Since we had to buy Christmas gifts for seven teachers (that’s right), along with a list of other people, we had to be creative and also keep to our budget.

I’m not one of those people who makes their own jams over the summer to turn into beautiful gift baskets for the holidays. Nor do I have the time to bake large batches of cookies or treats. I’m already hosting Christmas dinner so need to take it easy.

Instead, I decided to make Christmas gifts for our kids’ teachers. A trip to the Ottawa Farmers’ Market for some Hummingbird Chocolate, a dollar store for glass jars, Bridgehead and health food stores for teas and voila: tea and hot chocolate gift baskets.

The idea of my D.I.Y hot chocolate on a stick doesn’t seem that intimidating, until I tried the rich, spicy Hummingbird hot chocolate. I have never had such decadent and delicious hot chocolate in my entire life. I wouldn’t be able to make anything that would come close to this heavenly goodness, so it was well worth the purchase.

I also had a lot of tea left over, so will be making more gift baskets.

D.I.Y. Christmas baskets don’t have to be an extravagant endeavour or break the bank. Just a little creativity and some time, and the sky’s the limit on what great gift ideas you can come up with.