Make it yourself

Coasters:

All Sorts shows how to do an easy nine-patch for coasters.

Beverage Mixes

Accompaniments
Try mixing up a batch of these mixes and package in a festive holiday tin with instructions and a copy of the recipe. Box it up with personalized mugs, cinnamon sticks and a bag of marshmallows. Add a carton of your homemade cookies and you have a present for a whole household. Add a video or board game and your gift becomes an evening of entertainment and snacks, a memory maker.

Orange-Spiced Coffee

* 1 cup dried orange rind
* 2-1/2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
* 2-1/2 Tbsp. ground cloves
* 1 pound freshly ground coffee

Place all ingredients in a 1 gallon ziplock bag, seal and shake. Spoon into airtight containers. Use like regular ground coffee.

Spiced Tea Mix

* 2 cups Tang
* 1 cup lemonade mix
* 1/2 cup instant tea
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 tsp. cloves
* 1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix and store in closed container. Use 2 teaspoonfuls per cup of boiling water.

Cappuccino Mix

* 1 cup powdered instant non-dairy creamer
* 1 cup chocolate milk mix
* 2/3 cup instant coffee granules
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients, mix well. Store in an airtight container. To serve, place 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon mix in a cup. Add 1 cup boiling water; stir well. Great served with a scoop of ice cream or whipped topping. Yields about 33 servings.

Minted Cocoa Coffee Mix

* 1-1/2 cups non-dairy creamer
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup instant coffee granules or crystals
* 1/2 cup cocoa
* dash of salt
* 6 hard peppermint candies crushed

In large bowl or container, combine all ingredients; mix well. Store in tightly covered container. To serve, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons mix into cup or mug; fill with boiling water. Stir to blend. If desired, garnish with whipped cream.

Cafe Mocha Mix

* 1-1/2 cups instant espresso coffee granules
* 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
* 1/4 cup non-dairy creamer
* 6 Tbsp. confectioners' sugar

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. Store in an airtight container. Makes 1 cup of mix, enough for 8 to 12 servings. To Serve: Combine 1 or 2 tablespoons of mix with 3/4 cup boiling water.

Viennese Coffee Mix

* 2/3 cup instant coffee powder
* 2/3 cup sugar
* 3/4 cup dry non-dairy creamer
* 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
* dash of ground allspice, ground cloves and ground nutmeg

Combine and put in a festive airtight container. To mix, add 4 heaping teaspoons to 8 oz. boiling water.

Cocoa Mix

* 5 quart equivalent of nonfat dry milk
* 2 lbs. Nestle's Quik
* 1 lb. confectioners sugar
* 16 oz. jar of powdered dairy creamer

Mix the above ingredients well and store in an airtight container. Add four teaspoons of mix to a cup of boiling water for a quick cup of cocoa.