Thursday, December 15, 2011

Day 5 - Rub-a-Dub-Dub

  Great comments everyone on our Day 4 question about what gets you in the Christmas spirit...Christmas music, perusing Pinterest, reading holiday magazine issues (make me stop), putting up the tree, wrapping packages (still doing that here) and seeing the holiday lights.
Thank you everyone who commented!
The winner of Day 4 of the 7 Days of Giveaways is...
 Congratulations!  
Blogger jmizelle said...
The moment I turn the page on the calendar to December 1st it happens automatically!
Love, love this project!
December 15, 2011 12:20 PM
jmizelle please email me at paula@2gypsygirls.com to claim your prize!  
You have 24 hours or it goes back in the pot!

Rub-a-dub-dub
I will admit, I am behind in just about everything except blogging this week, including decorating my Christmas tree!  So for today's post I needed to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.  This project is totally self serving since I needed to create the packaging for the gift we give our friends and neighbors.  I am going to preface this by telling you that for 10 years we have always given a white box full of sweets that takes at least 2 FULL days to prepare and that's not including clean up.  I just didn't have the time to do it this year so we moved on to Plan B without any kicking and screaming on my part.  
This year were giving barbecue rub...it will be a gift that can last all year long instead of 1 or 2 days.
I sent for these fabulous jars from Crate and Barrel.  I ordered them Sunday night and they were on my doorstep on Wednesday.  perfect.
Weck jars come in 5 sizes ranging from 9 to 26oz.   For this project I used the 18oz size.  Just for a reference...in the picture below it is the jar right behind the marmalade.
I love the Weck logo impression on the jar and the glass lid and also that orange rubber seal.  And yes, I know I could have done this way cheaper with glass canning jars from Walmart.  
But I didn't.

Barbecue Rub
2 TB of each: salt, sugar, brown sugar, chili powder, black pepper, ground cumin
1 TB: cayenne pepper, granulated garlic
1/4 cup paprika
Apply generously to meat.  
Especially good with pork roast. 
Remember to cook it low and slow.
NOTE: When making the rub in large quantities use a large bowl or disposable pan.  After mixing we used a big strainer to sift out the lumps.  And...If you are even thinking about mixing this concoction  with your hands, wear disposable gloves...you don't want cayenne pepper anywhere near your eyes or some other vital parts, if you know what I mean.

Note: You will need to double the recipe to fill the 18oz jar
PACKAGING
You could easily just tie up the jar with bakers twine and have a great look but that wouldn't be much of a blog post for today would it?
So were going to sew a very simple bag.  
Cut a piece of red and cream ticking 12" tall and 15" wide for the 18oz jar.  
Fold in half and stitch it closed on one side and bottom.
To make a flat bottom, fold each corner of the bag into a triangle and pin.
Stitch across the bag about 1 1/2" from the tip.  Repeat on opposite side.
 Cut off the tip of the triangle.
 This is what the bottom of your bag should look like now.
 Hem the top (or you can leave it raw).
I'm using May Arts Twill to close the bag (nice and flat) which is great for stamping.  Cut a piece of twill tape 30" long.  I used the 7gypsies Christmas stamp and black Archival Ink to add Merry Christmas to each end of the twill tape.
Next, I typed and printed out the recipe, then stitched it to a tag.  I added my favorite red label at the bottom and stamped it with 2012 so the receiver would know that if it's still in the cupboard in 2014 it's time to throw it out!
Fonts - Pharmacy and Euphorigenic
I know I spelled Barbecue, Barbeque on this tag.  Both spellings are acceptable at our house but spell check only accepts the first.  Hope I didn't offend any grammarians out there.
Then, because I just can't leave well enough alone I added a little wooden spoon that I stamped the word YUM on.  In reality no one is going to use a tiny spoon for barbecue rub so I figured it was okay to stamp on it.  The stamp set is from the dollar bin at Michaels (but not recently).
You can buy the spoons here or I can sell you some.  They are $5 for 50 spoons + $2 shipping.  Just email me - paula@2gypsygirls.com
Oh, and I punched the hole with my Crop a dile.
Inside the bag I have also included this recipe for the North Carolina Barbecue Sauce that goes quite nicely with the rub.  This is a thin sauce so it works great to store it in a squeeze bottle.  Just keep it in the fridge after you make it.  Makes for a fab-u-lous pulled pork sandwich.

2 cups cider vinegar
1 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoons ground white pepper
1 tablespoons red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup ketchup

 And were done!
Now I just need 20 more.

If you would like to enter to win today's giveaway
to win a stash of 7gypsies products, please leave a comment.
Today's question: Are you giving a small gift to your friends and neighbors?  Is it always the same or do you change it up from year to year? (if you're not, you can still enter to win...no pressure!)
Day 5 Giveaway is open till 12 midnight pacific time.  
Winner will be posted tomorrow morning and you will have 24 hours to claim your prize.

PS) I'm gonna put a plug in for the new Michael Buble' CD.  I just downloaded it last night (you can also get it at Target and Amazon).   His version of "All I want for Christmas" is worth the price of the CD...really the best version of the song I have ever heard.  Love the full orchestra, adds depth and richness to a pop song.  You can preview it here to see if you like it too. 

Cheers for a great day!
paula

187 comments:

  1. Very cool!! I love the little addition of the stamping on the spoon.

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  2. Wow! Fun! I've never been to your site before, but looking forward to exploring. Really like the idea of the rub--and your wrapping job is charming. I have barbeque fanatics in my family--this would be a perfect gift; especially for 'the man who has everything'!

