A Couple Last Minute Makes for the Hard to Buy For

Three weeks and counting - oh my.
There are always those people who are hard to buy for.  Of course there are some people who will never be happy, no matter what they receive (sadly).
You all know I am a homemade kind of gal.  I am working on gift baskets this week.  Some things are store bought (especially for the teens), but much is homemade.

Here are a couple ideas that may help YOU or may make a fun GIFT idea for someone else.

BIRD SEED GOODIES
3/4 C flour
1/2 C water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin (sold at most grocery stores in multiple packs)
3 Tbsp. corn syrup
4 C - birdseed, crushed nuts, dried fruit, etc.

Mix the first 4 ingredients together and then mix in seed/nuts.  You can use just regular bird seed, sunflower seeds, whatever you have.
You can place in plastic suet packs (re-use old ones), or you can spread this our in a shallow pan or cookie sheet.  Score to cut later - if you want it in the size of suet feeders.  Let this dry overnight and finish cutting.
I just made a double batch as squirrel treats.  They love it.  I cut mine into 1/2" - 1" bites.  They sit and eat them like cookies!  Adorable to watch.
So, if you have a friend that loves nature and feeds the birds and squirrels - this is a super easy make and brings nature much happiness (as well as the watcher of nature!)
Packed them up in the suet containers, or cut and package in 'cookie' bags or some other sort of plastic container.

This was the double batch I put together Sunday.  Spread out on an old cookie sheet to dry.  I then cut into small bites for squirrels.  Storing in an old ice cream tub.

Here's some I made in older suet containers.  They are a perfect in the suet feeder and the woodpeckers loved them.

***Along this line you may also think about GIFTING  a bag of bird seed, a bird or squirrel feeder or suet feeder or a thistle sock filled with feed (I see them at the grocery all the time).  There are many gifts that the naturist would enjoy.  Maybe even a book on birds of the area!

GRANOLA

12 C rolled oats (old fashioned)

2 C nuts or seeds

1/2 C packed brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt.

1 C coconut oil

2/3 C honey

Preheat your oven to 350*

Whisk the coconut oil and honey well to combine thoroughly.  Combine with all the dry. 

**** I like to leave the buts out until almost the end of baking time - or they tend to burn or scorch!!!!

You ALSO can add dried fruit if you like - dried apples or pineapple, dried bananas, cranberries, raisins, etc.  (I put this in closer to the end as well)

Grease 2 cookies sheets (with sides) or use parchment paper.  Spread out the granola mix evenly on the sheets.  

You are going to bake about 30 minutes TOTAL.  Stop and stir mixture every 5 minutes or so.

Add fruit in at about 20 minutes into baking and nuts at about 25 minutes into baking.

Remove from the oven and let this all cool COMPLETELY before packaging.

Makes nice containers of granola (use what you have) or place into baggies.

I like to make with a label that states  - eat as cereal or just as a snack.  Spread over yogurt or ice cream.

This is going in some of my baskets this year!!!!!

So there you go.  A couple more easy and frugal ideas for gifts for that hard to buy for person (or just yourself).  Either one of these makes a nice addition to any goodie bag.

Have fun and enjoy!