Homemade Christmas (the never posted blog)

My friend Dawn posted a few days ago about homemade Christmas gifts so I have been determined to share what we're doing here.  I've always done homemade Christmas gifts, it's one  of my favorite parts about Christmas.  In the past I have done photo collages, painted plaques, glass bead magnets, beaded bracelets, dvd slide shows, chocolate dipped pretzels,  and cookies- always cookies.  This year will have a few new treats.  Before my friend made an exciting life changing move to  Nova Scotia  she taught me how to make jam.  And boy have I been jam'n!  This years gifts will include samples of both strawberry jam and wine jelly.  I just made two more batches of the wine jelly, one a melot and one a cabernet/merlot.  We taste tested the cab jelly tonight- mmmmmm so yummy!  I've also made some tangerine marmalade, but we're keeping that to ourselves.   I have also been knitting, but those skills need a bit more time before I'd pass along any treasure I've made!  I will start cookie making next week sometime, I haven't yet decided if we'll do pretzels, but most likely we will, the kids are really able to help with that, plus they are soooo good!  I also have one other homemade gift that the kids will help with, however, I know that a few on our list occasionally read this blog so I have to hold back!  If you really really have to know leave a comment  and I'll email you privately.