    I don't really have any special giftie food things for friends...I love the potluck/gift exchange parties for the groups I belong to, but I live alone, and if I do all the baking I'd like to, I'd be gaining about 50 pounds during the holidays! Sugar Cookies are my weakness!

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  3. Yes, I exchange a small token with my neighbor...it's always something different. This year it will be a holiday chunky ATC - she loves decorating for Christmas - it takes her 3 weeks to complete! If time I may add in a recipe clothespin holder because she loves to bake. If not, that's for next year - and then I'm ahead of the game! lol

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  4. Oh, how fun! I love it!!

    I usually give neighbors a small gift - and it changes from year to year. It's almost always some sort of food, though. :) Thanks for the chance!

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  5. What a great gift idea! The tutorial is very good too. As for me, I give away nuts and bolts....everyone loves those, especially the single people on my list.

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  6. Didn't go very creative for my colleagues this year...3 popcorn tin and a Target GC. I change it up every year, sometimes it's homemade, sometimes not. They love it either way. We don't give to the neighbors.

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  7. I love your ideas! I used to give my neighbors handmade cards and cookies but after 5 years of doing this and no response from them I gave up. I still make the goodies for close friends - I have decorated coffee bags and filled with homemade cocoa mix this year.

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  8. My hubbie just bought me the new Michael Buble' CD and it's great! This BBQ rub idea is a fabulous gift idea, thanks! I thought the wrapping was a kitchen towel at first. For neighbors I buy a 10lb. bag of mandarin oranges (youth fundraiser for our church) and bag them in organza bags with a beautiful ribbon and a tag that says Merry Christmas from our family. If I have time a handmade ornament goes on top with the tag too.

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  9. I always make food gifts for my local friends: Nuts N' Bolts, White Xmas mix, antipasto, BBQ sauce, home made sausage, etc. I bag everything up in a pretty craft bag and tie ribbon. Everyone seems to love to get them.

    P.S. Michael Buble went to my HS. James Taylor Xmas album is fantastic, as is YoYo Ma's.

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  10. This recipe sounds great! We smoke ribs and brisket and we always use a dry rub. Will definitely be mixing this up! I give my neighbor the same thing every year - a case of beer and christmas cookies. He is so good to me and a great guy. Just a little something to let him know how much I appreciate him.

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  11. We always make our special Christmas cookies and I try to vary the wrapping. I haven't tried fabric yet! I love the stamping on the ribbon!

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  12. Yes, I give a gift to some friends and other (like the lady who does my hair). I've purchased some specific candles from a place called Trimmings, always ordering the scent of Pecan Sandies. It smells amazing!

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  13. What a great gift! Love all the little touches....the stamping on the spoon and the twill, the date stamp, and the twine. Just lovely.

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  14. What a great gift! You have lucky neighbors :)

    I'm making cards for mine and then for my friends we do secret Santa so I have to get a gift for one! I'm hoping to get a lil sewing machine for Christmas so maybe next year I'll be making these lil bags for everyone's gifts X

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  15. I am making 7 kinds of cookies this year and passing them out in cute little hand sewn bags made of muslin with stamping on them! Chocolate chip , snicker doodles , Andes mint , fruit drop, Mexican wedding cakes, marshmallow wreaths ,and sugar cookies! I love putting on music getting the neighbor kids together and baking up a storm! I is beginning to look alot like Christmas!

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  16. I give 2 of my neighbors hand made cards and banana bread or pumpkin bread. I'm going to have to try your rub. Thanks for this step by step post.

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  17. I usually do a craft project with my friends and we make (relatively easy) gifts to give to co-workers, etc. Last year I felted sweaters and cut thousands of 1" squares that we strung into little wreaths that some of us then decorated with buttons. (Notice I said, "I cut", that is because I am craft leader and have to do all the dirty work on these projects-LOL) This year I had a terrible time coming up with a project and ended up copying one of Tim Holtz' bonus projects from last year's 12 Tags of Christmas. It was an easy project, but not one for a big group so just one of my friends and I got together. We made a custom ink pad and stamped/embossed/edged/tied with butches string card sets. They turned out really cute and we had a fun and productive evening making them.

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  18. Yum is right! The rub sounds great and I love the packaging. Michael Buble' is one of my faves, too! I give my neighbors a gift of candy each year, not always the same kind, tho'. Merry Christmas!

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  19. Yummy and adorable! Do you lay awake at night thinking of these creative projects? I love it!

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  20. I always give Christmas cookies, rocky road, sugared nuts, and truffles to friends, family, and neighbors. YUM!

    Linda
    linda.bertetta@gmail.com

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  21. I always keep changing the gifts I give..

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  22. I am making cookies and putting them in all the tins I have managed to collect over the years--it is time to free the tins!

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  23. What an awesome idea for a neighborhood gift!! Thanks so much!

    I usually just do a small something for our neighbors and friends, usually homemade cookies or something like that. :)

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  24. We as a family have decided to skip Christmas this year...our only daughter who is away at college is not coming home and it seems odd to celebrate without her...SHE is the reason for the tree, SHE is the reason for the decor, SHE is the reason for the presents, so my husband and I will save our holiday excitement for the next time she can get home-maybe we'll have a tree then!

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  25. The packaging is adorable! Love the stamped ribbon with the little wooden spoon.

    I do make some hand made gifts - I just sent out 40 Christmas cards (20 different designs). We have a group of women that get together once a month and play cards - I made them a beautiful Christmas mini album this year. There were 11 of them and they were a labor of love - I really like how they turned out - made me feel like a Christmas Elf!

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  26. My husband would love this rub. Handmade gifts are always the best. Thanks for more ideas.

