With only a matter of days before Christmas, it’s easy to allow a sense of panic to set in. Could you use a rescue? Perhaps a few ideas for doable, desirable gifts? Maybe a stocking stuffer or two? And wouldn’t it be great if you can do all of this without leaving the house? I have a few ideas.

Digital Gift Cards

It’s true that Gift Cards come as physical, plastic cards. You can pick them up at supermarkets, stores like Target and Walmart and so forth. And that’s great if you have time. But there is another way to purchase a gift card.

Digital eGift Cards arrive via email, and come with a code the recipient uses online or in-store or restaurant. It’s slick, it’s easy and young people especially love and adore digital eGift Cards.

Costco.com

Members and non-members alike can find dozens of heavily discounted eGift Cards at Costco.com. If you are a Costco member, it’s easy to set up your online account.

If you are NOT a member, you can participate. Only a few eGift Cards at Costco.com are for “members only.” It’s easy to see which are available to anyone.

If you are not a Costco member, you will be prompted to join Costco* in the purchase/checkout process. However, that is only an invitation. Just keep clicking thru and at the end you will be charged an additional 5% as a non-member. It’s still a good deal, once you see those $100 restaurant eGift Cards for $74 (reg. $79 but with $5 off thru 12-25), which is just one example.

*Use this link to join Costco, and you’ll get a $20 Costco Cash Card, depending on your membership level.

Raise.com

Looking for a specific store, restaurant, or retailer? Take a look at Raise.com. Instead of paying full price for that store’s gift card, Raise sells and also resells gift cards at a discounted rate—gift cards others have received but want to sell to get the cash instead. And right now, new Raise.com members get an additional 15% discount on purchases.

At Raise.com You can find gift cards for just about any store, available to use almost immediately, as eGift Cards. (I was suspicious at first, but I’ve confirmed that this is legitimate, legal, and completely above board.) You can rest easy because Raise offers this one-year guarantee on all purchases made on its website. Guaranteed online deals.

As long as you are making a purchase at Raise.com, make sure you are logged into your Rakuten account first and then go to Raise, so you earn some cash back on the deal!

MORE: Gifts That Don’t Cost a Dime

Decadent Treat

Want the perfect gift for anyone and everyone on your list? I have it. But first, let me tell you where I found it.

I was watching the Kid’s Holiday Baking Championship on the Food Channel. One of these highly bright children (yes, kid bakers!) whipped up something this child called Bulldog Brittle.

The judges, Duff and Valerie, went nuts over this snacky kind of decadent treat. I trust them because both are very experienced bakers, and they don’t typically pull any punches in their judging!

Having only a name for whatever this is, I did a little research, and for sure, yes. Bulldog Brittle is a thing, and apparently much loved by many.

It’s impossible to know where this originated, but supposedly, created by someone in Georgia and named for the state’s beloved Georgia Bulldogs sports team.

This delicious treat is quick, easy, and fun to make, and I am certain, will be a big hit with everyone. Perfect for gift-giving. You can do this now. Today! The ingredients are common and you may have them already.

Bulldog Brittle

You’ll need:

Graham crackers
Butter
Margarine (yes you must, no exceptions)
Sugar
Pecans or peanuts

(The full printable recipe is below)

Free Printables

For last-minute gifts you will deliver, put under the tree, or stuff in a stocking you need a tag or some way to present it, right?

Sleeves for gift cards

You can slip a regular physical gift card or fold up a printed eGift Card to fit into one of these very cute “sleeves.”

I have a few links for you, but you can search for hundreds more online. When you discover the one you want, print it out. Then follow the instructions to cut, fold, and paste/tape it together! Look how clever you are!

Free Printable Christmas Gift Card Envelopes

More Free Printable Gift Card Sleeves

Free Gift Labels, Tags, Printables

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

No ratings yet

Bulldog Brittle

An amazingly simple-to-make, yummy, decadent snacky treat!

Prep Time5

Cook Time14

Total Time19

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 338kcal

Ingredients

7 oz honey graham crackers (half of one 14-oz package)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup margarine no substitute here, please!
1/2 cup white granulated sugar can substitute light or dark brown sugar
1 cup pecans, chopped or peanuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Line a rimmed 10.5 x 15.5 cookie sheet with aluminum foil (10.5 x 15.5 or larger)
Break the graham crackers into squares.
Cover the foil with whole graham crackers.
Chop 1 cup pecans and sprinkle evenly over crackers.
Melt 1 stick butter and 1 stick margarine (only this combination will do!) into a sauce pan set over medium heat.
Add 1/2 cup sugar, stirring constantly.
Once it boils, continue boiling for exactly 2 minutes. Time it!
Pour or spoon over crackers and pecans.
Bake at 350 F for 12 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Break into pieces.
One 14.5 oz. of honey graham crackers will make this recipe twice.
You can also try this with chocolate graham crackers.

Nutrition

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Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines

Joyce says:

December 17, 2023 at 11:00 am

I made it yesterday and it’s a nice change from another toffee recipe I make because of the softer graham cracker bottom. You don’t have to worry about someone breaking a tooth on this version. And you could as always spread some chocolate chips to melt, then spread when it comes out of the oven.

Mary says:

December 14, 2023 at 1:42 am

I love watching the kids bake. They are so kitchen savvy. I have been cooking since I was a kid, but they learn so much now.

Jan says:

December 13, 2023 at 7:57 pm

Bulldog Brittle is the same recipe that won the Chicago Tribune Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipe contest this year! I’d entered a delicious cookie three years in a row, was a runner up all three years. This year I didn’t enter because my husband said I’d never win because my recipe for Oatmeal Tea Cookies was too simple (5 ingredients). So the judges picked a recipe very similar to this Bulldog Brittle as this year’s winner!! It’s not even a cookie!! Sigh. Those kids on the Holiday Baking Championship are amazing – they should enter the Chicago Tribune Holiday Cookie contest!!

Jenni says:

December 23, 2021 at 1:41 pm

My neighbor used to do something like this with Saltines!
But, WHY does it have to have margarine?!

Last-Minute Gifts, Ideas, Stocking Stuffers, Free Printables

Digital Gift Cards