Sock Cupcake Gift Idea

I wanted to make a fun gift and found this on my google search. I found these Sock Cupcakes on a Mother's Day Pin it was just a photo so no one to link to and thank for the idea. This is simple gift but so cute!

What you need:

Fuzzy Sock (Currently Old Navy has them 60% off!)

Nail Polish (I love OPI)

Cupcake wrapper (I used Wilton fancy, that is thicker)

Take your fuzzy sock (one), fold in half. Put your polish at one end and then roll. You should have the first part start a little high and then rolling evenly at the end. You want it to look like frosting peaking above a cake (see picture below). Place into a wrapper, I found using normal cupcake wrappers don't work. I find using the Wilton fancy ones are best, these ones had a extra layer so they were thicker.  And you're done, you can put into a clear bag and tie with a ribbon if you would like!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Peppermint Body Scrub .. Gift Idea

I wanted to make something nice for the girls that work our front desk, they help me out a lot since I work virtual. I love body scrubs, they are easy to make and people can put in their showers and use. I found several ideas for Peppermint Body Scrub all the same recipe but I'll list the on I found first on Nurse Loves Farmer.

Ingredients
4 cups white sugar
1 cup coconut oil, melted
Red food coloring
Peppermint essential oil or peppermint extract
3 glass jars (330 ml)
Instructions

Pour sugar into medium sized bowl.
Melt coconut oil in microwave if yours is not liquefied and mix with sugar (you can use more or less depending on consistency you want).
Add a few drops of your peppermint oil or 1 tbsp peppermint extract, depending on how strong you want it to smell.
Divide your sugar mixture into two equal sized portions.
Mix in a few drops of red food coloring to one portion and leave the other white.
Add your sugars to the jar in layers.
Using the heel of your hand on the bottom of the jar, you can compact each layer down so it can fit more of the scrub in.
Alternate between your pink and white layers.

Alexis Notes:  I try not to use food coloring in things that go on the body so I skipped that part. Also Coconut oil would be the best since it become a clear liquid when heated. I ONLY had Olive Oil on hand (which is great for skin) so I used that instead. The only bad part is it tints the sugar green due to olives are green .. lol. Mine didn't have the layers since it was one color. I used a pure cane sugar since it has a grainy texture that is perfect for scrubs. I also bought a 3 pack of jars at Target for $3, they were red and perfect.

For the print out from In between Laundry for Merry-Mint printable. I use a word doc to print the words Peppermint Body Scrub onto the back of my printable so they could know what they received.

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Holiday Popcorn aka Christmas Crack (And Teacher Gift)

It's that time of the year and it's time for teacher gifts. I wanted to make a nice teacher gift for Caden's teacher. I love making popcorn gifts they are easy to make and to put holiday cups and of course add a gift card for coffee!

I made this Holiday Popcorn (aka Christmas Crack) that I found on Mommy of a Monster that worked perfect for what I wanted to do. I packed into some Santa bags I picked up at Walmart and then put into a Santa holiday mug I found at the Dollar Tree. I added a gift card for Starbucks and tied it on with a ribbon. Tada easy and awesome Christmas Git for a Teacher, friend or neighbor.

Here is the full gift I made. I also handed out bags of the holiday popcorn to all of Cole's 6 teachers. And a special mug with a bag of popcorn for Cole's teacher from last year, we miss her so much!!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Candy Cane Dreams Gift Idea (Teacher, Neighbor's and Friends)

I made this last year for the boys teachers but then forgot to post it, so here we are a year later and I finally can post since we are in December!  I like finding fun unique gifts to give to people. I saw several ideas on pinterest and just kind of came up with my own.

What you need:

Candy Candy Hershey's Bar

Candy Candy Marshmallows (put in a fun Christmas bag)

Starbucks Via Latte Peppermint Mocha

Candy Canes

Lindor Chocolate (Peppermint if you can find them)

Santa Cup (Dollar Tree)

Starbucks Gift Card (because everyone wants a free cup of coffee / tea)

Put as much as you can in the cup, the rest I gathered up and put in a clear bag and tied with a ribbon and handed them out to the teachers. Easy gift but a yummy one!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Lollipop's

Here is a cute and quick idea you can whip up for the kids stockings or neighbors.  I made these for Caden's classmates.  I only had about 20 red lollipops so a few reindeer's had brown noses ... lol darn grab bags of lollipops you can't count on the correct # of red. I found this idea with a FREE template on Bris Bane Kids.

