Holiday Gift Baskets, Christmas Gifts Delivered

Just by exploring different avenues of your imagination, you can come up with many ideas for making the perfect Christmas basket. To begin with, you need to first decide who you are creating the gift basket for. Next you want to get an idea of something that person really likes. A gift basket that is put together with a certain person in mind according to what they like, shows you put forth an effort to picking out the perfect gift. You will find that the baskets are more appreciated if you spend a little time on putting them together.

For example, if you are putting together a gift basket for your thirteen year old niece, and her favorite things are makeup and music, you have many different ways to go. You could start off with picking out her favorite bottle of perfume, and then add several different shades of nail polish. You could then pick out a large bottle of fruity bubble bath, since this is a favorite of most young women. Find out her favorite music artist and finish the basket off with a couple CD’s by her favorite artist.

If you are putting together gift baskets for a large number of family members, or acquaintances, you may want to consider cooking. You could whip up a batch of homemade peanut brittle and wrap pieces individually. Next you can make your famous chocolate brownies. Chocolate chip cookies are another holiday favorite as well as hand decorated sugar cookies. Amish friendship bread can finish the basket off. Wrap your homemade goodies in red and green plastic wrap. Finish off the baskets by adding holiday bows. This way you can kill two birds with one stone. You just make enough goodies to fill several baskets at once.

Should you need a holiday gift basket for an office party, you could start off with a nice bottle of Chardonnay. You could then add several apples and oranges to the basket. Next, add some green and red seedless grapes for color, and to keep with the theme. Finish the basket with a chocolate dipping sauce and strawberries.

What about needing a gift basket for a male teenager? Most all teenage boys these days have some sort of gaming system that rules the TV after homework is done. You are going to want to find out what type of game system they have and a name of a game they may be interest in. Start you basket with that game. The newest rage with teenage boys after gaming systems is magazines about the games. These magazines contain codes that allow them to find different passageways to the games. Add a gaming magazine to your basket. Next, you can pick out a tee shirt that you think he would like. You can finish the gift basket with his favorite cologne.

These are just a few ideas on putting together the perfect holiday gift basket. You can come up with a million more yourself. Keep in mind that people all like different things. If you design a basket according to the persons likes, you will get an instantaneous smile. This will make the person feel special that you took the time to put together a basket just for them. The holidays are about making people feel special.

Click here to shop now!

What Are Gift Baskets?

One might ponder on why gift baskets are such popular gifts nowadays. You can immediately see what exactly you are getting, which is totally different from the usual process of getting a present – all the excitement and the thrill of tearing open the wrapping papers and then only knowing what you are getting, so what could be so nice about getting gift baskets? As the entire gift items in a gift basket can be seen, there’s just not much to say even though gift baskets are usually gorgeously packaged.

In the past, baskets were woven using suitable resources that could be obtained conveniently. These baskets were used to collect fruits and other food, and hunters used them to store their catch of the day. This could very well be the reason why baskets are used to present gifts nowadays, as they had once been used to present natural gifts such as fruit, flowers and other types of food that can easily spoil.

The Biblical tale of discovering three-month old baby Moses in a basket made of bulrushes among the tall grass by the riverbank was said to be the other version of how it all started. This could very well explain the beginning of the baby gift baskets ideas, followed by the rise of different types of gift baskets.

It is not unusual to come across such baskets being offered for every possible contemporary holiday or event. Hence, we now have them for Easter, Fathers’ Day, Mothers’ Day, baby showers, anniversaries and even sympathy baskets for those who have just lost a loved one. Truly, this industry now spans the plethora of occasions from womb to tomb!

More choices of gift baskets are available if you prefer to look for the ones that are based on the differences in content. There are baskets filled with the highest quality fruits from the vine for the wine expert, baskets containing pate foie gras, caviar and orange blossom honey for the fine food lover, and whatever your favorite dish or cuisine might be, there certainly will be a basket for you. Anything or everything is possible nowadays – be it Italian food products to junk food and cheesecakes. Everyday occasions might also warrant for various basket contents, which is why the breakfast baskets, barbecues baskets and even baskets holding a selection of designer tea and cookies are readily available nowadays.

