Well we are in the home stretch to Christmas and this is the week I try and get to all the neighbors and others who I’d like to give a little holiday treat to. For those people, I usually bake cookies or we give something made locally that we buy multiples of.
I’m trying very hard to think of things that aren’t wasteful, that are useful, as we all have so much already. Every year I try to buy less.
This year, my husband Max was experimenting making his own granola and it came out so good we decided to send it to a friend group he bikes with and also all our neighbors.
Our version of granola is all the nuts we love and coconut. We didn’t add any dried fruit. You could add what you like to make your own version, but this mix works well so together. I’ve already had a few rave reviews from neighbors. We love it with plain yogurt, a drizzle of honey and this on top. It’s also just super yummy as a snack if you leave it in the chunks that form as it comes out of the oven.
We used cellophane bags and wired gingham ribbon and printed the ingrediants on card stock, in case anyone has allergies they will know exactly what is in it.
I had some juniper branches and clipped a little bit for each package and tucked it in the ribbon.
I think anything you gift looks extra special when you wrap it pretty.
Wheeler Family Granola
4 Cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (gluten-free) most are, but check
1 1/2 Cups of nuts -( we used a mix of halved walnuts, pepitas, sliced almonds and whole roasted almonds.)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 cup of maple syrup
1/2 cup of melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup of coconut flakes
Preheat oven to 350, prepare a baking sheet with parchment. Mix all dry ingredients except coconut flakes, together in a large bowl. Pour over apple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla. Mix until all are well coated and spread on prepared pan with a wooden spoon. Cool 20-22 minutes, stopping to stir at the 11 minute mark and add coconut flakes, so they do not burn. Let stand and cool about 30 minutes before touching. For chunkier granola, press down the mix in the pan more at the halfway point of baking. Recipe adapted and changed from this one on Cookie + Kate.
I hope you try it if you like granola. We are hooked and will never buy granola again. It’s just that much better!
Another cute gift you could easily pull together for a hostess, friend or neighbor is this adorable succulent mix made festive by the addition of a bottle brush tree and some holiday baubles.
My talented friend Jeanne saw something similar and much pricier at Terrain and made her own version for a friend. I loved this so much- and after the holidays it’s a cool plant for the home that can last years by just removing the little decorations!
Plants are such a good idea and aren’t more plastic. I was reading this great article from a friend about how much of Christmas involves plastic and it’s making me think a lot more about my choices this year.
Cindy Hattersley also had a this great post with the prettiest paper whites in a galvinized tin to give.
I also wanted to mention a great book to give..I am especially crazy about this new one, Apres All Day which has some delicious recipes and ski and mountain living ideas. You don’t need a cabin to appreciate this darling book. I literally want to try every recipe and that is rare.
Max and I made the cheddar breakfast muffins while at the cabin and they taste as good as they look. This book would make a nice gift wrapped with a pair of mittens or a knit hat for a friend going to the mountains or who lives there, or who appreciates winter foods and fun.
Just a few things on my radar, that might help with your gifting. Hope you are having a chance to enjoy the season too.
Kim
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