What You Need:

Card Stock - Green (4 per sheet)

Red Lollipop's

Glue (I used Hot Glue Gun to attach)

Scissors

Printer

Print the template on card stock (this makes it easier to cut and hold up when gluing). Cut out your reindeer's and cut out the center for the nose.  This is the time consuming part, I had 26 to make let's just say I sat up in bed for a long time cutting and catching up on my DVR of Christmas shows :). Take a little glue to attach to your lollipop.  I love my glue gun so I used that just be careful and don't burn yourself. Let them dry and bam you're done!  If you would really like you could add a little ribbon but I was already to long into this gift.

Merry Christmas Eve :)!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Elf Kisses

Looking for a cute and easy gift for the neighbor kids or friends kids. I made these for Cole's classmates. Super easy and quick to do!  I found the idea for these Elf Kisses on Kandy Kreations she has a FREE printable to go with it!  Make sure to go over and say thank you to her!

What You Need:

Card Stock Paper (or regular white paper)

Mint Hersey Kisses (Green Foil Wrapping)

Small Clear Bags (Found at the Dollar Tree 40 pk)

Stapler

Printer

Print out the printable from Kandy Kreations and then cut them out.  Add a handful of the green kisses to a clear bag.  Staple the label to the bag to close it.  And bam your done!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve :)!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Basic 7 Layer Bars with an Extra Ingredient!

I love to make treats for my friends as part of a Christmas gift.  I was listening to Spirit 105.3 a radio station here for Christmas music and heard the host talk about these bars she makes every year that are a hit!  I went on a google search and found the recipe for Basic Seven Layers Bars on Chow.  Easy recipe now I added White chocolate chips because they are my favorite and doubled the recipe!

Basic Seven  Eight Layer Bars

Ingredients

• 8 whole graham crackers (about 4 ounces), broken in half
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into 4 pieces
• 1 1/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut (about 4 ounces)
• 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or any combination (about 6 ounces)
• 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts, such as pecans or almonds
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Place the graham crackers in a resealable plastic bag, press out the air, and seal, leaving about 1 inch unsealed. Using a rolling pin, roll over the crackers until they are fine, uniform crumbs (you should have about 1 cup of crumbs). Alternatively, you can place the crackers in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment and process for about 1 minute.
3. Place the butter in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and place in the oven until the butter has melted, about 10 minutes.
4. Remove the dish from the oven and tilt it so the butter evenly coats the bottom. Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the butter, then sprinkle the coconut over the crumbs. Sprinkle the chocolate, peanut butter, white chocolate, or butterscotch chips over the coconut, then sprinkle the nuts over the chips. Evenly drizzle the condensed milk over all of the layers.
5. Bake until golden brown around the edges and springy to the touch, about 20 to 30 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely. Cut into 24 squares and serve.

ALEXIS NOTES: I used Chocolate Chips, Butterscotch Chips and White Chips making 8 ingredients used.

I must say these were a HUGE hit my own girlfriend was so funny I gave her treats at church then when I went to an evening service to give my other friend her gift my first friend tried to snag the box of these .. lol.  Even my friends husband and daughter told me how good they are and to make sure to give them the recipe.

Merry Christmas! I promise these will be a yearly treat!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Santa Cookies (Nutter Butter)

Wow it's almost Christmas so it's time for Classroom treats!! Here are the cute Santa's I made for Caden's class.  I found these super cute Santa's on Phaedra's Adventures.  These are actually pretty easy to make, takes a little big of time but so cute!  Here is a step by step tutorial.

What you Need:

Nutter Butters

Wilton Red Melts

Wilton White Melts

Shredded Coconut

Mini Chocolate Chips

Red Hots

Parchment Paper

Piping Bag

I melt my chocolate melts in the microwave for 1 min 30 seconds.  BE CAREFUL not to burn! I melt my melts in my pampered chef glass bowls they are amazing for this.  Take a Nutter Butter and dip in Red for the top of the hat. Place on parchment paper to harden.  I use a plastic piping bag melt the white melts in the microwave.  I added the fir on the red hat and a dot for the end of the hat.  Let this harden, then to the bottom of the cookie.  I melted the white melts in my other pampered chef glass bowl and dipped the bottom of the cookie in the white for the beard.  BEFORE it dries add some coconut for the fuz of a beard.  I then pipped a little white to hold the eyes and the nose.  For the eyes you use mini chocolate chips and a red hot for a nose.  I picked up some plastic bags from the dollar tree for Caden to share with each classmate.

