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" \n  Holiday shopping is a challenge. Stores are crowded; people are stressed and rude\u2026not exactly the spirit of the season. Save yourself the hassle (and money) and make these gifts at home. Your friends will love them way more than anything with a price tag.    Orange Poppy-Seed Pound Cake    This cake is an indulgent treat! I like to give a box of tea along with it.  Nonstick cooking spray  2 cups all-purpose flour  1 teaspoon salt  2 tablespoons poppy seeds  3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature  1\u00BD cups granulated sugar  1 tablespoon orange zest  \u00BD teaspoon orange extract  6 large eggs   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch-by-5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and poppy seeds. In another bowl, use an electric mixer on medium to beat the butter, sugar, orange zest, and extract until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time. Turn the mixer to low, and add the flour mixture, beating until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake until the cake is golden, about 50 minutes. Cool completely before wrapping.    Chocolate Chip and Dried Cherry Cookie Mix in a Jar    Perfect for the baking-challenged friend. Print the instructions on a card, and attach.  2\u00BC cups all-purpose flour  \u00BE teaspoon baking soda  1 teaspoon baking powder  1 teaspoon salt  \u00B2\u2044\u00B3 cup granulated sugar  1 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries  \u00B2\u2044\u00B3 cup brown sugar  8 ounces chocolate chips   In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then add the granulated sugar, cherries, flour mixture, brown sugar, and chocolate chips to a jar in layers. Seal the jar, and tie with a ribbon.   Attach this recipe to the jar:   To make cookies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat 1 stick of room-temperature butter until creamy. Add 2 eggs and1teaspoon vanilla. Stir in cookie mix. Drop by the tablespoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until golden. Cool. Makes 36 cookies.    Raspberry and Lemon Vodka    Toast to friendship!  1 pint raspberries  1 lemon peel (no pith)  1 (750 milliliters) bottle good-quality vodka   Place raspberries and lemon peel in the bottom of an airtight bottle. Add vodka. Seal, and let sit at room temperature for a minimum of two weeks. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/advice/a3107/foodie-gifts-1209/>