Time is the greatest gift you can give your kids.... turn the tv and unplug the cell, dislodge the iPods from the ears - there's a ton of fun to be had. Even if you don't cook or don't like to cook this is fun and easy.

These projects really can be done with any age group from toddler to teen. Set a time of 15-30 minutes for each project to keep interest.

For most fun and success lay out everything you'll need (see list of items) Its a lot more fun when you can just go to town.

Put on favorite music in the background to keep it lively (pick that everyone can agree to) such as at Christmas play Christmas tunes,. During the rest of the year, soundtracks from a favorite musical or movie are a good choice.

Also, after the projects are done make clean up a game. Set the timer 3 minutes, 5 minutes - go!

Make dipped delights - candy gifts. They're colorful, yummy and fun - It's easy to make a good thing better. Coat pretzels, candy canes, licorice sticks or large marshmallow puffs in melted chocolate and wrap in plastic tie with a bow or store in a baggie. Easier than you'd imagine. Anyone under the age of 15 needs to be supervised because the chocolate gets extremely hot when melted.

You'll need:

• Start with at least a cup of baking chips (How much you need depends on how many items you will dip and whether you'll be dipping 1X, 2X or 3X each)
• A microwave safe dish
• A spoon (for stirring)
• Possibly a teaspoon of cooking oil
• Dipping items (peppermint sticks, candy sticks, pretzel sticks, licorice sticks or large puff marshmallows).
• For more color after dipping you can also add crushed candies or nuts or colored sugar to roll the dipped items in.
• You'll also need waxed paper and a flat drying surface or use oiled or non stick pray on baking pans

Note: Found in the bakery section of the grocery store you can choose from a variety of baking chips from semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate or butterscotch.

Steps:

• Put about a cup of baking chips in a microwave safe dish and zap for about a 30 seconds.
• Stir, zap again on high and if it is thick add about a teaspoon of cooking oil (this helps it spread) stir again and if it is able to coat the spoon its time to dip, if not zap again (it depends on the heat of your microwave).
• Dip once or dip twice or even three times. It's up to the creative cook. If the chocolate thickens up zap again and if necessary to thin out add a little more oil. If chocolate is too watery too much oil has been added, add more chips or let set until it thickens
• Note: If you don't have a microwave you can use a double boiler. I prefer the microwave because there's no flame involved. Kids can stir and push the buttons and basically do it all while adults supervise.
• Take the items and dip them half to 3 quarters of the way then set on wax paper or nonstick sprayed or oiled baking pans on a flat surface for drying and setting. For faster setting put in freezer.
• Once items are dry they can be stored in air tight containers or wrapped invididually to be given as individual gifts and tied with a bow or put in container for a larger gift.
• To make it more interesting roll the chocolate coated area in chopped nuts or crushed peppermint sticks or other hard candies or even colored sugar (see below how to make colored sugar yoursefl-save money).

Dipping Spoons Speaking of presents this is another cooking craft you can do with melted baking chips and plastic spoons. Make dipping spoons. You may have seen these at coffee houses. They look festive and they are wonderful to use or give as gifts to for the hot chocolate lovers (and coffee afficionados). Kids can package them in groups of 3-6 as special gifts. Suggest each is wrapped individually in plastic wrap when stored or given as gifts.

Get creative with your combinations for instance you can try dark or milk chocolate alone or dipped in cinnamon or cinnamon sugar....

Supplies, microwave safe dish, baking chips, possibly a teaspoon of cooking oil and plastic spoons (as many plastic spoons as you would like to dip and coat with chocolate, for a dozen about a 1 cup of baking chips.

How to make colored sugar for decorating or packaged up and given as gifts For each color desired use a small dish with a half cup of sugar.

Take a drop of food coloring and mix with a spoon for darker color add more food coloring

Easy! You can make as many colors as you'd like. Store it in baby food jars, plastic food containers or plastic food bags.

How to make cinnamon sugar to use for gifts or rolling dipped delights in For a small amount for dipping, put a half a cup of sugar in a small dish, stir in a tablespoon of cinnamon. For larger quantities to be packaged and stored or given as gifts (use 1 tablespoon cinnamon to every cup (or adjust to your taste). It will turn a bit reddish pink. Great for sweetening coffee, tea or sprinkling on cut apples. Kids can make larger quantities can put in a pretty jar and label and store or give as thoughtful and creative gifts.

Packaging home made gifts makes them more fun to give and get. Stores package things attractively to get you to buy. This is the same concept. Kids can make pretty labels that can either be drawn on self stick labels from the office supply store or drawn on paper and glued on to pastic wrap, plastic bags, and jars. Tie with ribbon or yarn for an even more festive appeal.

Kids love to get creative. These items are gourmet-like and simply easy and wonderful to make for yourselves or give as gifts. Enjoy!