You would think, given that I bought the Better Homes and Gardens special interest publication on food gifts weeks ago, that I would not have been scrambling this morning for something to give the front office staff at Mikey’s school. Truth be told, I forgot all about it buried under the mess of my mail table. When I bought it, it was to make and send gifts to my in-laws in Florida and North Carolina. Once I figured out the shipping and packing supplies I would need to buy, I scrapped the idea and went for pictures.
But! I realized as I pulled into Mikey’s parking lot that I forgot several of his teachers and both moms who work the front office. We don’t have the budget to give everyone a gift, but I felt I should do at least a little something for the front office staff, especially since they are the ones who take the calls, clean up the boo-boos, and pretty much do most of the stuff no one else wants to do.
Jarred food gifts can be a bit like velvet ribbon in that they have fallen out of favor with most people. They are a bit old fashioned, slightly stodgy, and as far removed as you can get from a Starbucks gift card. In other words, they are right up my alley. I love them, and am patiently waiting for the day someone makes one for me.
The recipe for Toffee Blondies in a Jar is on page 12 in the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens Food Gifts special interest publication, which is available on newsstands until January 4.
cute! I did lame-o gift cards. It was all I could swing this year with the addition of the baby. I wonder if I can still get that magazine though. For next year.
I love these! And you made them look so adorable, very impressive!
Oh, how I wished I had read your post weeks ago or that I had ask you what you were going to do weeks ago. I did lame-o chocolates this year. The teachers will thank me I am sure for the added pounds I just gave them with the chocolates. ;-)
Great gift idea & I, too, love giving and receiving Food Gifts too. I’m sure the recipients of your gift will enjoy the special treat. I spent a few days making Christmas paper garlands for my children’s teachers but decided to keep my boys home due to a snow storm that passed through last night and earlier today. Anyways, I hope you have an enjoyable holiday with your family and friends! ?
I really enjoy getting homemade gifts. Our neighbor Angelo makes his own wine and every year on Christmas Eve he delivers it with best wishes. Simple gestures speak volumes.
Toffee Blondies in a jar, a few simple steps and yum. When I bake, must go on a search and rescue mission to find all the measuring tools, bowls and ingredients my “helpers” put away.
Hope you enjoy a Merry Christmas,
Donna
We are almost past that point, Donna. Rarely does anything go missing anymore. It’s a little bittersweet. :)
Beautiful job Jules, these have never fallen out of favor with me but neither has playing cards, pressing botanicals or other such niceties.
xx,
Miss B.
So thoughtful… especially for the front office staff. I’m fairly certain they get overlooked a bit too often!
I’m horrible, as usual. I did get a few wee loaves of pistachio bread baked–I made the label too big, but didn’t have time to make it smaller. I’m still hoping the cute bell made up for it. Anyway, I took them to church with me to hand out … and the last two my little nephew got hold of before I could grab him … let’s just say they had more issues than the label …
I love the twine! I’m glad I’m not the only one who decorates with little sprigs of evergreen – it just brings the smell of Christmas to everything.
I love to give these as gifts. When I worked at a psychiatric hospital we would make things like these every Christmas. The cookie mixes were always a hit.
I did jar mixes for my niece and nephews’ teachers last year. One of them told us she loved it. But it was fun for the kids because they got to take part in it without making yet another Christmas ornament or something.
Hello hello! Emily, former fellow soccer mom here! Stumbled upon your blog by accident, in looking for you on Facebook…feeling compelled to comment here, since I am giving out homemade Mulled Wine kits this year and seem to have been sitting on the Blue Tigers sidelines with a kindred spirit without the slightest idea! :) These jars are fabulous!