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Tis the Season ... Mistle "Toes" (DYI Christmas Gifts 2 Ways)

Looking for a simple gift that is very cute?  I made this gift two different ways, I gave one to each of the boys teachers then I made a set to go to my boss and her daughter.  I just loved the cute little tags.  I just knew they all would love them!

The first set I made and put in a box that I shipped to my bosses, just a little something special that I knew would bring a smile to them.  This one I found on Ivy In the Bay, she has a FREE Printable that was super cute also!

What You Need:

Nail Polish

Lotion

Plastic Bag

Card Stock

Printer

Stapler

Print your label on card stock, cut out.  Add your nail polish and lotion to your bag and attach with the label, staple to close.

I later found this one that I made for the boy's teachers, I wish I would have found this and made it for the box I sent to my bosses.  This one has a little more to it and was also super cute.  This one I found on Our Best Bites, she also has a FREE printable that was cute and simple to cut out and attach.  Now I added a few things to the bag, you can add or not add these items :).

What You Need:

Nail Polish

Fuzzy Socks

Lotion

Nail Polish Remover (I added this)

Nail Kit (I added this)

Card Stock

Printer

Stapler

Place all items in your clear plastic, print out your label on white card stock.  Take a stapler and attach the label on your bag.  Give to someone to make them smile!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Tis the Season ... Reindeer Hot Cocoa & Snowman Soup

Can you believe it's almost Christmas?  The boys last day before the break is Friday so I am trying to get a jump on the gifts for his classmates.  I found 2 really simple gifts to make.

I found These super cute Reindeer Hot Cocoa idea on pinterest, but the ones I clicked linked to a picture not a post so I'm sorry for not giving credit to who created this idea.

Need:

Plastic Cone Bags (Found 100 on Amazon for $13)

Hot Cocoa Mix (bought mine in bulk section at Winco)

Mini Marshmallows

Brown Pipe Cleaners (Cut mine in half)

Googly Eyes

Red Pom Pom

Glue

Fill your cone bag with hot cocoa (I found about 1 cup was the right amount) top with a handful of mini marshmallows.  Tie the top of the bag (I used tap to secure it shut).  Cut the pipe cleaner in half twist around the top of bag, use your fingers to form the antlers.  Glue on the googly eyes and the red pom pom for the nose.  Let it sit so the glue is dry before handing out.

Last on my list was Snowman Soup, there are several post out there but I went with the one I found on Funky Polkadot Giraffe that had a really cute free printable you could use, she also linked to a printable that was super cute that had an old fashion Christmas feel but I was running low on ink and didn't want to print 25 of them.

Need:

1 packet of cocoa
mini-marshmallows
mini candy canes
Hersey Kisses

Printable Label

Clear Bag

Add all to the clear bag, staple the label to close the bag up.

ALEXIS NOTES: I found Cocoa that had the marshmallows already in it so I skipped putting it in the bag.  I copied her printable she made and pasted into a word doc where I shrunk it down so I could print 8 per page, I'm all about the saving of money.  I used white card stock paper.

Are you doing any classroom gifts?

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Holiday Cheer .... Lump of Coal Gift (Oreo Popcorn)

I am back from Boston!  It was a wonderful work-cation as I love to call it.  Yes I'm working full time but I'm also spending time with my bosses and their kids who are like family to me.  I left on Black Friday and returned late this past Thursday.  It's around a 6 hour flight and 3 hour time difference.  I'm still a little jet lagged and a lot of work to continue so bare with me as I adjust back to real life here at home.

We had a party to go to on Saturday, I worked that am and got done checked my FB Events and it said 2pm so I thought I was fine.  Ran around picking up last minute things to make the gifts for the funny gag type gifts.  Well along came 2pm thinking I would be an hour late I text my friend to find out the party time had been changed to 11am and they were just finishing up.  So I halted took the food I made and headed up to her house.  It worked perfect we missed the party but we were able to play and Santa riding a sleigh pulled by firetrucks stopped by her apartment complex so it wasn't that bad of a day.  I'm left with a few gifts that my friends will be getting son.

The first one I made was a Lump of Coal, I found the idea of Christmas Coal Popcorn on Free Fun Christmas.

I hit up the dollar tree and found a fun stocking that looked like a Santa Suit.  I couldn't find the Santa Bottom like in their picture but I think the stocking was real cute!

