of $20 to each gift recipient and that usually ensured days of mayhem and disappointment at the shopping mall searching for the perfect gift.
Now, most of our gifts are usually homemade using homegrown herbs, preserves or backyard produce. Infused oils, vinegars and preserves are some of my favorite gifts and if you package them nicely with ribbon and handmade cards they look so gorgeous and are always well received.
Here are a few ideas that I have found online that I will be making this Christmas. If you look in your own back yard you’re bound to find something that can be turned into a creative Christmas gift!
Infusions, Preserves & Backyard Produce gifts
Herb Infused Olive Oil
Rosemary Infused Olive Oil – great for serving with bread or using on roasts…
Tip: Opp Shops usually have loads of old glass bottles that would be great for using as gifts.
A great step by step instruction on making Rosemary Infused Oil
www.teacher-chef.com/2013/07/18/rosemary-infused-olive-oil/
Tomato Chutney
Got a bush full of green tomatoes that haven’t yet ripened? How about turning them into Green Tomato Chutney….
Tip: Markets, Opp Shops and fabric stores sell fabric off cuts by the bag cheap for making toppers. Use a piece of kitchen string instead of ribbon for that homemade look.
Green Tomato Chutney
http://chilliandmint.com/
Infused Vinegar – my personal favorite!
These make great salad or fruit dressings. Check out my tarragon vinegar recipe.
Tip: Make professional looking labels on a printer using plain white paper and stick on the bottle with glue – this was a hit with oldies last year!
A few great Vinegar recipes here… http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/do-it-yourself-infused-vinegar/
Free range eggs… beautifully wrapped
Always a hit and a great talking point! Check out my post on chicken egg gifting.
Tip: Wrap with baking paper and tie them up with fancy designer ribbon that you may have collected or purchase a small roll from a fabric store for a few dollars.
Organic, homegrown, stylish and comical
Preserved Lemons
Someone’s always got a glut of lemons and this is a great way to use up blemished or imperfect fruit. Great for Moroccan dishes!
Tip: These preserving jars can be bought from the ‘Reject Shop’ and ‘$2 Shops’ for a couple of dollars. Make in bulk and keep on hand for those last minute, unannounced drop in visitors!
A simple recipe for Preserved Lemons…
http://mangiamangia.com.au/teresa/?p=200
Now… go out into the garden and get creative! What have you got in your backyard that would make a great Christmas gift?
XX Sarah
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