Do not forget, however, that a gift basket does not necessarily must consist of products that are strictly edible. Some prefer a mix of flowers and food together, while others might prefer to have baskets that consist of books, massage oils, toys, toiletries, aromatherapy sets and countless other items that are suitable as gift items.

Almost all service providers throw in free delivery with the gift baskets, which is a bonus. Having a pretty and lavish basket right on your doorstep is simply irresistible! What’s even better is that arrangements can be made to send the baskets to the workplace too. It would be a nice surprise for a wife to receive a basket full of flowers and her favorite brand of chocolates on her birthday, despite the daily craziness she has to face at the office.

Free delivery is another good reason to go with gift baskets. Most service providers do provide free delivery services to home, and even workplace! Who wouldn’t like to receive a wonderfully packaged gift baskets right on the steps? Plus, any wife would definitely appreciate getting a gorgeous gift basket full of flowers and her favorite kind of chocolates on her birthday to help her get through the daily office madness.

Gift baskets are definitely suitable for business acquaintances, for when you want your gifts to stand out from the rest or when you can’t really decide on which spices would best please your landlady. However, for that very special someone in your life, there is nothing more perfect than a gift that you had carefully picked out yourself and wrapped it with love in mind. It is at times like these that it wouldn’t have mattered if the cellophane clashes with the bow on top.

Need of a gift for business acquaintances? Want your gift to stand out from the rest? Don’t know what is your landlady’s favorite spice? Get a gift basket! However, choosing a gift for a loved one cannot be treated in the same manner. Much more love and affection is needed to find that perfect gift for that very special someone of yours, a gift that had been chosen and wrapped with love that it wouldn’t have mattered if the cellophane clashes with the bow on top.

If this still can’t help you in making that decision, it is best to stick to the old but wise advice – it’s the thought that counts.

Rene Lacape enjoys shopping just like some people do. But for him, this is more than a hobby but a paying job too . He has been doing this job for years now and he is still enjoying it well. To book for his availability, kindly check his website anytime.

Click here to shop now!

What Are Gift Baskets? Gift Baskets are big, beautifully wrapped presents with surprise gifts tucked inside!

"To the Gift Basket Sales Staff, I just wanted to let you know that I was so pleased that you were able to deliver the Gourmet Food and Fresh Fruit Picnic Basket so quickly. Your turn around time was impressive and greatly appreciated. Many thanks and well done! Until our next order, best regards, Julie Nathanson"

Adorable Gift Baskets offers gift solutions for every corporate or personal gift-giving event such as sympathy, get well, thank you and holidays.

Buy Gift Baskets filled with specialty foods, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, chocolates, snacks, fresh baked cookies or a relaxing spa.

Find unique gifts , gift baskets and nifty gift ideas that folks will flip over! Buy a gift, perfect present or festive gift basket for everyone on your gift list. Browse hundreds of unique, all occasion gift ideas for everyone!

Looking for the perfect gift? Then send a gift basket. Gift baskets make gift giving easy, fun and memorable. Our unique gift baskets, gourmet food packages, fresh fruit baskets, sweets and treats are perfect gifts for business associates, friends, family, and kids too!

Adorable Gift Baskets offers a huge selection of the finest gift baskets for all occasions. Find the perfect corporate gift baskets to build strong business relationships with your most important clients and employees, leave unique lasting impressions and expressions of client and employee appreciation.

Discover unique gift basket themes and gift ideas for holiday, get well, thank you, new baby, birthday, wedding, pamper, sports, new home, children and more.

Add freely to your shopping cart. You are never charged until you have throughly reviewed and approved your order.

Gift Basket Themes include new arrivals, kids, gifts for her, gifts for him, sports, golf, fishing, football, baseball, weddings, Christmas, over the hill birthdays, baby showers, Mother's day, Father's day, Easter, Valentine's day and gifts for all events and occasions.

Theme gift baskets are filled with various assortments of gourmet food, tasty snacks, crackers, cheese, fresh fruit, tea or coffee, cookies, sweets and treats, nuts, popcorn, books, relax and pamper spa gifts, festive balloons, bouquets, candles, plants and gifts.

Find Gift Baskets with items such as gourmet food, chocolates, fresh fruit, cookies, snacks, bath and body gifts, new baby and mom gifts, sports theme gifts, keepsakes, plants or flowers.

