🎁 Calm Gifting & DIY

Why These Gifts Fit the Theme

In 2021, gifts were less about extravagance and more about thoughtful, calming touches. Homemade items let you slow down, personalize your presents, and create something meaningful without stress.

🍯 Infused Honeys

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) mild honey
• Flavor options:
  • 1 vanilla bean, split
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • Peel of 1 orange
• Small jars for gifting

Instructions:

1. Gently warm honey in a saucepan (do not boil).
2. Add flavoring of choice and let infuse over very low heat for 10–15 minutes.
3. Pour into sterilized jars, seal, and label.

Tip: Perfect for tea, toast, or drizzling over desserts. Include a small tag with serving suggestions for a thoughtful touch.

🛁 Homemade Bath Tea Sachets

Ingredients:

• ½ cup oats (rolled or quick)
• 2 tbsp dried chamomile flowers
• 1 tsp dried lavender
• Muslin bags or small muslin squares tied with string

Instructions:

1. Mix oats, chamomile, and lavender in a bowl.
2. Spoon into muslin bags or wrap in muslin squares and tie with string.
3. Add a gift tag with instructions: “Steep in warm bath water for a relaxing soak.”

Tip: Great for small gifts for friends, family, or coworkers — a little calming indulgence.

🍪 Wrapped Shortbread Jars

Ingredients:

• Honey Lavender Shortbread, Chamomile Lemon Meltaways, or Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies (baked and cooled)
• Small glass jars or cellophane bags
• Twine, ribbon, and dried lavender for decoration

Instructions:

1. Layer cookies neatly in jars or fill cellophane bags.
2. Tie with twine or ribbon, add a sprig of dried lavender.
3. Optionally, attach a small label with the cookie names or a festive note.

Tip: These make beautiful, simple gifts that highlight calm and care — and they look gorgeous on a holiday table.

These three DIY projects complete our 2021 “Year of Calm” collection: cookies, mains, sides, drinks, and mindful gifts — all designed to make the holiday feel slow, restorative, and intentional.

Welcome to the Stress-Free Mains & Sides section for 2021 “Year of Calm” Christmas Club.

🍗 Gentle Roast Chicken with Lemon & Thyme

Why It’s Calm

A lighter, aromatic alternative to turkey — this roast chicken is tender, flavorful, and easy to prepare. Minimal fuss, maximum comfort.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 4–5 lbs / 1.8–2.3 kg)
• 2 lemons, halved
• 1 head garlic, halved crosswise
• 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pat chicken dry, season inside and out with salt and pepper.
3. Stuff cavity with lemon halves, garlic, and thyme.
4. Rub olive oil over skin.
5. Roast in a roasting pan for 1 hr 20 min – 1 hr 30 min, basting occasionally, until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Rest 15 minutes before carving.

Serving Tip: Slice and serve with pan juices or a simple gravy.

🥕 Rosemary & Honey Root Vegetable Tray Bake

Why It’s Calm

Colorful, nourishing, and hands-off — a one-pan side that fills the kitchen with comforting aromas.

Ingredients:

• 4 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
• 3 parsnips, peeled and cut into sticks
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss vegetables with olive oil, honey, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Roast 25–30 minutes, tossing halfway, until tender and golden.

Serving Tip: Serve warm as a side to Gentle Roast Chicken or on its own for a light, calming meal.

🥗 Citrus & Pomegranate Winter Salad

Why It’s Calm

Bright, refreshing, and soothing to prepare — a crisp salad that balances richer mains.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed winter greens
• 1 orange, peeled and segmented
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
• ¼ cup toasted almonds
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Whisk olive oil, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper to make dressing.
2. Toss greens, orange segments, pomegranate seeds, and almonds with dressing.
3. Serve immediately.

These three recipes create a stress-free, calm main course that’s easy to prep, minimal-stress, and full of flavor — perfect for your 2021 theme.

🍋 Chamomile Lemon Meltaways

Why They’re Calm

These cookies are soft, delicate, and melt-in-your-mouth, with the soothing floral notes of chamomile and a bright touch of lemon. A tea-inspired holiday treat that feels light and restorative.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp dried chamomile (from tea bags), finely ground
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Beat butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
2. Mix in vanilla and lemon zest.
3. Add flour, chamomile, and salt. Stir until dough just comes together.
4. Shape into two logs, wrap in parchment, chill 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice into ¼-inch rounds, bake 10–12 minutes until just set.
6. While warm, dust lightly with powdered sugar.

🌿 Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies

Why They’re Calm

The pure, simple flavor of vanilla shines in these soft sugar cookies. They can be left plain for a calm, understated treat, or decorated mindfully as a holiday ritual.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups (340 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (or seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean)

Instructions:

1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients until dough forms.
4. Chill 30–60 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough ¼ inch thick, cut into shapes.
6. Bake 8–10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.

Optional: Decorate with royal icing or a simple glaze — or leave plain for the calmest version.

🎁 Serving the Calm Cookie Plate

Arrange Honey Lavender Shortbread, Chamomile Lemon Meltaways, and Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies together on a platter. Pair with herbal teas or a warm mug of milk for the perfect “Calm Christmas” moment.