Slash the Christmas Budget, Bake Cookies

A good way to save money during Christmas is to slash the budget when giving gifts. Be sure to communicate this well in advance of the big day too. The last thing you want to do is hand your sibling or parent a box of cookies and they give you a BlueRay player in return. Don't feel bad about cutting corners when thinking of gifts. This is about taking responsibility for your financial future.

When giving gifts to coworkers, do they really expect you to buy them something expensive, or will they be happy with a thoughtful tasteful gift. For example, instead of getting everyone in the office a present, merely bake them some festive cookies. In return, you are likely to get your own tin of something in return and your coworkers won't feel obligated to buy something expensive.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe 


INGREDIENTS:
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually blend in the sifted ingredients until fully absorbed. Cover dough, and chill for 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a clean floured surface, roll out small portions of chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are barely brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

- AllRecipes.com

Cost per Serving
Flour costs about 12 cents per cup. This recipe calls for 45 cents of flour.  There are 6 teaspoons of Baking powder per ounce and 8 ounces will cost about $5.50. So, each teaspoon costs about 11 cents.  The salt costs less than a penny.  The sugar costs 93 cents and the eggs cost 20 cents. 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract will cost 10 cents.  1 cup of margerine can cost about 50 cents.  The total cost of the recipe is about $2.30 and the recipe makes 4 dozen cookies.  The cost per cookie is about 5 cents.