Save Money AND Give Better Gifts! Old Fashioned Christmas Makes A Return With Gift Giving Mixes!
This year we all seem to be feeling or at least dreading the crunch on our wallets more than ever. Whether its fear of job security, more payments than usual, or a simple lack of money, one thing is clear : This is not what Christmas is supposed to be about.
Christmas is about family, love, a giving spirit, and that special holiday magic. Generosity of heart is the time honored tradition which outweighs generosity of wallet by far. Lets go back to an old fashioned Christmas and give gifts from our heart, rather than gifts from our credit cards.
This time of year, everyone looks forward to holiday baked goods, but some of us simply don’t have the time to bake 20 loaves of banana bread or umpteen dozen cookies. Why not streamline that by giving home made gift mixes? These mixes can be made now and last for several months (or longer), cutting out the last minute gift rush completely by allowing you to finish your homemade goodies before December even arrives!
Whats more, by giving a homemade mix, you are giving your friends and loved ones an opportunity to share something special with their family, even when they might not have otherwise had time to do so.
Today I am bringing you the second of my holiday gift mixes, an all purpose (and totally delicious) fruit crisp mix. I am including links to printer ready labels which you can include with this mix that have the directions on one side and the entire recipe on the back. If you missed my Chocolate Gravy mix last week, be sure to check that out for more packaging ideas (and printer ready instruction labels) as well!
This is a very versatile mix in that it goes with pretty much any type of fruit you have on hand to bake with! I generally stick to apples and peaches because you can get them canned all year long and they are relatively inexpensive.
Who doesn’t love a good fruit crisp? Served piping hot with vanilla ice cream slowly melting into the yumminess, fruit crisp makes the ideal dessert. You can often this mix for sale on the shelves of specialty shops, with an astonishing price tag! I have seen a single recipe of a crisp mix selling anywhere from $5.99-$7.99. If you want to add in an additional bonus (for around a dollar more), you can include a can of peaches or fried apples along with your gift mix. I have a cute idea on how your kids can help you package those later in the post.
This is the same recipe we have used for our fruit crisp for as long as I can remember. When I was a girl, this was the special dish that Mama always let me make. I remember being as young as five and stirring the oats, flour, and brown sugar together. I would carefully cut in the margarine (making a mess, I’m sure!) and then Mama would place an 8×8 dish with peaches spread over the bottom so I could begin sprinkling the topping over it to complete the dish. I loved the evenings Mama decided to have peach crisp for dessert because I always got such praise for my cooking skills at supper that night!
Oh! I almost forgot! At the end of my gift mixes series, I am going to draw one name at random from among those who commented on the mixes posts and send them a box filled with one of my finished mixes from each tutorial! Wrapped and ready to give! Someone is going to get an entire box of those, woot! (Well, it excites me! LOL)
You’ll need: Brown sugar, cinnamon, oats, and all purpose flour.
You can add nuts in this if you like, but that makes your mix considerably pricier. If you only have self rising flour on hand, just use that and it will be fine. Likewise if you only have quick oats versus old fashioned or dark brown sugar versus light brown. This is a very forgiving recipe. Just remember: Fruit crisp loves you and doesn’t want you to make a special trip to the grocery store on it’s behalf. Just use what you have.
Place flour and oats in a medium mixing bowl.
Add brown sugar and cinnamon.
Stir and your mix is made!
What I do is dump this mix into a plastic zipper bag and then make several others while I have everything out.
Like this!
What I did to package this one (and again, just see my Chocolate Gravy Mix if you’d like more packaging options - I’ll also have more in future gift mix posts!) was cut a rectangle of Christmas fabric with pinking shears and fingerpressed the sides inward.
Like this. Just turn the side over and press with your finger or nail along the fold. Isn’t it fun to be lazy? Keep that iron put up for another day.
Now just roll up the sides over your bag and then fold up the ends so that it looks like a sack…
Like this. I just tied mine with a scrap from the actual fabric.