What you Need:

Santa Stocking

Clear Bag

Ribbon

Coal Popcorn (see recipe)

Ingredients
2 bags microwave popcorn, popped
1 (6 oz.) box candy canes, crushed
1 pack Oreo® cookies, crushed
1 1/2 packs Almond Bark

1 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract or a few drops of peppermint oil

Directions
1. Melt the white chocolate almond bark according to the directions on the package. Add the 
peppermint extract or oil to the almond bark and pour over popcorn.
2. Pour the popcorn in a very large bowl. Mix in crushed candy canes, Oreo® cookies and 
half of the melted almond bark over the popcorn and stir. Repeat using the remaining 
almond bark.
3. Pour popcorn on waxed paper and allow to harden. Once the popcorn has hardened, 

break into pieces and enjoy!

ALEXIS NOTES: I used my Blow Your Mind Microwave Popcorn instead of Microwave popcorn bags.  I think it's easier and tastier :). I also skipped the peppermint extract just let the candy canes do the flavoring. 

After you make and bag the popcorn (I put mine in a clear bag and tied with a bow, I Goggled Coal Gift Tags and printed and added it to the bags).  I then put the bags of Coal into the Santa Stocking.  I added some stuffing into the bottom to make the stocking to prop the popcorn up.

Hope you are all have an amazing weekend!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE. 

Alton Brown's Peanut Butter Fudge

Well a few days ago I showed a peanut butter fudge I made, then a card came in the mail with a very nice gift card from one of Rick's cousins and Rick suggested I make something ... hmmm now I think about that statement I so got played again he gets to reap the rewards and I have to make the treats ... hmmm ok deal with that later .. lol!  So I wanted to make the peanut butter fudge again but then I came across this recipe from Alton Brown that was almost similar but the way to make it in the microwave had an extra step putting saran wrap on it.  I thought well why not try it, it actually came out a little smoother.  I didn't taste (due to the diet) but my tester tried and said they really liked it.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pound powdered sugar

Directions

Combine the butter and peanut butter in a 4-quart microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. (Use caution when removing this mixture from the microwave, it will be very hot.) Add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. The mixture will become hard to stir and lose its sheen. Spread into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Fold the excess parchment paper so it covers the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool, about 2 hours. Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Alexis Note ** I used my silicone pan that made it easy to have them in bricks that I cut into squares. **

I hope you enjoy another easy recipe you can throw together for any party this weekend.

And find these cute bins at the Dollar Tree

Makes it fun to give out!

Girlie Gift Ideas

I have two fun gifts to make that are on the girl side it can be for a teen or for us ahh hmmm or us wiser in years moms or ladies.  These are simple and inexpensive gifts to make!  I made one for the Christmas Exchange and one for my bosses teen daughter.

I some how have deleted the before picture with everything I put into this Pamper Me Jar (found on Practically Living) so forgive me for it. 

What you need:

Fuzzy Socks

Bubble Bath

Lotion

Chocolate (I picked a two different kinds)

A large Mouth Mason Jar

Paper & Ink Printer (to make the label)

Next on my list was a gift I made for my bosses teen daughter but heck I say any mom or lady would like this!  It was simple to make and you can bases on their favorite color.  I found this idea on Life in Thrifty Lane.

What you need:

Nail Polish Remover

Nail Polish

Emery Board(s)

Toe Separators (for painting)

Nail Scrubber

Bubble Gum or Candy

Clear Bag (or for the holiday)

I hope you enjoy and maybe brighten up someone days with one of these gifts.

Easy Caramel Corn

Here we are on another easy gift idea!  The PTA President and myself had the brilliant idea to make caramel popcorn for all the kids for the upcoming Christmas program this Thursday.  Sure I can do that ... hehe she said to herself not thinking how long it would take to make 120 of these bags!  Now if you are just doing a normal batch this really is easy heck even at the quantity we did it was pretty easy just a little time consuming.  To make it go easier before she was off work I went and popped all the popcorn.  I made 3 brown paper grocery bags full!  I found this amazing recipe for Easy Caramel Corn on Our Best Bites website.

Easy Caramel Corn

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels)
1 C brown sugar 
1/4 C white Karo syrup 
1/2 t salt (if you are using salted microwave popcorn then omit salt here) 
1 stick real butter 
1/2 t baking soda 
1 t vanilla

Pop popcorn and set aside. Place brown sugar, Karo syrup, salt, and butter in a microwave safe dish. I cut up the butter into chunks so it melts better.
Are you ready for the directions? I’m warning you, it’s complicated. You might want to take notes. Here we go. Microwave for 30 seconds. That should be enough to melt the butter at least half way. Stir it all to combine. Now microwave on high for 2 minutes. Take it out and stir. Microwave for 2 more minutes.

