My Chocolate Fantasy

Are you looking for ways to save this holiday gift-giving season? With your children’s teachers, neighbors, doctors, and even loving grandparents – your gift list just keeps growing. This year give the gift that keeps on giving, without blowing your budget. Homemade goodies reserve a special place amongst the array of store bought gifts. Fruitcake isn’t the only food worth giving this season. One of my favorite gifts to give are quick breads. Too busy to cook around the holidays? No problem – quick breads are easy to make and can be made ahead of time and frozen.I promise, Chocolate Zucchini Bread is one of my absolute favorite nutritious-and-delicious quick breads, so don’t let this combination startle you. Easy Cranberry Yam Bread is another family favorite that gets requested every year!   Also, make the bread in different size loaf pans to give an assortment of different type breads—or maybe you need just a little something for a present.Another great gift idea is my yummy Snack Mix. So easy to whip up, I often find myself craving the combination of this sweet and salty treat. You can use red and green M&M’s to get into that festive holiday spirit. Fill decorative containers with the Snack Mix and this fun gift becomes functional as they have the container to use forever. The holiday season is often thought of as a season to splurge. Give your wallet and your waistline a break with these holiday favorites. By adding a personal touch to your next holiday gifts you can let your gift-giving list grow without worry. These delicious homemade recipes are the perfect economical gift everyone will enjoy – with a trim and terrific twist.  Visit www.hollyclegg.com or thehealthycookingblog.com for more recipes.Chocolate Zucchini Bread This delicious chocolate bread gets extra moisture and nutrition from unassuming zucchini. Chocolate lovers will be delighted.16 servings/serving size: 1 slice1 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour1/4 cup cocoa1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon baking powder1 cup light brown sugar2 large eggs1/3 cup canola oil1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini1/2 cup chopped walnuts1/4 cup skim milk1. Preheat oven 350° F.  Coat 9x5x3-inch nonstick loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.  2. In bowl combine flours, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder.  In medium bowl, mix brown sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla until blended. Stir in zucchini and walnuts.  3. Using third of flour mixture each time, add flour mixture alternating with milk to zucchini mixture, stirring lightly after each addition just until moist.4. Transfer batter to pan, bake 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.  Do not overbake. Nutrition information per serving: Calories 177, Calories from Fat 72, Total Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 27 mg, Sodium 108 mg, Total Carbohydrate 24 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Sugars, 14 g, Protein 3 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 fatTERRIFIC TIDBIT: In quick breads, replace up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour – an easy way to add more nutrition to the bread and enhance the nutty flavor.Easy Cranberry Yam BreadCream cheese gives this incredible, yet easy, bread a rich flavor packed with the natural sweetness of yams and a burst of cranberries. It will top your quick bread list. Toss in some pecans for added flavor and crunch.Makes 16 slices1 (8-ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened1 cup sugar1 (15-ounce) can sweet potatoes (yams), drained and mashed2 eggs11/2 cups biscuit baking mix1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg1 cup dried cranberries, or 1 cup chopped fresh cranberries1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in sweet potatoes and eggs. Stir in biscuit mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberries until just blended. Transfer to prepared pan. 3. Bake 45 minutes – 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes before serving.Nutritional information per servingCalories 189, Protein (g) 4, Carbohydrate (g) 31, Fat (g) 6, Calories from Fat (%) 26, Saturated Fat (g) 3, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 37, Sodium (mg) 231 Diabetic Exchanges: 1.5 starch, 0.5 fruit, 1 fat Quick TipMini loaves of quick bread make wonderful homemade gifts. Make ahead, wrap in plastic wrap, place in zipper-lock bags, and freeze until ready to give. Snack MixHere’s an easy recipe that makes a great snack mix any time of day. Sweet and salty mixes are always a great combo and this mix is addicting!Makes 20 (1/2-cup) servings3 tablespoons sesame oil3 tablespoons honey1 tablespoon soy sauce1/2 teaspoon garlic salt1/2 teaspoon onion powder4 cups crispy wheat cereal squares6 cups mini pretzels1 cup soy nuts1 cup dry roasted peanuts1 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces1. Preheat oven 250°F. Whisk together sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, garlic salt, and onion powder. 2. Toss together cereal squares, pretzels, soy nuts, and peanuts in large bowl. Drizzle oil mixture over cereal mixture, tossing gently to coat. 3. Scatter mixture on foil-lined jelly roll pan, bake 25 minutes, stirring often to prevent too much browning. Turn off oven and let cereal stay in oven 1 hour to continue crisping. When cool, toss with chocolate candies. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.Nutritional information per servingCalories 242, Protein (g) 8, Carbohydrate (g) 32, Fat (g) 10, Cal. from Fat (%) 37, Saturated Fat (g) 3, Dietary Fiber (g) 3, Cholesterol (mg) 2, Sodium (mg) 400, Diabetic Exchanges: 0.5 very lean meat, 1 starch, 1 other carbohydrate, 2 fat

