~~~~CHRISTMAS CONFECTIONS for 2011~~~~ Almond Brittle Gifting Once Again

 ~SIMPLE for 2011~

For the past couple of days I've been working on special little gifts for my neighbors and friends.  For years the tradition around my La Chaumière has been to make either Almond Brittle or Sugared Pecans for the people that mean the most to our family.  I decided to whip up three batches of the yummy Brittle this year (it's really a fabulous toffee-type candy).  I finished wrapping them all up on Tuesday and now I'm all done for 2011!

~LOVELY GLASS JARS~

If you'd like a last-minute, easy to make treat you can check out my previous posts for the Brittle (from 2010) and the Pecans (from 2009) by clicking on the links. These fabulous Christmas and Holiday time confections will not disappoint!  They are more than delicious and are always a big hit!

 ~PRETTY LACY BAGS~

This year I decided to use both Jars and Lacy Bags to hold the Brittle.  With my Mr. AGPMan in school we didn't do as much junkin' and slummin' as we have in past years so I didn't collect as many jars as I normally do.  The bags I used are dense poly-type bags (brown-bag style) and all I did was turn down the top and place a folded doily over the turned down top edge.  Two holes were punched through all the layers and a sheer mist ribbon and custom made tag from a vintage graphic was added.  This year I decided to keep everything simple!  I actually love how the bags came out and I'm going to keep this idea in mind for future gifting!

~BACK VIEW of BAGS~

Since so many of these gifts are given to my hubby's co-workers (and they are all men) I didn't want them to be too girly-girl so  I used a cranberry colored ribbon instead of pink.  The bags were easy for my guy to carry and no fear of breakage, too!

~VINTAGE GRAPHIC~

This old Christmas wreath graphic is a keeper!  I didn't do anything to it but change the background color (it was blue) to white and add a thin-line border in the color of the ribbon I used.  Store bought To/From Tags can easily be used as well if you aren't familiar with working with computer altering programs...

 ~BRITTLE for 2011~

Here's a picture of our Almond Brittle for this year!  I only tasted a tiny bit because I have a tendency to put on a few extra pounds during the Holidays and this year I'm trying my best not to!  It's all that over indulging on Fruitcake...Fruitcake...FRUITCAKE (and cookies, candy, pies, cheese balls and cakes!) that causes all the problems...  That said...a little never hurts!!!!

~BRITTLE BACK SIDE~

Tonight I'm adding ribbons to our wrapped packages and then I'm done with our gift-related things for the year!  Tomorrow I will ready our kitchen for our Christmas Day meal and enjoy my hubby being off from both work and school...  

I'll be back tomorrow with a few thoughts...  Hope your Thursday is beautiful and blessed.

Love to you...