December 5, 2002

Prairie Fare: Your Gift’s in the Mail

By Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist
NDSU Extension Service

I can always tell when the holidays are approaching. My children’s behavior becomes exemplary. They pick up their toys without being told, they help take out the trash and they bicker less often. They eagerly help with cookie decorating.

All this good behavior may have something to do with a certain jolly old elf who knows when they’re naughty or nice. Maybe they’re growing up or maybe the possibility of gifts is the motivating force.

Gifts, of course, don’t have to be expensive to be appreciated. To save some cash this holiday season, share some family recipes in a nice recipe box. Give of your time by creating "coupons" for snow shoveling, window washing, a home-cooked meal or a couple hours of cleaning or babysitting. Assemble home-made soup and beverage mixes. Be creative. Consider "theme gifts" such as a "movie night basket" featuring microwave popcorn, juice boxes and coupons for movie rentals.

A box of home-made cookies or bars is an especially welcome treat for family far from home. The problem with mailing baked goods, however, is that they tend to crumble during shipping. Consider the type of cookie you’re mailing, and choose the "sturdier" ones, like peanut butter or chocolate chip cookies.

Here are some tips to maintain food quality and safety during shipping:

• Keep cookies and nonperishable goodies from crumbling by packing them back-to-back and wrapping in plastic wrap. Place wrapped pairs between two small plastic foam plates. Tape the plates around the cookies, place in a cardboard box and add bubble wrap or crushed newspaper to hold them in place.
• If you’d like to ship perishable items, it’s best to freeze them first. Include another cold source like a frozen gel pack or dry ice. Choose a sturdy box or container and pack frozen or cold food with cold sources in heavy foam or corrugated cardboard. Fill any empty space with crumpled newspaper or foam popcorn, then seal the box. It’s best to ship perishables overnight. Remember shipping in this manner can be costly, so you need to decide if the item is worth the mailing expense. Label the package clearly with "perishable – keep refrigerated." A "surprise" perishable gift is generally not a good idea, so arrange a delivery time with the recipient.
• If you’re the recipient of food in the mail, particularly perishable food, be sure the food has arrived frozen or partially frozen. At a minimum, the food should be refrigerator-cold, below 40 degrees F. Refrigerate the food promptly. If the perishable food feels warm, do not taste or eat it.

Here’s an easy-to-make mix that makes a great gift. Just place it in a jar or air-tight container, add a tag with the directions and top with a bow.

Cocoa Mix

1 c. non-dairy creamer
1 c. nonfat dry milk
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa

Combine ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Store in airtight containers. To serve: place 2 heaping tablespoons in a cup. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir well. Add a cinnamon stick or peppermint stick to each cup, if desired.

Makes 24 servings. Each serving contains 75 calories and 1.7 grams fat.

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Source: Julie Garden-Robinson, (701) 231-7187, jgardenr@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu