Christmas is almost here! Aaaah! Where has the time gone? More importantly, where has my budget gone? Relax, I have a solution. Homemade gifts! Okay, I heard that. Stop groaning. These aren’t your hokey weave-a-potholder gifts that no one wants, these are the better-than-store-bought-but-so-easy kind of gifts that will thrill the recipient and have people talking about you (in a good way this time) all year.
Problem: What to give Dad/Grandpa/Uncle/Boss?
Solution: Homemade Beef Jerky!
Men, they are very hard to shop for. My dad always insists that he doesn’t want me to buy him anything for Christmas, and he means it. He has everything he needs and doesn’t want to have stuff he doesn’t need sitting around taking up space. But what man (or woman for that matter) doesn’t love a good piece of beef jerky? It doesn’t collect dust on the mantle and he will sincerely thank you for it. Try this recipe, make a great big batch and wrap it up nice in a Ziploc bag with a huge ribbon.

• 4lbs London Broil
• 2tsp black pepper
• 2tsp chili powder
• 2tsp garlic powder
• 2tsp cayenne pepper (more if they like it hot)
• 2tsp onion powder
• 1tsp liquid smoke
• 1/4cup soy sauce
• ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup Franks’s red hot sauce

1. Cut Steak in 4 inch strips ½ inch thick (easier if partially frozen)
2. Pound to tenderize, but you don’t want it too thin.
3. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, add meat and cover.
4. Refrigerate overnight
5. Line cookie sheets with foil and place meat strips, do not overlap
6. Bake 6 hours at lowest oven temperature (150-175), turning once.
7. Jerky is done when completely dried.

Problem: I need something for Mom/Grandma/Aunt/Sister/Girlfriend.
Solution: Ribbon Picture Rack!
This is very easy to make and good for pretty much anyone on the list. Not too personal to give to an acquaintance or Secret Santa, but you can make this very special by adding pictures or words. I recommend buying the materials in bulk and making several, this saves time, money, and sanity. No one will care that you gave them the same thing as Aunt Millie.

• 2 pieces of foam board or thick cardboard the size you want your rack to be
• Ribbon (you want to pick one that won’t unravel when you poke a hole through it)
• Batting
• Upholstery tacks
• Fabric

1. Cut your fabric so its about 1 ½” bigger than your board on each side
2. Cut batting to same size as your board and glue to board (spray adhesive is easiest, but good ol’ Elmer’s will work fine.)
3. Now cover the board and batting with your fabric. You want the wrong side of the fabric touching the batting. Staple fabric to board, pulling tightly all the way around.
4. Starting at one corner staple ribbon to back of board and pull across front diagonally to other corner, staple to back of board and cut excess ribbon. Repeat, creating a criss-cross pattern.
5. Cut other piece of board slightly smaller than the first. Glue to back of picture rack to create a nice looking, finished back.
6. Hammer upholstery tacks where ribbons cross and at ribbon edges.
7. Use a matching piece of ribbon attached to the two top corners to create a nice way to hang the rack, or attach it across the back invisibly.

Problem: My kids want to make gifts too, but I don’t want paint all over my carpet!
Solution: Adorable Milk Jug Ring Wreaths
This is one of my favorites. My kids love to make them and they actually come out looking great when they’re done. I add these to my packages or use them as ornaments for the tree. They make cute napkin rings too. Everyone loves getting one of these handmade by the kids.

Ring from top of milk jug
2 green pipe cleaners (metallic looks best)
Small piece of ribbon or red pipe cleaner
Decorative embellishments

1. Wrap pipe cleaners around plastic ring tightly so none of the ring is showing
2. Tie a little bow at the top with ribbon or red pipe cleaner
3. Hot glue any little embellishments you may have laying around (you were wondering what do with that Santa Claus earring you lost the match to)