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Baked Gifts
So Many Goodies – What Will You Serve?
Yes, it is time to start thinking about what you are going to bake for the holiday season. Today's goal is to make a list in your notebook of all the things you want to make during the holiday season. Divide your list into items to give away and items to have to snack on or serve during the Christmas season. Also, make a notation as to what date you need to have these items made by and if they can be a "Freezer Treasure" (can be made ahead in whole or part and frozen).
The Cupboards Are Bare – What Do You Need?
Once you have gathered all your Christmas recipes you will be using now is the time to make your grocery list.
Make a list of all your items – make a mark next to things you already have as staples in your cabinet that you will not likely need to purchase (things like milk, spices, etc.). As you are making your list divide it into two columns – Long Term and Short Term.
Items under the Long Term section should include items you can begin purchasing NOW. These items will be things that do not go bad by storing them. This includes items that can be placed in the freezer such as butter, items in cans, and items that have a long shelf life.
Items under the Short Term section should include items that must be purchased near the time they are used, such as fresh fruit, buttermilk, etc.
Now that you have, your items separated out – lets go shopping!
To the Market We Go . . .
Now that you know what you are making and have made your grocery lists, it is time to go shopping. Make a note of what the earliest date is that you need your ingredients. Now count back by how many trips to the grocery store you will be making until then. Divide that number by the number of ingredients on your Long Term section. Each time you go to the store have this list with you and pick up a few more items.
Example: I plan to do cookie baking on December 1. I go to the store once a week, which gives me 9 more shopping trips before my first baking day. I have 45 ingredients on my long-term list – this means I need to purchase 5 items off my list each time I go to the store.
Now for your short-term (perishable) items. Take a calculated guess as to the approximate cost of all your items on this list. Then divide that by your number of shopping trips left. When you are at the store do one of 2 things – either purchase a gift card for that store for your amount or have an envelope you put the money into to purchase as you need them during December.
Example: I have 9 trips left and I estimate my cost to be about $45 for perishable items such as milk, eggs, fresh fruits, etc. so I will add $5 to my Kroger Gift card exclusively for baking.
Yes, it is time to start thinking about what you are going to bake for the holiday season. Today's goal is to make a list in your notebook of all the things you want to make during the holiday season. Divide your list into items to give away and items to have to snack on or serve during the Christmas season. Also, make a notation as to what date you need to have these items made by and if they can be a "Freezer Treasure" (can be made ahead in whole or part and frozen).
The Cupboards Are Bare – What Do You Need?
Once you have gathered all your Christmas recipes you will be using now is the time to make your grocery list.
Make a list of all your items – make a mark next to things you already have as staples in your cabinet that you will not likely need to purchase (things like milk, spices, etc.). As you are making your list divide it into two columns – Long Term and Short Term.
Items under the Long Term section should include items you can begin purchasing NOW. These items will be things that do not go bad by storing them. This includes items that can be placed in the freezer such as butter, items in cans, and items that have a long shelf life.
Items under the Short Term section should include items that must be purchased near the time they are used, such as fresh fruit, buttermilk, etc.
Now that you have, your items separated out – lets go shopping!
To the Market We Go . . .
Now that you know what you are making and have made your grocery lists, it is time to go shopping. Make a note of what the earliest date is that you need your ingredients. Now count back by how many trips to the grocery store you will be making until then. Divide that number by the number of ingredients on your Long Term section. Each time you go to the store have this list with you and pick up a few more items.
Example: I plan to do cookie baking on December 1. I go to the store once a week, which gives me 9 more shopping trips before my first baking day. I have 45 ingredients on my long-term list – this means I need to purchase 5 items off my list each time I go to the store.
Now for your short-term (perishable) items. Take a calculated guess as to the approximate cost of all your items on this list. Then divide that by your number of shopping trips left. When you are at the store do one of 2 things – either purchase a gift card for that store for your amount or have an envelope you put the money into to purchase as you need them during December.
Example: I have 9 trips left and I estimate my cost to be about $45 for perishable items such as milk, eggs, fresh fruits, etc. so I will add $5 to my Kroger Gift card exclusively for baking.
DON"T EAT THAT!
Make sure your family is aware of what is purchased for your holiday baking! Put a big sign on the area if you have to in order to keep others out of your goodies.
