For some reason this year, I got it in my head to bake! and craft! for the holidays. I had visions of homemade goodies, both edible and non-edible and watching the recipients ooh and ahh at such beautiful and delectable creations.
First of all, at the beginning of the school year, I signed up to bring Jell-O Jigglers to Jesus’ birthday party, because nothing says Happy Birthday, Jesus! like a good jiggler. Actually, I didn’t know that Jesus was really all that big of a fan of Jell-O or jigglers, but I figured that the school didn’t request wine and bread since it was for a kid’s party.
After last Valentine’s Day fiasco, I decided to wow everyone with my impressive jiggler making skills. I used a fancy pants cookie cutter and cut the Jell-O into candy cane and angel shapes. I was pretty sure these would be a slam dunk and would totally wow all the other parents kids. That was until I got to school and the mom in charge of cookies had hand decorated homemade sugar cookies. As Tate told me later, I got “preSCHOOLED.”
So anyway, after that let down I’m really feeling the need for someone to just validate me. Yes, I’m posting pictures of my food and crafts on my blog hoping for comments that make me feel better about myself.
Half-eaten gingerbread man! CUTE! I found this idea at elsiemarley.com.
Ribbon bookmarks! Mine look like CRAP, but feel free to not agree with me. These were much harder to make than I imagined. I figured that they’d take, like, ten, maybe twenty minutes to make. Try AN HOUR. Each. This idea came from Blissfully Domestic.
These are supposed to be a trio of cookies, but I decided to make separate cookies. They were delicious, but next time I make them, I’m making them flatter and adding more jam. Recipe can be found at epicurious.com.
Pretzels! Made with “help” from the kids. With a glop of chocolate and sprinkles/candy cane bits on the end! Thanks Semi-Desperate Housewife for the idea. (They were supposed to last for longer than two days, but they, um, didn’t.)
Gratuitous kid shot. At least I can make those perfectly cute and totally nom-nom-nom-able.
Kelley
December 17, 2009 at 12:17 am
Those cookies are making my stomach rumble.
I opted out of the cookie (or biscuit as we call them here in Oz) making biz this year and made different kinds of brittles. Effective but not near as good, I miss the smell of them baking…
Now box up some of those puppies, along with those AWESOME ribbon bookmarks and send them to me.
Krista
Twitter: marriedlife
December 17, 2009 at 12:58 am
Hey, I still have the makings for fudge in my cupboard (and fridge)… from last year! I think I should probably throw out that unsalted butter though…
Wanna send me some of that yummy goodness? You made me have a craving and there’s nothing like it in my house!
Michelle
December 17, 2009 at 3:47 am
I’ve been baking slices and biscuits here. Not that there are many left, but I did give away what I wanted to.
Love your gingerbread man!
badness jones
December 17, 2009 at 7:02 am
I think it all looks great! I love the half-eaten gingerbread man. I always hang a few edible cookies on the tree, and the kids always nibble them. I know I should discourage them, but those half-eaten cookies always make me smile.
badness jones´s last blog ..Captain Nudie-butt
mep
December 17, 2009 at 8:03 am
The cookies look completely delicious, and I LOVE the bitten gingerbread man ornament. Totally cute.
I have to say that I am also a fan of the ribbon bookmarks . . . plus you’ve styled them beautifully in the photo.
We did some pretzels (not as pretty as yours) around here and then promptly scarfed them all up. I bought the ingredients to try Bakerella’s red velvet cake balls one of these days. Holiday craft count is exactly zero though.
mep´s last blog ..Something happened on the way to his workshop . . .
Jennifer
Twitter: playgroupie
December 17, 2009 at 3:45 pm
The styling in the photo! Yes! Thank you for noticing! Bonus points for you for the extra validation!
Tara R.
December 17, 2009 at 8:51 am
The gingerbread man ornament is hilarious! I love it!
All the cookies look nom-licious! You done good!!
Tara R.´s last blog ..Oil slick, black water
Vicki
Twitter: TwinsMa
December 17, 2009 at 9:25 am
I’m impressed. I have zero craftiness so you’re already kicking my butt.
Vicki´s last blog ..Katie, bar the door.
