Cake balls normally dont last long in my house, but you can freeze them. Just make sure they are in an air tight container and you should be fine.

If you're interested in canning, get the Blue Ball Book Of Canning. It's considered to be the 'bible' of home canning.
Here's the URL for the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/index.html

gingerbread recipe is from the gourmet flavors list here on CC that MacsMom put together. basically the WASC with gingerbread spices and gingerbread coffee mate cream in place of water/other liquid. So yummy!
*also nice to add a tiny bit of lemon rind, doesn't speak of lemon per se just perks up the flavors

And the blackberry snowballs are a vanilla cake. Filled with jam and frosted with buttercream mixed with jam and rolled in coconut. SO GOOD!

I plan to bake cookies and mini bundt (pound) cakes I will start baking and freezing the cookie dough this weekend

Great ideas everyone, I might have to modify my plan!!

Dipped Pretzel Rods-Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and white chocolate plus the red and green candy melts. Makes a lot to divide and give as gifts.
Happy Baking and Decorating,
Chef Angie

one thing I am putting in my baskets are triple chocolate macroons!! They are macroons with white and mile chocolate chips, then I dip the bottom of them in a melted dark chocolate!!! Yummy!!!

also plan to take w jumbo marshmallows, thread them on a skewer, dip them in homemade caramel.. let them set up in the fridge for a bit and then dip them in chocolate!! then roll them in different things like coconut, nuts, etc...

The marshmallows sound delish!

I always add this to my xmas goody baskets for friends. I call it Frito Crack b/c it's so addictive. It's a great salty-sweet treat.

Combine in a micro proof dish:
1 c. butter
2 c. packed brown sugar
½ c. light corn syrup

Put in microwave and let it come to a boil for 2 min.

Meanwhile in a foil roaster that has been sprayed with Pam (I use this kind of pan because it is easier to clean or just throw away) regular roaster can be used.

1 box Crispix (or similar chex mix)
1 15 oz. Regular Fritos
1 can roasted peanuts

After butter mixture has boiled for 2 min. pour over the Crispix mix and stir (I spray a large spoon with Pam so mixture doesn't stick to spoon) until mixture is completely covered with butter mixture.

Bake for 8 min. in a 350 degree oven, take out of oven stir again, return to oven for another 8 min. Pour on wax/or foil paper and spread out and let cool. Put in airtight container. Keeps for a long time.

I was thinking of doing the little cake balls and decorating them like ornaments. Also thought of making granola since I eat it almost every day. I just tried a yummy cranberry orange scone recipe. They turned out a little more like a muffin consistency however, but still really yummy. I have given Alabama Blueberry bread in mini loaves before too. Loved the candied nuts idea also. The Chex mix website has lots of different recipes for mixes. I made one similar to the Tropical mix one but it was a slight bit different, and oh so good. Ahhh, too many choices!!!

I do a plate of cookies every year for our neighbors. It's a family tradition, the kids and I bake, decorate and then the kids put their Santa hats on, and deliver to neighbors, and sing them a Christmas song. It's funny though, they are getting older and think they are "too cool" for it. I still make them go. Last year we added Crock Pot Candy. Which is basically chocolate covered peanuts. It is the BEST stuff ever! And so, so simple!!!!