Sweet Homemade Gift Ideas (plus clever ways to package them)!

At the Brooklyn bakery One Girl Cookies, owner Dawn Casale rewrites history- updating old family recipes with fresh flavors- and draws upon the past to present the treats in vintage jars, tins, and more. Santa’s not the only one who loves sweets; these unique gifts will make anyone’s holiday deliciously delightful, especially for a cookie swap!

Step 1: Choose your cookie!

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Filling
Makes 24 whoopie pies. Working time 30 min. Total time 1hr. 15 min.

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light-brown sugar
½ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1⁄3 cup canola oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Peppermint Filling (recipe below)

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together sugars, yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla on medium speed until mixed, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and mix for 30 seconds. Cover and refrigerate batter until chilled, about 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip (about ½ inch wide). Pipe 2-inch circles onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing whoopies 1½ inches apart. (Keep batter refrigerated between batches.)
4. Bake until whoopies spring back when touched, about 9 minutes. Cool completely on pans.
5. To fill pies: Turn half the whoopies over so they’re bottom-side up. Using a pastry bag or butter knife, add a dollop (1½ tablespoons) of Peppermint Filling onto each whoopee bottom. Top with remaining whoopies.

Peppermint Filling
Makes 2 cups. Working time 10 min. Total time 10 min.

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more if needed

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together cream cheese and butter on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; add peppermint extract and salt, and mix for 30 seconds. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and mix for 1 minute. If filling is too soft to hold its shape, add more confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency. (Store in refrigerator, in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed onto surface of filling, for up to 5 days.)

Nana Cookies
Makes 36 cookies. Working time 25 min. Total time 40 min.

2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening, at room temperature
½ stick unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg yolk
¼ cup whole milk

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together shortening, butter, and sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add egg and egg yolk, and beat for 1 minute.
3. Reduce mixer speed to low; add a third of flour mixture and a third of milk, and mix for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl. Repeat. Add remaining flour mixture and only enough milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to yield a smooth dough, and mix. (It should not be too sticky.)
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip (about ½ inch wide). Pipe 4-inch-long cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. (Keep batter refrigerated between batches.)
5. Bake cookies until lightly golden around edges, about 15 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Cream Cheese Shortbread with Toasted Walnuts
Makes 36 cookies. Working time 15 min. Total time 30 min.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add chopped walnuts and stir to combine. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together butter, cream cheese, and sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add vanilla and mix for 1 minute. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and mix for 20 seconds. Take bowl off mixer and finish mixing dough with a rubber spatula.
3. Roll about 1½ tablespoons of dough into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently press to flatten top. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing 1 inch apart.
4. Bake cookies until light brown around edges, 14 to 16 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti
Makes 48 biscotti. Working time 25 min. Total time 1 hr. 35 min.

4 navel oranges
2 cups sugar
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
¾ cup shelled pistachios, unsalted
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
Fleur de sel, if desired

1. Cut long, thin strips of zest (avoid white pith) from oranges. Place zest in a small saucepan, add enough water to cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Then drain off water. Repeat boiling and draining process 2 more times. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring 1½ cups water and 1 cup sugar to a boil. Add zest and simmer for 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. Place chocolate chips in a food processor and pulse 3 or 4 times to break up. Add pistachios and pulse 2 or 3 times.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together butter and remaining sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and beat on medium speed until incorporated, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Reduce mixer speed to low; using a slotted spoon, add candied orange zest to buttersugar mixture and beat for 30 seconds. Gradually add three-fourths flour mixture, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add chocolate-pistachio mixture and remaining flour mixture, mixing until dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
7. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using damp hands, shape each piece into a 12-inch-long log, ½ inch high.
8. Bake logs until firm, about 24 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Reduce oven temperature to 250°F. Cool
logs on baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes.
9. Transfer logs to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice each into 24 half inch- thick biscotti. Place biscotti on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing ½ inch apart. Sprinkle with fleur de sel, if desired. Bake biscotti until slightly crisp, about 10 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Step 2: Wrap it up!