Heather, Queen of Shake Shake
December 17, 2009 at 9:27 am
I love the gingerbread man. That is adorable! If only I could sew. Even by hand! Bleck! I wonder how that wonderunder stuff would do? Because, for some reason, I feel like being insane too and doing more crafts this year!
Heather, Queen of Shake Shake´s last blog ..Reindeer Games
Jennifer
Twitter: playgroupie
December 17, 2009 at 3:44 pm
These gingerbread people are so easy!! I did it all by hand, if you can knit, you can make these. Seriously.
Lora
December 17, 2009 at 10:28 am
This stuff is awesome! I haven’t done any holiday baking or crafting. Usually I ate least make an ornament with the kids, but my sister brought an ornament kit to Thanksgiving dinner, and they made them with her, so I didn’t feel the motivation…
Anyway, you made some great stuff!
Lora´s last blog ..Pictureless Wednesday
stacey@Havoc&Mayhem
December 17, 2009 at 10:43 am
The gingerbread ornament is adorable! I crocheted snowman ornaments for the kids teachers this year in a display of holiday craftiness that surprised me.
I always let the kids help make the holiday treats. That way if they turn out bad or looking weird I can say with loving maternal justification “The kids helped me with them.”
Jennifer
Twitter: playgroupie
December 17, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I made these gingerbread ornaments to give as teacher/hostess gifts. So far, nobody has seemed very impressed, but _I_ was personally satisfied with such a cute idea!
sandra
December 17, 2009 at 10:55 am
Looks good Jennifer!! I love the gingerbread man for sure. The cookies look extremely good and I could gobble them up, but won’t as I still am on a nasty diet:)
Always fun to make christmas cookies with the kidos. I think your jigglers look good….if I were to have that plate in front of me Id eat the jiggler and NOT the cookies as im not a fan of those kinds of cookies anyway:)
Jennifer
Twitter: playgroupie
December 17, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Yeah, I’m supposed to be on a diet and have eaten now three of these cookies I baked today. I need to put them up high on a shelf so I can’t reach them.
Sarah
December 17, 2009 at 11:09 am
That gingerbread man is TOTALLY crafty and impressive! And I think the bookmarks look quite difficult, too, and am duly impressed by them as well.
Thanks for the link! (Our pretzels are gone. And I even made them on two separate occasions. Yep. Both batches gone.)
Sarah´s last blog ..PB and Chocolate
MommyNamedApril
Twitter: MommyNamedApril
December 17, 2009 at 11:38 am
aw, they ARE super nommy
and the pretzel sticks look awesome!
MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..Deep Thought For the Day…
Burgh Baby
December 17, 2009 at 1:47 pm
The gingerbread man turned out better than the one on the original site. TRUE STORY!
I bow to your domestic skills. No, really. I do.
Burgh Baby´s last blog ..Her First Letter to Santa. *Sniff, Sniff*
Natalie
December 17, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Love it all – here’s an easy and good one that I discovered last year: Nutter Butter Reindeer cookies…Use Nutter Butters (um, yeah) and mini pretzels for antlers, chocolate chips for eyes, and a red M&M for nose. Attach all with white icing – we are making them this weekend so I will post a photo on my blog. Cute, cute and easy, easy…:)
Natalie´s last blog ..The Heart of Mary
Beth
December 17, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Personally, I think the candy cane jigglers look more tasty than the cookie….I bet the kids thought so, too.
alicia
Twitter: alichele26
December 17, 2009 at 3:07 pm
First off let me just say, I have pondered a really long time about commenting on your blog. I was referred to it by a blog called Milk Induced Coma, I have been an avid reader for nearly two years, I come daily for a good laugh….Im totally addicted. But never wanted to comment because there is no direct connection. But your blog is amazing and often gives me something to look forward too. Now your christmas crafts are great! I especially love the book marks I am a constant reader and love, love bookmarks….Keep up the great work
Jennifer
Twitter: playgroupie
December 17, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Oh Alicia! Thank you. Really. What a sweet comment, glad you finally decided to comment.
I also appreciate the validation! I definitely need it after the Christmas cookie incident.
Kristin
Twitter: kristins4kids
December 17, 2009 at 4:33 pm
LOVE the bookmarks. I LOVE bookmarks. Those are awesome!