Saying “thank you” to a client or a boss has never been so thoughtful these days with the popularity of corporate gift baskets. And with lots of different themes to choose from, corporate gift basket is probably the best gift you can offer. Here are some of the popular corporate gift baskets made for you:Chocolate goodies gift basketA basket of sweets are good, but a basket of chocolates is even better! There is something magical with chocolates that so many people love to receive even a bar of it. What more if the chocolates are in one basket? Chocolate goodies as a corporate gift basket are ideal for any age, gender, and profession. A corporate basket with loads of giving thanks written on the sweets and chocolates is also available to those who want to loudly say that their appreciation to a client or an employee. Wine for a toast gift basketSaying “thank you” can be a cause for a celebration. And there is no better way to celebrate it than by having a drinking with any of the wines that is included in your wine gift basket. Red and white wines with wine glasses coupled with almonds, candies, and cookies can complete this corporate gift basket. Trunk of Treats Gift BasketPretzels, chocolate hazelnuts, spearmint balls, peach slices, cookies, pistachios, flavored candies, lemon drops, peanut brittle, and every mouthwatering goody you can ever think of. Who would not want them all? Even you will surely be dazzled once you see how delightable these goodies are. Make all these fit in a corporate gift basket and you will surely send your sweetest thanks to its recipient. Bundle of gracious gourmetFor a very special client, a bundle of gracious gourmet will surely send thousands of thanks. Gourmet gift basket may include different types of chocolates, caramels, almonds, pretzels, cheese, fruit crèmes, and all other mouthwatering delights you can think of. Chef corporate gift basketChef corporate gift basket does not only include salt and pepper with shakers.  It also includes fruits, grains, herbs, and spices, perfect to someone with high regards to the food artistry.  Cookie and coffee gift basketEveryone loves the aroma of fresh coffee being brewed early in the morning. And for sure, everyone will be impressed if they receive a basket of different coffee beans, muffins, brownie and cookies. Personal-favorites gift basketIf you want to give a corporate gift basket that includes everything that he or she likes, then, it may be the best gift you can offer. Personal-favorites gift basket lets you choose the things the recipient would want to receive. Some online sites and department stores let you choose the items you want to include in a basket. Or, shop for the different items you want to give, place them in a basket, and wrap it yourself. Make-your-own gift basket is a popular selection among all types of gift baskets. Choose from a range of items as well as baskets that are perfectly tailored to the recipient. All of these are available online for a more convenient shopping. Price ranges from $20 to $300 or more.

Looking for the best gifts for men is of interest to most women, especially during the holiday gifting season. Women are busy looking for gifts for their husband, boyfriend, dad, or male business associates.  This article provides some gift ideas for men. 

The best way to select gifts for men is to see what their interest and passion might be. The gifts selected should be in line with what they like to eat or what they like to do at their leisure.  Your gift can also remind him of you.  Once you have decided what they like, you will find that the selected gifts can be sent not just for Christmas, but also for birthday, anniversary, or thank you.

Some gifts most men like include the following:

1.  Meat and Cheese Gift:Food gifts are the most popular gifts for any occasion.  Most men enjoy meat and cheese.  Thus, meat and cheese baskets are the most popular gifts for men. There are meat and cheese baskets designed especially for men. Your manly man can enjoy truly manly snacks and gourmet treats if you send him a sausage and nut tote gift basket. The basket is filled with Stone wheat crackers, Pepper Jack cheese, tomato basil cheese, garlic summer sausage, salami, cashews, honey sweet peanuts, and deluxe mixed nuts. The lovely wooden gift tote will last long after all the treats have disappeared.

Instead of sending a meat and cheese gift basket, you can also send these gifts in a tray, a lunch box, or in a gift pail. This is especially convenient for your recipient if he brings his lunch to work.  

2.  Executive gourmet Desk Caddy:If your man works in the office, you may want to send him an executive desk caddy filled with gourmet snacks. Every man will be proud to display the desk caddy long after the goodies have been enjoyed.  The savory snacks will ease the tension of the work day while the solid wood chest graces the office decor. The wood chest will also remind him of you while he is in his office.