• Cherry vintage tins add a personal touch to baked goods. Striped and polka-dot patterned tins, paired with contrasting ribbon or wrapping paper add a unique touch.
•  Take a bakery fresh approach with printed paper bags. This bright idea is reminiscent of childhood fun at the country fair.
•  Mini-Bundt, cupcake, and loaf pans double as “boxes” that recipients can put to good use. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
•  Mason-jars are a sweet way to wrap up treats. Don’t have any on hand? Try an empty honey or jam jar. Short on time? Layer the dry ingredients into the jar, secure the lid then write the remaining directions on the tag. Don’t forget a bow!
•  For a professional finish, reinvent old holiday cards with stamps and scissors to create a personal tag without spending a dime!

What are you baking this holiday season? I love finding new recipes so if you’ve blogged your recipe please leave a link!

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Build-a-Bear is the perfect gift because you get to create your own new best friend. Bears, dogs, bunnies, hedgehogs and even elephants are available for you to build, dress and bring home. We love dressing our Build-a-Bear friends and Princess Cuddles has quite an extensive wardrobe that fits her diva-in-training personality.

One of the best things about Build-A-Bear Workshop is the opportunity to make or buy a unique gift, add a customized, signature sound or embroidered message and give it to someone special. From newlyweds to new parents, sports fans to foodies, tweens to tough guys, Build-A-Bear Workshop has something for everyone and every budget.

What could be more personal than LIVE elves, ready to talk to your child about his/her wishlist? Thanks to our friends at Build-A-Bear Workshop, your family has a direct line to Santa and his little helpers! By visiting  http://play.buildabear.com/, your child can create their own wish list with one of Santa’s elves and tell them what they want for Christmas! Parental agreement is needed for all children under 13.

If you are rushing through the mall wondering what to get the people left on your gift list I suggest giving them all Build-a-Bear Workshop gift cards so they can build their own friend.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place. All opinions are my own.

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We have had ours for a few weeks now and it works great. We haven’t lost or left game cartridges in the car or at a friend’s house because they are always attached to the DS. If you have a DS or 2 or 3 in your family get them each a Memorex Universal Game Selector Case. It will keep the missing cartridge chaos at bay.

Disclosure: I received a Memorex Universal Game Selector Case for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

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The Internet and television may be dominating leisure activities and zapping outdoor time for kids, but that won’t slow down the fast growing trend millions enjoy: GPS treasure hunting called, geocaching. Thanks to Apisphere, Inc., the company behind Geomate.jr (www.mygeomate.com), children, their families and adventure seekers from all walks of life can get hip with the increasingly popular and fun geocaching phenomenon, a great group activity for scouting, summer camps and schools. Geomate.jr, the first and only device of its kind, combines technology and outdoor play while providing hours of geocaching entertainment; it is preloaded with 250,000 geocache locations.

Sadly, according to the Outdoor Foundation, outdoor activity among children ages 6 to 17 declined 11 percent in 2008. “Geomate.jr offers a way to reconnect our children with family time and nature while encouraging them to be active, get outdoors and explore the environment,” says Warren Hewerdine, co-inventor of Geomate.jr and Apisphere’s vice president of marketing. He says, “Savvy kids will get their technology fix from the easy-to-use device, and it eliminates the traditional fuss of Internet connections, downloads, coordinates and preplanning to provide a spontaneous geocaching experience families can enjoy anytime, anywhere.” Geomate.jr acts as an electronic compass, guiding you to within yards of a geocache.

People all over the world have enjoyed geocaching but up until now, the GPS receivers required were expensive and difficult to use. “Geomate.jr is about the size of a granola bar and built tough so it can take a beating. The contoured grip fits comfortably in the hands of kids and adults,” says Hewerdine. “Then all you have to do is head out to a local park, the back country or just down the street to get started on creating lifelong memories and a new found appreciation for the outdoors.” The Geomate.jr makes a great gift idea any time of year, and thanks to its size, it is a perfect stocking stuffer around the holiday season.

Products available include:
Geomate.jr – Geocaching GPS Retail: $69.95
Pre-loaded with 250,000 geocaches covering all 50 U.S. states, just switch it on and be directed to your closest geocache.  European, Canadian, Australian & New Zealand versions are also available.

Geomate.jr – Update Kit Retail: $24.95
The key to update any Geomate.Jr with the latest and greatest geocaches for the U.S. or for around the world.  Other features such as being able to create a private geocache list and Pocket Query support are also accessible with an Update Kit.

