DIY Christmas gifts

This time of the year is always awesome! There is just a certain something in the air that makes you feel instantly at ease with the world. I love December, I love all the Christmas hype and anticipation leading up to the day. I’m also one of those people that kind of goes overboard on the present front. I feel that there are only a few occasions during the year that you can 100% do that and for me, it’s Christmas and birthdays.

Now I also know that it’s very easy to spend a lot of money at this time of year without realising it, which can leave you feeling anything but happy. It’s easy to want to make the pile under the tree look as big as possible, but there are a few things that you can do to kind of ease the load on your back pocket. Today in conjunction with Gumtree I’m going to share one or two tips on how to be financially savvy when it comes to Christmas presents. Yes, I’m talking about DIY Christmas gifts.

This year I did a couple of things differently. For one I got Nina and Rex to help me make wrapping paper, which was a really fun activity for everyone involved. Also, I hate how much wrapping paper costs, you’re spending money on something that is literally going to be torn to shreds and then chucked away.

What you will need for this is either some brown packaging paper or sheets of plain white A3 paper. Some paints, pens or crayons and then just a bit of imagination.

Another thing I landed up doing this year is making personalised gifts for both sets of grandparents that I know they will love. I got NJ to draw them together with her and Rex and then I framed them. Each one was unique and I personally think that there is nothing quite as awesome as a one-of-a-kind piece of art.

One other thing I made, which I think is super sweet and a little unexpected is little festive jars of homemade sweets with personalised labels for each member of my family and today I’m going to share the recipe I used to make this very colourful and super tasty, not to mention 100% South African themed Zoo Biscuit Fudge.

I came across the recipe on the Your Family blog, I actually think Kate( the very talented person behind The Kate Tin) came up with it, so thanks for that! I then adapted it slightly and Bob’s your Uncle, Zoo Biscuit Fudge for everyone!

There are a few reasons why this is a good idea – it’s fun to make, nice to look at, unexpected and really nice to eat! I had to stop snacking on it while I was packing jars otherwise I wouldn’t have had any left to give. And the smell….AAAAAAAAAAA….it smells just like Christmas, make it and you’ll see what I mean 🙂

All you’re going to need for this recipe is…

INGREDIENTS:

· 475 grams castor sugar

· 180ml cream

· 1/4 cup condense milk

· 30ml butter

· A pinch salt

· 150g marshmallows

·A packet of Zoo Biscuits, chopped up into pieces. Don’t break them too much so you can still see what they are 🙂

· 100s & 1000s, for sprinkling on top

· Medium sized glass jars, homemade tags

DIRECTIONS:

1. Line a 20cm square pan with baking paper.
2. Combine you castor sugar, cream, condensed milk, butter and salt in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Bring to a rapid boil then cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Then remove it from heat and stir in marshmallows until melted.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and then take your chopped up Zoo Biscuits and push them lightly into the top of the fudge. Add your 100s & 1000s and viola!
5. Leave it to cool at room temperature for about 2 hours or until set then cut it into 20 pieces or squares.
6. Fill up a jar and decorate the outside with tags, ribbons, Xmas balls and love.