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  27. Oh, I forgot, we made dip mixes one year for gifts. A group of about 6 or 7 of my friends got together and we made dip mixes. I think we made 4 different ones. The were really good and easy, but boy did my house stink for days of garlic and other spices. We packaged them in little zip lock bags and I made custom labels that folded over the top. We gave two or three mixes with inexpensive bowls from the dollar store and the receivers went crazy. I have made a few here and there since then.

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  28. Yummy gift beautifully wrapped...of course! Not doing any little gifts this year which makes me sad, but time is short and I'm hoping that I can find another reason/holiday to do something early next year to bring a smile to a friend or two.

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  29. Great idea! This year I am decorating pillar candles for the neighbors. Like you, I usually bake but just don't have time this year!

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  30. I have a friend that wanted to create Christmas tags this year at my house using some die cuts I had among other things. She was going out of town and we never had the chance to connect. I thought it would be nice to gather /cut/ glue / tie up ... all the things she would need to get started early for next year. I bought a pretty tin and used some of your packaging ideas to tie it all together.

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  31. Great package idea. The rub looks delicious. Think I'll do it. This year I won't be giving gifts to friends. But if I have the time maybe I'll make a little something. Thanks for the chance and have a nice day, Johanne L.

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  32. Thanks for the rub recipe. I usually give out cookies to neighbors and friends.

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  33. with my friends, I change it up each year based on their interests and mine. Thank you for the giveaway! ksh

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  34. This year I am giving a small gifts to several store clerks, a very nice woman who works at a Chinese restaurant, and the two women at the drive thru window at the BK down the street when I get my diet coke each day. These are people that I see and interact with every day -- they are friends of a sort. I just want to say thanks to them for being a part of so many of my days. I have put together a key chain with a coffee card -- glammed it up with bits and pieces. It is the thought that counts!

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  35. Thank you for this cool gift idea! I have a few jars of pepper jelly I bought at a craft fair recently and that bag idea would be just the ideal way to present the jelly as a gift. Usually I make some white chocolate covered prezels, with chex cereal mix, ect. and bag it up in a clear bag for christmas gifts to neighbors and such. Here is the recipe:
    3 cups Corn Chex
    3 cups Rice Chex
    3 cups Cherrios
    2 cups mini pretzels
    1 cup peanuts
    1 lb M&M
    1-1/2lb Almond Bark or white chocolate

    Mix all the dry ingrediants and spread out over a sheet of wax paper. Melt the chocolate per instructions found on the wrapper. Pour melted chocolate over the dry ingrediants. Let cool.
    Then bag it up and enjoy!
    Warning!! So good you can't stop eating the stuff!!!

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  36. I'm a baker so I always give away candy and cookies. I try to change it up every year, but for the most part, it's the same tried and true recipes.

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  37. I usually give a small gift to friends we are going to see at Christmas and it's always different..this year it will be something I quilted. Love your recipe..will send it on to my son-in-law who loves to barbecue!

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  38. I usually give my 2 closest neighbors a different little something each year. It's usually homemade, but probably won't be this year. I make donations to friends' favorite charities as Christmas presents and get together for an afternoon out.

    The rub looks de-lish and I like the reusable packaging and the nice jars. What is it with us and our jars? ;-)

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  39. I always bake cookies and make candy for my neighbors.

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  40. Hand-made gifts really are the best! Love your idea with the adorable spoon & festive bag. I try to change it up every year, this year I made ornaments!

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  41. I give gifts to members of my stamp clubs - usually hand made/stamped items. Have enjoyed seeing your daily projects.

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  42. This year is homemade scarves .. Some knitted, some chenille and some crocheted .. Depends on the person! Think I'll have to borrow your great idea for next year!

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  43. No friend or neighbor gifts this year... Simplify, simplify!

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  44. Thanks for the great idea and recipes!
    I always make friends a Chrstmas ornament or decoration of some sort...last year was nativity accordion books and this year was tart tin ornaments! It's one of those 'I need to come up with a new idea' thing that hits about Thanksgiving and gets the ideas rolling!!

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  45. What a wonderful idea for a present, I love the ticking bag wrapping. I have made three Christmas hangers for my friends, I vary it each year and it is a small gift that can be used.

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  46. Fantastic ideas! Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!!!! thanks for a chance to win!
    And, have a GREAT day!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

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  47. Everyone always looks forward to the same gift every year--pizzelles. It's a very thin, anise-flavored cookie made in a gadget something like a waffle iron. I make stacks and stacks of them and packaging is quite a challenge but with bows, ribbons and that plastic wrap with the sticky dots on one side, I get the job done.

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  48. Love this - so creative and I love those fonts! I usually make some kind of chocolate, or cookies and change it up.

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  49. I usually give cookies to some neighbors as a small token of appreciation. I make an item for family members as I know their decorative taste a bit better :-) I try to change the craft up a bit and already have next years all planned out :-D

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  50. Hey I just got Michael Buble's Cd and it is fabulous-I love the arrangements!!
    I like to change up the handmade gifts and depending on who the recipients are and what they like I might do a food gift or vintgae ornament or a journal etc. This yr I made card sets, button fairies and journals. Haven't gotten to the foodies yet but this barbec(q)ue one is such a great idea
    I may be using this!Thank you!

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  51. How cute, I love this idea it certainly is different at this time of the year yet so practical. I usually give cookies and yes, they are quite time consuming. I have started this year's baking 2 days ago and still have a few days left. I will make about 15 types of cookies so the presentation looks very nice.

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  52. Love the idea of a BBQ rub as a gift! The packaging is so cute!! Yet another day of great inspiration.

    In the past, I made assorted cookies for friends, placing them in decorative tins.

