Homemade Christmas Gifts

An inexpensive way to treat loved ones on any occasion is to make homemade gifts. This Christmas I made homemade Baileys, Pesto and Laundry washing liquid. I found a really easy Baileys recipe on Pinterest (click link for original recipe) but I've converted it below to make it easier to follow. the pesto recipe is my own - trialled and tested on my husband and friends, and the laundry washing liquid recipe is from a dear friend.

Happy Homemaking! X

Homemade Baileys

1 & 2/3 cups of your choice of Whiskey - I used the Highlands brand from Aldi ($26)
1 can of condensed milk
1 cup of thickened cream
2 tbsps of chocolate syrup
2 tsp of vanilla essence
1 tsp of coffee (dissolved in a drop of hot water)

If you can be bothered taking your blender out, pour all the ingredients in and wazz up for a minute or two until a smooth consistency. Otherwise pour the ingredients onto a jug and whisk up until smooth. This yields about 1 litre or just under.

I mark the use by date by the cream date, but the alcohol can preserve it for a week or so longer. If you're worried, pour the baileys into a ice cube tray and freeze it.



Homemade Pesto 

2 bunches of washed basil with stems cut off
150g bag of pine nuts
60g grated Parmesan
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a mortar and pestle or a food processor and pour enough olive oil until you're happy with the consistency. And you're done! Use this as a dip with cheese and crackers or use about half a cups worth in a cream sauce. Yummo!



Laundry Washing Liquid

1 & 1/2 litre of water for the stove 
1 cup Lux Soap Flakes (from the grocery store)
1/2 cup Borax (from Bunnings)
1/2 cup washing soda (from the grocery store)
8 litres of cold tap water
8 - 12 drops of essential oil of your choice (lemon, lavender, orange, rosemary, clove)

Put 1 1/2 litres of water on the stove in your regular saucepan and add 1 cup soap flakes, 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup washing soda. Using a whisk, allow the mixture to fully dissolve as you stir it whilst on low-medium heat.
Once you think the mixture has dissolved, put approximately 8 litres of cold water in a 10L bucket and add the hot soapy mix to the cold water and stir. At this time you can also go ahead and add your choice of essential oil.
Using a soup ladle and a funnel, pour the mixture into containers. (I use old milk and juice bottles)

Use ½ cup in a normal load of washing and use a booster for really soiled clothes. 

You can continue to use a fabric softener if you need, although I use White Vinegar as a fabric softener.