There is nothing better than making your own presents, if only for the feeling of virtuousity once the little treats have been made for under £2!. Put these Peppermint Creams into a box with pretty turquoise tissue paper and you are onto a winner.
 
Peppermint cream recipe:

Makes 25 peppermints:
375g icing sugar
2 small egg whites
a few drops of peppermint essence
a few drops of green, red or whatever colour food colouring you like
 
1. Sift the icing sugar into a bowl.
2. With a wooden spoon, roughly beat in the egg whites, along with a few drops of peppermint essence and the food colouring into the sugar.
3. As the sugar begins to form rough balls, gently knead until it forms a smooth dough.
4. Adjust the peppermint flavour and colour to taste.
5. Divide the paste into 25 pieces, roll each ball in the palm of your hand and lightly flatten into discs. Or sprinkle some icing sugar onto a work surface, roll out the mixture and, using a biscuit cutter, make whatever shape you want.
6. Cover a cake rack with greaseproof paper and arrange the creams on top; cover with another layer of greaseproof paper.
7. Leave in a cool place for at least 24 hours so they are crisp on the outside and soft in the middle.

NB the creams are made with raw egg white and are not suitable for people who have an egg allergy.