Turn your kitchen into Santa’s workshop!
For a relaxing way to catch up with friends during the busy holiday season, invite them over to make delicious food gifts. After all, ’tis the season of giving—and many hands make light work!
1 Invite your guests! To avoid crowding in the kitchen, invite just two to five friends, and ask everyone to wear an old T-shirt or bring an apron in case things get a bit messy! The night before, take out the kitchen equipment you’ll need for your projects and clear your counters and table of appliances you won’t be using.
2 Pick your projects! Each of these giftable treats can be made in less than two hours. To save money, look through the ingredients lists of the recipes you plan to make and ask each guest to bring one or two items, whether it’s a bag of chocolate chips or a few oranges!
● Make your own sprinkle mix! Fancy sprinkle mixes like those from Sweetapolita.com (right) can cost up to $10 for a little bottle. To make ’em at your party for pennies, fill small bowls with sprinkles of varying shapes and sizes in festive colors. Give each guest a spoon and an empty bowl where they can customize their ideal blend. Once folks are happy with their mix, use a funnel to decant them into little jars— old spice jars work great!
● Create candy cane wands! It wouldn’t be the holidays without candy canes— and a quick dip in chocolate makes ‘em even sweeter! Before guests arrive, line two baking sheets with wax paper. When everyone’s ready, combine 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (you can use semisweet, dark or white) and 1 tsp. oil in a bowl and microwave on High in 20-second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth. Each guest should dip their candy cane halfway into the chocolate, spread with the back of spoon and allow the excess to drip off. Place on baking sheets and let dry for about an hour while you mingle or tackle other gifts.
● Whip up pomander marmalade! Inspired by clove-studded oranges, this zingy spread is easy to make as a group. First, rinse 6 small jars with tightfitting lids with boiling water and dry. In a large pot, mix 2 cups water, 1 thawed can frozen orange juice concentrate, juice of 2 lemons and 1 pouch (3 oz.) liquid pectin. Add 2 whole cloves, zest of 1 orange and 1 star anise. Over medium-high heat, bring to boil. Stir in 4 1/2 cups
sugar. Boil, stirring constantly, 10 minutes. Remove from heat and fill jars to within 1/2" of top edges. Cover jars; cool at room temperature 1 hour. Keep chilled up to 3 weeks.
● Blend small-batch “Santa Salt”! This holiday-hued flavored salt tastes divine on veggies, potatoes and popcorn! Start by crushing pink peppercorns and dried thyme in a mortar and pestle. Mix 1/2 tsp. of the mixture with 1/2 cup fine sea salt and decant into small tins.
Dress up your treats! Set out tissue paper, stick-on labels, markers, ribbons and twine so guests can pretty up their packaging. Long glassine bags are ideal for chocolate-dipped candy canes.
Make it feel like a party!
For a festive atmosphere, turn on carols or play a holiday movie on mute in the background. Fuel your work with plenty of hot chocolate or eggnog and an assortment of Christmas cookies!