Simple Wrapping: Origami Boxes

Here is a quick tip just in time for stocking stuffers. I love to wrap every little thing in our kids' Christmas stockings...partially because it makes each item seem a little more special. The other main reason is that we just don't put much in the stockings. This year, in lieu of wrap, I decided to make little origami boxes.

The inspiration: My mother in law. She is awesome at gift giving, and a couple of days ago we had one more taste of her gifting. In the mail was a sweet, intricate origami star ornament she had purchased complete with origami box. "Hmmm...maybe I could do that..." The rest is history.

Where did I go for instruction? VideoJug, of course. Click here to get started.

Because I have beaucoups of sheets of scrapbooking paper, this was a cheap project. And this way I could personalize each child's gifts using their favorite colors. A little time, a little effort, and a big bang for our Christmas buck!

Gluten Free Toll House Cookies (and Cookie Cake!)

Once you've made my gluten free flour mix, you NEED to make the following cookie recipe.

GF Toll House Cookies (adapted fromverybestbaking.com)

2 1/4 cups Julia’s all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon gf vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) gf chocolate chips


Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

*By the way, I always just dump all of the ingredients and mix them. I can't stand recipes with too many steps. If they don't work when I dump it, I usually won't keep the recipe!

*This makes a great cookie cake. Just spread it in a round pizza pan. Bake 18 minutes.