Ways to Save Money on Christmas Gifts

The Christmas holidays are just around the corner. Everyone on a budget is starting to brainstorm frugal gift ideas to get through the holidays without ringing up more debt.

Here are some money-saving ideas for you to consider.

Bake a large batch of your favorite cookies. Set the cookies on a lovely plate, and use color cellophane to cover the entire package. Tie the cellophane at the top, using ribbon, and make a large bow. Homemade cookies are a great present anyone would enjoy, and the cost to you is minimal.

If you enjoy making jam, why not give this as a Christmas gift? Buy a small wicker basket, and fill the basket with jars of homemade jam. Decorate the jars with bows or ribbon. Put the jars in the basket and either decorate the basket with ribbon, or cover the basket with color cellophane and tie the cellophane at the top with ribbon. You may choose to add a small box of special crackers as well.

Candles are a great gift for anyone, and are inexpensive as well. Purchase about a dozen small scented candles and one or two candle holders. Put the candles and candle holders in a small basket. Cover the basket with colored cellophane, and tie the package at the top with different color ribbons.

With the winter approaching, a hat and glove set is also a popular gift. These sets come in a variety of colors, fabrics, and styles. Hat and glove sets are sure to be a welcomed gift by your friends or family members, and are inexpensive as well.

Why not purchase picture frames? For instance, buy two each of a 3-1/2 by 5 inch; 4×5 inch and 5×5 inch picture frames. Decorate them with a bow at the top center of the frame, or in the center of the frame.

Here is another inexpensive idea. Take a Christmas stocking and stuff it will incidentals that most people need, but never buy. For example, nail files; nail polish remover; q-tips; cotton balls; samples of hair shampoo; conditioner; body lotion; shower caps; shower gel; hand creams, etc.

Christmas isn’t about expensive gift giving. It is the thought behind the gift that counts.

5 Recipes For Hanukkah

Among the many foods prepared in celebration of Hanukkah, many of the foods are fried to commemorate the miracle of the oil. Two of the most popular Hanukkah foods are latkes and jelly donuts, both of which are fried in oil.

Here are five recipes which you can prepare for Hanukkah.

1. Hanukkah Potato Pancakes

• 4 medium potatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup matzah meal
• salt and black pepper
• vegetable oil

Place the 4 potatoes and onion into a food processor and coarsely grate both. Add the grated potatoes and onion to a strainer to remove excess water. Take a large bowl and add the eggs and mix. Take the matzah meal and add to the mixture until a batter is formed. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper. Heat a griddle pan and add vegetable oil. Now prepare the pancakes by using about two tablespoons of the batter to form the pancake.

Place the pancakes onto the griddle. Use a spatula to press down on the pancakes until they turn a golden brown. Then flip over until the other side is brown as well. Place on paper towels and then serve.

2. Hanukkah Cheese Wafers

• 8 ounces (about 2 cups packed) sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
• 1 cup all-purpose unbleached white flour
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Add all the above ingredients into a food processor and mix until a dough forms. Take out the dough and make two halves. Shape each half into the shape of a log a foot long and an inch thick. Place the each log onto the end of a piece of saran wrap. Then begin to wrap the log by rolling it away from you. Place in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to bake, line cookie sheets with parchment paper, preheat over to 375 degrees, take out the dough and cut thin slices and place on cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown. Place on rack to cool; then serve.

3. Beef Brisket

3 lbs. beef brisket
3 tablespoons oil
1/4 cup chopped onions
2 cups boiling water
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsely

Tie the brisket into a compact shape. Take a deep kettle and add oil. Add the chopped onions. Place the brisket over the onions. After an hour, add 2 cups of boiling water. Cover the kettle and let the beef simmer for 2-1/2 hours or until tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. After the brisket is cooked, place on platter and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Beef brisket can be served with boiled potatoes.

4. Hanukkah Matzah Stuffing

• 2 matzahs
• 1/2 cup hot chicken broth
• 2 Tablespoons oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 beaten egg

Take a large bowl and crumble the matzahs into the bowl along with the chicken broth. Heat a skillet and add oil as well as the remaining ingredients. Saute until onions are translucent. Remove this mixture from the skillet and add to the bowl. Add the egg and stir. Put mixture into a baking dish and place in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

5. Hanukkah Jelly Donuts

• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons margarine, melted
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup any flavor fruit jam
• 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

Add the milk, water, beaten egg, melted butter, sugar, bread flour, salt, nutmeg and yeast into a food processor. As soon as the dough is formed, take it out and place it on a marble surface. Take a rolling pin and roll the dough out to about a quarter of an inch in thickness.

Take a cookie cutter, and cut the dough into rounds. You will need two rounds per donut. Add 1/2 teaspoon of jelly into the center of each round. Take cold water and lightly wet the edges of the rounds. Now place the top half of the round onto the bottom half.

Press the top half of the round to the bottom half. Ensure the donuts are sealed tight. Place the donuts on a cookie sheet and cover them with a towel until they rise.

Take out your deep fryer and pour the oil into it. The temperature of the oil must reach 375 degrees. Add 3 or four donuts into the deep fryer. As they become golden brown, turn them over to brown the other side. Once both sides are golden brown, take them out of the fryer and place on a rack to drain and cool.

Latkes

These traditional Hanukkah potato cakes are also a favorite breakfast food for many people.
Ingredients:

3 large potatoes, peeled and quartered*
1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped cooked ham
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup oil for frying

Instructions:

Bring a large pot full of water to a boil and add potatoes. Cook about 15 minutes until firm, but tender. Shred. *(Just start with a bag of shredded potatoes or shred up some leftover baked potatoes from last nights dinner) In a saucepan mix garlic, butter and milk and bring to a boil. Next stir in the shredded potatoes, ham and cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook to a dough-like consistency. Time to fry them up! Heat your oil in a large skillet. Drop a spoonful of the mixture in the hot oil and cook until golden brown on both sides. Great as a side dish with dinner or for breakfast with a slice of toast and some orange juice. You can vary the ingredients to your liking. For example use sausage instead of ham, mozzarella instead of cheddar, vegetables instead of meat, etc. Try different combinations and see what you like best.