3.  Executive Antique Truck:If the man in your life is an antique buff or the truck fanatic, you can send him an antique truck filled with gourmet treats.  This beautiful solid wood antique truck carries lots of sweet and savory goodies that can be enjoyed at home or at the office. He will find “You’re A Winner” theme bag with fruit gems, chocolate chip cookies, caramels, gourmet coffee, crackers, fudge filled cookies, summer sausage, mustard and chocolates. After the goodies have been devoured, the lovely truck remains to grace his desk or mantel.   4.  Golf Gifts:Most men love sports, and golf is one of the popular sport.  If your man loves golf, you can send him a golf gift basket or gift box.  These golf themed gifts are filled to overflowing with snacks to eat and treats for the golf course. For example, in one of the gift box, they can find golfers fortune cookies, golf ball magnet, golf coffee mug, golf theme bag with honey sweet peanuts, hot pepper cheese, summer sausage, water crackers, seasoned pretzel dipping sticks, caramel corn, Greens keeper turf kit, birdie pack, golf tees, and chocolate cream filled wafer cookies. This is a great gift to the golfing husband, father, brother, or for corporate gifting. Other golf gifts may contain a book of golf wisdom.  Alternatively, you can select a tote bag filled with all these treats and golfing goodies such that your golfer can carry these treats around during his games.  

5.  Fishing Gift:If the man in your life enjoys fishing, then send him a fishing gift basket. The handsome creel gift bag contains The Wisdom of Fishing book with 350 pages of fishing antidotes and stories, as well as delicious treats to accompany his fishing trip, including: fisherman shortbread cookie, chocolate cream filled water roll, cheese dip, coffee, caramel corn, smoked almonds, and other goodies.

6. Nascar Gift:If your man is a Nascar fan, he will be thrilled when the NASCAR Lovers gift basket arrives.  The gift consists of a cooler filled with cheese, crackers and other snacks, and a history book of stock car racing which will entertain your NASCAR aficionado.  The goodies will treat him as he reads. 

7. Motorcycle Gifts:For weekend warriors and motorcycle fans, they will love to receive a motorcycle themed gift basket.  The basket is filled with motorcycle mementos, including: ceramic motorcycle bank, ceramic motorcycle picture frame, motorcycle coffee mug, bandana.  They will also find gourmet snacks for their road trips, including Jack Daniels coffee,  cheese snack mix, chocolate cream filled wafer cookies, water crackers, chocolate chip cookies, cheddar popcorn, and summer sausage. They will remember your thoughtfulness for years to come.

8.  Bullseye Treats Dart board:You can send your man a dart board with delicious treats.  This unique exclusive gift is filled with delicious cheese, crackers, Smokey beef sausage, chocolate Wafer cookies, smoked almonds, caramel corn, and more. He can relax with the game while enjoy the treats.  This deluxe dart board set is sure to hit its mark.

9. Football Gift Basket:If your man is a die hard football fan, you can send an exclusive football gift basket. The red basket is filled with a ceramic football mug, ceramic football chip and dip plate, ceramic football desktop change holder, cheese & dip spreader, sports theme bag with deluxe snack mix, chunky salsa, roasted peanuts, sugar cookies, tortilla chips, white cheddar popcorn, and summer sausage. This unique gift will delight the football fanatics in your life.

10. Baseball Gift Basket:Similarly, if your man is a baseball fan, you can send him a baseball gift basket. This baseball shaped tray is full of snacks, including, sunflower seeds, peanut butter pretzel nuggets, butter toffee pretzels, cinnamon sugar pita chips, Water crackers, caramel popcorn, smoked almonds, beef salami, hot pepper cheese, and cheese spread. The baseball fan can enjoy the game while eating these delicious snacks and throwing the soft baseball around.

In summary, in selecting the perfect gift for men, it is best to make your selection based on their passion and what they like to eat. Most men enjoy meat and cheese, so cheese and meat gift is probably the logical choice. Alternatively, You can send him an executive gourmet desk caddy or antique truck to grace his office.  You can also send him a gift basket based on his favorite sport, including golf, fishing, Nascar, motorcycling, football, or baseball.

Kate S. is the CEO of Gift Basket for All, LLC. You can visit her site by clicking on the link below:

Gift Basket

Gift Basket for All.com offers gourmet gift basket, anniversary, new baby, birthday, corporate, and get well gifts. To send Gifts For Men, click on Gifts For Him and Gifts For Men.

 

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival.  Traditionally, it is time to give thanks for the harvest and express our gratitude.  It is a holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States.  In the U.S., this holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in the month of November.  In Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October. This article explores the origin of Thanksgiving and provides ideas for Thanksgiving gift.

The earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was held by the Spanish settlers on September 8, 1565 in what is now St. Augustine, Florida.  However, the traditional first Thanksgiving is generally considered as having occurred in 1621 at the Plymouth Plantation. In 1620, 102 pilgrims fled religious persecution in England, and crossed the Atlantic in the sailing vessel Mayflower. After a difficult journey at sea, the pilgrims arrived in Plymouth on December 11th, 1620.  Although nearly half of the pilgrims died that winter due to the extreme cold weather, the native Indians helped the pilgrims survive by teaching them how to grow corn, beans and pumpkins. In the summer of 1621, a severe drought occurred and it appeared the corn harvest would not survive.  The pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer to please God and ask for a bountiful harvest in the coming season. God answereed their prayers and it rained at the end of the day. It saved the corn crops.

In the autumn of 1621, the Pilgrims held a grand celebration to give thanks to God and the Native Americans.  This communal dinner is popularly known as “The first thanksgiving feast”.  The food included ducks, geese, venison, fish, berries, and boiled pumpkin. However, it was not until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln, prompted by a series of editorials by Sarah Josepha Hale, proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national Thanksgiving Day. In 1941, the U.S. Congress officially passed a bill requiring Thanksgiving be observed on the fourth Thursday of November.   

Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends at home for a holiday feast. However, if you cannot visit your family or friends who live far away, you can send them a Thanksgiving gift to show you care. Businesses can also send fall corporate gifts to their clients. Popular Thanksgiving gifts include the following:

1. Cornucopia:

In North America, the cornucopia is associated with Thanksgiving and harvest.  The cornucopia is a symbol of food and abundance, and is often known as the “horn of plenty”. In Greek mythology, Amalthea was a goat who raised Zeus on her breast milk. Her horn was accidentally broken off by Zeus while playing together.  The god Zeus, in remorse, gave back her horn with supernatural powers, which would give the person in poession whatever he or she wished for. The original depiction of cornucopia was a goat’s horn filled with fruits and flowers. In modern depictions, the cornucopia is typically a hollow, horn-shaped wicker basket filled with festive fruit and vegetables.

A great way to send your best wishes to friends and loved ones is to send an Autumn Cornucopia. It is filled with assorted Maple leaves, a wide range of flavored individually wrapped hard candies, mini pinecones, pumpkins and gourds in a cone shaped wicker basket. The gift can be used as a center-piece for the Thanksgiving dinner table, and everyone can enjoy the candies.  

2. Thanksgiving Gift Baskets:

You can also send a Thanksgiving gourmet gift basket filled With sparkling apple cider, Cheddar cheese, summer sausage, rye bread, grained mustard, gourmet coffee, Cheddar Cheese popcorn, chocolate cream filled pastry cookie, and assorted cream chocolates. This gift will certainly provide a feast for your friends and family. Another popular gift basket is filled with vanilla cream cookies, creamy garden herb and vegetable dip, smoked almonds, caramel corn, Stone wheat crackers, French chocolates, Pilgrims Harvest corn and pumpkin, cafe latte mocha mix, and unique “Thankful” fall candy corn mix.  The harvest basket is delivered with its decorative “Thankful” message.  The delicious fall treats will delight and please whoever receive it.

3. Autumn Harvest Basket:

These colorful festive Autumn baskets deliver bountiful harvest. One popular Autumn basket is filled with packages of Garden Veggies shaped pasta and a seasonal sunflower bowl, a scarecrow bag filled with peanuts, a yellow Chocolate scarecrow lollipop, Vanilla cream cookies, caffe caramella and caffe Francaise. Also included are White chocolate macadamia nut cookies, peanut butter pretzel nuggets, a golden bag of chocolate bridge mix, focaccia snacks and an adorable floating pumpkin candle. This basket is a delicious way to celebrate Autumn harvest.   4.  Fall Gift Basket:

Fall gift baskets are often decorated with adorable scarecrows and pumpkin cookies.  A popular basket that you will fall in love with contains an adorable fall scarecrow bear and is filled with New York Cheesecake, Jordan almonds, Chocolate Covered Oreo pumpkin cookies, green tea, butter toffee pretzels, shortbread collection and yogurt pretzels drizzled with orange and dark chocolate. This basket is sure to put a smile on anyones face.

5. Pumpkin Patch Container Garden:

Alternatively, you can send an all in one Gigantic Pumpkin Patch Garden that contains easy-grow pumpkin seeds, nutrients, soil and a Pumpkin designed leak resistant container. The recipient Just has to plant, water and grow all in the container it came in. It is so easy and great for anyone who enjoys pumpkins.

