I must have been in a good mood when I decided earlier this week to make some sweets as teacher presents this year. It seemed good idea at the time but that was before I realised what a hugely messy and time consuming process it would be! The chocolate truffles were relatively painless but the marrons glace were a different story. My fingernails are now rather ragged and I have 2 sugar burns – I do hope that the teachers like them and it was all worth it!
First slit the chestnuts and simmer them. At the same time make a vanilla sugar syrup
peel the chestnuts (allow at least an hour for this and give up now if you need nice nails in the next few days!!)
poach the chestnuts in the vanilla syrup
and bring to the boil for 25 minutes
drain and dip into a second stronger sugar syrup then dry overnight on a rack
pack in twists of cellophane and bag up. Then have a very large glass of wine and make a mental note to do shop bought next year!
little cotton rabbits 
But they do look lovely
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
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Blimey, I’m impressed. I love marrons glaces but it’s never occurred to me to try making my own!
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I’m sure they’ll be appreciated much more than shop bought gifts. The little stockings are so cute! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Teresa x
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As a teacher I can tell you that I would love to get one of those little packages! Homemade gifts mean so much more, and I’m sure you didn’t really need those nails!
I gave all my co-workers a little knitted stocking using your pattern last year and they were very well received!
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As a teacher, I know that I would appreciate all of this hard work and care. We love treats. ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
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lucky teachers, can you believe I totally forgot about a gift for Milo’s teacher so I quickly whipped up one of your hedgehogs and a pair of these mitts http://tinyhappy.typepad.com/tiny_happy/2006/06/winter_hands.html…… thank you for saving me from a box of Roses 🙂
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Your “teacher gifts” are just wonderful!!
Although my children are grown, I know that their teachers really appreciated the extra efforts that a hand-made gift represented.
Happy holiday season to you and your family!
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Aww, that’s so sweet ^_^ I always enjoyed bringing in a teacher’s gift to school. I recently made chocolate truffles and were surprised that they were the easiest things ever to make! I’ve never heard of Marrons Glace before, but when it comes to Chestnuts, I just fail!
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I was thinking of making those marron glace after watching Hugh FW the other night!! My mum absolutely loves them but it does look like so much hard work…! I’m sure the teachers will love them, they are so scrumptious! x
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I know those chestnut peeling fingernails well!
They were worth it Julie. They look wonderful and I love your packaging too.
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Oh Julie, how I admire you! I gave up on home-made food gifts a few years back – my nerves can’t take the strain! But these look delicious and delightful. I might be tempted back into teaching if I thought one of these gorgeous gifts would come my way!
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My goodness, that sounds like hard work! I’d be really cross about the nails, tee hee!
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I admire your patience Julie. Lavender essential oil is great for small burns ~ have it on standby in the kitchen ~ you still need to cool the burn in water, but if you apply it soon enough, you can often avoid a blister.
Marie x
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These are truly lovely! I am certain the chidren’s teachers adored these gifts.
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Oh, peeling chestnuts is really hard work. Lucky teachers, though.
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I’m sue the gifts will be appreciated – I am especially in love with the stockings – is there a pattern?
Chris x (A teacher!!!)
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They are so beautifully packaged they couldn’t fail to appreciate them. A lovely thoughtful present.
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Oh wow – hats off to you. Love marrons glace but don’t think I would attempt to make them. And the packaging – just gorgeous, gorgeous. Where do you find the time (and energy). Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year and the other crafters who visit you. Jenny
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Your little stockings make these packages just so darling — wish I were on your Christmas list. Treat yourself to a set of gel nails at the salon. You deserve it!
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I have knitted these stockings too for teachers, perfect for attaching to bundles of shortbread and a great pattern!
Merry Christmas!
Ali X
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Lucky teachers! They look lovely. And squee! The little socks! Such cute packaging! Nice work!
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Wow, I wish I was a teacher receiving one of those sweet treasures:)
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As an ex teacher I always loved the hand made gifts .I am sure the staff were thrilled and will savour every mouthful.
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Wow they look yummy, lucky lucky teachers, I’m sure they will really appreciate them
Jackie x
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What lucky teachers! They look lovely
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I would be thrilled to receive such a gift.
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How could you not love them with those adorable stockings? Your packaging is fabulous Julie!
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Oh wow – home made marron glace?! They are a treat that really says home and holidays for me – lucky teachers
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I love the little socks , so glad i did not think of making marron glace befor the squirrels cleared them all up .
merry christmas and a happy and peacefull new year to you and your family.
Chris.
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I discovered tinned chestnuts a while ago. They’re the way forward 🙂
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Now feeling very bad that have sent the children in with a chocolate orange of some description for each teacher and T.A. in their class. They look beautiful Missus Cotton Rabbits if a little scarey with the boiling sugar and all….
(Although as destructoBoy alone has THREE teachers handmade was a way off in my headspace this year.)
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wish I’d been Amy’s teacher! Nice change from chocs and smellies!
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Although they were more hassle than anticipated, they look fabulous and have something shop bought will never have! You should be very proud to put the likes of me to shame who didn’t even manage to make a single biscuit this year! I’ll send you a couple of easy fudge recipes for next year 😉
Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas and a wonderful 2010!
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As a teacher and especially as a high school special education teacher, I can assure you that they will absolutely love the gifts. Handmade is always the best, but the thought is so sweet. We love collaborating and working with parents and appreciate when they feel the same about us! Merry Christmas
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OH my goodness..this does look messy..but what a gorgeous and thoughtful gift…they look so beautiful packaged up with the little red stockings.
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Doreen
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I have a ton of chestnusts in the freezer – a little job for me now !
They look lovely
Happy New Year
Sue
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