Geomate.jr – Combo Pack Retail: $94.95
Everything you will ever need in one box including a Geomate.jr, an Update Kit, a Geomate.jr Travel Tag, batteries, lanyard, and documentation.

Geomate.jr is available for purchase at major outdoor retailers including REI, L.L. Bean, Gander Mountain and Eastern Mountain Sports.  It is also available through Target, Amazon.com and Geocaching.com. For more information about the Geomate.jr, including demo videos, please visit www.mygeomate.com. Follow on Twitter: @geomatejr and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/geomatejr.

My 16 year old son and I headed out to check out 2 local geocaches. We had no luck locating the first one but we had success at the second one. Here is a video of our expedition:

Geocaching an a fun, affordable family activity that you can do anywhere and the Geomate Jr makes it easy!

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The Bracelet Mate is perfect for a night out on the town or at a club because you always know where your belongings are and they don’t get in your way out on the dance floor like a purse often does. It would also be great for travel, shopping, pretty much anywhere you go.

You can enter to win a Bracelet Mate of your very own! It won’t arrive in time for Christmas though it makes a great gift for yourself.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Last year at tax time I shared a bunch of tips for protecting yourself from identity theft in my first Fellowes giveaway, now Fellowes is back with their P-12C Cross-cut shredder which retails for $89.99 and is available at Target stores nationwide.

The Fellowes’ P-12C paper shredder ideal for heavy-duty home use because it features:

• Fellowes’ patented SafeSense® technology, an advanced electronic safety sensor that surrounds the paper entry and automatically disables the shredder when hands touch the paper opening
• High-security Cross-Cut technology, destroying a single sheet of paper into 399 particles
• A slim profile design, which allows it to fit easily in home offices, kitchens and other rooms
• An easy-to-use pull-out bin and has the ability to shred staples, credit cards and paper clips

I have been using my P-12C shredder for a few weeks now and I love how it even shreds staples so i no longer have to make sure they are all removed before shredding!

The folks at Fellowes want you to be safe from identity theft too! One lucky reader of The Mom Maven is going to win the Fellowes P-12C paper shredder.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends at 12:01am on 12/21/11. The winner has 48 hours to respond via email. This prize will not arrive in time for Christmas. Good Luck!

Disclosure: I received a Fellowes P-12c shredder for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Hand-Dipped Chocolate Pears. What’s more delicious than orchard-fresh pears? Pears dipped in chocolate, of course! This innovative new treat makes a stunning centerpiece or dessert plate. Winter pears enrobed in dark, milk, and white chocolate, they come with a warning: Extremely tempting!

Noel Gift Box. This adorable gift box will delight families with the classic flavors of the season including snowball malt balls, peppermint bark, and more sweet treats.
Founders’ Favorite Holiday Gift Box. This gorgeous box unfolds to reveal sweet and savory delights including Harry & David’s famous Royal Riviera Pears, Moose Munch, truffles from the candy kitchen and much more.

The post Holiday Guide 2011-Last Minute Gifts from Harry & David appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The founders behind HealthyFitBodies.com have collaborated with the best trainers nationwide to provide one DVD set, offering fitness enthusiasts a dream team of personal trainers in a box. The Top Trainers program is designed to constantly challenge you and your body. The program uses the “blend method” offering workouts from multiple fitness disciplines. By blending all different techniques for weight loss they have created the optimal mixture of exercises to have the maximum effectiveness.

With the BLEND METHOD, you will be challenged with workouts for: Cardio, Buns, Latin Dance, Thighs, Yoga, Plyometrics, Core, Ballet, Interval Training,
Abs, Pilates and Kickboxing.

Each of the ten DVDs features a separate trainer with a specific workout routine. If you’re not in a Pilates mood and want to workout some frustration simply pop in the kickboxing DVD. Feeling more Zen? There’s the Yoga DVD. For those who want to spice things up, there is the Latin Dance DVD. The Top Trainers system gives people options and the opportunity to explore fitness routines they may not have tried. Here’s a quick run down of what each of the DVDs features:

Lindsay Brin’s Shed Five Fast Lindsay’s program gives you two different 30 minute workouts that are total body and balance toning exercises with bursts of energetic cardio.

Ellen Barrett’s Yogini
Ellen incorporates classic yoga poses subtly intensified with Pilates and body-sculpting techniques. You get the flexibility benefits of yoga plus the firming benefits of muscle toning. If you want to blast fat, firm up and de-stress, this is an all in one workout that is perfect for you.

