We tried to be super-economical and green on the gift front this year.  We skipped my side of the family entirely (except for the kiddos, who all got used books). We’re visiting Dave’s side, and since I knew there would be a flood of gifts for Emily I didn’t want to show up empty-handed.

I wrapped up a book I enjoyed this year for Dave’s mom and some yarn and knitting needles I haven’t touched in a while for his sister.  Then I got all crafty on the rest.  Bought some nice tins from Ikea and filled the largest one with the makings for chai tea (recipe below) for Doria. Filled the medium one with my own blend of Herbes de Provence (recipe below) for his dad and then filled the smallest with Giardelli Chocolate’s blend of hot chocolate.  I figured I’d spend too much buying all the ingredients to make my own and would end up throwing out a lot of dried milk, so I just cheated.

I also bought some small glass jars to fill with homemade bath salts for the ladies.  My original batches failed.  I put some basil and lemon in with one batch of epsom salts and lemon and ginger in with another.  The first batch smelled awful.  I think the basil rotted a bit.  The second smelled tasty in a weird way but not like something you would bathe in.  So I cheated again and filled the bottles with fresh salt and added a healthy drop in each one of some fancy schmancy bath gels I had around.

Throw in some meat rub for Dave’s dad purchased from a friend and the obligatory Baby’s FIrst Christmas ornament for Dave’s mom and all in all I think we did pretty good.

Laura’s do it yourself Herbes de Provence Blend

* 6 tablespoons  dried oregano
* 6 tablespoons dried thyme
* 4 tablespoons dried, crushed lavender
* 4 teaspoon dried basil
* 3 teaspoon dried sage
* 3 teaspoon dried, crushed rosemary

Doria’s Famous Soy Chai Latte

Boil 5 minutes, then steep 10 minutes:
1 Tbsp fennel or anise seed
6 green cardamom pods
12 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1/4″ ginger root, sliced thin
1/4 tsp pepper corns
2 bay leaves
7 Cups water

Add, bring to a boil, and simmer 5 minutes:
2 Tbsp Darjeeling tea

Add:
6 Tbsp honey or brown sugar
1 Cup soy milk

Yum!