Christmas Gift Ideas

Once black Friday hits, I tend to automatically go into stress mode over Christmas shopping. As much as I swear every year to be organized and original, it usually ends up the same as every other year - PJ's for Dad, perfume for Mum, clothes for the brothers and beauty products for little sister. But it's often not your nearest that are the most difficult? I'm often the most stuck on gifts for people such as my boyfriends Mum and sisters, a close neighbour or perhaps the hostess of a festive dinner party.

I, for one, go a little nuts for a personalized gift - anything with my name on it, a pigsback.com birthday card or even a photo collage on Facebook for my birthday. So I know that if someone put together a mini basket of homemade Christmas goodies for me, it would really go down a treat.




Here are a few of my favourite Christmas gift ideas.

Cranberry Sauce

• 200g Fresh Cranberries
• 45ml water
• 200g of sugar

Put all the ingredients into a pot and bring to the boil. Reduce temperature and simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure that the mixture is not sticking. After the 30 minutes are up, whip furiously with a whisk to ensure that all the berries are burst. This quantity should make 2 small jars of cranberry sauce.








Apple and Cranberry Chutney

• 700g of Granny Smiths apples peeled and cored
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 250g fresh cranberries
• 350ml apple cider vinegar
• 200g sugar
• 1tsp ground ginger
• 1tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1tsp ground coriander

Slice the apples into halves. Slice the halves lengthways into smaller pieces. Place the apple pieces and finely chopped onion into a saucepan with all the other ingredients and 2 tsp salt. Heat the mixture until it is simmering quickly. Cook the mixture for 45 minutes, or until the chutney has thickened slightly and the fruit has become soft.  Spoon the mixture into sterilized jars and screw the lids onto the jars tightly. Allow to cool before storing in a cool, dark place.


Mulled Wine Flavoured Caramelized Onions

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 4 finely chopped red onions
• 1 finely chopped white onion
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp of Mulled Wine Spice
• Half tsp of Caraway Seeds

Sautee the onion in a heavy based pan in the oil. When the onion are soft add the vinegar and sugar and leave until they are a stick caramelized goo. Turn town the heat to a gentle simmer and then add the seasoning. Leave to simmer for a further 15 to 20 minutes before leaving to cool and then placing in jars.

For hygiene purposes, heat your oven to 140°C/120°C fan/gas mark 1. Wash the jars in hot, soapy water, then rinse well. Place the jars on a baking sheet and put them in the oven to dry completely. For jams and chutneys, it’s important that mix is still hot when filling the jars. Place a waxed disc directly over the surface to create a seal, then add a lid or secure on a cellophane lid with an elastic band.

I generally tend to use recycled jars as buying jars for the purpose of gifts can be quite expensive. Also using a mis-match of interesting shaped jars with different colour lids can add character to your gift. Soak the jars in warm soapy water until the labels start to lift off. These jars can be decorated using usual gift decorations, gift tags ribbons etc.

Happy Gifting!!!!! :)