Winter Gift Baskets

December Holiday Gifts

Holiday Gift Guide

Christmas

New Year's Day

Valentine's Day

St. Patrick's Day

Spring Gift Baskets

Easter

Administrative

Mother's Day

Father's Day

| Happy Birthday Ideas |
| Appreciation, Gratitude |
| Babies, Baby Shower |
| New Home, Real Estate |
| Care Packages, College |
| Thinking Of You |
| Engagement, Romance |
| Executive, Client |
| For Him, Man, Men |
| For Her, Woman, Women |
| Christmas, Holidays |
| Snack Baskets, Boxes |
| Food Gifts, Boxes |
| Italian, Pasta, Food |
| Chocolates |
| Tea Gifts, Teapots |
| Coffee, Cocoa, Coffee |
| Cookie Baskets, Tins |
| Roses, Plants |
| Spa, Stress Relief |
| Catalog, Directory |
| Picnic, Totes, Hamper |
| Garden, Gardener's |
| Sports, Golf, Fishing |
| New Mother Gift |
| Boxed Gift Sets |
| Breakfast Food, Trays |
| Mail Order Gifts|
| Theme Gift Baskets |
| The Origin Of Gift Baskets|

"I wanted to thank you for your very prompt attention. My order concern was handled efficiently and promptly with little frustration and difficulty and as this was the first time I have ordered anything on the internet this left a very good impression with me. In future when ordering a gift, I will certainly keep your company in mind and let others know you have a great selection of interesting gifts and your customer service is excellent. Best regards," - K. Leigh Cornish, (B.C.). ... read more


Click here to view our best selling gift baskets!

Gift baskets delivered; Valentines Day, Easter baskets, Mothers Day, holiday gift baskets

Valentine's Day gift baskets delivered. Romantic Valentine gift delivery. Search Adorable gift baskets to find romantic Valentine gifts and unique gift ideas.

Gourmet food gift baskets, care packages, and gift boxes of food, chocolate, snacks, fruit, cookies, candy, tea and coffee make great holiday gifts.

Find gift baskets for men, women, children and new babies. Reward customers, friends and family who make things happen for you!

Adorable Gift Baskets offers fast mail order gift basket delivery. Enjoy secure, hassle free gift basket shopping in the privacy and safety of home or office.

Adorable Gift Baskets delivers unique gift baskets, upscale gifts, presents and care packages. For example, fruit gift baskets make perfect gifts. Surprise someone special with a fresh fruit basket or welcome a new neighbor with a basket of fruit.

Find luxury gift baskets to say thanks, get well or thinking of you. Gift baskets filled with gourmet food, snacks, fruit and fresh baked gourmet cookies make perfect gifts for real estate closings and all occasions.

Relaxing gift baskets filled with pamper spa products, scented lotion, bath salt, bath spray, shower gel, and candles help melt away the stress and cares of the day. Treat her to a comforting bath and body gift basket.

Find unique gift baskets for new neighbors, college students or a going away gift basket. Gift baskets, thoughtfully selected and visually uplifting, touch the heart as no other gift.

Whatever the occasion, Adorable Gift Baskets offers the most memorable gift baskets, presents, gift giving solutions and unique gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list.

Shop our gourmet food pantry for an incredible selection of gourmet food gift baskets and delectable food gifts. Passionate about chocolate? You'll simply love our chocolate gifts filled with exquisite chocolates from around the world, beautifully wrapped and ready for gift giving.

Show someone you thought of them today with an impromptu gift basket from the heart. Perhaps they have a sweet tooth or prefer something savory. Take a look at our fresh baked cookies , delicious food baskets, snacks and chocolates.

Click here to shop now!

Gift baskets, thoughtfully selected and visually uplifting, touch the heart as no other gift.

"I would like to take this time to wish you and your family and everyone at Adorable Baskets a very Happy New Year. I will definitely be a return customer, and will tell my friends and family about Adorable Baskets and the excellent service I received. Best regards, Mark Madden"

Welcome to Adorable Gift Baskets - Where You'll Find Superior Gift Baskets for Every Person - Every Occasion!

When it comes to selecting a gift for someone special or to celebrate a certain occasion, it's easy to get lost while sifting through the never-ending common day gifts available at many gift sites. We all find ourselves searching frantically for just the right gift, only to feel pressured to buy similar items year after year.

