http://www.aboutchristmascrafts.com/chocolate_pretzels_easy_to_make_christmas_gifts.html#more

Chocolate Pretzels: Easy to Make Christmas Gifts!
Looking for easy to make Christmas gifts? Try these yummy chocolate pretzels and make your friends say WOW!

Not only are these easy to make Christmas gifts simple to whip up in an afternoon, they’re pretty and have a personal touch. Homemade gifts show you care, and easy to make Christmas gifts like these are just as easy to give as expensive store-bought presents.

-Pretzels (the curly kind – small ones work best)
-6 squares of white chocolate
-1/4 cup candy sprinkles
-cellophane Christmas bags or small Christmas themed tins (readily available at discount and dollar stores)
-Pretty ribbon
-Gift tags (or make your own!)

The first step in these easy to make Christmas gifts is to get cooking! This recipe is quick and easy and will only take a little while to make, so you might want to think about doubling or even tripling it while you’re in the kitchen anyway.

Lay a piece of wax paper over a cooking pan. Slowly melt the white chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave over low heat, stirring frequently. Once the chocolate has melted, dip each pretzel halfway into the chocolate, turning to coat it completely. Lay the coated pretzels on the cooking sheet and sprinkle them with candy before the chocolate dries. To speed up the drying process, you can put them in the refrigerator for ten minutes.

Once the pretzels are dry, store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to give them out (I like to keep them in the fridge just to be safe).

Make It!

To finish these easy to make Christmas gifts, gather the tins or cellophane bags you’re planning to stuff. Evenly distribute the pretzels among them. If you’re using tins, you’ll probably need more pretzels than if you stick with bags, but it’ll look nicer. Tie the bags shut with ribbon or, if you’re using tins, craft a pretty bow to stick on top. Personalize the gift tags and attach them to each package. There you have it: easy to make Christmas gifts that look (and taste!) great!

Other Ideas

If you’re the adventurous sort, feel free to play with this recipe. There are all sorts of fun things you can add to the mix: nuts, raisins, cereal, or anything else you think might taste good smothered in chocolate. These easy to make Christmas gifts are fun for the whole family! For even more chocolate recipes, please see ExtremeChocolate.com.

Sparkling Gift Tags

These sparkling gift tags, with a front flap for holding gift-certificate cards, are as functional as they are pretty. Tie them to presents, or hang them on the tree.

1. Cut a 4 1/2-by-3 1/2-inch rectangle from card stock, rounding the corners. Cut a 3 1/2-inch square in a coordinating color, rounding bottom corners only. Trim top edge with scallop scissors if desired.

2. Place strips of double-sided tape where glitter will appear, using different widths to vary the size of the stripes; sprinkle with glitter. (If using multiple shades of glitter, lay tape strips down 1 at a time so you can sprinkle individually, left.)

3. Attach square to rectangle with double-sided tape, leaving opening at top. Write greeting on front. Punch a hole in the top, and thread with cord or string, knotting to secure.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/hot-cranberry-cider-recipe/index.html

Hot Cranberry Cider
Prep Time:5 min
Cook Time:7 min
3 1/2 quarts, about 18 servings

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 cinnamon sticks, plus additional sticks to use at stirrers
1 tablespoon whole cloves
8 cups cranberry juice
6 cups apple juice

Put the sugar, cinnamon sticks and cloves in the basket of a large coffee percolator. Put the juices in the bottom of the percolator. Let the mixture perk as if making coffee. Serve with cinnamon stick stirrers, if desired.