Then, I inserted a Christmas Pick which I bought from Big Lots for a whopping fifty cents to make a beautiful presentation of my gift. You can simply print off my printer ready tags and attach them to have a completed gift with instructions on using the mix as well as the recipe.
(See bottom of post for links to tags)
If you’d like to make it even more special (and give your kids a chance to get creative), you can include canned fruit to use along with your crisp mix and let your kids make new labels for the cans! (Trust me, they LOVE this!)
My son and I made labels for apples and peaches.
You can then place them both in a gift basket, goodie bag, or gift box.
Or just give as is! This is a gift sure to be enjoyed and appreciated!
Fruit Crisp Mix
1/2 Cup flour (plain or self rising)
3/4 Cup brown sugar (dark or light)
1/2 Cup oats (quick or old fashioned)
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix all ingredients in bowl until well blended. Place into zipper bags and seal. Package for gift giving and include a tag with instructions and recipe.
For the front of the tag, go here.
For the backside of the tag, go here.
(the tags include instructions on how to make the Fruit Crisp!)
If you’d like to purchase any Southern Plate cookbooks for Christmas gifts, see the sidebar for free shipping on orders of two or more! To order just one, visit here for information and preview!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!
Gratefully,
Christy
Wednesday I will announce the winner of our King Arthur Flour Giveaway!! Be sure and visit the link for more information and to enter to win!
Thank goodness you’re back. I was starting to think something bad had happened lol.
This is probably what I need to do for gifts. With taking care of my Dad and the two of us trying to live off his social security check, it doesn’t leave room for much. Gift mixes just might do the trick.
I love these ideas! This will work great with my budget and they are so cute! And who doesn’t love food for presents! Thanks again and keep ‘em comin’!
We are having what I am calling a “Little House on the Prairie” Christmas this year… with 13 kids and 11 adults in my extended family and everyone having the tight wallet syndrome… everything is to be handmade or regifted (with a specific person in mind…) I have some great toys my kids have outgrown which are in great condition… clean them up and wrap them and voila! A treasure someone else will love… Thanks for the idea for people at work… I know a bunch who will love the crisp!
Hey!! Thanks to all of you for taking the time to read!!! I hope you enjoy these mixes, I really like giving them and they are SO FAST to throw together!
Bill, I told my husband last night y’all were going to think I was dead!!! I explained further in the email I just sent out to subscribers with last week’s recipes. I promise I’m not dead!! LOL
A little sleep deprived though…
Love y’all!
Christy
What a great idea! I will have to make this one. Also, I love the new site! Very festive
Food and beverage mixes are great ideas for gifts. I have recently become a huge fan of Chai Latte (I don’t even want to know the calorie count). Found an easy but good recipe online for it so guess what some of my friends are getting this year! Hope they love it as much as I do. I plan to post the recipe on my blog soon but almost hate to give away the secret.
I love these gift mixes. What a great idea for teachers! They are so reasonable in price I wouldn’t mind making a big batch and extending the love to a few more recipients!
You are a godsend! I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to do gifts for family and friends this year on a small budget. I am definitely doing this and will be looking for future posts. Thanks again!
I love reading blogs and your site. I am not a blogger and do not usually comment on blogs because I don’t know how to. I have copied your idea with the thought that I might be able to use it in a newsletter I edit for some retiree friends. Thanks, Lois
These are great! I am filing the ideas away for use during the whole year!
Thanks a heap!
Hey everyone!! Thank you so much for your comments!! I love it when folks comment!
I am thrilled you like these ideas as much as I do. Like Beverly, I usually end up giving to many more people than I normally would when I have a gift mix on hand. We all like to be generous, but not many (or any? LOL) of us can afford to be as generous as we’d like to!
These are so quick to throw together, too! In the time it takes to make a pile of mixes, you would just be putting your dish into the oven!
