Connecting with Your Neighbors at Christmas

Christmas is a perfect time to do a kind deed for your neighbors!  We have lived in our home for six years.  Neighbors come and go.  Two have stayed the same for the last six years.  This season is a great excuse to do something nice and be a witness for Christ in some way.  

This year, we made 

peanut butter fudge and chocolate dipped candy cane stirrers.  

Fudge is a PERFECT homemade treat to make.  It is easy, it makes a large amount and people usually only have it around Christmas time.

I use the JIF recipe for fudge:

3 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1 (7oz) jar marshmallow creme

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Line a 13x9 inch pan with foil.  Spray with no-stick cooking spray.

Combine sugar, butter and milk in large saucepan, stirring constantly on medium heat until mixture comes to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.

Add peanut butter.  Stir until well-blended.  Add marshmallow creme and vanilla.  Beat until well blended.  Spread in prepared pan.  Cool.

The second treat I decided to make was 

chocolate dipped candy cane stirrers.  

This is a fairly easy treat to make - just a little messy. :)

Melt chocolate chips and a little shortening in the microwave.  Stir until smooth.

Take the wrappers off the candy canes.  

Dip each candy cane and decorate as you want with sprinkles, crushes candy, etc.

We also used almond bark and dipped with both.

I did the ones for the neighbors.  Then the girls got to do a set for themselves.  They had so much fun dipping and being creative.

And the fun part!  Make a cup of hot cocoa...and use your candy cane as a stirrer!  The chocolate and peppermint melts and makes your hot cocoa extra tasty. :)

I packaged the fudge and candy canes in Ziploc baggies and placed in these gift bags.  We also included a baggie (seen in the first picture) of a John and Romans, a pen and a magnet with our church logo, a letter inviting them to our church Christmas banquet, and a Christmas photo card of our family.  The girls delivered these to each of our six neighbors.  Two of our neighbors were at our banquet.  

Take a minute to spread God's love this season!