That's why Adorable Gift Baskets was started. With our one-stop shopping for creative, affordable gift baskets, your recipients will see you as someone who makes an honest effort to select a gift that's just right for everyone on your list. With everything from baby shower baskets to get well baskets to show your thoughtfulness, to corporate gift baskets that can help create a professional image for your company, you'll find all the gifts you need without breaking the bank.

Food gift baskets by Adorable Gift Baskets contain mouth-watering goodies such as chocolates, gourmet coffee, herbal tea, sausages, sweet snacks, salty snacks, and more. Our fruit gift baskets come in lovely arrangements to provide a colorful, healthy gift option for anyone who's watching their diet. Our delectable food baskets can satisfy any need for folks of all ages. Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and showers are the perfect occasions for food gift baskets. New mothers, teens, small children, the middle-aged, and seniors all enjoy receiving a beautifully-arranged gift basket filled with their favorite snacks.

For baby showers, it's easy to find just the right baby gift basket filled with items every baby (and mother) should have. Baby gift baskets come with necessities for baby as well as fun stuff for the new mom. You'll find baskets with plush toys and teddy bears, baby sleepers, wipes, rattles, bottles, baby blankets, baby photo frames, baby books, and other delightful gifts. Our baby gift baskets can accommodate a boy or girl shower, or neutral colors if the gender of the baby is not yet known. You'll arrive at any baby shower with confidence when ordering a baby gift basket from Adorable Gift Baskets.

While shopping at Adorable Gift Baskets, you'll see all sorts of gifts such as floral arrangements, gift tins, gift boxes, and even cornucopias filled with lovely flowers for fall. But what we're most proud of is the amazing quality and variety found in our occasional gift basket offerings. Besides baby shower gift baskets, you'll find unique gift baskets for chocoholics (even a few for diabetics), housewarming gifts, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, and graduations. You can celebrate any occasion with fruit, chocolates, cheeses, sparkling apple cider, gourmet foods, or relaxing bath and spa gifts. Discover fine presents for realtors, men or women that have recently received a job promotion, high school or college graduates, and others.

Spark romance with your spouse by sending one of our romantic gift baskets for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or any time you want to express your deep affection for him/her. And for holidays, you'll never be stumped again to find that special gift. Adorable Gift Baskets has gifts categorized by holiday to make shopping easy. Look for gifts to fit any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Halloween, Grandparents Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, Secretary's Day, St. Patrick's Day, or even National Boss Day! Your gift selections will never be easier with holiday gifts baskets available year round.

Other baskets you'll find at Adorable Gift Baskets include humorous gift baskets such as "Over the Hill" themes, cute get well baskets with bears that are wearing bandages or crutches, and “breakfast in bed” baskets. You'll also find some great last-minute gifts with fast shipping options to meet your delivery needs.

Among our tasty gift baskets, you'll find gifts for that loved one who enjoys exotic foods or specialty treats. Adorable Gift Baskets offers Italian food baskets, cookie baskets, fruit and nut baskets, Ghirardelli chocolate baskets, herbal tea baskets, health food baskets, epicurean baskets, hors d'oevres trays, and even organic food baskets. These delightful surprises make the perfect take-along gifts for picnics, office parties, holiday family gatherings, and other occasions.

When you want to say "Thank you" to a friend or loved one for their kind acts or thoughtfulness, or even for a job well done, Adorable Gift Baskets has a vast selection of thank you baskets to show your appreciation. You can send a thank you basket to let a person know just how important they are to you. Thank you gifts help to create meaningfulness in your relationships, whether it is with friends, employees, relatives, or anyone who has been a blessing to you!

Adorable Gift Baskets invites you to browse our website, look at gift basket photos, and read about all the goodies found within each basket. No matter what basket you select or who you plan to send it to, your recipient will absolutely adore their basket filled with all the treats that delight them the most. We want to ensure your satisfaction and their happiness!

Thanks for choosing Adorable Gift Baskets!

Click here to shop now!

Holiday Gift Baskets; An Easy Solution to the Holiday Rush

Ultimate Gourmet Chocolate Gift Basket 
This gourmet chocolate gift basket is filled with everything chocolate. A great personal or corporate gift. A sweet gift idea perfect for sharing with family & friends. Click image for more details

The holidays tend to bring about much stress with tiresome gift shopping and last-minute planning for family get-togethers. It's not easy to pick out that "special" holiday gift for every member of the family, close friends, or co-workers. That's why many shoppers are turning to online gift sources as a solution to the holiday rush. With holiday gift baskets, you can easily shop for that perfect gift while saving time and money.