Lois, I am so thrilled you think that highly of them to pass them on to friends!
Y’all, I got lots more coming, stay tuned!!!!
(Chai Latte…I am tuning in for that, too, Pam)
Amber- thank you!! I am afraid one or two people are a bit upset over the way the site looks right now but I swear more visuals are coming! We slacked off this weekend and slept for a few hours one night …
Another excellent idea Christy! I love the idea of putting it in a little basket or maybe even a baking pan with a few accessories if you’re willing to spend a few more bucks. It would be good for someone just starting out as a housewarming gift too! I can’t wait to see more and I love your new header. :o)
Love this idea! Thank you!
Oh, I love these recipes! I was already planning baskets/bags of homemade jellies I made this summer, but was looking for something to go with it. Your gift mixes are perfect, and I can get them ready before the real holiday rush gets crazy. Thanks bunches!
Hey~ thank you, April!! I love Christmas!!! The old gal just wanted to dress up a bit!!
Thank you, Susan and thank you, too, Frugal!!!!
I love giving goodie baskets, too! Now they don’t have to eat (or freeze) everything, they can save some of the goodness to have fresh later!
I really think folks would appreciate a homemade mix more than another dust catcher anyway ~winks~
What a cute idea! I love coming to your site to get good ideas! Thanks!!
Christy,
Girl, you so inspire me to think differently. I would have never thought about the canned fruit addition, muchless letting the child re-label it, how awesome is that. I just love your site, and talk about it frequently to my friends. Living in the midwest, we have similar ways of doing thing, but, some are awe inspiring that you show, and brings back memories from my youth!
Rock on girl!
Christy,
This is wonderful!! I am going to give all of my girls’ Sunday School teachers this gift!
I was wondering about you Christy, but I knew you would eventually turn up. This mix is another great idea. I am going to save this for Christmas i am about done with everything for my Harvest baskets. This is just to cool I love homemade giftst the most. I think everyone really enjoys getting them. Eveyone knows i do lots of homemade stuff. I cant wait for more from you.
What a great idea. I love receiving gifts like the mixes and now can give them as gifts also. Please post more if you come up with some. It is fun to decorate with all of the choices we have today with fabric, ribbon, christmas picks etc. Another great idea. Keep them coming. Glad you are back.
I’m so glad I found this website! I love everything about it and am especially happy to view the gift mix ideas. The only problem is I want to make them all! Thanks for all your work.
I am new to your website. I have thoroughly enjoyed you! And I am so excited about the mixes to give as gift. I have been stressing about what to do this year. I got to thinking about how many gifts I have received as a teacher that were food related. Those gifts have never gone to waste and I appreciate the personally touch that goes with the gift. Thank you for such a wonderful website.
Oh, I am just so excited over these gift giving mixes! You have solved so many gift giving problems for me. I just found your web site 2 or 3 weeks ago and I just LOVE it! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!
I am just tickled pink about your gift mix series. I have some hand painted mason jars I wanted to give as gifts, but I didn’t want to just put any ol’ thing in them. When I was sent to your site by my aunt, I *knew* that these mixes were more than worthy to put in my jars ;o) Thanks for all you do and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Christy, I joined your site a couple of weeks ago and already love it and love the idea of handmade love from the kitchen. We’re having a cookie bake in a couple of weeks and have already got your receipts picked out to use. This is a great site and thanks so much for all you do. Judy
Christy,
I just love these gift mixes! I’m making all of them because I’m feeling the crunch this holiday season too. And you are so right, gifts from the heart are soooooo much better! That’s the real deal. ~Pam
That looks so fun and delicious! I love the packaging idea, with the pretty pouch and the homemade can label. You are so creative! I’m thinking the in-laws might just be receiving some delicious homemade mixes from me this year. Especially if I win that box of pre-made mixes…hint hint…
Another newbie to your site. I think this is such a neat idea and so very pretty! I know alot of people who LOVE homemade gifts.
