by pmdavis | Dec 1, 2023
A variety of yummy treats in jars to give as gifts for the holidays.
The Holidays hold some of my fondest memories! Our family would often make special presents for friends and family members. We made things like cookies, candies, breads, and soups that could be shared with others. This can be a fun tradition for your family or 4-H Group to create together!
These gifts usually are not super expensive but can let everyone know you are thinking about them. A lot of times we would make a treat and deliver it along with a container of pre-made mix they could use later to make another serving. That way they know what they are getting and are more likely to make another batch. If this sounds like a fun tradition you may want to incorporate it but remember to be safe while making these special treats. You don’t want to prepare these delights and cause someone to have an allergic reaction or become sick from eating them.
If you like crafting you can decorate bags, jars, spoons, clean ornaments, mugs etc. A bow, ribbon, piece of fabric, dried flowers, sprigs of fresh flowers, holly or pine can make beautiful packages. Remember a little decoration can go a long way and make your gift giving more economical and festive.
Some of our Extension Colleagues from Kentucky KY1 and KY2, Maine, North Dakota and Iowa have some great recipes to share for gifts in a jar, on a spoon or in a mug. Many of these already have premade tags you can download and attach to the item. It also has the individual recipes you can follow and use to make your own special gifts. If you want to make a chocolate cocoa bomb, Maine had the cocoa mix recipe you can use with your molded chocolate! These are definitely yummy treats your friends and family will enjoy!
4-H offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities to fit your interests, skills, and schedule. For more information about Volunteering with 4-H, or to sign up to help youth develop their life skills, please contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office or visit Florida 4-H Website
by pmdavis | Feb 14, 2019
Making lotions and bath scrubs, practicing relaxation and doing yoga…doesn’t this sound like a great 4-H club program? Discover 4-H Spa and Relaxation Clubs are a great way to learn about homemade body products while learning relaxation techniques. Youth create a day at the spa by making lotions, soaps, scrubs and lip balms while learning methods to relax like tennis ball massages, creating a happy list, doing yoga and creating a zen garden. An added bonus is homemade products are a fraction of the cost of purchasing and make great gifts for friends and family.
Make your own Luxurious Bath Salts
Naval Support Activity-Panama City staff learning how to making calm bags.
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ cup powdered milk
- 1 cup sea salt
- 1 cup Epsom salt ( scented or plain)
- Use 3-5 drops fragrance oil designed for soaps or diluted essential oil for plain Epsom salt
- Mix ingredients
- Spoon the mixture into storage containers (wide mouth jars, bowls or zip style bags work well)
- Label your container with ingredients and direction for use – Pinterest has several cute label designs
Caution: Essential oils are very strong and can be a skin irritant if applied directly to your skin. National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommends diluting essential oils with a carrier oil: use 1 teaspoon of coconut, almond, olive, sunflower or jojoba oil with 2 – 12 drops of the desired essential oil. Then, mix 3-5 drops of the diluted oil to your bath salt mixture. Bath salts are generally safe for most when used properly, but you should talk to your doctor before using bath salts if you have medical conditions such as skin diseases, heart disease or diabetes.
How to Use Your Bath Salts: Fill your tub halfway with warm to hot water, and pour in about 1/2 cup (120 g) of bath salts. For a stronger concentration, you can always add more. If you prefer showers, take a handful and rub over desired area. Bath salts are great to exfoliate by removing dead skin cells leaving the skin smooth and fresh. Tired achy feet or hands? No problem! Add salts to warm water in a dishpan, and immerse your feet or hands and soak away the pain.
NSA-PC staff learning the 4-H Spa & Relaxation Curricula they will use in their 4-H programs.
For more information on 4-H and other programs like this, contact your local UF/IFAS County Extension Office, or visit Florida 4-H.
Are you an adult looking for ways to coach, teach and mentor youth? Contact the 4-H Agent in your county and enroll as a volunteer in 4-H Online. Volunteering not only strengthens the 4-H club, but also shows young people how to live with integrity, optimism, hope, determination, compassion, responsibility and resiliency – skills that will help them succeed in life.
