Pantries and Preparedness. Gifts and encouragement.

This year most of my gift giving is pantry related. Luckily in the family we all love our kitchens and pantries and that I have friends who do also. And then there is the "encourage others along" factor that I am trying to do.

A while ago Helen gave me a gift of a set of blue Ball jars from America. I was so excited as I have heard of these all my life and never had any. And blue! When they arrived in the post it was really exciting! Now that is a good pantry gift!

This got me thinking about gifts to give that would add to a pantry. Seriously, every time I use those jars I think of Helen. It is a really lasting present that I will keep forever. They make me happy!

This year especially I have given pantry related gifts and am making up many more for Christmas.

There are a lot of possibilities here! I am combining my hand made tea towels (kitchen towels) in this gift as thats still a kitchen related present but also something to do with the pantry.

Firstly Chloe helped me by printing and binding Patsy's E Book  (from A Working Pantry ). This turned out to be so inexpensive to make multiple gifts. This book will get anyone started on building up their pantry and inspired to do it. An alternative to binding is printing it and putting it into a plastic pocket folder. I look at this picture now and think why didn't I tuck a wooden spoon under that bow!

The next thing I added was printed labels which we printed onto label paper. Jes has so many to print for free at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth with all different kinds of labels for different purposes.

I also use The Graphics Fairy for pretty old fashioned labels.

So then I had labels, Patsy's Book and Tea towels...

Since I have been adding items from the pantry and have jars of jam, my little fruit cakes etc. that can also be part of a pantry gift. These are things that keep well and are so useful to have in your pantry. I also dried and packaged all those Bay Leaves and have a packet to go into each of these gifts.

Labels, jam toppers, tags etc are all so useful. Most of my smaller material scraps are cut into circles for covering jam tops. Gingham is lovely for this. I have made packs of them in cellophane bags and added ribbons to match. This is a really nice little pantry gift or gift for someone you know who loves to make jam.
So are labels. I find it hard to get pretty labels. Printing my own has helped. Otherwise go with the option of tying on a tag. This can also double as a gift tag and label. I write the contents on one side and the message on the other. I have also included the recipe sometimes.
These look really good tied to your food parcels. They add a lot.
Recently I used the photocopier to make up a huge number of Mason Jar tags...

I have used some already as gift tags and they are perfect for pantry gifts! But as food labels, labels around jars etc they look pretty and do the job too.

Packets of these packed in cellophane, in sets of six, are another gift to give.

For a larger gift I have made a little hamper of lovely pantry items that we all need.  I have included beautiful good quality vanilla, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, herbs and spices etc. 

Then I wrap them all up as little treats. I did this for Helen once and said it was a gift of possibilities.

This was all packed into a little box to go in the mail. 

There are so many possibilities! I can think of great lists of them but I want to keep it to inexpensive and lovely. 

A wonderful possibility is finding vintage jars in op shops. Over the years I have found so many including boxes of them. Now these all washed up would be a beautiful gift. Imagine! 

Also a giant jar filled with useful things such as vanilla and sugar or packets of herbs...

A vintage apron and rolling pin (when I say vintage I am still talking op shop bargains!)

A baking tin filled with baking ingredients or a mixing bowl filled with ingredients.

Make up batches of your own Vanilla essence and give in lovely bottles.

A big jar filled with pretty patty pans and sprinkles for cakes.

A cup cake decorating themed gift.

Or Mimi's Sticky Balsamic Vinegar (as mentioned on Monday)

Little pots of herbs to go into the garden or windowsill. This is also adding to the pantry!

I always say use what you have. Leslie was saying that they are making the chopping boards. If you have fruit make jam. If you have lots of baskets make hampers. If you have fabric make covered cook books and jam toppers or pretty aprons. Truly, using what we have is a great place to start.

What are good pantry gifts you have given or have as an idea?

I saw something recently that I thought was lovely. It is a modern take on the old fashioned idea or edging your shelves with lace or trim. Oh my goodness... pretty trim along your shelves! The lovely tapes you can now buy that stick on and come in little florals! Imagine that!

Well, it is never ending. But what lovely and useful ideas that make your heart happy!