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  53. I make handmade gifts every year for family and friends. This year I made Countdown Christmas Blocks and gave them just after Thanksgiving so they could have them on Dec 1st to "play" with.

    I'm already planning on using your idea from yesterday for my gifts for 2012...so I guess it got moved to the top of my "to-do" list next year!

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  54. Love the idea of a mix in a jar.
    I usually give something to friends but it changes from year to year. Some things I make and some I order as I find them through the year.

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  55. Great gift idea you have there. Our family likes to change it up each year. I will either sew or make cookies or liquours or bath salts. This year I made burlap bags, fabric apples and silver trays with fun attachments.

    Thanks for the giveaways and ideas! Di@cottage-wishes

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  56. I like to switch it up, I paint ornaments so that's always fun to do, and this year I'm making mirror/art.
    I like mixed media art. Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

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  57. In October I have started feeding 150 homeless people in Orlando on Wednesdays. I am putting together bags with personal care items and some candy. It seems overwhelming to me but I have been doing a little at a time and making tags to let them know that someone sees them and cares. I will be handing them out on Christmas eve. Thank you for sharing this great idea, I have a few guys I have to get a gift for and this is perfect.

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  58. Thank you for sharing your recipes and your wrapping. my family has usually given plates of Christmas goodies to our neighbors. It's as much fun for us to choose different cookies and candies to make as it is to deliver the packages. But I think barbeque rub may be in everyone's future....

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  59. What a great project! We do exchange gifts with several close neighbors and friends (thankfully it's nowhere close to 20!). I usually find little gifts that I think they would like (candles, other similar home decorations, etc.) but you've given me a great new idea this year!

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  60. What a wonderful idea! I usually give my neighbors a cookie and candy tray....homemade, of course, and I include a homemade gift tag! It's a different assortment year after year....I always like to make new things!

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  61. Thank you for showing your gifts.
    I always give my neighbour a jar of homemade plum and raspberry jam which the children love.

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  62. I ususally do not read other people's comments- but it is fascinating to read all about the ideas you all have! Almost as much fun as the tutorial and recipes for the BBQ rub...almost!
    thanks
    Holly

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  63. Paula, your packaging idea is awesome and I really love the fabric you chose! This would be so cute for several of the gifts I'm giving this year.

    I bake a lot and share with my neighbors and co-workers. I include a combination of cookies, home-made candies, candied nuts and home-made snack mixes. I have packaged them in tins and also on holiday serving platters and in glass bowls that they can use again!

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  64. Every year I get 12 office staff hand crafted jewelry. This year I used your directions from a couple of years ago to make the muslin gift bags. They were beautiful. Thanks for all your great ideas.

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  65. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing your creativity--I often make some carmel corn for the neighbors and coworkers, but maybe I'll try something new this year!

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  66. There are some friends I always exchange gifts with, my finances dictate if it's handmade or purchased. This year, everything is handmade.

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  67. Love this fun packaging and that rub sounds divine! I make mini banana bread loaves to give to several neighbors!

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  68. I love to make cookies and give them to friends and neighbors. I always try to find a different kind of cookie to try to go with the great old standbys.

    Thanks for the dry rub recipe.

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  69. Thanks for sharing about the CD. And great gift idea. I always give out Christmas cookies even if they don't want them. Ha!

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  70. This clever gift and wrapping is rubbing me the right way! I do Teacher gifts but not neighbor gifts...thanks for this idea(although with only one week, I'll be using the cheap Walmart jars).

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  71. I don't have any special food-gifts for friends or neighbors.
    Sometimes I make them mini albums or tags.

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  72. Hi I usually bake some kind of goodie for my neighbors, well some of them. Depends on my mood I guess what I cook for them. I try to cook for them several times durning the year also. Yea I might win-maybe. xoxox

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  73. I only have two neighbours where I live and we don't exchange gifts. I will go join them for a Gin and Tonic though :)

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  74. Yes we sometimes we do the pretzels with the kiss and holiday color m&m. The kids love to do these and everyone loves them. Perfect salty and sweet treat.
    Thanks for the rub idea and packaging. It looks so wonderful!

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  77. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea! I love to give and to get gifts like this. I usually just give the jar with the ribbons on it. This makes a much better presentation. Thank You for your creativity! I always give homemade gifts to my neighbors. I think it is much more personal.

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  78. Love your wrap for the rub. We also give food gifts to many of the people in our lives and although some of the items are the same we also do new things every year too. Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win.

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  79. I'm new to your blog - thank Tim Holtz ;-) - and i'll be back! I'm loving it all. Wonderful packaging for the BBQ rub - what a great gift - your recipients are most fortunate! I'd love a chance to win. I package up my Christmas cookies and make my own tags - keep it simple. They're always well received - and people love the handmade tags and wrapping. It's one of those things we did when I was a kid (my mom was "Martha" before she was LOL). Thanks so much!

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  80. What a lovely idea for a gift, I have a fabulous next-door neighbour who patiently takes in parcels for me all year round so we give a bottle of wine and a box of Belgian chocolates to say 'thank you'. I think this year we'll be adding a jar of this rub too! Thank you for sharing the project and the delicious sounding recipes x
    Karen Anderson

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  81. oh yes, I love to make cardsets for gifts. People always love what I do and when they are offered a package of my cards ... guaranteed succes ;)

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  82. I give small gifts to several of my friends, always something different every year. Also shop all year for them.

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  83. I have a small handmade gift for just a few friends, and small store-bought gifts for a couple of folks....nothing major. From year to year I change it up.

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  84. Love the spoons...bag is great too but sure glad you included the spoon!
    I make sea salt carmels as my gift to my co-workers and friends. So yummy and full of calories...it's no wonder I gain weight at Christmas!

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  85. Nice packaging :-D
    I don't do gifts to neighbours.... mainly because I'm a nomad and have been moving house each year for the past 5 years!!! I know, I know.... time to stop now... ;-D

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  86. Luv the bbq rub recipe and the fabulous presentation as a gift!

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  87. What a great idea! I used to do multiples of the same gift for co-workers, but now I tend to do that for Valentine's Day, Halloween, etc., rather than Christmas. This would great for the 4th of July!

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  88. I love how you presented the bar-b-q rub. I love the bag and spoon on it. I usually send my friends handmade Christmas cards each year.

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  89. Super cute presentation!!!! Gift giving varies year to year, but we are exchanging gifts with friends.
    Thanks for a chance to win.

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  90. What a cool gift to give or receive! I try to give small gifts, but change it up every year!

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  91. Very cool idea. Sadly, we're not super friendly with our neighbors, so gifts would be awkward. I personally struggle with ideas for teacher gifts ...

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  92. I love this! Where do I get the stamp you used for the numbering?

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  93. Yes I tend to give them homemade baked goods as they all love homemade cookies.

    TFS

    KimMJ
    bast830@comast.net

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  94. Totally making this for my husband's boss to include with a gift card for some meat to use it on. I do make gifts for the teachers, and coworkers each year, and try to do something new each time!

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  95. OMG!!! I love the stamping on the spoon, that is so cute. The packaging is quite cute also. I want to give a shout out to Tim for turning me on to your blog I just love.

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  96. I will be making little notebook gifts for my co-workers this year and no I never do the same thing twice.

    Your gift is absolutely YUMMY!

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  97. What a super gift- love it! I only exchange gifts with a few people now - I miss the fun of doing it with lots people! I do still have fun with the ones left though- and it is always a homemade something so thank you for the great idea.

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  98. This year I am giving a gift to a friend. This is the first time doing it because our families are all large so we have an agreement that we would not give gifts to eachother and just buy for our "many" family members. However...she gave me some homemade jam for my DH and me a new blade for my cutter so I want to give her something. (I know she lost that little spatula tool to take cuts off the Cricut mat so I got her a new one.) It is something small but something she needs.

    That does look so Yummy. I think that would be a nice gift. I wouldn't mind giving my friends that at all. Heck, I would love one myself!

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  99. Love your gift of the BBQ rub. I'm sure the recipients will love it as well. I make something different each year for friends. This year it was small handmade journals. Fun for me to make and practical for my friends to use. I'm really enjoying your blog!
    Jean of Santa Barbara

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  100. I have wonderful neighbors and they all look forward to my homemade fudge. It was my mothers recipe. I make if for family also. They look forward to it. I would love to win the prducts from 7 gypsies for my stash!!

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  101. I love your whole packaging of the rub! I love to make gifts from my kitchen and usually do something different every year, except for kahlua and raspberry liquer, they are always repeats. Love your products, thanks for a chance to win!

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  102. I'm probably too late for the giveaway today, but I had to tell you that I LOVE those bags!!! They look so easy to make! Thank you for the wonderful idea! I don't have time to make them this year, but going to keep this idea for next year!
    I do make gifts for my friends, usually a plate of cookies and peanut brittle (which I hate, but they all tell me I make the best pnut brittle and they look forward to it every year) *L*
    I heard Michael Buble on the Christmas show a few days ago, for the first time and love his voice!!

    Now I have to ask you a question about the rub...because I am having a senior moment. The ingredients listed...are they what you used to make the rub or do you add the rub to those ingredients?

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  103. Love the jar & the rich yummy color of the rub! I give different gifts every year to my sisters - lip gloss, cookies, cupcakes. Gonna make them luggage tags this year.

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  104. I used to give everyone gifts but I never got anything in return and frankly I got annoyed. I do get cookies or candy from one neighbor but I give her sooooo much stuff that I haven't reciprocated specifically a holiday gift. I did give her two bags full of christmas decorations that were perfect but no longer fit my designs.

    I might take your rub advice though. I love the Weck jars and the entire project is cute. I spent time on French General website last night and your red ticking is so reminiscent of that.

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  105. great gift project to share with a cook!!! would love to work with new 7gypsies products.
    ava

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  106. I make small loaves of cranberry nut bread to give to special neighbors and friends!
    Oh, I am hoping it is my lucky day to win a stash of 7 gypsies products!!
    Jane

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  107. Love your project. I'm going to make up a batch of your rub for our family. Each year I make personalized Christmas cards for close friends and family. No two are alike just like my friends and family (tee hee).

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  108. Love the recipe and bag idea! I order very fancy cookies from a friend and give those to my doctor, neighbor and anyone who has helped me out during the year. The cookies are both delicious and quite lovely. They are very precise in the decorating - stunning!

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  109. Thanks for the recipe...and I love the bag. I've made some too with a cool vintage postcard iron-on. But I can't get those corners for the flat bottom, I just don't see how you're doing it...I'll have to see if there's a video out there! Thanks, ladies, love you what you have on, as always!

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  110. I'm a newbie to your site, and I'm loving it. Keep up the awesome work! To answer today's question, I change the gifts each year. This is a great idea. I'm seen salsa, coffee and cookie dough in jars, but never rub. Unique, little gift, and I love the packaging. Very, very cute!

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  111. Oh what a great post. I love this idea and I'm going to use it. Thank you so much. To answer the question...We have not always given something to our neighbors each year but we try to and it is not always the same thing. We always give our neighbors little boys a small gift though. I always give the mailman and trash collectors a gift too. It's not always the same but usually cookies or chocolate covered cherries. I love giving small gifts like that. Our neighbors grill a lot so today's post is perfect. Can't wait to try it too. :-) And I love Michael Buble!

