Solution.... Don't go to the mall! Don't go buy the same sweater that everyone else will be buying. No one likes that sweater anyways, and it's toatlly impersonal.
Make something Homemade. Make them feel like you put a little thought and effort into their gift this year.
I have an unhealthy obsession this time of year with something that is only around for those cold winter months when your bones need a little warming and your waistline gets a bit thicker. Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha is my major weakness, the mix of salty and sweet thrown in with dark espresso and creamy milk is the perfect combination. So, when it came time to start making teacher gifts this year, it was a no brainer... I was going to create a powdered mix so that they can induldge in that yuminess too without having to leave the house and spend $4 a pop on it.
Problem is, I couldn't find a recipe. Ok, I worked at Starbucks years ago and I could create it with real espresso, steamed milk, syrup and salt at my own home, but I couldn't gift it that way. So I needed a recipe that was a powder mix and could be added to hot water, super easy for anyone to make. With a little trial and error, I used a powdered mocha recipe I found online, then altered it a bit and added the smoked sea salt directly to the mix. The result is heavenly.
Here is what you do:
-First go to the craft store (not the mall) and buy yourself a few of those clamp shut jars, as many as you need for all of the people you are giving it to. You can buy any size you want depending on how big of a jar you would like to give.
-Then go to the baking aisle at that same store and grab yourself the plastic squeeze bottles they sell for melting and drizzling chocolate. Hobby Lobby sells some by Sunny Side Up Bakery that come in 2 packs for around 3 and half dollars.
-While you are there, you can purchase some embelishments to make the gift look pretty... Christmas fabric to clamp in the top of the jar, ribbon to tie around the caramel bottle, and even scrap book paper to make a fancy little instruction card for your mocha.
-Next stop at the grocery store (again not the mall) and grab your ingredients for the mix and the homemade caramel sauce.
Recipe for Salted Mocha Mix:
(makes about 4- 6oz jars with a little extra for you)
1 1/2 Cups Powdered Non-dairy Creamer, not flavored
1 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Instant Coffee, dark roast is my fav.
1/2-3/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa (depending how sweet you like it)
1 T. Smoked Sea Salt
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, then spoon into containers.
Attach a note saying "3-5tsp of Mix per 1 C Hot Water, top with Whipped Cream and Homemade Caramel Sauce."
I used this caramel recipe from my recipes, it was sweet and buttery. http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/homemade-caramel-sauce-10000001923606/
If you double the recipe, you should have enough for about 5 full plastic bottles.
Keep the caramel sauce in the fridge until you are ready to gift it, stays good cold for about 2 weeks.
Finish it off with some special touches and you have a perfect, thoughtful gift for 4-5 people for only about $30! And without stepping foot in the mall!