Holiday gift baskets are filled with delightful treats and holiday favorites such as hot cocoa, chocolate delicacies, crackers, cheese spreads, gourmet foods, wine, and soothing herbal teas.  Years ago, if someone mentioned "holiday gift basket," what might come to mind would be a small inexpensive basket with a couple of treats and maybe a small pouch of coffee or tea. But with the extravagant Christmas basket arrangements today, your loved one will be very impressed with your thoughtful gift.

Today's hand-arranged holiday gift baskets are large and overflowing with specialty gourmet foods and sweets to entice the taste buds. You can choose from high quality holiday gift baskets at prices ranging anywhere from $35 to $180 depending on the types of goodies inside. The baskets are decorative for the holiday season with bows and elegant designs, and the foods and treats are fresh and mouth-watering.

Holiday gift baskets can be ordered online at any time, day or night, and shipping or delivery is usually very affordable. You can have gift baskets delivered to your home or directly to your friend or loved one. If you have several friends or relatives that are difficult to buy for, a holiday gift basket stuffed with goodies they enjoy would be an easy solution. You won't have to go from store to store desperately seeking their gifts. You can pick and choose from hundreds of select Christmas food gift baskets online to suit their taste.

One thing you'll notice at Adorable Gift Baskets is we strive to arrange a variety of holiday gift baskets with different blends of foods and treats to satisfy any gift recipient.  The holidays can be a blessing... not a headache, when you give a delightful holiday gift basket from the heart!

Click here to shop now!

The Personal Side of Christmas: How to Write a Christmas Newsletter

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. For some it is very religious. For others it is filled with magic. For many, however, Christmas can be filled with tension and anxiety. The shopping at the Malls can be absolutely exhausting. Writing Christmas cards to people we can barely remember often seems like a drudge. And the Newsletter? What do I say?

Do you find yourself dreading the Christmas season? Does the thought of shopping for cards and sending handwritten messages make your hands sweat? How does one keep things personal, without getting writer's cramp? What do you say to each and every recipient in every single card? Perhaps now is the time to organize your thoughts, and keep in touch through a Christmas Newsletter.

A Christmas Newsletter can be a wonderful experience, and it is a way for others to know what is happening in your life, and in the lives of your family. However, a Christmas Newsletter can also embrace the recipients, as you include your feelings about them. This can be generalized, yet still remain personal. You don't have to give names or try to fit too much on one page. Here are some basic rules for writing a newsletter:

• Be brief. For a Christmas Newsletter to be welcome, you don't want to bore people with pages and pages. Stick to one page of information. If you want to include pictures, keep the Newsletter to two pages. If you find yourself going on and on, remember, a good edit is a writer's best friend.

• Be humble. "Look what I did!" or "Look how smart my kids are" is bragging, and no one likes a braggart. Celebrate your life with thanksgiving. Remember for every success, there has been someone along the way who has encouraged and inspired you. You couldn't have done it without them. Say so. Some good examples of a thankful message might be: "I feel blessed to have received a promotion." Or "thankfully, Johnnie has successfully completed his first semester at college."

• Include the reader. Yes you can do that without mentioning names. For example, "it is so wonderful to have the family gathered together again. Wish you were here." Another inclusive example could be: "It's great to have our family gathered; however Christmas is not the same without you." Nothing warms the heart of your reader like knowing he or she is missed.

• Get in touch with your feelings. Think about each person who has blessed your life. If they have not been a blessing, then why are you including them? Do not stir the pot of discontent. I'm a firm believer that Newsletters should be sent only to those who mean something to you or perhaps to someone who really needs a friend.

• Include a brief personal message. Nothing says "I care about you," quite like something personal. Write in pen, at the top, "John" or "Dear Sara." And at the end include a personal line, such as, "John, I miss you, especially at Christmas," or "Sara, I still have that lovely needlepoint you gave to me. I miss you more than ever."