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  112. I love this idea. May have to use it next year for extended family.
    Usually give a plate of goodies, only have three neighbors on our street so not much pressure and a fun way to say thanks for looking out for my chickens and guineas that wondered around.

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  113. Actually, this year I will! :) Never had before, but a new family moved in this summer and we've become very close friends.

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  114. sweet.. i love the "yum" on the - my daughter (with a little help from me) gives all her teachers something special.. so i guess it counts as a "yes" - this year she made sparkling apple shaped red velvet cupcakes and reindeer cake pops..

    they were loved by all..

    thanks for sharing such great ideas!!

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  115. I haven't done neighbor gifts, since I am always traveling most of the last 2 weeks before Christmas. I do, however, do friend gifts.

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  116. What a lovely gift! I wish we were your neighbors. They're going to love it!

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  117. I divvy up all of my left over parts and pieces from crafting projects/card making into 2 piles and give them toy scrapping friends. They never know what they'll get; painted backgrounds, die cuts, ribbons, various embellies, handmade flowers and such. I think they looked forward to their goodie bags each year. Oh and each bag is put in some type of handmade container.

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  118. I give something very small to my friends...wish I could do more but the kids hog all the money. Love your project. The jar and spoon are adorable.

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  119. Ok, I just found my last minute gift idea. I'll be making a few of these for some of my niece's husbands. It is often hard to buy for guys. Thanks so very much. This year I made "sock monkey" wine bottle covers. Then I gave them to my friends with a bottle of Sparkling Cider tucked inside. They were so easy, just the traditional sock monkey brown/red heeled socks. I glued black felt eyes in place and tied them up with a bow at the top. All done in minutes and so cute.
    ~Tina

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  120. I LOVE the cute jar of bbq rub. My son makes his own rub and always shares with me. Wish I had that cute jar and bag to store it in.

    I try to make some kind of yummy goodies as small gifts for friends and neighbors - like pralines, brownies, cookies, etc. I like to make a card and gift that match to tie it all together.

    LOVE your website.

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  121. I don't exchange gifts with neighbors, but I do give my best friend a new cookie recipe every year so that she will make it for the next holiday. We have been doing this tradition for many years.
    Michael

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  122. What a lovely gift! And I agree the jar was so worth it! Thanks for the great recipes :)
    I am a gift giver to neighbors when I run across something I think they will really like and it's not always on the holidays. I have a neighbor that loves purple accents in her home and garden so when I saw an unusual purple plant and bought it for her. My other neighbors have a small child and I thought of a gift certificate for a locally own restaurant for a date night.
    (he also cuts our two strips of grass!). So always a different gift and maybe at a different time!

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  123. We used to give out a plate of homemade cookies, but that was long ago, before we all became diabetic! HA!

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  124. I don't exchange gifts with my neighbors. Heck, I don't even know any of my neighbors despite introducing myself to them when they moved in. People just aren't that friendly around here I guess. I do give gifts to my closest friends however. I try to change it up each year, and I usually give something I've made myself. Some years it's been as simple as fudge, other years it's been more involved like hand-thrown pottery.

    I love the jars you used, they are pretty awesome, and will be nice to use for food storage long after the rub has disappeared.

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  125. I always give some homemade spice or liquer. Last year it was a Seasoned Salt in jars! This year it is Anise Liquer. Next year it will be this Meat rub - thanks for the recipe!
    Going over to C&B to check out those jars.

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  126. No gift exchange with friends and neighbors - just the family!

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  127. We just moved to a new area, so we don't have any traditions with our neighbors---but I did create vintage looking salt dough tree ornaments today that might just work;)

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  128. sweet gift! we don't usually exchange gifts, but we have each other over for dinner, watch sports, and chit chat. thanks for the chance!

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  129. What a great idea! I'll have to keep this in mind for next year. However, I'll fix it for us now. We raise our own pork, so finding new recipes is always fun.

    All our neighbors are family. Well the closest non-relative is three quarters of a mile away. Then it is more relatives. I don't do small gifts for the neighbors. :) I like them, but if the neighbor relatives got something and the non-neighbor relatives learned about it, well, I don't know what would happen. Why cause a problem if I don't have to?

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  130. BBQ rub is a great gift idea. May have to try that next year. I bake for teachers, work friends and neighbors. I make Southern Spice Cookies (yummy gingersnaps), Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bark (to die for) and a savory pecan recipe with rosemary and a bit of cayenne. I also make cards for a limited number of people. Thanks for sharing your gift idea and the wrap.

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  131. Christmas cookies! They never get returned and I don't have to worry about size or style!

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  132. Hi Paula...
    Of course I make gifts for friends and a few neighbors..it wouldn't be christmas without that happening...I change it up every year..
    This year I have made those fabulous waterless snowglobes that I saw in anthropology...using canning jars ...from where else walmart...in the pint size..and also smaller ones using salt and pepper shakers from the dollar store...with a tiny little 1 inch brush tree inside...
    I do love the jars you used for the bbq..
    Happy Holidays...thanks for all the great ideas...

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  133. For several years I have made a Cranberry Orange Bread for my neighbors.They freeze well so I can get them made ahead of time.
    But next year I will probably be making this delicious rub. Thanks, Paula

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  134. this is so fun! I have never tried a dry rub, and what a fabulous way to present it. I normally do give small gifts, unfortunately am unable to do so this year.

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  135. I give different little gift every year. This year it was a note toke - made out of folded files. I stamped put clear contact paper on them. They have four pockets for notes, a small pocket for business cards and a 2012 small calendar. I put a small Dec. calendar in the business card pocket.

