Party present

Vegetarian Times, Nov-Dec, 2005

Looking for a thoughtful hostess gift that isn't a bottle of wine and won't break the bank? Here's an idea that's as pretty as it is practical: Cut a roll of good-quality parchment paper into sheets, each long enough to cover a standard baking sheet. Reserve one sheet, stack the rest, roll up the bundle and tie it with a strip of colorful fabric. Then, cut a circle of the same fabric large enough to cover the lid of a clear glass jar and fall over the edge about two inches. (Use pinking shears to make a pretty serrated edge.) Bake a batch of cookies on the parchment sheet you reserved, fill the jar with them, cover the jar with the fabric circle and tie it in place with a matching ribbon-bow.

To assemble the gift, place the parchment roll and jar in a basket or decorative bag, and tuck in a recipe card for the cookies. It's a gift that keeps on giving!