In summary, Thanksgiving holiday is the time to give thanks for our blessings and express our gratitude. You can celebrate the holiday by sending a Thanksgiving gift basket, autumn cornucopia, fall gift basket, or a pumpkin patch container garden to friends and loved ones.

Kate S. is the CEO of Gift Basket for All, LLC. You can visit her site, http://www.giftbasketforall.com, for gourmet gift basket, anniversary, new baby, birthday, corporate, get well gifts.

For product information on Thanksgiving gift, visit:http://www.giftbasketforall.com/thanksgiving-gift

An Unforgettable Wedding Gift – Cake Towel

One of the most remarkable and beautiful wedding gifts I have ever seen was created by one of my sisters for another sister’s wedding. She built a pristine “wedding cake” from white towels and decorated it with ribbons, held in place with pearl pins, and hid a cd in one of the layers, not that anything additional was needed. The “cake” was such a work of art it stole the show from the real cake! Everyone wanted to know who had made it, how long it took, etc, and no one with a camera passed up a chance for a snapshot of it.

Creating a towel cake can be as simple or as complicated as you need it to be. It is easy to make it unique with your own special touches and add personal touches that will make it an unforgettable part of any wedding or shower.

This is easy to make and the bride to be will love the personalized touch! The colors can be coordinated to go with the wedding theme and colors.

Step 1. Roll the Towels

Fold each hand towel in half lengthwise twice. Start with one end and roll the towels together. Set aside. Repeat this process with the wash cloths. Fold each bath towel in half lengthwise and repeat the folding until the width of the towel is roughly 6″. Roll the two towels together in the same way as the hand towels. You should now have the three layers of the cake.

Step 2. Assembling The Layers

I used large wide rubber bands to hold each individual layer together for ease of handling. To decorate choose ribbon in colors that coordinate with the towels or wedding colors. My niece had requested purple towels so I selected a wide white ribbon adorned with pearls. Cut the ribbon into 60″, 40″ and 30″ lengths. Tie the large piece around the bath towels layer and repeat for the other two cake layers. When complete, stack the cake layers starting with the largest layer at the bottom. I used small pins to hold the layers in place. If you do use pins try to place them through the tags on the towels not the towels themselves.

Step 3.

This is the fun part! Use your imagination and decorate with silk flowers, fall leaves or wedding bells. I placed the cake on a footed cake plate for presentation.

These tasteful cakes look so delicious. But please do not eat. It is the soft cotton washing clothes artfully hand wrapped to resemble a tasteful cake. This delicious looking designed favor will make your mouth water, but it is calorie free. They are great for wedding favors, bay showers, gift baskets, Christmas stocking items and all other occasions Different Towel Cakes for Different Occasions

A towel cake is a unique and creative way to give a Gift for a wedding shower or a housewarming gift. I use matching bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths for the Towel cake. There will be 2 – 30 X 54″ bath towels, 4 – 16 X 26″ hand towels and 3 – 12 X 12 wash cloths. For a romantic theme, I use bath products such as lotions, bubble bath, incense, bath beads and other items. For a bath/kitchen theme, I use wooden spoons, wire wisks, spatulas and other cooking utensils. The color schemes vary and can be specified by the customer. The ribbons used can be specified to be a wedding theme, otherwise the ribbons will be color coordinated to the color of the towels used. The towel cake pictured is a chocolate cake theme. The bottle in the top of the cake is a champaign shaped bottle of scented bubble bath. Additional picture will be posted in the future. Wedding Towel Cakes are Full of Charming Surprises!

The first thing to consider when makeing wedding towel cakes is what kind of towels to use. The usual “recipe” calls for two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths, all white. But you can adjust towel cakes to include any type or number of towels you want. If you know what color towels the couple would prefer, choose accordingly. Don’t skimp on quality. You’ll only save a few dollars, and the appearance of your towel wedding cakes will suffer.

Decorations for your wedding towel cakes are limited only by your imagination. The tiers of wedding towel cakes would look elegant “belted” with wide ribbon. Or tie smaller bows and pin them here and there. Faux flowers are another possibility. Pearl-topped straight pins inserted around the edges give a finished look, help hold the cake together, and are a gift in themselves. Make sure, though, to warn the recipient of the hazard.

Your finished towel wedding cakes will have to sit on something, and a pretty bath tray would be perfect. You might want to buy the tray before putting the towel cakes together to make sure of a good fit. You could also set the cake on a matching round bath mat or rug. Surround the cake with scented flower-shaped soaps. Tie a bow around the handle of a fancy pumice scrubber and lay it beside the towel cake as a “server.” Cake Towel Gain More Popularity

Cake towel is practical and yet full of personality; so despite of the price which is a bit higher than traditional wedding gifts, people still prefer it as cute and romantic Wedding Gifts for the once a lifetime occassion.

