Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookie Mix

6 cups rolled oats
4 cups all purpose flour
3 cups packed brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 lb. shortening
2 cups rasins
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

-In a large bowl, stir first 7 ingredients. With pastry blender, cut in shortening until crumbly.
-Stir in the rasins, chips, nuts
-mix can be stored in the fride for up to 10 weeks
-makes about 20 cups, enough for about 5 batches of cookies.

Directions for use:
4 cups of the Oatmeal Cookie Mix
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp. milk
2 tsp vanilla
granulated sugar

-In a bowl, combine all ingredients, except sugar, until dough forms a ball.
-shape into 1 1/2 inch balls
-place on parchment lined or greased cookie sheets and flatten with a fork dipped into granulated sugar.
-Bake at 375 degrees for 15 - 18 minutes until golden.
-cool on wire racks.
-makes about 24 cookies.

You could give each neighbour enough mix for a batch or two with the directions written on holiday paper. Let them know the life of the mix as well. If you want to add a few things in you basket like cookie sheets, wire racks, flippers etc. for someone who might not have a complete kitchen like a college student, that might make it fun too.