Shopping ---> Baking

Christmas shopping is kind of crazy.  I've been stressed out trying to determine which gift would be right for each person on my list.  Then, after looking at tons of delicious holiday goodies I wanted to make next week, I realized I should go back to the best method of Christmas gift giving, homemade gifts that actually mean something.  Yes, I could drop $50 on a pair of jeans or $70 for those shoes, but I would much rather use my time and skills in the kitchen to spread the love, quite gingerly if we are talking about frosting ;)  Not only will I save money, but my recipients will be able to lavish themselves in freshly baked gingerbread and Buche de Noel, knowing my hours at the stove were all for those moments on their taste buds.  So, the menu?  I'm thinking these:

- Classic chocolate Buche de Noel w/ hand-drawn chocolate forest friends and mushrooms
- Gingerbread critters
- Frosted sugar cookies
- English toffee
- Red and green swirled chocolate fudge
- Soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookies
- Peppermint bark

I've pretty much prepared everything else before, except the Buche de Noel.  May Saint Nick be with me to bake a delicious, moist genoise with amazingly creamy buttercream! 

*Coupon Deals of the Week*

Walgreens
Simply Orange or Tropicana Orange Juice $2.99
- use $.50/1 mfc from Walgreens Dec. coupon booklet
Ice Mountain 24-pack bottled water 2/$7, receive 1RR
- use $1/2 mfc peelie on package
- pay $6, get 1RR, $2.50 per 24-pack
Snickers Holiday Nutcrackers $.39
- buy 6, use (2) $1/2 Christmas Mars chocolates
- pay $.34 for all 6!

HyVee
Midwest Country Fare Light Brown or Powdered Sugar $.99 w/ in-ad coupon
Keebler Zesta Saltines $.99 w/ in-ad coupon
Russet Potatoes $.99/5 lb. w/ in-ad coupon
HyVee Cream Cheese $.79 w/ in-ad coupon
HyVee Eggs $.88 w/ in-ad coupon
Imperial Margarine $.49/ 1 lb. w/ in-ad coupon
Ritz Crackers 2/$4
- use $1/1 Nabisco crackers mfc
HyVee frozen veggies $.68
Del Monte Gold pineapple $2.48
Dole Premium Salads 2/$3
Eggplant $.99
Green peppers and cucumbers 2/$1

Here's to more snow!

~The Vegetarian Cat