Currently, towels sold as, for instance, a gift are folded in various manner and arranged in a storage box, and the top side of the storage box is covered with a transparent film, so that the customers can see the arranged towel(s) inside the box through the film, thus drawing the attention of the customers and increase the customer’s desire to purchase. Among these, with the focus on characteristics such as the towel’s texture, thickness, and flexibility, some towels are formed into animals and dolls by way of attaching the towel cloth by sewing or fastening with a pin or the like, thus being offered exclusively as decorations.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for cake-shaped decorative accessories using a towel cloth as a gift or present, and there has been a demand for other types of decorative accessories that have a cake shape.

Traditional wedding gifts such as chocolate gifts are so common that people want to add some personality and uniqueness to their wedding gift; cake towel seems to be a perfect choice.

Running out of good ideas for Christmas gifts for your son or daughter’s elementary school teacher? Feel like your running out of time? Ho’, ho’, ho’ my friends fret and worry no longer Santa Claus is here to bring you my best list of edible gifts for the holidays. Why edible gift ideas you ask?

Edible gifts are enjoyed by everyone, especially desserts, candy and sweets of all different kinds. Plus with the economy the way it is my elves and I had to come up with other ideas to get by this holiday season. I hope you all understand. And we can’t afford to let big, expensive gifts go to waste in the event the teachers don’t like them. And who doesn’t like sweets? Sweets are synonymous with the holidays, right? So that’s another reason I am suggesting sweets and candy gifts. So without further delay here is the list, right here. Wait one second. I thought I had it. Oh, excuse me one second. I have to call my head assistant elf on my cell phone to bring it to me. Be right back!

(5 minutes later)

I can be so absent-minded during this time of year. You know I’ve got a lot of things on my mind. And right now elementary teacher gifts are on my mind so here’s my list. Just be prepared it might make you hungry. Ah let’s see here.

1. Chocolate Covered Popcorn in a decorative tin: so the teachers can snack on something yummy while grading your little ones’ papers or they can sneak it in to the theater so they don’t have to pay the high prices. I mean (clearing throat and coughing) wait ’til they get home from the theater.

2. Chocolate Covered Apples and Caramel Apples: Oh, it reminds me of my summer vacation to Coney Island out on the boardwalk.

3. Cookies in a decorative cookie jar: that way he or she will always see it on their desk and will remember all year round who gave them this great gift. Then maybe they will give your child a better grade. I mean (clearing throat and coughing again) one of his or her delicious cookies.

4. Rice Krispies Treats decorated into different shapes: these can be chocolate covered and frosted as well. I can see me gaining a few extra pounds already. Maybe there are diet rice krispies treats.

5. A Desktop Gumball Machine or M&M Machine: NOT for the classroom of course, rather for home enjoyment.

6. A Cookie Bouquet (cookie pops): they come decorated in different shapes and styles. They are delicious and play a twist on the normal flower bouquets. I once tried one at a house I dropped off some presents to. Ok, I didn’t eat it, I just looked at it. Maybe I took a nibble. Ok I ate the whole thing. How else am I supposed to keep my Santa form?

7. Message Candy in a holiday mug: you can create your own customized message on chocolate candy pops and then choose the mug for them so they can drink coffee in order to stay awake to grade tests and reports.

8. Giant Holiday Decorated Fortune Cookie with holiday fortune: I think I saw this idea while working in China I don’t remember, but either way these are some of the coolest cookies you’ll find. It’s very unique and different and that’s why I like it.

9. Chocolate Covered Pretzels in a decorative mug: sweet and salty together doused with icing and yummy toppings. You know sometimes I feel salty when I don’t eat something sweet for a long time.

10. Lollipop Bouquet: maybe he or she can reward students for making good marks or grades.

Well there you have it folks Santa’s Top 10 Elementary School Teacher Edible Christmas Gift Ideas. It may be hard to find some of these at stores so I recommend you search for them online. That’s what I may need to do this year with all the work I have left to do. Then my reindeer won’t have to work so hard. Merry Christmas everyone!

