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Susan M. Morgan, CFCS
County Extension Agent
Family and Consumer Education
Bolivia, NC 28422
December 1998

Gift buying during the holiday season can be frustrating and very stressful. A lot of us wait until the last minute and this makes what should be a warm feeling turn into a dreadful task. To make this year a little less stressful, here are some inexpensive gifts to make for the kitchen.

Orange peel cut-outs. Make these to use in holiday arrangements, to decorate packages and jars of homemade goodies, or to add to your "tired" potpourris.

1. Wash oranges well with soap and warm water. Cut into quarters.
2. Gently separate peel from orange segments.
3. Flatten peel and cut with mini cookie cutters or cut into shapes with knife. Cut leftover peel into small squares or triangles.
4. Press white side of peel cut-outs into cinnamon (optional).
5. Cover with paper towel and set aside 2 to 3 days to dry. To dry more quickly, place on a pan on top of your refrigerator or freezer. The warm, dry heat will speed the drying process.

   Another gift idea is a holiday apron. Use your imagination and you can create an apron with festive designs on it. Purchase bond paper and holiday fabric and iron on a Christmas scene or whatever you choose or use fabric paints available at local department stores to paint your own design.

   Two more gifts that are easy, inexpensive and taste good are instant spiced tea mix and molasses crinkles.

   Instant Spiced Tea Mix

   2 cups powdered orange drink
   1 cup instant tea mix
   1-1/2 cups sugar
   1 package lemon powdered drink mix
   1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
   1 teaspoon ground cloves
   

   Mix all ingredients together and store in a closed jar. Include this information on a gift card: Combine 2 teaspoons tea mix to 1 cup boiling water.

   Molasses Crinkles 1 cup packed brown sugar
   3/4 cup shortening
   1/4 cup molasses
   1 egg
   2-1/4cups all-purpose flour
   2 teaspoons baking sod
   1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
   1 teaspoon ground ginger
   1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
   1/4 teaspoon salt
   a granulated sugar
   

   Mix brown sugar, shortening, molasses, and egg. Mix in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Cover and refrigerate at least 12 hours. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls. Dip tops in granulated sugar. Place balls sugared side up about 3 inches apart in lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake just until set, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove immediately from cookie sheet. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

   For more information call Susan Morgan, CFCS at the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Bolivia at 253-2610 or address your request to her at P. O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422.

   The information presented is for educational purposes only. References to trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

   Please e-mail Susan Morgan, CFCS, County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Education for further information or assistance.

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   Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

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   Date Created 2/5/99
   Last Revised 2/5/99