Quick, but "sweet" end of school year teacher (or insert other occasion) gifts!

Our school year runs to almost the end of June and yet, still, I was caught flat-footed when it came time for a final acknowledgement of thanks to these wonderful teachers.  The morning of the last day (Of course. You wouldn't want to plan ahead for this. You know, be prepared and not run around like a crazed person prepping and printing while simultaneously getting your children ready for the final day. But, I digress.), I pulled out the jam that was #2 on every one's list, Plum Jam, printed out labels and curled some ribbon. While this is a simple gift, it is a universally happy gift for teachers. Let's face it, flowers die, gift certificates are a bit on the cold side and if you bring a teacher one more apple themed piece of flotsam made in China, they might commit Hari-Kari with a sharpened no. 2 pencil. Or so I've heard. But, this gift will literally sweeten their day with your homemade time and effort. And bonus, you will be able to use up some of your stock just as the new season of fruit is producing! AND, it costs you practically NOTHING.
  
SUPER DUPER TIP: Print out at least one label with a generic "Thanks!" because you WILL forget someone important and this will save you from that sinking "Oh no" moment. I know, I know. You're welcome.

The details:
Ribbon: Buy the large, super size roll of curling ribbon when on sale. You'll use it endlessly and save a ton of money over the long haul.
Labels:
Better Homes and Gardens is offering free downloads of various attractive labels for organizing your home. Here is the link. http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/free-printable-storage-labels/
Jam:

ORGANIC PLUM JAM
(Adapted from Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving)
Makes @ eight 8 oz. jars

6 c Plum pulp (made from organic plums)
1 pkg regular powdered Pectin
8 c organic granulated Sugar

1) Prep canner, jars and lids.

2) Make the plum pulp by combining 8 c. of pitted plums and 1/2 c. of water in a large stainless steel stockpot.  Bring to a boil over med. heat, turn down heat to med/low and boil gently while stirring to keep the bottom from burning. @ 5 min. Then, whip out your handy dandy immersion blender (the angels sing when I use this) and blend until smooth. 

TIP: If you add 1/2 t. of butter at this point, you won't have as much foam to skim off...

3) Whisk in pectin and stir until smooth. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Really.

4) Add sugar all at once, returning it to the boiling point. (Still stirring, right?) Let it do a FULL BOIL for 1 minute. Remove from heat and skim off foam. (This stuff still tastes good, it just doesn't look pretty!)


5) Ladle the hot marmalade into hot jars, leave 1/4 inch of space, remove air bubbles, pop the lids on, and screw the band finger tight.

6) Place the jars in the canner, completely covered with water, and boil, lid on, for 10 minutes. Remove the canner lids, wait 5 minutes, the remove and cool the jars.

7) Label them. You can either use the labels that came with the jars or print out pretty ones using one of the many labels available at the link above.

TIP: Use this for housewarming, hostess, get well soon, birthday, Christmas, etc. gifts.  Give individually or make a basket of assorted jams and goodies. A little ribbon, some tissue, a $1 basket from the dollar store and you have a pretty awesome and unique gift!

Finally, take a victory lap. You did it. Well done.