Foods and homemade items are good low-cost gift ideas

11/27/01

     BOZEMAN--Foods and other homemade items make wonderful holiday gifts, especially for people on a budget, says a Montana State University Extension program coordinator.

Terry Egan, who oversees a state-wide nutrition program, also says the holidays are a perfect time to begin or return to family holiday traditions, many of which originate around the dinner table.

"Food is a very important and positive part of celebrations and holidays," says Egan, who oversees the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program (FSNEP) and works closely with the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), both of which offer nutrition education for low-income families. "Sharing a meal or a homemade gift is a way of sharing warmth and love of the holiday spirit."

Egan says the holidays are a great time to encourage reading together as a family, singing carols, making holiday crafts or participating in group activities like sledding or playing games. Families can also spend time together stringing popcorn and making paper chains as decorations, or gathering in the kitchen to make special gifts like cookies, quick breads or ornaments.

Egan offers the following low-cost gift ideas and recipes:

--Create a fruit basket. Choose a few apples, oranges and/or canned fruits and arrange them in a basket or decorated paper bag.

--Bake a loaf of bread or rolls either from scratch or frozen bread dough and deliver them to a friend while they are still warm.

--Make festive dough ornaments (recipe below). Cut shapes with holiday cookie cutters and use ribbon as hangers.

--Make play dough (recipe below). Place the dough in a plastic bag and decorate it with stickers or ribbon.

--Share a batch of holiday cookies with a friend.

--Make gift certificates using old Christmas cards or paper and stickers. List what you will do for the person, such as washing dishes, babysitting, or a free hug or cup of hot cocoa.

The EFNEP and FSNEP programs offer nutrition classes and information for low-income people. Classes are located throughout Montana. For more information, call 657-2346.

Dough Ornaments

2 cups white or whole wheat flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water

 Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add water, a little at a time, mixing as you pour. Form into a ball and knead 7 to 10 minutes until dough is smooth. Shape into ornaments. Remember to put a hole in the ornament for hanging. A straw works well! Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes, or until dry. Dough can be made ahead and kept in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

 Play Dough

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
1/4 cup salt
Food coloring or flavored drink powder

Stir and cook over medium heat until thick. Keep in a plastic bag or wrap and put in refrigerator.

Vegetable Tree

1 bottle light or fat free ranch dressing
4 cups broccoli florets
3-4 cups cauliflowerets
1 medium carrot, sliced into rounds (circles)
Optional: cherry tomatoes, olive slices, other vegetables

Cover bottom of 9x13-inch baking pan with a thin layer of ranch dressing. For best storage, use a glass pan. Arrange broccoli so it forms a large Christmas tree in center of pan. Place cauliflower around outside of tree to fill in pan. Add carrot slices and other vegetables to form ornaments on the tree. Serves 20.

 Rudolph Sandwiches

      Cut a slice of bread into four triangles and spread each with peanut butter. Use pretzel sticks for antlers and raisins for eyes. Add a half-cherry, strawberry, candy, piece of red apple with skin on for the nose, or a touch of red frosting.

Rudolph’s Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup peanut butter
11/4 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
64 small pretzels
32 cinnamon red hot candies
Chocolate chips or raisins

      Beat margarine and peanut butter for 30 seconds. Add half the flour and all of the sugar, egg, baking soda, baking powder and vanilla. Beat until thoroughly combined. Stir in the remaining flour. Cover and chill 1 hour or until easy to handle.

      Work with half the dough at the time, keeping the rest refrigerated. Using 1 tablespoon of dough, shape it into a triangle about 2 1/2 inches long and 2 inches wide on an ungreased cookie sheet. Lightly press pretzel antlers into sides at wide end of triangles. Add red candy noses and chocolate chips or raisins for eyes.

      Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Let cool 2 minutes on the cookie sheet. Carefully remove to rack to cool. Makes 32.

Holiday Breads

Use your favorite quick bread recipe: banana, pumpkin, etc. Use small coffee cans, soup cans or even tuna cans to make different sizes and shapes for attractive gift giving. Be certain to grease cans thoroughly to prevent sticking. Wrap the baked bread in plastic wrap or bags. Decorate with stickers, ribbons or holiday wrap.

SIDEBAR: Six easy ways to enjoy each other around the holiday table

1. Try one new food and make a new favorite for this year.
2. Set your table in a festive way and add holiday colors.
3. Share memories at mealtime about what makes you special
4. Turn off the TV and listen to holiday music.
5. Wash hands and store leftovers safely to keep everyone healthy for the holidays.
6. Hang around after the meal and read a holiday book.

Send questions or comments to Suzi Taylor, MSU Communications Services, Bozeman, MT 59717 or email Suzi at taylor@montana.edu.

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