Christmas Cheer for Your Co-Workers

Simple gifts for your co-workers can be inexpensive yet thoughtful.

For me and many others, my work family is as much a part of my life as my real family, but adding another 27 people to my Christmas list can get quite costly. Since I have been on a baking bonanza for the last 3 weeks I decided to put together some bite-size treats for my co-workers. Working with materials I already had on hand, I was able to package them in a personalized way to give my “fun-size” treat a special touch, but stay with in a very reasonable budget at right around $25. I decided to take my adorable 2-year old “elf” along with me for the delivery to add the final touch of Christmas cheer before we all head home for the Holiday weekend.

Hand stamped gift tags are inexpensive, but still keep even the smallest of gifts personal and thoughtful.

Packaging Supplies:

• 1 package small clear treat bags ($2.99 for 100 at Wal-Mart in baking section)
• Thin white ribbon ($0.47 at Wal-Mart in craft section)
• Festive stamp ($1 bin at Wal-Mart in craft section)
• Blue card stock ($5 for multi-pack at Wal-Mart in craft section)2 inch circle punch
• Black pigment dye ink

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Treats

• Package of Jumbo Roaster Marshmallows
• White Chocolate Melts
• Silver Sprinkles

Melt chocolate per package directions either using an electric chocolate melter or by melting slowly in a microwave-safe glass dish. Dip end of marshmallow in melted chocolate and sprinkle with silver sprinkles. Place on a dish and place in freezer for approximately 5 minutes to harden chocolate. Wrap each marshmallow individually in treat bags and tie up with thin ribbon and personalized gift tags.

Muddy Buddies

Ingredients & Directions (can also be found at www.chex.com/recipes)

• 9 cups rice or corn chex
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1. Measure out cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
2. Over medium heat, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter and stir until melted. Add vanila and stir. Pour mixture over cereal and stir to coat evenly. Pour into a large resealable food-storage bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread onto waxed paper to cool and refreigerate until ready to package in an airtight container.
4. Measure out several spoonfuls into package and tie up with personalized tag.

Dress up your farmers

Santa lent me one of his little