Few people enjoy the expensive Christmas card with a typed signature, even if it is printed in gold. A Christmas Newsletter needs to be an invitation of two hearts to be joined as one. So give it all you've got, and do some planning. This is your opportunity to share a blessed celebration of the year. Don't let time and distance stand in your way.

View holiday gift baskets now

Holiday Food Gift Baskets by Adorable Gift Baskets

Holiday Cheer Christmas Gift Basket As sleigh bells ring and carolers sing, holiday shoppers around the nation bombard stores every Christmas season with their shopping lists and wallets in-hand... all searching for those perfect holiday gifts. But thankfully, you don't have to fall victim to the holiday craze. For many of your friends and loved ones, you can easily surprise them with a holiday food gift basket from Adorable Gift Baskets.


Handmade Holiday Cookies Holiday food gift baskets meet every need when it comes to finding the ideal gifts for Christmas. They have all the ingredients to make your recipients smile - treats, soothing coffee or tea, Christmas candies, fruit baskets, or gourmet foods. Each Christmas food gift basket comes specially crafted with the look and feel of holiday cheer. They're decorated with festive Christmas-colored ribbons and bows in a beautifully-designed wicker basket that can be refilled later with potpourri or candy and used as a centerpiece.

If you know someone that's sick and must spend the holidays in the hospital, a holiday food gift basket is sure to add cheer to a dreary hospital room. If you need to find gifts for co-workers or bring a gift for an office party gift auction, you can easily find a holiday food gift basket in just the right size for the occasion.

Holiday Munchies Gift Box At Adorable Gift Baskets, our holiday food gift baskets come in a variety of assortments and sizes. For the chocolate lover, you can delight them with our Rocky Mountain Gourmet Chocolate Basket. It comes with pretzels, nuts, hot cocoa, chocolate almond gems, chocolate hazelnut coffee, chocolate bars, toffee, and other goodies - all bundled in a lovely basket with a red ribbon.

For kids' gifts, you can surprise the "little angels" with our Holiday Stocking basket, filled to the top with peppermint sticks, holiday cookies, chocolates, peppermint cocoa mix, peppermint bark, and classic peppermint candy! Kids will love the stocking, and they can hang it on their mantle for Christmas Eve.


Joyous Holiday Gift Baskets You'll also find other delightful holiday arrangements at Adorable Gift Baskets including our Gingerbread House gift, our Tidings of Joy Gift Tower, a Double Poinsettia Basket, the Dear Santa Holiday Gift Sack, and a Candy Cane Christmas gift box. Our food baskets feature holiday goodies that no one can resist! Browse our holiday food gift basket selection today to discover that wonderful item your loved one will treasure!

Click here to shop now!

Homemade Holiday Candy, Christmas Recipes and Holiday Gift Basket Ideas

Homemade Holiday Candy, By Teresa Opdycke - The joys of the holidays have always included not just eating sweet treats, but the actual making of homemade candy. We would all get together on a cold day in December to share ingredients, funny stories, and memories as our mother shared her expert candy making techniques. For awhile after my mother passed on we continued the tradition of bonding over sugary, chocolaty, sweet creations that tickle the tongue. As we each grew in ways that no one would ever believe possible, we left behind the sweet tradition. It was indeed a wonderful time and I highly recommend getting a few family members or friends together to not just make, but celebrate the holidays with the charming tradition of candy making. The recipes we used came from our mother and from her mother and one from my father. It’s time to turn on the Christmas music, get out the bowls, spatulas and candy thermometer. It’s time to make Christmas candies.

Divinity

Never a favorite of mine, but my sister loved and still loves divinity and makes this candy every year. I’m a chocolate freak, but she’s a lover of the creamy, smooth textured swirls of this divine homemade candy. My mother always admonished us with these bits of advice: If it’s raining or wet outside your divinity will not set up and may be sugary. Do not ever touch the side of the bowl with your wooden spoon or spatula; the results will be sugary candy.

2 cups sugar
½ cup of white Karo
½ cup of water
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped or whole English walnuts or pecans
Boil sugar, Karo, and water together until a little dropped in water turns brittle. (I’ll be perfectly honest here, I’ve never done this. I watched my mother do it many times. So I wish you well!) Pour the syrup over stiffly beaten egg whites. Add chopped nuts if you desire and the vanilla. Beat until your arm feels like it’s going to fall off or the mixture begins to hold a shape. Drop on a buttered platter or parchment paper. Place one pecan or English walnut on top. Color can be added to the white froth for a festive look.

