Cost effective way to make vanilla for gifts?

debrak2008

10 years ago

I felt bad about taking gwlolo's vanilla thread in a different direction so I thought I would start a new one.

I would like to make vanilla extract for Christmas gifts. My concern is cost as I will need about 25 to 30 bottles. I started looking at costs for supplies and am concerned I won't be able to do this. Currently I am unemployed.

So I am looking for cost saving tips!

The bottles, 4 oz amber glass seem OK? Smaller would save money but look too cheap? So far prices I have found are .67 to .77 per bottle with top.

Beans. Found some online for $36 for a pound. I need about 3/4 lb. OK? any sources you recommend?

The vodka. The the cheapest I can find locally be ok?

I asked a friend if she wanted to do this too. Thought that maybe we could buy supplies in larger quanities to save money. She is not sure yet.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Comments (6)

triciae
10 years ago
I've got an idea! If you're unemployed cost is a huge factor. So....why not buy the vanilla beans in bulk. Tie them up in individual cute bundles with a card attached for the instructions and let the gift recipient make their own extract. Then, they can have the fun and also buy their own vodka (huge savings for you).

Here's the ebay vanilla bean listings...

/tricia

Here is a link that might be useful: ebay vanilla beans
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
10 years ago
Empty containers are expensive. Check your local dollar store. Maybe you will find a product you could empty out and use. I found something 6 for a dollar that suited me for a vinegar. The product was gross. Some sort of sugar lemon drink i emptied out but the container was perfect. Even better to find something useful and edible to empty.
I would think a cheap ish vodka or rum would be fine. The vanilla bean should be the quality. A fabric square top tied with a raffia ribbon? A label or tag explaining...
I would probably have no idea except someone gifted me this last year. The tag is helpful as it says to keep the bottle topped off and the beans submerged. This is an 8oz bottle with three beans but i think 4oz would be fine with single bean? Or cut the bean in half to fit.
Related Discussions
Safest but most effective way to clean red brick?
Q
Comments (9)
Chris - DAWN won't damage your bricks. Plain water would probably be fine. You do have to wait a couple of days (an no rain should be forecast) for the bricks to be dry - before applying any sealer. But no big deal. Follow the directions. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202529383/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 The above product works fine. They also make a 'no gloss' version which does the exact same thing - but is invisible and does not affect the look or appearance of the bricks; in any manner. Again, you would have to follow the directions. Several other reputable companies make similar products. Get thee to a Hardware store, and look around at the products. You can call and talk to Sika if you want (in NJ) at: 201 933 8800 Just take a look around at your Hardware Store. Pick up a how-to book on Concrete and Masonry work for $20. Again, not hard at all, and good luck. It is not even hard for a home owner to learn how to make some quick (grout) tuck point repairs. (You do need a small (like 4") grinder for that/ plus a DUST mask or Respirator /eye & hearing protection/ are all MANDATORY if you care about your health...) These items don't cost much. And hearing and eye should both be worn when just mowing your lawn for example... D. Here is a link that might be useful: Concrete Sealer
...See More
Cost effective breakfast and lunch ideas
Q
Comments (29)
punamytsike, my kids are 15, 14, 12, 11 and 9...Plenty old enough to make their own breakfast...however, their attention to detail lacks a lot...plus they will make WAY too much if I am not there. By "attention to detail" lacking, I am referring to those important details like turning off the stove caps or oven...or taking the fork out of the bowl before putting it in the microwave. Or using the timer so that food doesn't burn. I have tried SO hard to teach them to pay attention to these things but after nearly 3 house fires, I had to make a "no baking for frying rule..." Especially since 4 of my 5 are up by 6:00 on the weekends and I don't get up until 7:30 or so. Their use of household appliances is limited to the toaster and microwave. I also have to set limits. Three waffles, one cup of juice and one cup of milk for breakfast. One banana. If I don't do this, one child will have 8 waffles and the late risers will get nothing. This makes it very difficult to buy in bulk. I shop often. No less than once per week...because if I shop for 2 weeks everything is still gone in one week. I blame this on the fact that I have 4 boys who could eat themselves through a brick wall. LOL! The macaroni dish is one my mother fixed when I was growing up. I have wanted to try it here but I'm afraid to. Two of my kids are very very picky...I think I'll try it this week though. I always LOVED that dish!
...See More
Is low E cost effective on north facing patio doors?
Q
Comments (1)
Hi, we are up in south SF Bay area. Another consideration for low-E is heat rejection in the summer. We have a door facing NNE. No roof overhang but a large oak next to the house. The door gets may be two hours of rising sun and then shaded all day long in the summer. Our temperature does rise to low-100's in the summer. Even when shaded, the hot air temperature can work its way into the house depending on the door and window material. The old wooden painted door would heat up and we can feel the heat coming through all day long spread over the entire door. That living area got rather warm, to about 20 degrees below temperature outside. So if it is 100 outside, we are cooking at 80 inside. After switching the door to a low-E French, clad exterior, wood interior, things changed dramatically. I have no concrete proof that the low-E is the sole factor but the only change were the doors. The inside is now able to remain 30 degrees cooler than outside during hottest part of the day. The wood frame of the door is warm but less so now and the glass portion is cool to the touch. So instead of a whole door heating up, there is only a bit of warmth coming through the frames and practically none through the glass surface. We open everything before sunrise to chill the house down to 60. The thick cement floor cools off quickly in the cold morning air. We then close everything at sunrise. When it is 100 outside by 3PM, we are a chilly 70 inside, without A/C in that area. We do know that double-pane without low-E will transmit heat. Our leftover Milgard vinyl does that well. The glass will be warm to the touch, unlike low-E glass. Not sure it this description will work as well for you but I hope it helps your analysis.
...See More
Thinking Ahead - The Most Cost Effective Way To Start Seeds Indoors?
Q
Comments (8)
Shop lights are exactly the right solution. Don't waste money on fancy grow-lux bulbs or fancy fixtures. Just use cheap cool/warm bulbs. If you were doing hydroponics, where the plants spent their whole life under bulbs, fancy fluorescent bulbs might be nice. BUT, be sure to keep the bulbs within a few inches of the plants. Seriously. This isn't about looking at the plants, it's about stuffing them full of light. Just prop up the fixture on some boxes or 2x4s. With one standard 48-inch two-bulb T12 fixture, I'm not sure if you'll have room for 32 4x4 inch pots. Maybe just 2 rows of 12. You could seed the plants that can get transplanted earlier first, and do the rest when those are done and out the door. Or use smaller pots. Not sure where you are, but you'll want to keep everyone warm. I wouldn't bother with a heat pad underneath. I just throw a light tarp over the whole thing (lights and plants), and the fluorescent bulbs keep everything under it warm. 60 watts makes a nice mild heater. Regulate the temperature by throwing the tarp back a bit. You're shooting for 70-75F. In addition to the shop fixture, you'll want to invest in a cheap digital thermometer that will allow you to keep an eye on the temp. Might get a cheap dial timer that will turn the fixture on for 15-18 hours at a time. That $10 for the fixture. $10 for two bulbs, $10 for the thermometer, and $10 for the timer. $40, and you're set for many years.
...See More
debrak2008
Original Author
10 years ago
Triciae,

