2 qt. apple cider
1 tsp. whole cloves
1 tsp. allspice
3 sticks cinnamon
Unpeeled lemon, thinly sliced
Sugar

Simmer all ingredients together. Serve hot. Remove all spices and refrigerate any leftovers. Delicious reheated.

Give a basket, lined with artificial spruce cuttings, and the ingredients for making this cider, along with two Christmas mugs. Tie a big bow around the cinnamon sticks and tie them to the handle, put a piece of ribbon through a copy of this recipe and tie it to the handle. An orange pomander ball and a couple wooden apples could also be added. If this gift is going to someone extra special, use napkins, placemats or both to replace all or part of the spruce cuttings. Your friends will remember you all year, each time they use them! Except for the lemon, this can be made months ahead of Christmas.