Chocolate Fudge or Mom’s Millionaire

I have no idea why she called this recipe simply millionaire, perhaps because she thought it tasted like a million bucks and so it does. It’s a very rich fudge that comes out creamy and if death by chocolate seems appropriate to you, then you’ll love this recipe. Over the years I’ve toned my chocolate fudge down a bit.

1 pound of chocolate stars (Brach’s makes these star shaped chocolates)
2 packages of tidbits (most people call these chocolate chips, I recommend Nestle’s)
8 ounce jar of marshmallow cream
4 cups granulated sugar
1 can Pet’s Evaporated Milk (I use Carnation, but to this day my sister insists Pet’s is the only canned milk to use for this recipe)
In a large bowl place all the chocolate stars, chocolate chips, and marshmallow cream. (Expect fingers to dip in for a quick taste of chocolate.) In a pan on medium heat add sugar and milk. Bring these ingredients to a boil. Boil for four and a half minutes. Remove from stove and pour over the chocolates. Stir! Stir fast and furious before the fudge begins to set up. I do hope you have an 8x9 pan buttered and ready to pour the fudge into. You might need another small pan; too, depending on how thick you want your pan of fudge to be. You can add nuts to the chocolate in the bowl if your family enjoys nutty fudge. Now for the best part…lick the bowl. There’s nothing more delightful than warm fudge! By the way this recipe makes around 4 pounds of fudge, plenty to give away as gifts.

Peanut Butter Fudge

I enjoy peanut fudge as long as it’s dipped in chocolate. It is a favorite among true peanut butter connoisseurs though and you might enjoy trying it. I’m sure my mother doubled and quadrupled this recipe, there were six of us, there is no way that one pan of fudge would have survived the holiday onslaught of sweet teeth.

2 cups brown sugar
¾ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup peanut butter
Boil sugar and milk until it forms a soft ball when tested in cold water. (I’m not sure, but I think that means it should be syrupy and then set up when it comes in contact with cold water. Fudge making was never an exact science at our house) Once it’s tested, let the mixture cool, add peanut butter and vanilla. Beat until creamy and then pour into a buttered pan.

Penuche

My father’s favorite fudge was penuche, a brown sugar concoction that was always somewhat sugary. Sometime during the holidays he would suddenly decide it was time to make penuche. Off he’d go to the kitchen to make his favorite homemade candy. I have never tried my hand at this fudge, but please be my guest and I hope you find it to be as delicious as he did.

2 cups brown sugar
¾ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup butter
I have no instructions on how to make penuche. I suggest trial and error with a hearty good luck!

These are just a few of my family’s favorite homemade candy recipes. There were many more that we welcomed into the fold like Buckeyes, chocolate covered cherries, pulled taffy, peanut brittle, and white bark. Looking back I don’t think it was the candy that made it all so grand, but the special memories that we created as we stirred, mixed, rolled, and dipped. At the end of the day we each took home containers filled to the brim with candies made from more than just ingredients, made with love. My wish for you is that you discover a wondrous way to celebrate the holidays with family and friends that leaves you with precious holiday memories.

Click here to shop for holiday gift baskets now!

Gift Baskets Delivered; The Selfish Act Of Giving

GIFT BASKET DELIVERY,Find Unique Gift Baskets, Gift Ideas, Presents, Convenient, Online Mail Order Shopping

Buy gift baskets filled with delicious gourmet food, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, snacks, books, chocolates, cookies and goodies are perfect all occasion gifts.

WHAT DO GIFT BASKETS INCLUDE?

Incredible gifts for every occasion! "I wanted to thank you for your very prompt attention. My order concern was handled efficiently and promptly with little frustration and difficulty and as this was the first time I have ordered anything on the internet this left a very good impression with me. In future when ordering a gift, I will certainly keep your company in mind and let others know you have a great selection of interesting gifts and your customer service is excellent. Best regards," - K. Leigh Cornish, (B.C.). Read more >>>


The Selfish Act Of Giving by Laura Tucker

Traditional knowledge tells us the business of gift giving and receiving is built around the old adage, "It's better to give than to receive." As a society of giving people we want to make an acknowledgment to the people in our life of what the relationship means to us, but the act isn't nearly as selfless as it seems.

