Gifts

Valentine’s Day Popcorn Pops

2 · Jan 16, 2014 · 4 Comments

Hello Whipperberry friends! Jenn here again from Clean and Scentsible. It seems like Christmas was just yesterday but Valentine's Day will be here before you know it! Today I'm sharing these fun Valentine's Day popcorn pops with you – they're a quick and easy way to spread a little love!

Ingredients

8 cups popped popcorn {this is approximately 5 tbsp. of unpopped kernals}
3 cups mini marshmallows
2 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt
red food coloring
3/4 -1 cup Smarties {these are the Canadian Smarties which are similar to M&Ms in the States!}

Directions

Pop the popcorn and place it in a large bowl {I actually ended up using 2 bowls so I had more mixing space}
Heat the marshmallows, butter, and salt in a large heavy saucepan over medium to low heat stirring continuously until the marshmallows are melted. Add food coloring by drops to make your desired pink color. I just wanted mine a faint pink so I only used about 5-6 drops.
Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn gradually, mixing it well. You can use a greased spoon to do this but I found that it was easiest to grease my hands with butter to mix. {The butter should help to protect your hands from the heat but make sure it is not too hot!} Add the candy.
Shape into balls or use a heart shaped cookie cutter if you would like to do hearts. If you are using the cookie cutter, grease the inner borders and press the popcorn inside the cookie cutter until your shape is formed. Press popcorn firmly together once the cookie cutter is removed to hold.
Insert sucker sticks. For mine I used the basic sucker stick and then added a paper straw over top of it to give it extra strength.
Wrap each ball in plastic wrap. Makes approximately 8 {3 inch diameter} balls.

There are lots of fun ways that you could package them up – add some baker's twine, tie them up in a cellophane bag, or add a cupcake liner and some washi tape! Feel free to get creative – I always find that the packaging is the best part! 🙂

If you would like any of the printables, just head over to Clean and Scentsible for a free download!

If you are looking for other Valentine's Day ideas, you might also like…

Photo Handprint Card / Valentine's Day Teacher Gift / Quick and Easy Valentine's Day Breakfast

I would also love to have you join me on my Household Organization Diet – a year long project to get organized once and for all!

You can always connect with Clean and Scentsible here: FACEBOOK / PINTEREST / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER

Thanks so much to Heather for having me! I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! 🙂

Sweet & Savory Christmas Gift Idea // Compound Butter

36 · Dec 18, 2013 · 6 Comments

I love the long seated tradition of entering the kitchen at this time of year to create all kinds of goodies to share with family and friends. I also LOVE receiving these gifts every year. You can always feel the love that goes into each and every recipe that is shared. One thing I DON'T love is how frantic and hurried the season has become. Sometimes we just don't have time to bake for days and days in order to put together these treasured gift plates.

Another issue I have have… Sometimes, we get sugar overload with all of these scrumptious goodies. For the last several years, I have tried to find some savory goodies along with the sweet to give as holiday neighbor gifts. This year, my favorite sweet & savory gift for the season is compound butter. What is compound butter you ask? Well, it is butter combined with any of a number of tasty additions that can be used in various different ways in the kitchen. I am particularly fond of any type of berry butter, the ever popular honey butter and the luscious roasted garlic butter. All of these can be used on breads, French toast, crêpes, pancakes, used in sauces and even used to enhance many types of meats. I decided this year, that I am going to give little gift baskets with some homemade compound butter along with some bread…

Don't you worry, these butters are a snap to make AND you can even use store bought bread if you aren't the baking type. I am going to give you three quick butter recipes along with the fabulous printable that you can use to label your jars and your gift container if you like.

Berry Butter Ingredients

4 sticks of softened unsalted butter

1 jar of Smucker's Orchard's Finest preserves (you can use any kind you like, for this one I used cranberry raspberry preserves)

1 tablespoon honey

1/4 teaspoon citric acid

Berry Butter Directions

In the bowl of an electric mixer, add your softened, room temperature butter, the Orchard's Finest preserves, honey & citric acid. Why do I use citric acid? I like to add a bit of a tart kick to the butter without adding the liquid from the lemon. The liquid can cause issues with the consistency and I have found that citric acid is a perfect solution. You can get the hit of tart flavor without the consistency issues. I found citric acid at my local market in the canning section. If you can't find it, you can always order it online. I LOVE it and use it in all kinds of recipes.

