What's the best way to give a baked gift to someone without looking cheap?

I am low on cash and just baking cakes for everyone, but I don't want them to feel that they aren't getting a real gift. Any ideas on how to make it look more presentable??

What's the best way to give a baked gift to someone without looking cheap?
In these days of Ipods and Cell phones in Christmas stockings, its impossible to compete. A home made baked gift is wonderful - and anyone lucky enough to receive one should realize that baking for someone is a lot more meaningful than standing in line with ten identical Cd's in your hand. Be proud of your gift, but remember, Presentation is Everything! Use real satin ribbon, throw on a Christmas ornament in the bow, and a snippet of holly and you're set to go!
Reply:write a message on the cakes out of frosting, saying how much you love or apriciate them.
Reply:Place it on a really nice dish and you can get some nice ones that don't cost to much. Tell them once they are done with the cake, they can keep the plate.
Reply:Layer cakes with hand made suger flower decorations...





something like these..


http://www.wildflowersbylori.com/Special...





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Reply:Go to the dollar store. Wrap it in some pretty christmas cellophane and put a pretty bow on it :) Should be enough change in the couch for that and it will make it look much more like a gift. Also, it is a real gift :) Alot of people love getting baked goods as they dont have the time or money to put into it so don;t feel it isn't a real gift. I hope this year someone brings me some :)
Reply:I wish everyone would be "low on cash" for the holidays and offer home-made presents.


I love your idea.


I would present it as something very special


wrap it in very pretty paper...put on a bow...on an index card write the recicpe...tie it to the bow...and viola...a wonderful thoughtful gift.





If you can afford to spend just a little wrap it in the original bakingform...
Reply:I wouldn't give regular cakes (like a round, two layer cake); but would make pumpkin or banana nut bread in loaf pans. Wrap them in colored plastic wrap and put a bow on top. To me, a baked gift is really appreciated because you took the time to do it from scratch (that is unless your baking sucks--then it's not such a cool idea).
Reply:Besides trying to bake to their taste, don't worry about looking cheap. If the recipient is truly a friend or a closely-bonded relative, they will appreciate a gesture that came from your good intentions and efforts.
Reply:check out this recipe and follow the link below for a peek at the finished product.











Snowy Yule Log





A traditional Christmas Recipe








Preheat the oven at 220° C (425° F)


Preparation time: 45 minutes


Cooking time: 30 minutes


Cost: Reasonable


Difficulty: Requires some practice to roll the cake without breaking it





A traditional recipe as served at the Sucrerie de la Montagne in Rigaud


The yule log is the traditional dessert in Quebec for Christmas evening. Though it takes some time and patience to make, it can be prepared a day ahead and kept cold until serving time.











Ingredients





For the génoise


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155 g (2/3 c.) fine granulated sugar


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5 eggs


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45 g (3 tbsp.) butter


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1 packet of vanilla sugar


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15 g (1 tbsp.) butter for the baking sheet


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For the vanilla buttercream


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250 g (1 c.) sugar, cooked to the soft ball stage


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8 egg yolks


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250 g (1 c.) butter





Making the génoise





Break 5 eggs into a large bowl. Add the 155 g of granulated sugar. Place the bowl over (not in) a pan of simmering water and beat for 1 minute with an electric beater. Remove the bowl from the heat and continue to beat on high speed for about 20 minutes.


Gently melt the butter. Skim off the white froth. Sift the flour over the sugar-egg mixture. Fold in, then add the vanilla sugar and warm butter.


Cover a jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Spread the batter evenly over top with a spatula. Bake at 220° C (425° F) for 8 to 10 minutes.


Remove the génoise from the oven and carefully remove the cake from the parchment paper by moistening the paper with a brush dipped in water. Cover the génoise with a clean tea towel until it has cooled.


Making the buttercream





Meanwhile, make the buttercream. Cook the sugar with 100 ml (6 tbsp.) of water until it forms a soft ball (about ten minutes, or until some of the syrup dropped into a bowl of cold water forms a ball.)


Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl, pour in the hot sugar syrup, beating constantly for two minutes. Continue to beat with an electric mixer for about 10 minutes before adding in the butter, piece by piece.


Spread three-quarters of the buttercream over the génoise. Roll the cake up tightly. Decorate the log with the remaining buttercream.


Draw the tines of a fork down the log to create the look of bark. Decorate as desired. Refrigerate for at least two hours.








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Reply:Baked goods are wonderful. They are from the heart! Just drop by you local thrift store and pick up some cute baskets to put them in with a note saying "We are enjoying an old fashion Christmas. Hope you enjoy the homemade goodies." I hope you have a great Christmas!
Reply:put them on decorative christmas plates and decorate the cakes with cute clay or resin holiday ornaments. Then wrap them with clear plastic paper, leave some at the top in a fanned out look and tie a bow around the neck. Classic pretty baked gift. Also try tying those resin or clay ornaments around the neck to make cute dangles on the package.





fyi- You can go to your nearest walmart and find packs of scuplting/baking clay and clay paint in the kids craft section. and a few christmas cookie cutters in the food isles. Roll out the baking clay and cut out the christmas shapes, poke holes for ribbon then bake. Paint, thread some ribbon through those holes and you've got ornaments. we made about 15-20 ornaments out of one pack of clay.





if you don't want to do that the dollar store has clay ornaments for 1-2 dollars per pack.
Reply:make it personal and really thoughtful!!
Reply:After baking it place it directly in the trash, it saves them the hassle.