HELP! Need CHEAP, fast and easy food gift ideas

[TPCShauna]

Last year, hardly anyone in my office did gifts for each other so I didn't plan anything for this year (I was very new last Christmas).

Well, it is now Tuesday and I have received a gift from several people and have been told that others will be bringing theirs' in later this week.

My problem is that I am on a very tight budget, both $$ and time-wise and need to come up with something CHEAP, fast and easy that I can make tomorrow or Thursday evening.

I have several mason jars and have been looking at jar mixes on various sites but the ingredients add up pretty fast for stuff like cookies. I was thinking some sort of drink mix but I don't know of any that are really good.

Please post your jar mixes, easy jelly recipes, snacky items, or candy bark recipes that make a nice presentation and don't look like I waited until the last minute (even though I did!)

TIA!!!

 

[Dismom+two]

If you already have jars...what about finding someplace..TARGET FOR INSTANCE has them on sale, 2bags for $4..chocolate (Hershey kisses of all kinds) and fill the jars. I ALWAY love to get just a "candy jar" filled with Chocolate.

I am actually doing this for a couple of people at work.

Just a thought.

 

[MazdaUK]

Or how about decorating a jar for each person using scrap stash (bet you have one or two bits around ) for people to use as savings jars for vacations or something, or as fine jars if they're on a diet (put in money if they eat something naughty)?

 

[happycampers]

Shauna,

I posted a couple of ideas on your budget board thread. There is also a budget board thread someone started with a microwave peanut brittle recipe. Looks like she's had a few respond who tried it and liked it. Sounds pretty easy.

 

[lynxstch]

and very addictive..you can make 2 large cookie sheets full for very little $

for ONE sheet...

1 1/2 sleeves saltine crackers
2 sticks butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 bag chocolate chips
chopped nuts (optional)

preheat oven to 400..line large cookie sheet with tin foil...place saltine crackers side by side on pan, breaking ones at the end to fit in if necessary..on top of stove, in pan, melt 2 sticks butter with 1 cup brown sugar..stir..bring to boil..boil 1 min...pour over the saltines..spread with spatula if necessary..bake 5 min..remove from oven..immediately sprinkle bag chocolate chips on the crackers/toffee (caution..this is VERY HOT)
place in oven for a minute or so to soften chocolate chips..remove from oven..spread with knife or spatula to cover evenly..if desired, sprinkle with chopped nuts..chill
break into pieces...

VERY ADDICTING..I kept grabbing pieces every time I walked by the container..so I had to make another sheetfull

 

[mrp4352]

Spiced Oyster Crackers (our family's favorite!!!)

2 bags/boxes of oyster crackers
1 cup oil
2 tablespoons dill weed
2 tablespoons lemon pepper
1 package dried ranch dressing mix
1 tablespoon garlic powder (can subsitute garlic salt)

Preheat oven to 220. Add all seasonings to oil and stir, then pour over oyster crackers - stir to coat. Bake for 20 minutes, stopping twice to stir oyster crackers.

Fantastic fresh from the oven - wonderful room temp.