Angie Miller’s Core and Strength Fusion
Angie’s workout is a fresh, creative and fun total body workout. It is a challenging program that will give you the tools you need to achieve a stronger fitter you!

Jennifer Galardi’s Ballet Body
Jennifer’s workout allows you to achieve the coveted sleek, toned muscles of ballet dancers. Jennifer has created five mini workouts blending exercises from classic ballet, Pilates and yoga to deliver a workout that elongates and strengthens your entire body and it feels amazing.

Tracey Mallet’s Six Minute Quick Blast Method
Tracey’s workout includes a total body calorie blast that fuses cardio with deep toning techniques to lengthen and strengthen your entire body. It targets the core for a flat, lean belly and healthy back.

Michelle Dozois’ Your Best Body Circuit
Get ready to create your best body ever! Michelle’s workout is a complete weight and fat loss system which utilizes a powerful combination of fun and easy to follow cardio intervals and metabolism boosting exercises.

Ilaria Montagnani’s PowerStrike 5
An intense kickboxing workout filled with energy packed, exciting new drills and challenging choreographed routines.

Christi Taylor’s Mission: Possible
An exceptional step and multi-impact workout for all exercise levels. Christi’s workout will help burn calories and increase your flexibility.

Susan Tuttle’s Latin Sensation
You will love exercising to spicy Latin rhythms with Susan Tuttle’s Latin Sensation dance workout. Listen to great music as she takes you through a variety of Latin dance routines such as Salsa, Meringue, Cumbia, Cha Cha and Reggaeton.

Stephanie Vitorino’s Ultimate Body Shaper
Allows you to get in the shape that you have always wanted. This workout takes your body where no workout has gone before.

My favorite workouts are Tracey Mallet’s and Susan Tuttle’s. I am working hard on Lindsay Brin’s, Jennifer Galardi’s, and Angie Miller’s. The others will come as I work harder and lose more weight. If you have a fitness fanatic on your Christmas shopping list then the Top Trainers DVDs might be a great gift for them.

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There are 30 Olympic themed events that players can participate it. Everything from synchronized swimming, to soccer, to track and field is included. Each sport has different rules on how to use the controller and nun chuck and I have found that the kids adapt better to these than the adults do. The tutorials before each event are easy to understand and very helpful. Add to the regular events the Dream Events which are similar but themed in the virtual worlds of Mario and Sonic and you get even more fun. The London Party mode you play a board game where you try to earn stickers by completing challenges on the board and in mini games. Another favorite feature of this game for my 16 yr old son is that in addition to playing as one of the Mario or Sonic characters, you can also play as your Mii.

We think your family will enjoy playing Mario & Sonic at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Disclosure: we received a family game night package from Sega that included this game. All opinions are 100% ours.

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In Imagine Sweet 16, players embody a young girl who is about to turn 16 and just joined a new high school. How will she become THE girl to know? By planning, promoting and hosting the most awesome Sweet Sixteen parties ever of course – including her own!

Key Features
Social Networking on the DS — Players will build a virtual friends network and boost their popularity by throwing awesome parties for classmates!
Get Creative — Select the party theme and decorations, plan fun activities for guests, and pick the right music to keep the party going all night long!
Have Fun — Imagine Sweet 16 Players will need to pay attention to their guests’ moods and make sure everyone has a rockin’ good time to boost their score!

Imagine Party Planner
In Imagine Party Planner, you get to plan the most amazing celebrations! Join an agency that caters to the most prestigious clientele. Meet with famous clients to plan out their specific requests, from a simple wedding cake to a spaceship for a party among the stars. Design décor, invitations, and more through fun mini-games as you expand the agency to be the premiere Party Planner in town!

Key Features:

Plan the Party

• Meet with clients to learn about their dream party and discover their likes and dislikes. Plan millionaire balls, charity galas, weddings, birthday parties, and more! -Play fun mini-games to design and win key pieces for the party.
• Select gorgeous gowns, shoes, and accessories for the hostess to wear.
• Design and mail invitations to guests.

Spotlight on the Party – Enjoy watching each party you have planned through colorful and fun animations.
Unlock Rewards – Watch the agency grow as your parties are featured in magazines, then spend your earnings on all-new customizable items!

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