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Tip Store: Gifts: Edible Gifts


​Cordial for Giving

Lemon Cordial:
Use equal measures of freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar. Dissolve in a saucepan over low heat stirring constantly. Once dissolved increase heat until mixture gets bubbles around the sides of the saucepan. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon tartaric acid and one teaspoon of citric acid (both available in supermarket near the essences). Bottle while hot in sterilized bottles. To consume, dilute to taste with cold water or soda water. Refrigerate once opened.

Orange or Tangelo Cordial
Use one cup of orange or tangelo juice to 3/4 cup of sugar. Dissolve in a saucepan over low heat stirring constantly. Once dissolved increase heat until mixture gets bubbles around the sides of the saucepan. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon tartaric acid and one teaspoon of citric acid (both available in supermarket near the essences). Bottle while hot in sterilized bottles. To consume, dilute to taste with cold water or soda water. Refrigerate once opened.

Passionfruit (my favourite):
Ingredients:
2 cups white sugar
1 cup water
1 cup passionfruit pulp (about 12-16 passionfruit)
juice of two large lemons 2 level teaspoons
tartaric acid

Method: Put sugar and water in saucepan. Bring to boil and boil for five minutes. Add passionfruit pulp and lemon juice. Bring to boil and boil again for 5 minutes. Strain the pips out and discard. Add the tartaric acid and stir well. Bottle in sterilised bottles. Same keeping and storage as above. It is unlikely this will go off as it will not last. If you want to make natural "Passiona", use soda water when diluting.

To sterilise the bottles: wash in hot water without detergent. Drain. Place bottles on a baking tray lined with a tea towel (no towel protruding over the tray if you have a gas oven!). Place in oven at 150C for 6 minutes. Remove and fill the bottles with hot liquid whilst bottles are also hot. USE OVEN GLOVES!

For Gift Giving:
Make a label (using a nice font on the computer). Glue on front and centre of bottle (I just use glue stick). You can also make an "Ingredients" label and stick to the back (very professional-looking). For the top you can tie a length of natural jute twine or raffia. If I re-use bottles that have contained syrup or the like, I also make a plain brown paper "hat" to hide printed lids and tie it on with the raffia. This gives a very handmade but professional finish suitable for gift giving.
​ Contributed by Kerry Rowles, 29th August 2013

​Yummy Rum Balls

The best gift for a teacher is a homemade card that tells how wonderful they have been for your child and how much you appreciate their effort. Attach this to a little bottle of easy to make rum balls and you have a perfect gift from the heart. (Rum balls are just a tin of condensed milk, 10 crushed weetbix, 1 cup of coconut, 3 tablespoons cocoa and half a bottle of rum essence(85c).Add weetbix or water to get the right texture. Roll little balls in coconut. Cheap and Yum without the rum!
​- Contributed by Maryrose Hocken

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  • Home
  • Join the Club!
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
    • Gift Memberships
  • About Us
    • Cath's Story
    • Ask Cath
    • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
  • Forum
    • Current Forum Discussions
    • How to Use the Member Forum
  • Inspiration
    • Getting Started
    • Handmade Christmas Central >
      • Handmade Christmas 2025 is about to start
    • 31 Days of MOO Index
    • Articles
    • Back to Basics >
      • Back to Basics
      • Back to Basics Index
    • Housekeeping Routines
    • Budget Renovations
    • Saving Stories
  • SAVING REVOLUTION
    • 2025 Saving Revolution Index
    • Saving Revolution Resources
  • Recipes
    • Recipe File Index
    • Meal Plans
    • Add a Recipe
    • $300 a Month Food Challenge >
      • $300 a Month Food Challenge
      • The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
  • Newsletters
    • Newsletters 2025
  • Saving Money
    • Bill Paying System
    • Cheapskates Tip Store
    • Tip Sheets
    • Top Tip Competition
  • Contact
    • Changing Details
    • Help Files