Follow the instructions on the ready-mix bag. Pour in about 1.5 inches of cement. When the consistency is right, have your child put in his footprints and or handprints. Add the date if you wish, and decorate with various seashells, marbles, mosaic tiles, and so on.

Coffee Lover’s Basket
Have a coffee lover on your list? Here are a few ideas to include in a gift basket for any java junkie:
Chocolate-dipped plastic spoons with sprinkles and a bow for decoration. Add a box of chocolate-dipped cookies or home-made biscotti. Make your own home-made dessert coffee mixes:

Mocha
1/4 cup instant coffee
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup sugar

Café au Lait
1/4 cup instant coffee
1/2 cup dry milk
1/2 cup sugar

Spice
1/4 cup instant coffee
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice

For all the mixes above, combine ingredients then store in a tightly covered jar for up to 6 months. For each serving, place 2 teaspoons mix in cup. Fill with boiling water.

Grandparent’s Calendar
This is a gift sure to be joyfully received by grandparents and other family members, too.

Using a computer program, print off calendar months on 8.5x11 cardstock. On the blank backsides decorate with your kids’ artwork, photos, poems and clip art. Add birthdays marked on the appropriate dates and other memorable occasions, too.

Bring the finished pages to your local library to laminate (most will allow you to use the laminating machine provided you bring your own materials) or quick copy store and bind them together. This is great for grandparents, but can be modified for any member of the family or for friends.

For detailed instructions including Internet resources for the calendar pages, see “Holiday Head Start,” Family Calendar, DPL, July ‘04, page 4.

No-Sew Fleece Blanket
Choose polar fleece in an appropriate pattern, sports team, juvenile character, jungle print, plaid, solid or other motif at a fabric or craft store. Baby blankets require about 3/4 yard; you’ll want a yard or more for adults and older children. Because fleece is quite wide (60 inches is typical) one yard makes a nice size. You can make a heavier blanket by layering two fabric panels or a lighter-weight blanket by using one layer only. Cut about 2.5-inch strips on the edges and tie them together to add fringe. Polar fleece never frays, even with washing. 

Cookie Jars
Layered to look like “sand art,” cookie  mixes make the perfect gift for family, friends and teachers. Layer the dry ingredients to make brownies or cookies in a one-quart, wide-mouth canning jar. Decorate the jar with ribbon and attach instructions.

Since people usually receive so many baked goodies this time of year, a treat to make at a later date is usually appreciated. Even if they do not want to bake them, the jar makes a great display piece for the kitchen.

Here’s a recipe:

Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 1/2 cups flour mixed with 1 tsp baking soda and 1/4 tsp salt

Layer ingredients in the jar in the order given, pressing each layer firmly in place before adding the next. Everything will fit if you are diligent to pack each layer tightly, particularly the brown sugar and flour. Use the end of a wooden spoon as a packing device. Measure carefully.