I love thumbprint cookies, but my family doesn’t. My mom usually makes them for me.
I sometimes make the pretzels with the rather LARGE pretzel rods but prefer when my SIL does them for me!
Not the gumdrop buttons! Poor gingerbread man!
Kristin´s last blog ..No, I haven’t gotten into the eggnog
rachel-asouthernfairytale
December 17, 2009 at 7:14 pm
“PreSCHOOLED” *snort*
I totally shouldn’t give Tate the satisfaction of me laughing but, that was pretty brilliant ;0)
Those bookmarks actually have me speechless. You did an amazing job and the people who receive them are truly blessed.
The gingerbread man.. darling
Jennifer, thank you for more than a year of laughter. I’m so grateful to know you xoxo
rachel-asouthernfairytale´s last blog ..Dear Elf on The Shelf
Tracey
December 17, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Love the gingerbread guy!
Tracey´s last blog ..Yo.
Must Be Motherhood
December 17, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Girl, they are not impressed with your half-eaten-ginger-dude because they think you *bought* them. That’s how cute and great they are! Seriously.
Must Be Motherhood´s last blog ..When Two of Them is Joy
Val
December 17, 2009 at 11:29 pm
My, my…..what a crafty baking girl you’ve been!
Show off. Just kidding!
Everything looks great. My personal favorites are the half eaten gingerbread man and the pretzels!
Val´s last blog ..I Need Help Blowing Out My Candles
Val
December 17, 2009 at 11:42 pm
PS – I checked out the gingerbread man on elsiemarley.com and, although very cute, I kind of like yours just a smidge more.
Val´s last blog ..I Need Help Blowing Out My Candles
Colleen
December 18, 2009 at 8:47 am
I LOVE THE GINGERBREAD MEN!
Maybe the reason many schools have stopped allowing parents to make things and requiring them to be bought isn’t so much for the health and sanity as they claim, but more to stop the over the top mommies who have to show off! Who has time for that?
Colleen´s last blog ..Rain Rain Go Away!
Becky
Twitter: princessmikkimo
December 18, 2009 at 11:56 am
I have a crush on that Gingerbread man ornament!
Becky´s last blog ..The 8 Days of Hanukkah
Stimey
Twitter: Stimey
December 18, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I LOVE the partly eaten gingerbread guy. So cute.
Also, Quinn saw the last photo, and so excitedly shouted, “LOOK! LAVA!” You may not know it, but you were cooking a volcano.
Stimey´s last blog ..His "X Factor" is High
Maggie
December 18, 2009 at 3:43 pm
That cookie recipe looks good…and simple too! I might try making them this weekend as it looks like we are going to be snowed in.
Maggie´s last blog ..Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!
Maggie
December 18, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I am super jealous of your craftiness! And I think that the jigglers look great — I mean, seriously, who doesn’t want to partake in “Jigglers for Jesus”? That’s totally more fun than sugar cookies!
Michelle
December 19, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I love the bookmarks!
Why is it as moms they we always try to compete? Sometimes I just give up and say boxed brownies are good enough, although most times I try to out do myself.
Bejewell
December 20, 2009 at 9:18 am
LOVE the gingerbread dude. It’s almost worth trying to put my non-existent crafting skills to use to make one myself. Almost.
Bejewell´s last blog ..All I Want for Christmas is This Dildo Helmet
Alex Elliot
December 20, 2009 at 7:40 pm
You made all that?! Seriously I organized a class gift from my son’s teachers because the idea of baking teacher gifts makes me hyperventilate. I’m very impressed!
Alex Elliot´s last blog ..Controlled Substances: Marijuana, Sudafed, and Garbage Bags
~Laura
December 21, 2009 at 8:49 am
WOW! I am impressed that you made all of that this year. The gingerbread man is absolutely adorable! That’s a winner for sure. Great job and how lucky your friends and family are to get gifts that you took the time to make.
~Laura´s last blog ..The Griswolds
magpie
December 21, 2009 at 1:31 pm
The bookmarks are cunning, but yeah, I can see how they might take a while…
magpie´s last blog ..Whine / Anti-whine