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Last Minute Gift: Peppermint Bark In Enticing Boxes

Published 12.20.2007 | Permanent Link | Comments (11)

As much as I try to pretend it's not true, it's go time. It's time to make Christmas happen, it's coming ready or not. Because of this I ran out and put together this very quick gift for the great number of people I want to express my kind feelings for.

I love peppermint bark and have received it as a gift in the past and if I only had 2 or 3 people I wanted to express my kind feelings for, I'd buy this option at Williams-Sonoma. But at $39.50 for a set of two, I have kind feelings for way too many people to go that route. Instead I created my own and spent just under $30 to make 12 gifts and the kids helped.

Peppermint Bark

Here's an easy recipe for peppermint bark. I like mine layered with milk chocolate and white chocolate, so I use these candy melts for ease. The process is pretty much the same only while your first layer of milk chocolate is in the freezer, you melt the white chocolate and then layer it on top.

Here's the first layer.

Peppermint Bark

Surprise! I forgot to take a picture of the second layer on it's own. But here it is with the crushed peppermint on top.

Peppermint Bark

Crushing the peppermint sticks is the perfect job for kids, just put them in 3 or 4 layers of freezer bags. Even then I had a little peppermint dust on my counters.

Peppermint Bark

Don't put away that mallet, you'll need your kid's help again later.

I decided to drizzle some milk chocolate on top of my bark because I think it looks nicer. Here it is fresh from the freezer and ready to be broken (with the mallet, just put a layer of wax paper over the top of the bark).

Peppermint Bark

Doesn't it look lovely?

To package the bark, I went to Michael's and browsed the Martha craft line and passed out when I saw how much her food packaging kits are. So instead I bought these white boxes (3 for $1.99), some sticker labels (on clearance for $1), striped twine and paper like this to line my boxes.

treatsinabox.jpg

Cute!

Mine say Merry Christmas From The Summers but you can write whatever politically correct greeting you'd like on top. Also you don't have to make yours from The Summers.

Peppermint Bark

I ran out of twine and labels with the last few boxes I had. So I used red grosgrain ribbon and these mailing labels I love.

Peppermint Bark

This project took me about two hours, not including time waiting for the bark to set up in the freezer. The part that took the longest was putting the (stupid) boxes together, their assembly is far more complicated than it needs to be.

So I have those gifts done but, as always, I still have to run out to the store for some last minute purchases.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

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Comments (11):

heather2 said:

Thank you thank you thank you! I've been wondering where to find a recipe for peppermint bark. Yum!

Posted on December 20, 2007 12:37

Gudrun said:

thanks for the gift box idea - I love to bake but struggle with how to package attractively. Love your ideas for the white box with stickers - thank you!

Posted on December 20, 2007 12:41

Melanie at Beanpaste said:

The packaging is completely darling. Well done! I would be thrilled to get something like that.

I'm trying to avoid the Martha aisle. It's like an opium den: I come out dizzy and penniless.

Posted on December 20, 2007 17:46

Brandi said:

After this post, I ran to Michael's and bought all the supplies. The only thing I couldn't find was the tissue paper, so I bought some with snowflakes at Target. Instead of the sticker tag, I found Martha red mailing tags like the ones you used when you ran out. Thank you for this idea! Now I need to convince my husband to go door-to-door with me this weekend passing them out.

Posted on December 20, 2007 19:55

Krissy said:

May I please ask you where you bought those original labels/tags (with the dark border)? Exposures used to sell them but not anymore. I have not been able to find these labels lately.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 20, 2007 21:07

MelissaS said:

I got them at Michael's with the Martha stuff as well, but they were on clearance. They have others though.

Posted on December 21, 2007 10:39

Fer said:

Awesome idea. VERY easy. Thank you for the inspiration!

Posted on December 23, 2007 18:58

Assertagirl said:

How did you manage the white chocolate not to melt in with the milk chocolate, below? Mine sort of melded in together. Still pretty, but not quite as nice as yours!

Posted on December 23, 2007 20:37

thisKat said:

My NY resolution is to be more like Melissa Summers. Your writing rocks, your ideas are fabulous. I've been feeling like there is no way I should even attempt things like this because I just don't have the time or skills, but you've inspired me!

Posted on December 29, 2007 19:02

Lillie Tidwell said:

Yes, this will make the perfect gift. For myself, too! Anything that mixes chocolate and mint is made for me! : )

Posted on December 20, 2008 20:42

DreamrKate said:

Loved, loved, LOVED this idea... and someone above me said that she'd like a gift like this... I agree. I was thinking I might layer some broken pretzels in there too... just to see. You know, sweet and salt, with some chocolate. Sounds good anyway.

Posted on December 30, 2008 00:57





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This column is no longer activel adding new content. It was written by Melissa Summers who can be found at her personal weblog suburbanbliss.net.

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