Simple Homemade Gifts Your Friends Will Love Receiving + Gift Tags

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, MARS Incorporated. All opinions are mine alone. #BakeInTheFun #CollectiveBias

We all know it’s a busy time of year. Everyone I talk to can relate and it seems our common ground is this season is busy. We come to the conclusion to embrace it and roll with it, it’s the logical and practical thing to do. At the same time somewhere weaved into that conversation is finding ways to simplify life. There are things we can’t get around doing and there are some we can. Would you agree?

Yet I think we need to simplify.

I think we need to slow down.

I think we need to take time to enjoy life, family and friends.

I think all of that is OK.

I’m choosing to be OK with that this season.

Yet, as I look at my to do list for today, tomorrow and the next week I don’t see simple in that weave of what I have to do. One thing on my list every year for Christmas is to take our neighbors a little happy. Even the neighbors we simply NEVER talk to during the year and only wave as we’re on the go in our cars. It’s the time to be present. It’s the time to be neighborly and it’s the time to slow down and take the time to acknowledge others.

This year on my list is not only my neighbors but we have included our family classes, my music students, our postal and delivery peeps and added a few friends on that list. So instead of me going all out, I’m choosing to simplify by making one baked good and being happy with that!

So here goes…

Who doesn’t like brownies and milk? Maybe cookies and milk? Maybe just cookies? Maybe just brownies? Sweet treats are two in one…we receive the joy of family time baking (and sneaking!!!!) and then the joy of giving to others!

So here’s my tips along with FREE Printables that are classy and adorable to attach to your plate of brownies or cookies and milk.

**Click HERE to get your Free Printables**

I went to our local Walmart and purchased these supplies and just figured out how many people I am baking for then translated that into the quantity of items below! I snagged this Ibotta offer

M&M’s® Brownies

1 Pkg- Pillsbury™ Family Size Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix –> go to the Baking aisle at Walmart
2 Eggs
1/4 c Water
2/3 c CRISCO® Cooking Oil
1 c. M&M’s® Mini Milk Chocolate Baking Bits

Mix first 4 ingredients well. Fold in M&M’S® Brand Minis Milk Chocolate Baking Bits. Pour into a greased brownie baking pan and bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Festive and Fancy, eh? I then got hooked on this inspiring site for new ideas…that is for next time!

Baked in my nifty brownie pan so they all come out the perfect size. Pour up your milk. Print and attach your gift tag (**Click HERE to get your Free Printables**) and you’re ready to impress!

How are YOU simplifying this season? I want to hear!!!!!!! –> leave me a comment, please!

Hi I’m Erin a Southern mama from South Mississippi, owner and chief editor of Sixth Bloom a blog helping mom-tographers capture their kiddos and life, talking all things home, parenting and how we navigate through life. You will find me living life to the fullest with my mister (aka husband) and our little one year old, Miss Elle, in our 500+ sq foot cottage as we build our dream house on our two acres! We are blessed beyond measure, love to travel, involved in ministry at our church and in between all of that I run three successful businesses!