Now, this. THIS is a sweet gift, you guys.
In case you’ve never had them, French Macarons are beautiful, sweet, delicious and grain-free little cookie sandwiches of gloriousness. Made with almond flour, egg whites and sugar then filled with any number of decadent fillings like buttercream, ganache, fruit curds and more, they are air and light and the perfect size for a sweet little snack.
Granted, I don’t eat refined sugar at all anymore opting instead for honey or maple syrup but if someone handed me these, I wouldn’t pass them up. At least one. Or two…
Because of their rise in popularity, I’m going to venture out and say you can probably find macarons somewhere near you. Now whether they’re Mint Chocolate ones, that’s a different story, but even if that isn’t a flavor available, grab an assortment and this gift will still please almost anyone. Of course, not those with nut allergens. If that’s the case, maybe swap them out for a good ol’ pack of Thin Mints or other mint chocolate cookie.
Of course, if you’d like to test your baking game, you can always make your own. Now THAT ‘S a gift of love. Fee free to use the recipe below. It’s beautifully written from Love & Macarons, and has great photos. I never took photos of the process during my pastry chef days. Oops!
I guess since macs are grain free I could still make them but after 10 years of baking, I’d just rather head to The Gallery Pastry Shop and buy them.
Now, onto the gifting!
- Pick up a packet of French Macarons, preferably in Peppermint, Mint or Mint Chocolate, if available. If not, any other flavors will do. $25 at The Gallery Pastry Shop or whatever shop is near you. Pricing will vary.
- Grab bottles of both Stress Away and Peppermint Young Living essential oils. $30, $10.25 respectively. Guess whaattt? Both of those are in a kit. So you could spend $40.25 on one 1 person or $165 for 12 essential oils (6 of which you can use in the previously posted gift ideas) a diffuser, an all natural hand sanitizer, thieves disinfecting spray, Ningxia Red, and two roller attachments. That breaks down to either $20/bottle of oil without a kit OR $9/per bottle with the kit. Already have a diffuser? Gift it away with one of the oils! Now you have 6 different holiday gifts, done.
- *Bonus*: your friend can use the bottle of Peppermint Vitality to make the Peppermint Hot Chocolate posted here! Head on over and print out the tag as well for triple the gifting. You’re such a good friend.
- Place the oils in a sweet bag like this and tie them onto the package of macarons with a pretty ribbon.
- Gift Total: $40.25 + cost of macs
EoErica 