As the boys get older and more involved the bigger our circle of friends has become. And that seems to mean a Christmas list that just keeps growing. From school and neighborhood friends, cub scouts, boy scouts, Tae Kwon Do, piano and guitar teachers, the list goes on and on. Money is tight, and while I have always enjoyed making gifts, it is especially important this year. So here are some of my family’s favorite presents to make and share.

Jammies – These have become a family favorite and a great present or cookie exchange choice as most people have never tried them before.
3 sticks room temperature butter
3 c brown sugar
4 eggs, lightly beaten
4 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbs vanilla
blackberry preserves
Cream together butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time till creamy. Combine dry ingredients and add to butter mixture, beat till smooth. Beat in vanilla.
Roll in 1 inch ball then flatten (I use the palm of my hand dusted with confectioner’s sugar) Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes. Spread a thin layer of preserves on half the cookies, then top with another cookie. This makes about 2 dozen completed cookies.

Banana Bread – When we give these as gifts I normally divide the batter into 4 smaller decorative tins to give away instead of two large loaves.
3 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 Tbs and 2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 large ripe bananas, mashed
1 c half and half
2/3 c vegetable oil
2 Tbs vanilla extract
1 1/3 sticks butter, melted

Topping
2 T Cinnamon
1/3 C white sugar
Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine wet ingredients in a small bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add wet ingredients. Stir till moistened (will be lumpy).
Pour into greased 8 ½ inch by 4 ½ inch loaf pans. Combine cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle on top of loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Makes 2 loaves.

Hot Chocolate Spoons – While running a bed and breakfast, our breakfast chef showed me how to make these. The ones we made were always simple but on a nice set of spoons that the recipient would hopefully enjoy. I recently saw an article where the writer dressed up the spoons, so I took the liberty of adding some of her ideas.
- spoons, we use decorative teaspoons but plastic also works
- chocolate chips, regular and mini chips, we prefer a mix of semi-sweet, milk chocolate and white chocolate
- mini marshmallows
- crushed candy canes
- cookie sheet covered with parchment paper

Melt ½ c chocolate chips (a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate) in microwave safe bowl. This is easiest if you microwave for 30 seconds, take it out and stir it and keep microwaving for 30 second intervals until melted.
Dip spoon into bowl, thoroughly coating front and back of spoon.
Then sprinkle with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and or candy canes. Once a spoon is done place it on cookie sheet. Place in freezer for at least one hour.
The spoons can then be placed in candy bags or wrapped in plastic for gifts. To use, just dip in a cup of hot water, hot cocoa, or even cold milk and stir.