Tired of handing out uninspired, impersonal gifts for the holidays? If you take just a few minutes this month to mix up a batch (or 10) of this special recipe from POV’s Kathleen Turaski, come December, you’ll have a gift that’s sure to please.

Homemade Kahlua
1 vanilla bean
2 cups hot, strong coffee (“Don't bother with gourmet coffee,” says Kathleen, “just the strong stuff. Instant works well.”)
3 cups vodka, 90 proof (Kathleen says the cheap stuff works best.)
2 1/2 cups sugar

Cut vanilla bean into six parts and mix with 1/2 cup vodka. Pour into a dark bottle. Dissolve sugar in hot coffee and add mixture to bottle. Add remaining vodka to bottle. Store in cool, dark closet for six to eight weeks, shaking once per week.