While the caramel is cooking, put the popcorn in a big bowl. Use one that is way bigger than you think you’ll need. Try to get any un-popped kernels out so you don’t break a tooth. When the caramel is done cooking, take out of microwave and add baking soda and vanilla. Sit back and watch it do cool things like bubble and foam.  Stir it well and then pour it over the popcorn. Mix it up well with a big spoon. I usually spread it all out on a piece of foil and let it cool for a minute so it doesn’t get stuck in one big clump. The longer it sits out, the firmer it will get, but it won’t ever get crunchy-hard unless you bake it.

What I did was pop the popcorn doing my microwave trick (click here to find directions).  I used my Pyrex 4qt glass bowl with 1/2 cup popcorn kernels.  This made the exact amount for the recipe. 

I promise it was super easy to make and put it together.  For the kids we put it in nice little treat bags.  The extra I had left over I put in these cute plastic containers I found at the dollar store a while back.  I can't wait to pass them out!  I hope you make it for someone special.

Kids Treat bags (bags from Dollar Tree)

 Treat for the adults (from Dollar Tree)

Have a wonderful day!!

Cookie Lover Gift Idea

So here is another gift I made for the Christmas party we went to last weekend.  I saw this idea on Pinterest but it just lead to a photo so I'm sorry I can't give credit to anyone.  I took the photo and kind of made it my own.  The original photo was a square potholder with a cookie cutter attached and a bag of cookie mix.  I wanted to give some cookie tools so the person who got it could whip up the cookies, I had a feeling a kid would get the gift since adults and kids were grabbing and either or would like this gift.  This is a simple one that would cost you around $10 (most of the items you can find at the dollar store.

You need:

Christmas Oven Mit (found it at dollar store)

Betty Crocker Spatula (dollar store)

Betty Crocker Measuring Spoons (dollar store)

Bettyy Crocker Measuring Cups (dollar store)

Bag of Betty Crocker Cookie Mix (Sugar Cookie for $1.29 Walmart)

Cookie Cutter (Ross $2.99)

Put the cookie mix and the tools into the oven mit.  I then picked up a cookie cutter a nice metal one at Ross for $2.99.  I took some scrapbook paper and made a sign.  I found the wording that worked perfect on label on Make it Do's Website.  Then stuck it together with some glue and tied it on with the ribbon I used for the cookie Cutter.  The perfect gift for the baker in your life.

Hope you make this it was so cute and the person who got it really liked it.

Now we go to BEER ... Brown Ale Caramel Corn

Yesterday I posted the Root Beer, so now we go to the actual beer!  As most of you know I don't drink beer but my dad does and since he isn't getting around much these days I thought I better use up the beer he left here.  Why not make caramel corn for the Christmas party I went to.  Now of course I can't taste anything but it sure did smell good lol.  I asked my friends to try and they said it was very tasty.  I found this recipe on Betty Crocker.

Brown Ale Caramel Corn

8

cups popped popcorn

1

cup mini-pretzel twists

1/2

cup salted cocktail peanuts

1/2

cup brown ale beer

1/4

cup packed brown sugar

1/4

cup brown rice syrup or corn syrup

3

tablespoons butter

1/4

teaspoon salt

• 1Heat oven to 300°F. Line two 15x10x1-inch pans with foil. Spray foil with cooking spray.
• 2In large bowl, place popcorn, pretzels and peanuts; set aside.
• 3In 2-quart saucepan, heat ale over medium heat, stirring frequently, until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 6 minutes. Pour into glass liquid measuring cup to confirm measure. Add back to saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, syrup and butter. Cook over medium heat until bubbly around edges, stirring occasionally.
• 4Reduce heat to medium-low; cook about 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and syrupy. Remove from heat; carefully stir in salt. Pour over popcorn mixture in bowl; toss until evenly coated. Spread popcorn mixture in pans.
• 5Bake 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, to caramelize mixture. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Break into pieces. Store in airtight container.
• Alexis Notes: I used the popcorn in the microwave trick that I posted here.  I doubled the pretzels and nuts to give it a little more crunch.  I picked all these up in the bulk section of my Winco.

Perfect for the beer lover and I know what I'll be making my dad this Christmas!