When looking for the perfect gift, people tend to seek out the best and most unique that they can possibly find. No matter what the occasion, a gift is special every time. Some gifts bring about a small reaction, while others have the ability to bring about strong emotions of happiness and surprise. There are those gifts that require a lot of thought and then there are those that are spur of the moment and not very well thought out. In most instances, we have no idea what will make someone truly happy when it comes to gift giving. Confusion and wonder can suck all of the life and fun out of buying gifts, causing it to bring more pain than pleasure. We have all been there, and during those times, a kosher gift basket will do just perfectly. Be it an anniversary, birthday, or just because, there is a kosher gift basket for everyone. Some of the things that you will find inside of a kosher gift basket are gourmet chocolates, wine, pretzels, white chocolates, and several other very tasty quality treats! The best thing is that the baskets come with all of these high dollar treats, and are sold at a very affordable price. One of the kosher gift baskets is called the VIP Executive Choice. This is a gift that anyone will take pleasure in because it includes Gourmet Crackers, Chocolates, Smoked Salmon, Pecan Caramel Turtles, Wine, Jam, Pecan Caramel Crunches, Chocolate Covered Oreo’s, and Gourmet Cashews. Those are only a few of the items that come complete with the VIP Executive Choice. Another example of a smaller basket is the Gourmet Indulgence Kosher gift basket. It has been decorated with festive colors and stuffed with several high quality gourmet treats. The Gourmet Indulgence gift basket comes complete with Swersy’s Chocolate Bars, Gourmet Almond Crunch, Brent & Sam’s Cookies, Chocolate Meltaways, and Pirouline Wafers. As you can see, Kosher gift baskets are a very unique choice for a gift. They are especially great for giving away to your co-workers and clients. Having a Christmas party? What about a Thanksgiving party? These gifts are so versatile that you can even purchase the VIP Executive Choice, and let everyone choose their own treat! These baskets can really go along way, and they make a lasting impression. So, when that time comes, and you are still feeling a bit confused about what to present for a gift, choose a Kosher gift basket! You’ll find that it is the ultimate life of the party. Everyone loves a tasty treat, especially when it has been made gourmet style!

Gourmet cakes are perfect gift ideas for any occasion. After all, there is usually a cake at the center of any important occasions.
Gourmet cakes make great gifts. The flavors, design and theme are all endless. People are always touched to receive presents personally made rather than bought. The time and effort exerted to it are always appreciated.
Baking is not exactly easy because it deals with precise measurements. But it is easy to get the hang of it with constant practice. And when you learn, your friends and family will definitely love receiving your home-made sweet desserts.
Most cakes given as gifts are round, good for 12 to 16 servings. That’s about 5 pounds. But you can also bake cakes in square or rectangular pans.
Chocolate Fantasy Cakes are one of the most popular. Almost everybody loves chocolates. It never fails to delight children. Some adults are also endeared to chocolates. You can put chocolate bits inside. Some prefer lining it with strawberry for a blend of sourness and sweetness.
The Red Velvet Cake is a chocolate variety, classic and smooth as velvet. It has a southern touch. It has a rich, red and mild chocolate flavor topped with cream cheese.
The Chocolate Chip Cake has a thick fudge frosting with chip and sprinkles. Black Forest Cake is a light, moist chocolate cake in two layers. One custard layer is filled with cream, cherries and chocolate shavings.
The Chocolate Raspberry Cake is a moist cake with raspberry filling and topped with fudge. The Chocolate Fudge Rum Cake a three-layered light moist cake filled with walnuts and fudge. Chocolate Truffle Cake is semi-sweet with ganache. And the Rocky Road Cake is made of three chocolate types with chips, nuts and marshmallow.
Next to chocolate fantasy cakes, mousse cakes are also delicious. They are very rich and creamy.
The Chocolate Mousse Supreme is a bestseller with lots of chocolate flavoring. Chante …clair is a chocolate mousse with raspberry on top and jelly rolls on the sides. Strawberry Mousse Supreme has creamy strawberry with white chocolate, cream between two layers of vanilla flavored sponge cake.
The Baileys Espresso Cream Cake is three-layered vanilla flavored cake with Baileys mousse and espresso cream. Banana Chocolate Mousse has bananas and thick coverings of chocolate.
On the other hand, white delight cakes are light and fluffy. The most popular variety is the Strawberry Short Cake. It has whipped cream sweeping over mixtures of strawberry filling in vanilla chiffon.
The Hazelnut Torte is a nutty, two-layered cake with raspberry and praline butter cream on top. Coconut Layer Cake has vanilla chiffon filled with butter cream and flakes of coconut just like a snowball. Mocha Raspberry Walnut Cake is three-layers of vanilla sponge cake filled with raspberry and mocha butter cream, with walnuts and swirls at the sides. The Sunny Lemon Layer Cake is three layers of vanilla sponge cake with lemon toppings.
Cheesecakes are gourmet cakes made from cheese, cream and eggs. The most common are pumpkin cheesecake, carrot spice cheesecake, and New York Style Cream Cheesecake.
Gourmet gift presentations come in designer sets and packages that serve as a lasting remembrance. They can be placed in tin cans, baskets or cases/towers.