Resource:
Discover 4-H Spa and Relaxation Clubs curriculum
by Rachel Pienta | Dec 12, 2018
Here’s an example of a decorated clothespin magnet holding a photo.
Slow Down to Savor the Season
The weeks leading up to the gift-giving holiday season can be hectic and stressful. Full social schedules and crowded stores can make Christmas seem like an expensive chore. One way to restore some of the joy of the season and regain some valuable family time is to make thoughtful giftsathome.
Craft a Gift That Everyone Can Use
Every year, the postal service brings glossy family photo cards to my home from friends near and far. Our family likes to make them part of the festive décor for the holiday season by displaying them with homemade r refrigerator magnets. This magnet craft is one you can make with your entire family or at a 4-H Club meeting and give them as gifts.
Foam board cut outs can be glued to the clothespin to make fun magnets to give as gifts.
Basic Items to Get Started
Square wooden clothespins
Glue
Scissors
Adhesive magnet strips
Craft foam sheets
Markers
Glitter
Ribbon
We have decorative magnets and like to rotate them with the season. Decorative details are limited only by your imagination and the weight that the magnets will support. Trial and error with magnet strength is recommended and is a great way to spark a STEM discussion while creating art together!
Follow these simple instructions:
- Measure the magnet strip to cover the “back” of the clothespin.
- Cut to length. (Adults may need to help younger kids with this.)
- Attach the magnet strip to the “back” of the clothespin.
- Add decorations or art work like foam cutouts to the “front” of the clothespin.
Gift Ideas
- Packaging the magnetic clothespins with a family photo or a child’s artwork.
- Using a decorated clothespin magnet to hold a gift tag and include with a larger wrapped gift.
- Giving cookies or other baked treats? Clothespin magnets make great recipe holders!
4-H is a great place for your child to express their creativity. For information about 4-H in your county, please click here.
Additional Ideas & Resources for Clothespin Magnets
DIY Clothespin Magnets!
https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/crafts/how-to-make-refrigerator-magnets-from-clothespins
Teachers Gifts: DIY Magnetic Clothespins
by Prudence Caskey | Dec 4, 2015
Save money and make fun memories this year by making your own gifts!
This Christmas, save money and enjoy the season by hand-making gifts for your children’s teachers, friends, and your co-workers. We have all received the “awesome” gift of a plaid tie or vanilla candle which is appreciated, but lacks a personal touch. Why not use this opportunity to make a little mess in the kitchen as well as some holiday memories with your kids? You could even do this as an activity for your 4-H Club’s Holiday Party. In years past, our family has made many gifts for those who we would like to receive a little something. In our family alone, we have six teachers and between my husband and I there are 27 co-workers to purchase for, we can’t afford to go out and buy everyone a $10-$15 gift. Which would mean spending nearly $500 for those small gifts!
The question is, what can you make? Fresh-baked goods are a wonderful option, but can’t be baked too far in advance without freezing. There are many other options, such as candy, jams, and even pickled garlic! Cookies, brownies, or soup in-a-jar gifts are also fun options (especially for single parents or working moms). One year, our family made hot chocolate mix for everyone. Jelly jars filled with powdered milk, cocoa, and marshmallows were a great, well-received gift and only cost $1.75 each! This was much more economical ($58 compared to $495). We decorated our jars with a little bit of material and tied a nice bow. You could even combine your ingredients in a zipper bag and place in a mug for the gift or use a funnel to pour it into a plain glass or plastic tree ornament. Your imagination is the limit, and your relationships with your children will benefit just as much as your pocketbook!
4-H teaches youth to shop responsibly with our Consumer Decision curriculum and Consumer Choices events. Youth can also use 4-H’s My Financial Future Curriculum, youth will learn budgeting, how to balance a bank account, how to deal with emergency expenses and how to make educated shopping choices. If you have a passion or crafting or money management, consider becoming a 4-H volunteer! WE offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities to fit your interests, skills, and schedule. For more information about 4-H, or to sign up for My Financial Future, please contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office or visit http://florida4h.org.