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  136. I generally give small breads, banana and zuccini bread to my neighbors, but haven't had a chance yet, I better get off the stick!!
    cathyplus5.blogspot.com
    mexicopetshop at hotmail dot com

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  137. Love the jars and bags:) I am a traveller for work so I don't have "neighbors" per se but I do bake goodies for my family and friends. My favorites are brownies, lemon bars and sugar cookies loaded with buttercream icing. I find fun trays or tins at the dollar store or walmart and load Em up. I have also made rosemary olive oil bread in the mini ceramic bakers at Michaels. Great ideas!

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  138. Love your ideas... I always try to make something, this year its ornaments.

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  139. tiny gifts are always fun. this year i'm making tiny charm necklaces for most all the women in my family (but don't tell!)

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  140. Every year I make something different to give to my friends and neighbors. This year is 100% pure homemade vanilla. So easy and fun to do! I've already gotten a few wows from the ones I gave today!!!

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  141. We just moved to Florida and don't really know anyone yet, so we're not doing any gift exchanges. . Boohoo. But if I did, the BBQ rub would be a great idea, it's always BBQ weather here, ya know! Thanks for the idea. Hope I can use it soon!!

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  142. My art friends and I always trade Christmas gifts...usually a stash of treasures we've collected from travels throughout the year. It's always so much fun to see what every one has found! Your creations are lovely...so glad I found my way here from Tim's blog!

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  143. I change up the gifts each year!

    This project is super cute! Love the details and the spoon!

    Lori

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  144. I used to give cookies to the neighbors but now that I'm Type2 diabetic I can't do that. I give them a handmade card instead!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  145. What a Fabulous idea and like you said usefull year round!
    I make homemade candy and wrap it up for our neighbors every year, if time permits I also make them an ornament!
    Lynn

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  146. Paula! I LOVE Michael Buble! Anything he sings is fabulous! Thanks for your daily contest.. Love your blog and am appreciative that you're sharing.. Such fun! Yes, I am giving small gifts... they are always something I've made out of paper, so they're always different. :) Lynn B

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  147. Yes, our close neighbors always receive a handmade card from me, and usually a small treat holder, or in this years case, an angel ornament which is handmade by me.

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  148. This year, I'm giving salt shaker snow globes ala Anthropologie to my co-workers. Tied them up with a bit of seam binding and a name tag and called it done! My boss also got the sugar dispenser one :-)

    Love the bubble (Buble) - he's Canadian!!

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  149. I saw an idea to take cookie cutters and fill them with fudge. First you were to wrap in foil and spray with nonstick spray, then decorate them with small candies. Well, it looked like a 2nd grader made them. So I took the candy out-remelted the fudge. My friends in my bible study class on Sunday will only be getting 2 cookie cutters-no fudge. Oh well, not all ideas out there work all the time-I'm just saying.
    Thanks for the chance to win.

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  150. You gals are so clever! Love all that you do!

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  151. OMGosh that rub sounds amazing, I'm gonna have to give it a try.... I usually give baked goods to my neighbors....

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  152. I have to say I've been delinquent the past few years with the neighbors but this year its home made cinnamon bread. Just working on the packaging.

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  153. I love what you have done and wish I had the time to handmake Christmas presents but as i work in a supermarket December is always really busy so I end up buying presents instead.

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  154. I always like to give my fellow German class mates a little handmade something for every holiday, makes up for having to put up with my bad German and silly ideas!! This year it was Hot Choc sachets in a nice box.

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  155. Your bbq rub and pulled pork recipe sound fabulous! I'm giving it to my Mom. I know she has a big pork tenderloin that's screaming to become pulled pork sandwiches! Heehee! Do I give gifts to my neighbors? For a ba-zillion years, my late husband and I made 1000's of little German/Austrian (our ancestory) Spritz cookies, decorated them, put them in tins and gave them to our neighbors. They looked forward to them because they were so good they melted in your mouth, and because none of them made that particular cookie. Now, living in this apt. for two yrs, I only know my immediate neighbors in passing. I wouldn't even know what to give them. Particularly because of food alleriges, illness requiring a specific diet or choosing not to eat this or that. It's harder these days than in years gone by. But it was fun to give and get all those decades. :)

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  156. I like to be a Secret Santa at Christmas. I usually write short poems relating to them and their family. Then, on the 24th of Christmas I like to sneak over and leave a small present on their porch. I hope that this keeps them guessing and it sure makes me feel great.

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  157. This year I made umteen million of the little tea lites with the Tim Holtz village...was a labor of love.
    I love your idea of the Bar-B-que spices and the lovely way you decorated the gift...can I move next door to you???

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  158. What a great idea! I love those jars. Let me know when your neigbors house comes vacant...I'll be right there! We don't generally give gifts to no family members. Who can afford it! lol ButI do make cards for some of them. Thanks for the lovely give aways.
    Merry Christmas hugs.

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  159. I've just hopped here from Tim's blog, and what a find!

    I haven't been able to make any gifts for the last few years as I'm doing a degree but next year I'll be free again! My son and hubby would love this rub so I will try and find time to make it in the next week, and I'll be checking in to your blog daily from now on!

    Happy Christmas!
    Debbie in the UK!

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  160. WOW! This is a wonderful gift and thank you for sharing all the steps! I do give some close friends a gift each year and I change it every year. I usually make the gift - this year I made crocheted flower pins and little clipboards that hold a 3" X 3" post it note pad. I made all our little grandchildren knitted hats. I love making gifts and love your idea too! Thanks so much!