At first thought giving a gift seems like a selfless act, but once you follow all the thoughts involved, it isn't really selfless after all. There is something you are hoping to gain from it, so it can't be completely selfless. You're doing it so that you will feel good about yourself. Seeing that look on the recipient's face, the immediate knowledge that they've been waiting for this gift or are truly surprised by it, is what we're waiting for. This becomes a gift to ourselves.

When I shop for a gift for someone I try to to find something that let's them know how I connect to them, a symbol of our relationship. This is something they can look back on and say, "Laura really knows me and appreciates the fact that we have this in common." Conversely, it's great to be on the other end and realize your friend or family member cares about you so much that they took the time to find this unique item that you both enjoy. It's a personalized gift that you know was bought just for you.

Often it doesn't even have to be a material gift; an act can mean all the same things. A friend recently had told me no one understood what she wanted on her birthday. She was always cooking dinner for everyone else on their birthday and was hoping someone would finally do it for her. She told her family that's what she wanted most. Yet everyone totally misread what she was looking for and took her out to dinner. While she had a nice dinner and enjoyed their company, it wasn't what she was looking for.

My friend was looking for someone to say I'm listening to what you want. She was looking for someone to put as much into a gift for her as she does for them. I wanted her to know that I was listening and that there was someone out there that truly understood her. I showed up on her doorstep the day of her birthday with a pan of mostaccioli, garlic bread, salad, salad dressing and a bottle of wine. She had told me eating my mostaccioli one time earlier that I could make it for her any time.

The joy on my friend's face was what I was looking and hoping for. She was excited, not that she didn't have to cook dinner for herself, but that someone was willing to make that effort for her. She was also now secure with the knowledge that there was someone out there that understood what she wanted and that truly listened. She told me later that she had told everyone she knew that I had done that for her. She wanted others to know that we were able to connect in that way.

I try to do this for all the gifts I give on Christmas, but the process can sometimes be daunting. We get so busy at that time of the year, and depending on how many people are on a gift list, finding a personalized gift for each person can be time-consuming. Usually some end up being very personalized, some just something I hope the person will enjoy.

But there's always that one gift. There's always that one gift every year I just can't wait until it is opened. This is the one gift I have found that I know will show that I understand and listen. Seeing the look from the recipient of acknowledgment of our relationship and of what I put into finding that particular item is all I need to make the gift worth every penny and every moment that was put into it.

Sure, I enjoy when the same is done for me. I enjoy knowing that someone understands and listens to me as well, but I don't get the same sense of accomplishment when the situation is in reverse. I don't get to pat myself on the back for a job well done. I don't get the validation.

What it comes down to is I'm looking to please myself when I give a great gift. I'm looking to say I set out to do this and accomplished it. I set out to find the perfect gift to show someone I understand and care. It is not at all selfless. I did it for myself in the end run. It is better to give than to receive, and that is because when giving, we're still receiving.

Find Gift Baskets for Women: Spa Gifts, Relaxation Baskets, Pamper, Bath and Body Baskets, Stress Relief Therapy.

Find Gift Basket Ideas For A Man: Sports, Gourmet, Golf, Birthday,Fishing, Gifts for Dad, Husband, Boss, Unique All Occasion Gifts for Men.

Buy Gourmet Food Gift Baskets:Fine Gourmet Food Gift Baskets Gourmet Food Gifts For All Corporate and Personal Gift Giving Occasions

Find Get Well Soon Gift Baskets:
Get Well Gift Baskets, Wishing You Well Gifts of Encouragement, Get Well Books, Fruit, Flowers and Inspirational Gifts

Buy Snack Gift Baskets Chocolate, Fruit, Homemade Cookies, Snacks, Popcorn, Cakes, Brownies, Sweets, Goodies

Same Day Gift Delivery:Last Minute Gift Ideas, Hand Delivered Fruit Baskets, Flowers and Balloons

Send Flowers, Plants, Fruit: Floral Arrangements, Red Roses, Bouquets, Flowering Plants, Fresh Cut Flowers, Pink Roses, Fruit and Flower Baskets

Buy Candle Gift Baskets
Candle Gift Sets, Scented, Romantic, Elegant, Relaxing Candles, Candle Spa Gift Sets