'Tis the season for Strawberries and Blueberries! So why not take advantage of all these delicious berries now, and make some jams that you can use for Christmas gifts? The Barefoot Contessa has a wonderful recipe that is easy and delicious!

Easy Homemade Strawberry Jam (from Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa)

Ingredients:

3 Pints Fresh Strawberries
3 cups superfine sugar (I think two cups works great, especially if strawberries are sweet!)
2 Tbs. Grand Marnier or other Orange Liqueur
1/2 Granny Smith apple-peeled, cored and diced
1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Rinse 3 pts. of fresh strawberries under cold running water.
Drain and Hull.
Cut large strawberries in half or quarters, and leave small strawberries whole.
Place strawberries in heavy pot. Add 3 cups superfine sugar, from 2 (1b. bags)
Add 2 Tbs. Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur.
Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring often.
Add apple and blueberries, while keeping the mixture at a rolling boil.
Continue to stir jam occasionally until mixture reaches 220 degrees farenheit (using candy thermometer) This should take about 25-25 minutes.
Skim and discard any foam that rises to the top.
Allow jam to cool to room temperature,

Pack and seal in canning jars according to manufacturer's instructions.

Makes about three cups.

Got a Homemade Christmas Gift Idea to share? Please let me know if you would like to write a post on 101 ways to save sharing your idea...Thanks!

Save Money this Christmas with homemade gifts! Yes, it is only July, but I am going to start sharing ideas for inexpensive but very nice Christmas presents you can make this holiday season. Enjoy!

Homemade Bath Salts:

This is a very simple and inexpensive gift that is also very easy to make!

Recipe:

• Epsom Salts
• Essential Oils (found in craft stores such as Michaels, or easily ordered online)
• Glass Jars (No need to buy any jars! Simply wash, dry and use spaghetti sauce jars, baby food jars, or any jars you already have at home.

To make the bath salts, fill a jar with the Epsom Salts.
Next, pour all the salts into a measuring cup.
Mix in 10-12 drops of fragrance for each cup of salt.
Mix thoroughly (about two minutes), and fill jar.

Decorate the jar using ribbon and other materials you have around the house. You may want to spray paint the lids or cover them with fabric. Add a pretty label with the name of your bath salts( something that reflects the scent you used, such as Relaxing Lavendar Bath Salts) and the directions for use (Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of bath salts to bath.)

You can also enhance the bath salts with baking soda, kosher salt or dead sea salts, and food coloring. But these items will add to the cost -- and are not necessary at all.


Picture from Martha Stewart Living, May 2004.