Have a friend who’s under the weather? Looking for get well gifts for someone special but cannot afford to spend a bundle? No problem on either score because Sugarpoke can help with get well gifts and cheap gift ideas that will bring big smiles without big cost.

 

Sugarpoke.com is a delicious online merchant where you can find plenty of delicious cheap gift ideas. You can order some sweet get well gifts for your loved one for the same amount that you’d spend for one of those luxury cards. Select a “sugarpoke” from a tasty array including chocolate Belgian chocolates, brownies, gingerbread, cookies, cakes and even good, old-fashioned sweets but with a new twist!

 

Your edible get well gifts come with a funky greeting card inscribed with your own message written during online checkout. Then it’s nestled in vivid red tissue paper and delivered in a letterbox-friendly container within three to five days – for free. That’s right f-r-e-e. That’s another big plus when you’re looking for cheap gift ideas.

 

Of course, if there’s an urgent need for a little sugar love, you can upgrade to next working day delivery for only £4.99. There’s even delivery on a Saturday for £9.99

 

Why not perk up your sick friend with a simply divine “Truffle Shuffle?” This indulgent mixture of Belgian chocolate truffles includes two Champagne Truffles, two Milk Praline Truffles and two Dark Ganache Truffles in a glossy white ballotin finished with red ribbon. As far as get well gifts go, you couldn’t get anything more delicious!

 

In case your friend can’t decide which chocolate to enjoy first, the “Truffle Shuffle” comes with an “Undecided” dice marked with yes, no and maybe? A throw of the dice can choose for them.

 

If it’s a bit of a nip they need, consider the “Hearty Poke.” That’s six of the finest Belgian chunky milk chocolate hearts made from 100 percent cocoa butter. Half are filled with cream ganache and a hint of alcohol and the other half carry soft hazelnut praline. Should a stronger dosage be required, then choose “Intoxicated,” a full six of the ganache-and-alcohol-filled Belgian milk chocolate hearts.

 

Perhaps one of the best get well gifts for an ailing chocoholic is the classic “Knock Me For Six,” containing six luxury solid chocolate hearts wrapped in red foil, simply waiting to be unwrapped and devoured.

 

Still need cheap gift ideas for get well gifts? How about some “Nice Mice,” six of the finest milk chocolates shaped like funky little squealers, or perhaps “Yummy Love,” six of Belgium’s finest milk chocolate in chunky heart shape and filled with soft hazelnut praline.  One of these cheap gift ideas is bound to set hearts racing.

 

Speaking of racing, here’s gift that goes beyond get well and past, shall we say, less expensive expressions? It’s Naughty But Nice Lip Gloss, something sweet for her lips in little pots designed like cupcakes that smell as yummy as if they were the real lip-smacking deal. Small enough to carry in a handbag or pocket, this wonderful lip balm will keep lips soft and delectably kissable. Flavours include raspberry cream, strawberry cream, wild berry tart, cream tart chocolate cream puff, and chocolate sprinkle.

With Father’s Day just a few short weeks away, thoughts of finding a gift for Dad may be getting a little more urgent as the day quickly approaches. If you don’t want to be rushing out at the last minute to buy a gift certificate, consider something a little more personal and original. Consider centering your present around your father’s favorite pastime, such as fishing. If he’s a proud angler, he would be thrilled, as well as proud, to receive a handsome fishing gift basket for Dad.

Fishing gift baskets are a unique gift idea that will award any fisherman with his biggest catch of the day. Baskets can be filled with snacks that include anything from cheese and crackers to pretzels and candy to help stave off those hunger pains on Dad’s next fishing trip. Just imagine the look on his face when your favorite man first sets eyes on a fishing creel full of snacks and goodies for himself and his fishing buddies! Not only can this gift stave off hunger pains for the anglers, but can also include novelties like a fishing photo frame so Dad can display his prize winning fish for all to see. A fishing cooler cup would come in handy or even a ruler made especially for measuring that trophy catch as soon as it comes out of the water. There are a variety of items that can be included in a basket so that it is tailor made just for your dad.

Whether Dad plans to spend his Father’s Day at home with the family or out on the water fishing, start his day off with a smile by giving him a gift with his exclusive interests in mind. Make it his most memorable Father’s Day yet with a fishing gift basket for Dad.