That would be a way to save money but I'm afraid most would not actually do it. Many of the recipients would not have anything but wine in their homes. They would have to go out and buy vodka or something else. I can imagine some chipping in together and buying a bottle to share. At that point I would feel bad. I know I would not buy a bottle of vodka if I only needed a little bit.

I guess this means they also won't be continuing the vanilla by adding more as needed. Unless of course they love it so much they decide to invest in a bottle.

Sleevendog I will check out the dollar store.
triciae
10 years ago
Hmmm, it never occurred to me that they might not continue making their own vanilla. :(

/t
grainlady_ks
10 years ago
Yet one more idea.... And yes, the dollar store is your friend! Find small containers and give them one or two ounces of homemade vanilla and add something that was less expensive to make to put the homemade vanilla IN:

-Rich Vanilla Coffee Mix from the Hillbilly Housewife - http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/frenchvanillacafe.htm - given in a mug with a small bottle of your homemade vanilla attached to the handle or tucked inside the mug with the coffee mix in a small plastic bag.

-homemade or commercial pancake mix

-homemade vanilla pudding mix

-muffin mix

-Grainlady
debrak2008
Original Author
10 years ago
I think I'm leaning toward not doing it this year. I would really like to try it just for myself. If that goes well I will plan for next year. Once I'm working again I can buy the bottles ahead of time, try different beans etc.

Thanks for all the tips.

Cost effective way to make vanilla for gifts?

Comments (6)

triciae

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)

Related Discussions

debrak2008
Original Author

triciae

grainlady_ks

debrak2008
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Cost effective way to make vanilla for gifts?

Comments (6)

triciae

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)

Related Discussions

debrak2008Original Author

triciae

grainlady_ks

debrak2008Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

debrak2008
Original Author

debrak2008
Original Author