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This holiday season is very lean. But I still wanted to give those I loved a small gift. So I spent just a small amount of money for materials and headed to work.

But, before we take a look at Christmas presents, let me show you what I did last weekend.

The husband has a disco ball suit. I’m not even sure where he purchased it, but he wanted to turn it into a Santacon outfit. So I hand sewed fur trim around the lapels, the cuffs, and the bottom edging of the jacket. He was quite shiny, and quite a hit at Santacon I am told.

While he was out at Santacon, I used my free day to work on Christmas presents. I had marinated 2 different cuts of meat (brisket and london broil) for about 4 days and put them in the oven to make….homemade beef jerky! Now, I don’t eat the stuff, but I tasted it, and for someone that doesn’t eat jerky, it was pretty darn good.

I filled up 2 canning jars, each with a different cut of meat, and topped the jar with a bit of scrapbooking paper.

Those are for the men in my life. The women are getting a canning jar as well. One of these:

That is filled with homemade Vanilla Brown Sugar body scrub. I couldn’t find sunflower oil in my supermarket, so subbed safflower oil. It smells delish and I’m almost sad that there wasn’t enough for a jar for me!

To top off the little bags with the jars of goodies, I made two batches of peppermint bark and put them into festive bags.

I never realized how easy peppermint bark was to make! Some melted dark chocolate, a smidge of peppermint extract and crushed candy canes. The hubby may have called me Martha Stewart as I was filling up the gift bags with jars and bark bags. And after today’s cupcake making, I may have to agree with him.

We’re attending a surprise 40th birthday party tomorrow, and I was tasked to make cupcakes. I wanted something simple, and not chocolate. I settled upon cupcake 23 from here. Ok, not SO simple, but it was exactly what I was thinking of. And of course, I made minis.

I tasted a bit of the lemon filling on the center pieces that I cut out, along with a small dollop of frosting….this cupcake tastes like lemon meringue pie. The picky kid, who does not eat pie unless it is chocolate pudding pie, stated: “This makes me rethink my position on pie.” I say this is a winner.

Whatever holiday you celebrate this season, happy holidays, from my family to yours. <3