Savings From The Kitchen
Savings From The Kitchen
By Original Author: Kris Boulton, Saline County | Adapted for Blog: Pamela Luker,
Pope County
What do you think about when you think about the holidays?
When I think about the holidays, I think about getting busy in the kitchen. Making food-related gifts for friends and family is a fun way to share your creative side and put a personal touch on the holiday season.
Think of these "gifts from the kitchen" or Savings from the Kitchen as something you can make at home for your family to enjoy. To save money you may have many items in your pantry and will not require a trip to the store. This is also a good time to share special family items so your love ones can start enjoying family treasures in their homes.
How can making holiday gifts from your kitchen help your budget?
It is that time of year where our sense of giving sometimes takes over and we find ourselves looking at our lists and wondering how on earth we will be able to stick to a budget.
We know there are all kinds of sweet treats that can be expensive recipes to make during the holiday season. There are cookies in a jar or brownies in a bag and more desserts than we can imagine. Try putting together some of these budget friendly gifts that most are healthier and many supplies are in your pantry. The collection of recipes shared are:
- Vegetarian Black Bean Chili Mix
- Apricot Bread Mix
- No Salt Spice Blend
- Everything Bagel
- Nut Brittle
- Holiday Breakfast Bread
This year if you are unable to be together due to COVID-19, you can prepare the Holiday Breakfast Bread and make a porch drop off. This bread is good out of the oven and reheats well. By preparing a main breakfast dish you can will be a part of Christmas morning with family.
Along with making one of the gift recipes why not share it in a special family item. This can be something a family member used and you have a special memory attached with the item. You can write a note about your memory on a card.
For me one of these treasures is a funnel. It was my grandmother’s then my mother’s canning funnel. They used it to home can vegetables from the garden to feed us during the winter.
This is a very inexpensive piece of metal but to me it is priceless because of the memories. When I pass this family treasure down to the next generation it will be transfer of non-titled personal property. This is simply sharing property that does not require a title.
These smaller items can cause family fights. If you can share the items with holiday gifts you may help your family lessen the chance of arguments in the future. That is a wonderful gift.
Along with being a wonderful gift it does not cost you anything to share. No cost items are always budget friendly.
If you would like more information on transfer of non-titled personal property or estate planning, go to our website:
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/personal-finance/retirement-and-estate-planning/
Enjoy your homemade holidays!
- 1 cup raw nuts
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon margarine or butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Combine raw nuts, sugar, corn syrup and salt in a deep 2 quart glass bowl prepared with cooking spray.
- Microwave on high for 8 minutes, stirring well after 4 minutes.
- Stir in margarine, vanilla and baking soda until light and foamy.
- Pour onto sprayed aluminum foil and spread with dull knives.