Recipe: Fancy Wraps for Food Gifts

FANCY WRAPS FOR FOOD GIFTS

"Wrapping presents is part of the holiday fun, and packages of food gifts whether bright or subtle, glittery or homespun hint at the handmade goodness inside. Some cooks save handsome tins and boxes all year round to have on hand at Christmas time. But food gifts can be packaged in a wide variety of containers; in baskets, casserole dishes, tubes, gift boxes, coffee tins, foil or paper, to name just a few. Use your imagination and whatever you have on hand."

TIP:
Before gift wrapping cakes or loaves, wrap them securely in two or three layers of plastic wrap to ensure freshness.

- Pack cookies in a sturdy container, whether it's a traditional cookie jar or tin or a brand new baking pan, basket, bowl or box. Line the container with paper or plastic wrap, using enough so that you can bring up the ends and tie them over the cookies to protect them. Tie with ribbon, cord or yarn.

- Arrange candies or cookies (or a cake) on a round plate, wooden cutting board or tray covered with a paper doily. Surround with cellophane (available in colors as well as clear) and tie it at the top with a frill of paper and a ribbon bow.

- In a pretty basket, make a nest of tissue paper or packing straw and nestle a plastic wrapped cake or bread inside. Tie a bow on the basket's handle.

- For a classic country look, wrap a cake in plain brown paper and tie it with a pinked edge calico bow.

- Slide a wrapped cake or loaf into a gold or silver bottle bag and fasten it with bright ribbon.

- Pack gift candies in layers separated by neatly cut waxed paper, or wrap separately in plastic wrap.

- Candy looks great presented in clear jars: use apothecary style or any wide mouthed jars.

- Fill a lidded ceramic box with a treasury of individually wrapped candies.

- Loaves can be wrapped and slipped back into a loaf shaped baking pan tied with fancy ribbons.

- Arrange half a dozen cookies or candies in a row or double row, domino style, on a piece of paper about 12-inch square. Enclose the goodies in the wrap and then twist both ends; seal and tie with a holiday ribbon.

- Pack cookies in a shiny colander or wire basket tied with ribbons and decorated with candy canes.

- Dress up an unfinished ash basket with lace and ribbons to hold a loaf of fruit studded Christmas bread.

- Cover a box inside and out with shiny foil, fill with cookies and decorate with a cluster of fresh holly berries.

Source: Woman's Day Magazine - Gifts from the Christmas Kitchen