Do-It- YULEself GIFTS

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Even if you don't cook, you can make beautiful herbed vinegars for your holiday gifts using herbs from your garden or the store. Save attractive bottles all year 'round.

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by Anne Vassal

You can make these quick, inexpensive gifts even if you are craft-challenged and ridiculously busy.

When the holidays roll around, it's easy for me to rebel against the credit card companies and department stores pressuring us to shop 'til we drop. Waiting in long lines just to go into debt is not my idea of fun. Also, unless you're starting out in life-like our 21-year-old son who needs everything - most of us already have too much stuff in our homes, which we continue to rearrange until it eventually ends up in a landfill.

With all this in mind, I'm always in search of holiday ideas that will enable us to have the It's-a-Wonderful-Life kind of holiday while remaining environmentally and fiscally responsible. Homemade gifts to the rescue. Although some shopping is still necessary, it won't make much of a dent in your pocketbook. And believe me, I'm not talking about turning your house into a craft factory from August through December. Any crafts in my life must be easy to assemble, no glue gun or power tools required.

In case you're dismissing the homemade alternative because you don't have time, consider this possibility: Making these gifts takes less time than driving to your local department store and buying Uncle Fred a tie. Maybe you're remembering that crazy holiday season of '87 when you attempted to mass-produce complicated craft gifts for everyone you knew. I dutifully hang up my gold pinecone wreath every December as a reminder of the year the relatives decided that we'd all exchange only homemade gifts.

We learned from that experience, so I can offer you this sage advice: Get the kids involved; keep it simple; have fun; and enjoy getting into the spirit of giving.

INFUSED HERB VINEGARS

These are great gifts even for the non-cook since you've saved them time by flavoring the vinegar. Print simple recipes on small cards and tie them to the bottle so the recipient knows what to do with the vinegars. And even if they don't use the vinegar, at least you've given them a lovely decoration for their kitchen.

I try to make a few jars of herb vinegars in the fall, before the garden freezes, for my kitchen and to give as gifts - but you also can buy herbs at the supermarket. Once you have the ingredients, the preparation time on these bottles is about 20 minutes.

SUPPLIES:
Recycled narrow jars and bottles
(not large)
Corks for lids, if needed
Fresh herbs, garlic, ginger, hot peppers
Vinegar - red or white wine, champagne or rice (seasoned)
Tbin ribbon or gold cord
Thick paper or unlined 3 1/2 - 5-inch index cards

APPROXIMATE COST
Corks: $2
Herbs and vinegars: Under $15
Ribbon, etc.: $3

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