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  161. My brother-in-law would LOVE this BBQ rub! COOL!!! I make handmade cards for many of the women on my Christmas list, so I'm quite busy. We are planning on making Chocolate chip cookies for work, and some of the kids. My best friend makes me her cheese ball each year and I look forward to that - YUMMY!!!!

    Thanks for your ideas. Looking forward to tomorrow's idea.

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  162. I do give gifts every year to my friends and family and I change them up every year. I make Christmas cards for my very closest friends. I love to make gifts as well and your gift idea here is pure genius.
    Your posts are just so lovely.
    Thank you Paula...you are a special spirit.
    Karen :)

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  163. Cookies! Always cookies! A variety and sampling. I am covered in sugar and flour for weeks. The gift is easy, the presentation (always the most important part) is more of a challenge. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  164. I'll have to remember this recipe for next year - or maybe still this! I made December journals from Michael's dollar spot notebooks- added a pen and cute tag, some chocolates and called it good.

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  165. Oh, so pretty! Such an elegant way of giving it away! Thanks for the idea. I usually just buy things from the store... every year I tell myself that I am going to make something, then I run out of time! Hmmm... maybe next year! lol...

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  166. This year I made home made ornaments for my girl scout troop. They turned out so cute! I don't get to do this every year...time gets away from me.

    The Michale Buble CD sounds like a keeper!

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  167. I usually go on a massive baking spree for friends and neighbors.
    3 or 4 types of cookies and 2 or 3 breads and at least 1 candy.

    Although for the neighbors I plan on buying a box of HoHos and DingDongs and giving those with a note that says Ho-Ho-Ho Merry Christmas from the DingDongs next door. :P

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  168. I feel stingy to admit that only close friends & closed neighbors get gifts from me.

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  169. What a great gift idea!! I don't give out any small gifts, my kids are out of school now...but I use to for their teachers. I agree about Micheal's CD, AWESOME! My favorite is White Christmas with Shania Twain!

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  170. I give all my girlfriends oreo truffles every year,,,,I think they would be very upset with me if I did not make them one year :)It has become tradition!

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  171. I love baking and so my neighbors usually get a sampling of some new backed goods I've been wanting to try throughout the year.

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  172. Your site is such a delight. I came here earlier this week via Tim, and I have not been disappointed. In years past I would give several friends and family members a special craft item I had made. More recently I give them my homemade cookies and candy. I have had so many requests for the cookies and also my homemade beef jerky that I feel it must be a winner. I am off to bake some lemon bars.

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  173. I MAKE A COUPLE GIFTS. hope to make the rosetted snowmen this year. very behind! broken wrist!
    Diane

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  174. We do the cookie thing with the neighbors...and add fudge and other sweets. They seem to like it.

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  175. cute project! I make a couple of fruit baskets for our close friends with wine & cheese.

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  176. Paula...I love this idea so much. What a sweet thing to do. I know my family would love to get a this as a gift. You have inspired me to make some small gifts for those around me. It is almost Christmas...

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  177. Thanks for sharing all these different things to make & thanks for giving us a chance to win. I belong to a little fan club, I guess that what you would call it. We usually try to meet up on the last month of the month & talk about all kinds of things. The age range of us is like 19-74. I usually have been giving the group a little something I have made. One year I made a bookmark, another I gave a keychain, & last year I took old Beanie Baby cases, painted them, put a picture on them, & put alittle bit of candy in them. They always seem to enjoy whatever I have made & given to them.

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  178. I try to change it up every year. Last year was personalized mugs with teas and candies in them. One year was homemade candles, and another was homemade salsa and chips. This year is the year of slippers and scarfs.

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  179. This year is a different gift. We are going to go to each of our favorite resturant each month and whoeverer time it is to choose gets her meal paid by the others. I get to choose first in Jan.! Margaret

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  180. Anything handmade or homemade is always most appreciated and the best way to go for small gifts to friends & neighbors. One year I made grape jelly from wild Martha's Vineyard grapes, another year I made Hungarian Poppyseed Rolls...cookies are always a hit!

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  181. we don't give gifts to our friends and neighbors. we are new to the area and very isolated.

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  182. Wow...what a fantastic idea for the men in my life...something besides "party mix" for a change. Thanks Paula for the inspiration and tutorial ;}

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  183. The display is AWESOME!! It is just exactly the type of decorations that I love. What do I want for Christmas?? Material things aren't that important to me now. What I want is to have all my children and grandchildren together with me. It may sound corny but it is so true. It is a time for family.

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  184. What I want for Christmas, I could be selfish and say a lulu lemon yoga outfit, I could be a wife and say a surprise when my husband unwraps his concert tickets,, I could be a mother and say huge smiles when my children unwrap their lift tickets for an extended ski trip, or a human wanting peace and joy to all and for all to reflect and thank the Lord for this glorious day.

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  185. Put me on the list! You girls are great!

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  186. I don't do this every year (lest it get boring!) but one of my favorite neighbor gifts is to make a round of shortbread in an 8" round cake pan (each recipe makes 3 rounds), and slice it into pie-shaped "petticoat tails" while it's cooling. I put the shortbread on an 8" cardboard circle (you can buy them already cut in the cake decorating supply section of most craft stores) which I wrap first (the cardboard) in decorative foil (also sold with the cake decorating supplies), either red, green or gold. I wrap the shortbread and cardboard in plastic wrap and tie a Scottish tartan plaid ribbon in Christmas colors in a big bow with a nice gift tag. It doesn't take long, isn't expensive, is festive looking and people look forward to getting it the years I make it. Happy!

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  187. What a cute idea! I always give cookies or fudge to friends and neighbors. This would be a nice change. I love the way you wrapped it in a dish towel and added the wooden spoon. So creative!

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