Oh, I LOVE apple crisp. This is a great one and I LOVE the idea of making new labels for the cans!!!
I am a big fan of giving food gifts for holidays and last year we baked up a storm to give away to my family members. Since it’s just me this year your baking mix recipes are great! Keep them coming.
Great timing, I was literally just putting away some canned cherries and thinking to myself, “I need to find a crisp recipe to use these.” After I finished putting away the goodies I took a break with my cup of tea & email. Lo and behold a crisp recipe! I’m going to make up a few extra of these to keep on hand.
The recipe pdf has the amount of brown sugar as 3/4 cup but the email says 1 cup. Which is right?
I really enjoy your emails and recipes, thank you!
Love to visit your site everyday!!
Thanks very much for the gift ideas and recipes. I, too, plan on giving them for Christmas. Noticed on the Fruit Crisp that the flour & sugar amounts on the recipe were different than on the gift card & wondering which is correct. Thanks again. Carol
Hey Y’all! The error was all me and the cards are correct, the recipe post is now correct as well! I made the cards several days ago, before I was sleep deprived! Yesterday, I typed up the recipe and was in such a hurry to get something posted (because I hadn’t been able to post over the weekend), and was half asleep and put what I thought was correct as a place holder, then got excited when I had my post done and forgot to go back and check! I’ve fixed it now and I swear I am getting a nap today!!!
Gratefully,
Christy
Yum! Another great mix. Thanks!
I love these ideas. I can’t wait to see what else you show us.
I am a newcomer to your site and I am sopping up every ounce of it. Your homemade gift section is perfect in these lean times where we can all benefit from finding ways to save money. I really like that you don’t just focus on the mix itself but you help us put it together in a beautiful presentation. This has quickly become my favorite food site and I voted for you on my second visit! Thanks Christy (I feel like I know you!).
Awesome website and awesome ideas Christy!! Keep them coming! I missed you!
Such a perfect gift!
Oh how wonderful it is to give from the heart. These cute and wonderful ideas not only warm the heart but the stomach too
So simple and easy. I have a niece that is 7 and she will be getting some mixes for sure, besides some friends and neighbors.
Thanks for all the ideas and recipes and stories.
Mel
Thanks for this gift ideas! My sister did this last year with Hot Chocolate mix and I thought it was the best gift!
that christmas pick is a great idea to add to the mix. it makes it look so fancy, but from what you said, so cheap!
I love these gifts but never seem to find/make time to make them.
Yummy! I like the idea of the kid decorated can! I know my kids love to “help” mommy in the kitchen.
Great gift idea and so fun to make! Love the can label idea!
Thank you so much for the gift mix ideas! I really love it! I can even let my two year old help
I’m in awe! I cannot wait to give them as gifts!
Somehow I missed this one. Cute and fun! Once again, for lots of people, having this mix would make them more likely to make the crisp.
What a great idea! I love the inclusion of the canned fruit too. Makes me want to try it right now, then make more for gifts. Thanks
Thank you so much for these mixes. I love them. They will all end up being someone’s Christmas present! I am so glad to finally be able to get to your site. I use Google for my browser and it still does not locate your new site. Tonight I finally thought to try Internet Explorer and lo and behold here you are! I’m surprised at Google not finding you!
Great Ideas for gifts. What better than home made rather than store bought.
What a cute idea! Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad that I found this site…I love it!
I’m going to make your crisp mix for gifts this year.
You’re so clever, and your recipes are divine.
I love fruit crisp! I am definitely gonna use this one.
CUTE CUTE CUTE!!
very nice idea to send gifts. looks so cute!
I am so excited about these mixes, I can only buy maybe one or two things and make all of them to give as gifts, you are so awesome to give these ideas!!
These are the greatest ideas for gift giving in the economic situation we are going through.
Wow & Hello Christy !
I am really geting nostalgic & even a tad of excitment that I will be able to give one of your great gift mix ideas for a holiday cheer!