Once you have all your ingredients in your mixer, turn your mixer on high and whip the butter for several minutes. Once it has whipped well and is nice and fluffy, take your mixture and add it to your sterilized 4 ounce Ball jars. Fill to the top and place the lid on tight. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This recipe also can be stored in the freezer really well.

Honey Butter Ingredients

4 sticks of softened unsalted butter

1 cup honey

Honey Butter Directions

In the bowl of an electric mixer, place softened room temperature butter and honey. Whip on high for several minutes until light and fluffy. Once finished, carefully spoon into sterilized 4 ounce ball jars and replace the lid. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. This butter also freezes well.

Roasted Garlic Butter

I have a fabulous recipe for Roasted Garlic Butter over at WhipperBerry that you should check out. I also, show you how to roast your own garlic and everything!

Savory & Sweet Christmas Gift

Now this is where it gets fun… I LOVE packaging! To me the way you dress-up a gift is just as important as the gift. Now, I used my favorite 4 ounce Ball jars for the butter on purpose. With these jars I can create a lovely FREE printable label for everyone to use.

Aren't they fun?! Now… I have created a couple of different ways to use these free printable labels.

Silhouette Print & Cut Users

If you are a Silhouette User, you can download the Silhouette Studio file, print them with your printer and cut out with your CAMEO or Portrait. I used the Printable Gold Foil for mine, but you could use anything that you want. Card stock, printable sticker paper or even printable kraft paper. Use whatever you feel comfortable with. Click HERE to download the Silhouette Studio Label file.

Printable Users

Now, if you would like to print and cut your labels on your own… No worries, I have you covered too! Click HERE to download the free PDF for you to use for your special gift. Just print as many sheets as you would like on whatever paper you would like, cut out the labels and affix them to your jars and gift container.

Gift Container

I found my container at Target in their seasonal decor section. I would love to link to it, but I can't seem to find it on their web site. You'll just have to look at your local store. You can also use any type of container that will fit your butter selection and the bread your choose. You could use an inexpensive gift bag and it would look fabulous!!

All in all, I am in LOVE with this gift idea and I hope that it sparks some creativity for your holiday gift giving this year. You know… not all homemade holiday gifts have to be sweet! I know some of us would love some savory treats as well!

Minty Muddy Chex Party Mix // A Fun Holiday Goodie

2 · Dec 16, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Ahhhh, I love this time of the year! Everyone is starting to focus more on family and getting ready for the holidays. I know in our house with the weather cooling down we are also slowing down and doing more things together like watching movies and playing games together. With all that… We are constantly on the look out for good snacks. One of our all time favorite is the iconic Chex® Party Mix. You can never go wrong when you are snacking on Chex® Party Mix!

Let's start with the cereal it's self… They have EIGHT different flavors! Seven of them are gluten free (Wheat Chex® cereal is not. For more Nutritional information please visit this site and make sure you read each label.) They have everything from Rice Chex®, Corn Chex® and even some super fancy ones like Chocolate, Vanilla and even Apple Cinnamon Chex® Cereal. All of them are like blank canvases when it comes to making Chex® Party Mix. Seriously… The sky is the limit. Don't believe me, check out the Chex® Party Mix Recipe site and you'll see all kinds of fun ideas. The nice thing about the party mix is that, yes… you get to have some of those scrumptious treats that we all crave but, you also get a nice helping of some good whole grains from the Chex® Cereal. Win / win!

The kiddos and I decided to create our own salty & sweet Chex® Party Mix recipe to have around the house. We call it Minty Muddy Chex® Mix and it's a fun flavor combination of sweet chocolate, Jiff's Whipped Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Spread, Peanut butter pretzels and salty Corn Chex® Cereal. It's sweet and nutty all at the same time. The bonus… It only takes 15 minutes to make!

