Location: Wrapped in the Loving Embrace of My Family
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:)
Just gotta mention that it was fun to read this and be surprised by people asking me about Gwenny's birth Can't believe it has been over 2 years already
Location: So let them talk about us, let them call us funny things, people sometimes do. I dont care as long as you know I love you. Oh, and you know I do
Posts: 45,177
HECK YEAH - you need candy molds? Sister - I will GLADLY hook you up. I have an entire rubbermaid bin FULL of different holidays and themes (and would gladly trade for a few meager candies or instructions)
Speaking of - thanks for the link to the flats. I've been looking for larger ones, and I think we'll do magnet sets. IDEALLY - I want to make a magnet for each face of the family member. I think they'd be so funny
Maybe my kids' faces for Grandparents, though.
We do handmade for aunts and uncles - and while all the savvy people are "here" - can I get your input?
We've picked names for years amongst the grandkids and I brought up maybe not doing that this year. It's $125 for me now with five kids, and there is nothing my kids need. 7 of 8 people agreed that it's out of hand and hard and we want to think of an alternative. The kids range in age from Jack (14 months) to the oldest who is 18 years - technically, I"m a grandkid - but I'm not in that generation, my kids are.
Anyway - we do Rob Your Neighbor for the adults ($5 present - roll the dice - always loads of fun).
What are some alternative ideas for Christmas celebrations for boys and girls of such a large age range?
Location: When I dare to be powerful -- to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
Posts: 9,813
I do one large gift, a stocking, and an experience gift. I did it last year, and for birthdays this year, and I will continue it this Christmas. For the birthdays we did horse back riding for Cyan, clam digging/baking for Alex for their experience gifts. They loved it! It gives them something to do, and something to remember. Much better than a bunch of presents... and you can get together with others and give a big gift too... Cyan is still doing horsebackriding because my dad added his gift to mine so she has gotten one a month all summer!
Sandi, can the molds to pretty high temps? It's 242 degrees, I think, the hot syrup. If so, that sounds like an awesome trade! I'd be happy to send you a bunch of candies or even Paypal you for molds you don't want to keep.
I just wrote an essay on making maple sugar candy (hence my inspiration!), LOL, so here are links to instructions:
Oooh - that sounds like something even I could manage (love to cook, but I find candy intimidating). I'll keep an eye out at thrift stores/ garage sales for some molds.
Location: So let them talk about us, let them call us funny things, people sometimes do. I dont care as long as you know I love you. Oh, and you know I do
Posts: 45,177
Oooh - I getcha. It's just candying the way you would sugar water, but with syrup. That makes perfect sense.
90% of my molds are from a local cake/candy shop, but I can't find a temperature max on them. I might give them a call, but in my research it seems that they're more ideal for cooler temperatures.
HOWEVER - I had a brilliant idea in the process. I have a set of silicone heart muffin pans and I decided to look into that (because the maple sugar candy molds are around $20). Silicone can go up to temperatures well above 400 degrees.
AND - I know I've seen silicone bakeware/ice cube trays at the target dollar spot - for a buck! They had them around Valentine's Day for a dollar, for sure. I bet they'd have them for Christmas as well.
AND - Ikea had some ice cube trays, but when I looked on their website it says synthetic rubber and only for ice. Darn. IKEA | Eating & drinking | Drinking accessories | PLASTIS Which, leads me to wonder if the target dollar spot ones are rubber as well. So, don't test that theory
Cool idea! I have the Plastis heart ones from IKEA and was wondering about them but remembered they said only water. They seem probably fine but if they haven't been tested to high temps you can't trust them. I was searching the web last night too. The maple candy molds I saw *were* rubber but seem very heavy and dense (I've looked at them in person). And I'm with ya on the silicone - why not? They only have to hold them as they cool from 242 degrees. So I'd imagine they would work! I may try some this week...it's too gorgeous out today, I stopped to surf while eating a bit of lunch. It's the *perfect* first fall day!
Check out these hard candy molds. Cheap! They should be plenty heat resistant. I'd prefer metal, too, but these are easy enough if I can't find what I'm looking for by early December.
Can't believe it has been over 2 years already 
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