The fruit crisp is also a long time favorite of mine that I made for my 2 boys growing up as well ! So I feel like you may be a long lost sister soul!
Your articles are very informative with great photos, wrapping ideas & gift tags!! Oh My !
I can’t wait to get back to exploring your site.
Keep up the great & frugal ( but tasty!!) work !
Christy, Thanks so much for your great gift mix ideas! I love how you package your mixes, also. I hate to spend so much on packaging when you know it most likely will be discarded. You make your gifts so pretty and at a low cost. Thanks again!!
You have such wonderful ideas, you have inspired me to make some gift mixes to give as gifts this year.
Gifts from the heart and inexpensive too, what’s better than that?!
Keep the wonderful ideas and recipes coming!!
Oh, this is such a good one. Thank you for all the wonderful ideas. I am grateful.
P. S. The red dishpan is a fantastic addition. My husband loves the dishpan cookies, me too. He recognizes the recipe by Brady’s delightful face and hands. LOL too cool
I just love the basic recipes and somehow they always bring back memories. This reminds me of my Mom just taking the good cooking apples, peeling and slicing them and just adding brown sugar and butter on top and baking, yummy. And my sister-in-law Deb makes the quickest cobbler, just take a can of whatever fruit you want or have on hand, put into your 8×8 baking dish. Take a box of Yellow Jiffy Cake mix and sprinkle it over the fruit just right out of the box. Then just slice off some margarine or butter randomly over the top and pop into the oven. Looking forward to seeing all the other gift giving ideas you have Christy……. thanks!!
I LOVE this idea! We are always looking for quick & easy dessert ideas. This is a great thing to pass on. This would be great for a teachers gift!
These were great- i sent them with my hubby to work for his bosses- and they loved them!
This is a wonderful idea! I’ve been looking for easy recipes my almost 3 yr old grandson can help me with and be able to be proud of his newly acquired cooking skills, and this looks like a good one to start him with. Perhaps we’ll make one batch for home so he can eat it, and one batch for him to give to his babysitter as a gift. Thanks!!!
Hi Christy I love fruit crisps. They are the best in comfort food (in my humble opinion) so when I saw the mixes,I had an ahaa moment. I thought of all kinds of people on my list, that would love to receive one of these mixes. Thanks Christy you saved my sanity lol
Love anything with the word ‘crisp’ in it! Hopefully, some will make it’s way out of the house
Yummy … these sound wonderful. I’ll have to try them!
not sure who I’m gonna make this for…but I’m sure I’ll find someone
I can’t wait too try them all out
Love this idea too! You have given me so many choices for gifts for the neighbors.
This is a great idea for the kids to give. I’m making gathering baskets this year and the kids can make the mixes for inside! Thank you so much!
Beth from PA
My grandmother taught me to mix up something very similar when I was *very* young!
Your idea of treat mixes for Christmas is terrific - we plan to share the love.
Fruity Crisps. mmmm.
Your treat mix is a wonderful gift idea!
What a great idea! I made cookie mix in a jar several years ago and everyone loved them. Ii just enjoy the personal touch!
I posted some pics on my blog of using two of your mixes to fix for the gals in my office! I love your site!! Thanks! Have a Merry Christmas!
Wish I had found these sooner. They are all great. I am going to add them to “My Favorites” and use in the very near future.
Love it all!
Jill
Leave a comment!
Buy the Cookbook!
E-mail List
Free! $10.00 in Coupons from Pilsbury!
Free $10.00 in Coupons From Betty Crocker!
Free Fruit Roll-up!
Grab My Button and Link to Me!
Categories
Recent Posts
Archives
My Twitter Feed
What's Christy Up To?
Click Here to Visit The Top 100 Mom SitesSouthern Plate on Facebook!
Random Posts
Latest Video Post
Southern Plate recipes and stories by Christy Jordan is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.southernplate.com.
Most Commented
Most Popular