Minty Muddy Chex® Party Mix Ingredients

8 cups Corn Chex® cereal

2 cups Vanilla Chex® cereal

1 cup butter

1 cup Jiff's Whipped Peanut Butter Chocolate Mint Spread

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 vanilla

1/2 cup powdered sugar

salt

1 cup mini M&M's

2 cups Rold Gold peanut butter pretzels

Minty Muddy Chex® Party Mix Directions

Start with a small microwave safe bowl. Add a 1/2 a stick of butter, the chocolate chips and the Jiff Whipped Peanut Butter Chocolate Mint Spread. Microwave in 30 second segments until the mixture has melted and is nice and smooth. Remove from Microwave and stir in vanilla. Place 3 cups of Corn Chex® into a large bowl and drizzle chocolate mixture on top. Carefully fold the chocolate mixture into the Corn Chex® Cereal. Place the chocolate covered cereal into a large Ziplock bag and add powdered sugar into the bag. Seal bag and shake the bag until the chocolate covered cereal is covered with the powdered sugar. Pour out onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Place in the refrigerator to set.

In another small microwave safe bowl or measuring cup, add the remaining butter. Place in Microwave for 45-60 seconds or until melted. Add the remaining Corn Chex® cereal into a large microwave safe bowl and drizzle the butter over the top. Add a generous amount of salt to the bowl and gently fold in the butter and salt into the cereal. Once the mixture is mixed well, place in the microwave for 3-4 minutes. Remove from the microwave and place in the refrigerator to cool for a few minutes.

Once your salty and sweet mixture is cool and set, place into a large bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix well.

Now, this snack is fabulous to share with family and friends during all of your favorite activities. This year I am going to make up several large batches and then bag them up as a fun holiday treat to share with neighbors, friends, co-workers, the mailman… anyone really!

This post brought to you by Chex® cereal. I have been compensated and given free product for my time & commitment, but all opinions are 100% mine

DIY Lace Flower Pots

7 · Dec 10, 2013 · 3 Comments

This post is brought to you by Elmer's Glue // I'm super excited to share this idea with you guys today! This time of year I am ALWAYS looking for fun handmade gift ideas. Gifts that are easy to make but huge on the WOW factor. These DIY Lace Flower Pots fit the bill just perfect!!

These are PERFECT neighbor gifts, teacher gifts… anyone really. Add a poinsettia or a festive evergreen and it's a stylish gift for anyone. Here's what you need to make them…

Lace Flower Pot Supplies

Terra cotta pots – any size.

Lace – for smaller pots, you can use scraps, larger pots will need possibly a yard or so. You will have to measure your pots for exact measurements.

Elmer's Craft Bond Fabric & Paper Glue

Scissors

Lace Flower Pots Instructions

First you need to measure the lace and make sure that it will fit your desired spot on the pot. Then generously add glue to the pot in small sections and lay the lace down.

Use your fingers to work glue around the lace. Don't worry about the white color. This type of Elmer's Fabric & Paper Glue dries clear. Make sure that all of the lace is covered in the glue and then move on to the next section.

NOTE: You may want to wear disposable gloves when working with the glue. I didn't and it took a bit to wash off my hands.

Trim the lace so that the seam doesn't show and then smooth everything down. Let dry over night. The next morning, you will have the most beautiful lace flower pots. It's just that easy! Now, all you have to do is figure out what you want to fill the pot with. You can fill it will any kind of indoor plant or you could fill it will a scrumptious batch of cookies. It's your call!!

You will be amazed at how strong the glue is! I actually tried to pull the lace off once it was dried and couldn't. I ran water over it and it still looked like new when it dried. Gotta say… Pretty happy with this gift idea!

What would you fill your DIY Lace Flower Pots with?

Disclaimer // This post is sponsored by Elmer's Glue. I am a member of Elmer's Craft it Crew and received payment and product for this post. Rest assured, I will never work with a brand or product that I don't whole heartedly endorse and use in my every day life.