Baking for the Holidays

Some people love to bake and cook all throughout the holiday season while others would love to have someone bake and cook for them. Either way it is very important to plan. If you are one of those who love to cook and bake then consider giving someone on your list whom doesn't several gifts of food during the month of December.

One of my favorite things to do every year is to bake things for other people and to have as a treat at home but sometimes the time it takes to make these goodies can be overwhelming. One of my secrets along with planning out my baking items is to do freezer baking. Many cookie dough's, cakes, pies and even some candies can be made ahead and froze. Even if you do not want to freeze some items you can mix up the dry ingredients ahead of time and they will be ready for you to mix with the wet ingredients and bake. There are definite time savers that you can put into action for your holiday baking with just a little planning and work before December rolls around!

While there are many baking items you can give it is important to think about and plan the following:

What items do you want to give? Narrow it down if possible to one or two items for everyone to help make baking your gifts a little easier.
What type of packaging can you use? Consider using holiday themed baggies, plates, wrap, etc. or maybe pick up glass or pottery plates from a local pottery store. How about filling a Christmas mug with some type of homemade candy or maybe a decorated Pringles can (they make as smaller can and a larger one) - the ideas are endless but you need to decide.
How do you plan to deliver the gifts? Do you need to mail them or are you hand delivering.
When do you plan to deliver/mail your baked gifted? Mark your calendars now!
Think about organizing a day devoted to this task and involve your family and friends followed with a dinner from the crockpot and a few "samples" from your baking gifts for dessert.