christmas in july (and the box of year round yum)

i had this great idea last winter that i would spend time in july organizing my gift list for the coming christmas.  since becoming a mama, i have felt rushed as christmas approaches and this seemed a way to reclaim the enjoyment of gift giving.

well, that was before this new homeschool director job and a couple other unexpected curves in the road, so that organization totally didn't happen.  i still would like to work on this soon and i thought i could start by sharing a project i came up with last year.  the post originally published over at kojo designs.  it is a fun and simple idea. hopefully it will kickstart the flow of creative juices for this year's gift list.

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I was so glad Kirsten and Jordan invited me back for their gifts for guys series last fall.  It can be hard to find the right manly thing, don't you agree?

First off, I knew that I wanted to share some edible goodness.  There are seven guys between the ages of 14 and 23 on my gift giving list.  I might not be able to afford the latest electronic thingamajig or be hip to their current clothing trend, but I can always count on their stomachs.  The year I made a teenaged cousin a plate of rice krispie treats was an unbelievable hit.  So I would like to bring you my Box of Year Round Yum.

The basic principle is:

• make something yummy to eat (hence the yum).   
• fill an appropriately decorated box with the yumminess.  
• give to a guy and let him enjoy.  
• and (here is key) when it is empty, go back to step one and repeat. 

This may entail your younger brother to drop off his box after class and promising delivery within the week.  Or shipping out yum to a cousin far away.  Regardless of how, you keep their stomachs happy throughout the year.

I chose chocolate covered potato chips for my yum.  About ten years ago, I had the genius idea to combine two of my husband's favorite flavors.  (I now know it was not a new idea, but at the time I thought it was.)  Our entire family was super impressed and I felt like a rockstar.

Annalea's Chocolate Covered Potato Chips

1. Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave.  Start with one minute and stir.  Continue with 30 second increments until melted and smooth.
2. Dip chips, with ridges length-wise, in chocolate.  Lay on parchment paper.
3. That's it!  Let the chocolate fully harden before handling.  For quicker hardening, place dipped chips in the freezer.  

In the meantime, decorate your box.  I chose a large empty oatmeal container.  This gave me plenty of room for the chips.  I simply wrapped the outside in kraft paper and embellised with some guy-friendly scrapbook paper and a label maker.  I protected the inside from chocolate by placing three sheets of parchment paper along the sides.

And there you have it.  A year of yumminess wrapped up in a bow.  But with a little twine to make it more manly of course.  I promise much satisfaction for both gift giver and recipient.   

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kerry at my life - HIS MISSION asked me to share with y'all her make your own christmas series.  she is compiling lists of tutorials and DIY ideas so you can get a head start on your own gift giving.  hmm. . .  i could probably benefit from checking out those lists.  thanks kerry!