Friday, December 17, 2010

naughty or nice

Here's a gift that we're giving to everybody on our list. Alfredo is going to have a big sack of these and will hand them out to each person.


 At first I was going to make separate Naughty and Nice bags but when I went down the list and Alfredo didn't say even one was on the naughty list I had to go to plan b.



Each bag has "Have you been Nice?" on one side and "Have you been Naughty?" on the other. Have you ever had these Ice Cubes? Oh my goodness, they are so good! And the fruit candy is the same that I put in the snowman tins that we made.


Initially I was going to get lumps of coal in bulk from the Candy Warehouse but they weren't able to fill the order. Unfortunately by the time I found out, I'd already received the nice candy and 100 muslin bags. I couldn't find another bulk source for the lumps of coal. But I did come up with an even better idea...I made them!



I found a chocolate mold for the lumps, got melting chocolate from a local chocolatier, and poured my own lumps of coal.



The secret to making them really look like coal...black foil wrapping!

Costs:
Chocolate for melting: $14 for 4 lbs making 62 lumps--price each lump:  22 cents
Chocolate mold: 2 @ $2 (I bought two so the making would go a bit quicker)
Black foil: $6.57 for 125-- price each: 5 cents
5" x 7" Muslin bags: $30 for $100 --price each 30 cents
Ice cubes: $48 for 120 pieces --price each 40 cents
Italian fruit candy:  1600 pieces for $60--price per dozen 45 cents
Iron on transfers: $7 for 12 sheets--price per bag 24 cents

Price per bag is roughly $1.66! Can you beat that? (just a side note, if I had bought the lumps of coal instead of making them the cost per bag would've been double!)

I have some really sad news to share. My poor father fell on the ice walking home from the post office yesterday and broke his leg in many places. He's in the hospital now and he'll probably have surgery (although they are a bit worried about his age) and then recuperate in a nursing home. In spite of it all, he seems in pretty good spirits (maybe it's that pain medication he's on!) I talked to him on the phone yesterday afternoon and he said "Well, I really did it this time!" Isn't it crazy how one false move can change everything? Will you keep my sweet daddy in your prayers?

33 comments:

Sharon Stanley said...

oh my! these bags have given me such a good idea...thanks...they are just so cute...did you make the transfers or purchase them somewhere? really a fun gift for anyone! hope your daddy makes a quick recovery....keeping him in my prayers.

Alison said...

Amy,
Those bags are darling! Such a great idea!
I'll be thinking of you and praying for your dad. In October, my mom was out on a walk rehabbing from knee surgery, stepped on a pinecone (of all things), fell and broke her wrist into a million pieces. Within 2 hours she was in surgery. She's fine now, thank goodness, but I know what you mean about how everything can change from just one false step!
Alison

marble rose said...

FABULOUS IDEA!!!!
best wishes and prayers for your daddy xxxxxx

birdie blue said...

darling gifts, amy! i'm so sorry to read about your poor dad. he'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

xo
~molly

Pamela said...

Oh my! What an awful way to spend the holidays! Best wishes to him and your family. I'll keep him in my prayers. The bags are adorable! I wish I had these in my classroom.

Shelley said...

SO cute! Love that idea!

Rita Hutcheson-Cobbs said...

I think this is more nice than naughty...lol...loving it...

Becky J said...

Dear Amy...may the Lord Jesus guide each one that ministers to your dear daddy and we trust the Lord for a very quick recovery...remember God is Jehovah-rapha: the Lord who heals...and what a sweet treat awaits your gift bag recipients :) YUMMO-cute...merry Christmas...blessings, Becky

Donna said...

Amy, I love your blog and your ideas. Will say a prayer for you dad. Want to come and check out my blog?
donna-retirementcountdown.blogspot.com

Jennifer Kolakowski said...

He will absolutely be in my prayers!

Jen K.

jenny allsorts said...

I ADORE your naughty/nice goodie bags, but I am terribly upset to hear about your sweet daddy! Sending prayers for healing and comfort... and BIG hugs. Keep us posted as to his recovery!

Unknown said...

Amy's dad is going right onto the prayer list- poor guy!

Those bags are unbelievable darling!

Anonymous said...

Oh Amy I am so sorry about your dad! I did something similar several years ago, but I was only 40. Recovery was slow but steady and I will pray it will be the same for your dad.
Lovie

ps. love the bags!

cindie said...

sending prayers for your Dad ...hope that all goes well.
I love your bags and the lumps of coal...

Rachel and Pia's Cottage said...

Yes, dear Amy, healing prayers to your sweet father! Treat bags are darling, as are the snowman tins !

Jennifer said...

Healing thoughts and good wishes to your dad and for your family as you see him through.

Maija said...

So sorry to read about your dad! I'll pray for his speedy recovery!
And I have been a little naughty this year.....

Piper said...

Amy, thank you for always sharing your lovely ideas!
I am sending healing thoughts to your sweet Daddy and his leg right now. Poor thing! Love and hugs to you!

Susan said...

I was introduced to Ice Cubes about 50 years ago! They've been around a long time. Put them in the fridge in the summer; they're a real treat then.
So sorry about your dad. I slipped on the ice as well, but no ill effects as I landed on the padding intended to absorb such falls! Will pray for your dad. He sounds like my 91-y.o. dad who teases the nurses unmercifully when he's in the hospital.

jackie said...

Oh Sweet Amy I am so sorry to hear about your fathers fall......I know what you mean. That ice is deadly and we all are victims of falling no matter what age. Hope he continues to have a great attitude and mends quickly!

Molly said...

Amy I will keep your dad in my prayers! I hope he has a speedy recovery!
~Molly P

licha20 said...

Will keep your Dad in my prayers,Amy.

Is the naughty and nice your design??
very cute

bev said...

So sorry to hear about your dad's fall...will keep him in prayers.
I love your nice/naughty bags..very clever and CUTE!

Cindy said...

Amy, I'm sorry to hear about your poor Dad. How very unfortunate. Will certainly say a prayer for him.

You are one COOL Mom, making such amazing goodie bags for Alfredo's friends! This is SO fantastic...I especially love the iron-on and the lump of coal YOU made!!

Pretty Things said...

You're brilliant! I thought the lumps of coal I've seen in the stores were big blocks of licorice! Never knew they were foil.

And those bags? I love them!!!

Elyse said...

how adorable and inventive ... and ice cube candy, too (mmmmm!).

rock on (or should i say, "coal on"?)

xo
elyse

Renee said...

I hope your dad recovers quickly. Sorry for his fall.

The little bags are very cute and very cute lumps of coal.

Anonymous said...

Amy,
I suspect that you designed the transfer. I recognize that unique style of yours. Charming. Ice Cubes....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Heidi
(Club Little House)

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh what FABULOUS ideas! I hope you and your family have a joyous Christmas!

Sandy xox

Chris Worthy said...

Adorable bags -- and my prayers for a speedy recovery for your dad.

Heather said...

Adorable bags! I am so sorry to hear about your father, I will keep him in my prayers. Good Luck!

LollyChops said...

Can I pretty please ask where you got your amazing muslin bags? I adore this project and I cannot wait to try something like this myself! You are a genius!

LollyChops said...

oops... never mind! I just saw the link in your resources list... I missed it the first time!!! HUGS!