Gifts from the Heart and Hearth

“During this holiday season, may God’s peace and joy surround you as we celebrate the birth of Christ!” (From an old Christmas card)

One of my favorite traditions during the holidays is making homemade and edible gifts for family and friends. Gifts from the hearth (a/k/a the kitchen) are also gifts from the heart, because they are always made with love. The fun and creativity continue during the packaging process as I like to use a variety of containers, such as old tins from thrift stores, boxes that have been covered in cloth or paper, baskets adorned with garland and berries, and pretty glass bowls or jars. To make them even more festive, I also decorate them with Christmas tissue paper, soft tulle, colored plastic wrap, raffia, silk flowers or fabric remnants, and glitter.

Probably the best part of this holiday tradition is giving away these goodies to unsuspecting recipients. I still remember the sweet little tears that seeped out of a homebound neighbor’s eyes when my son and I surprised her with a visit and a decorated tin of Christmas cookies.

The true essence is that we receive so much more than the folks we bestow our creative, homemade treasures on. I think this must be how God feels when he sees how much we appreciate and adore the precious Gift that He gave to us so long ago, found wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger.

To see some great ideas and recipes for homemade gifts to give to loved ones on your Christmas list, click here to read the Busy Moms Recipes Christmas newsletter.