Making My List and Checking it Twice

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Making My List and Checking it Twice

By Paula Deen

With just three weeks left until Christmas, I’m making my lists and checking them twice—grocery lists, shopping lists and my own wish list of course, which isn’t too long since I have everything I could ever hope for: a happy, healthy family.

Even still, we all want a little love from Santa. My dear Aunt Peggy has dropped a few hints that this Christmas she wants a pink Cartier watch (a woman after my own heart!). Since Aunt Peggy is such a wonderful lady, I’m pretty sure Santa’s elves are listening. You see, I feel extra blessed being able to give my family special presents, but I’ve always enjoyed making heartfelt gifts as well. Back when my boys were growing up, I’d send their teachers a special batch of homemade Christmas candies. I’d buy jars from the dime store and tie them up with a beautiful ribbon. Bobby said he always got the best grades after delivering those gifts!

People just love getting homemade treats that tickle their taste buds, and that’s why I’m so excited to share with y’all my holiday gift ideas from the kitchen. They taste like a million bucks, but won’t put the hurt on your pocketbook, freeing you up to give something special to all of those wonderful folks who brighten your day throughout the year.

Traditional treats from the kitchen make wonderful gifts because they taste divine and stir up memories of our own childhood as we make them. I’ve never been much of a fruitcake fan, but my Grandmother Paul made Japanese fruitcake (I have no idea why she called it that). The only fruitcakey thing about it is that it’s made with fruit and cake, but it’s more like a pineapple upside-down cake than a chewy brick-like mass that’s destined for a doorstop. You see, Christmas memories and cooking go hand in hand. My boys would probably hold my presents ransom if I didn’t whip up some divinity like I do every year, a tradition I started in our house way back when.

But if the thought of sticky candy thermometers and double boilers makes you more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs, rest assured you can still make a memorable dessert with store-bought candy. An easy-to-make and sinfully smooth Bob’s Peppermint Pie garnished with Bobs peppermint candy balls (made in my hometown of Albany, Ga.) will sweeten up any Grinch.

Christmas is the perfect time of year to revisit your favorite recipes and memories, and to share both with the people that mean the world to you. To help, we’re posting a new homemade gift idea every day until Christmas. So drop on by and keep coming back for more. The hardest part will be figuring out which treats to give as gifts and which to keep for yourself!

Read More From Holiday.

Read More From Christmas.

Reader Comments:

I am looking for the recipe to “sweetie pie” I saw it yesterday on your show I am sure it was a rerun. I would just love to try and make it
Thank you so much
Amanda

By Amanda Medlock on November 30, 2010

Paula my 12 year old son and I love your show we always try to make a lot of your simple recipes. He wants to be a chef when he grows up and I told him that was wonderful. Your show is his favorite of the cooking shows he always says Ms. Paula is awesome mom and someday his dream is to meet you

By Elizabeth Dotson on October 05, 2010

Hey Girlfriend…now that is one fabulous picture and you should use it on front of a new Paula Deen Sweetie Pie Recipes cookbook. Sounded like a good idea to me! You look like you were in Seventh Heaven! Wonderful recipes for the Season…thank you for all your hard work and superb recipes! Merry Christmas to you and yours,

Carol Faver, Covington,Georgia

By carolafaver on December 14, 2009

Carol Faver, Covington,Georgia

By carolafaver on December 14, 2009

Paula, You remind me so much of my growin’ up years in West Texas. Every y’all brings me back in time. I love your show and your site. the ooey gooey choc butter cookies are da’bomb! I am very happy to use your site for more Christmas ideas, I love trying new recipes for Christmas instead of the same old cookies I have been making for years and years…You and your family have the most blessed of Christmas’ and a Happy New Year!

By Tracy Nicklaus on December 13, 2009

I really enjoyed the article, i watch Paula Dean all the time, she is one of the best cooks on food netwok to me.

By Stacy Pace on December 13, 2009

I love your show and use a lot of your recipes all year long

By Lillian Lambert on December 13, 2009

Paula,
I love your show very much.I cooked many years with my aunt Lisa.KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO
Merry Christmas Paula Deen and sons.

By keisha on December 13, 2009

Hey Carol! Paula is currently out of town, so I haven’t been able to ask her, but I would love to know more about the handmade peppermint baskets you are speaking of. What a fun project. Please tell us more.

By Libbie Summers, Paula Deen Online Food Editor on December 12, 2009

paula,
this week we had a class christmas party coming up, i obviously did not know what to bring…n_n
luckily, i found your website and with your recipe help..i know that this christmas party isnt going to be the same with this cake!!!
thank you soooo much!!!!

By maggie garcia on December 11, 2009

Paula I love your show. The way you cook with your family is so wonderful. I cooked many years with my Aunt Wine. Bring’s back so many menories. Keep doing what you do. Myself and many others love your show so much.

By marykay schiebel on December 10, 2009

Can’t wait to see your show in Tunica, only wish my 7 yo could go, she loves to cook. Has even made your banana pudding. and won grand prize overall with her cookies. wants to be a chef or home ec teacher.

By donna on December 10, 2009

Hey Darlene! We used a mix of new and vintage glass pieces Paula had around her house and we purchased a few more from a fabulous local antiques market here in Savannah called Habersham Antiques Market. No piece was over $20. Thank you for loving this photo as much as we did. Hammond’s candies are beautiful pieces of edible art, and of course Paula looks so very beautiful.

By Libbie Summers on December 10, 2009

Where did the containers in the background of your picture come from? I love them

By Darlene Starkey on December 10, 2009

PAULA,
I WILL LIKE YOUR SHOW AND THE GREAT RECIPES YOU PUT OUT FOR POEPLE . I LOVE HOW YOU PUT THE MEAL TO TOGTHER. I LIKE THE SOUP YOU HAVE. HAVE YOU EVER HEAR A SOUP CALL CHEESEBURGER SOUP IT IS VERY WITH GARLIC BREAD. THANK YOU FOR LIST.
MISTY ANDREWS

By MISTY ANDREWS on December 09, 2009

i love your show and site so very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Stephanie Wallen on December 09, 2009

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Making My List and Checking it Twice