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A Reduced-Stress Holiday Dinner...Is It Even Possible?
Planning a Christmas holiday dinner or for that matter, any
large gathering really isn't as daunting as it may first appear,
especially when you realize that the more thought and
consideration you can give to the prep-work and the meal,...
Basque Cuisine
With its turbulent and rich history, the Basque region, in Spain's north east, must be regarded as one of it's most interesting. Once a separate kingdom but now absorbed into Spain, Basques are a still fiercely independent and proud race with their...
Chinese Eight Treasure Rice Pudding
The eight-treasure rice pudding is a well known traditional Chinese dessert, cooked with sticky rice and 8 different freshly dried fruits (typically called dates here in general) and nuts. This food has been through several thousand years and...
Instant Fondue - Just Heat And Serve
Are you a terrible cook? Would you rather grate your fingernails across a chalk board instead of grating cheese? Does your idea of cooking consist of opening up a package and heating it? Well then instant fondue is the product for you....
My Cherry Swirl Cheesecake Bake Contribution
Recently I participated in a local bake sale to raise money for the local animal shelter. I volunteered to bake a dessert, and I chose to do a couple of Cherry Swirl Cheesecakes. I'm a very picky eater and have never been a fan of cheesecake, so I...
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3 Tips For Giving A Great Gift
I know that trying to find just the right gift for somebody can
be like going to the dentist at times. Ok, maybe that's a
little bit dramatic. But when people ask me about what they
should get someone for whatever the occasion, they are somtimes
in a panic. This is what I tell them.
1. Be Original
If you can imagine, you can be "original" . It really isn't
that hard.
You know how teachers are always getting those stereotypical
apple and school related gifts? (You people know who you are.)
Ok, enough. Teachers have feelings too. No, really. (I'm not
a teacher but I have friends and family who are and this is what
they tell me.)
This is a prime example of "un-originality". (Can you imagine
getting 24 primarily identical gifts at Christmas time?) What's
a teacher to do?
Want to win some brownie points? Get he or she something that
they can use and enjoy.
Let me help to stir those creative juices.
a.Gift cards or certificates for - Pedicure, Manicure, Movie
Theater, Ice Cream Shop, Movie Rental Store, Book Store, Gourmet
Foods, Golf Course, Restaurant....
b. A great throw blanket
c. Tickets to a game
d. Awesome gourmet chocolate and foods
Are you starting to get the picture?
2. Homemade Is Good
When I say homemade, people usually think of food. But homemade
can also relate to sewing, knitting, building, painting,
crafting or whatever it is you make with your own two hands.
I love to get stuff from people who put their time into a gift.
If
you have a talent for baking, cooking or making things, you
really ought to give of yourself in that way to others. If you
don't feel that you can make anything yourself, find someone who
can. It's just as good.
3. Attention Getting Packaging
Try to find objects that can be used as containers for
presenting your gifts. Turn them into gift baskets. Let me
give you some examples:
a. Ceramics- Bowls, mugs, tea cup and saucer, plates, trays,
planters...
b. Any kind of basket
c. Hats turned upside down
d. Boxes lined with decorative paper on the inside and out
After deciding on a container, fill it with some sort of tissue
paper or shred.
Orgainize the contents of your basket and use clear or colored
gift basket wrap to seal it.
Attach ribbon, a bow, maybe a card, flowers, greenery, or candy
to it at the top. You could even attach an object that ties in
to the theme of the gift.
You know what people really like? It's to know that someone
cared enough about them to put some thought into their gift.
So, I guess it really is the "thought" that counts.
About the Author
Rena D. Robertson is the founder of Rena's Recipes "Gourmet The Texas Way".
She has been baking for 30 years and has developed quite a reputation for creating exceptional, mouth-watering recipes. She says that having a passion in life is important. Her passion is making people feel good. Her gourmet foods seem to do just that. You can find some of her creations at
http://www.renasrecipes.com
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