I love holiday shopping. The decorations, the buzz in the air, the required pit stops for cocoa — it all serves to put me in the mood for sharing presents with my loved ones! And once the crowds get to be a bit too much for me, I head home to my kitchen and really get to work on the gift-giving season.
You see, one of my favorite things is to give DIY Chirstmas gifts, especially the homemade and edible variety. I like to personalize them to my friends’ taste preferences (last year I gave one cookie-dough fanatic a tub of egg-free dough) and try new things to keep it interesting for everyone involved.
Making gifts from the kitchen is extra-special because you took the time to craft something just for them! It doesn’t matter how easy it is; from cookie mixes to soft caramels, your recipients will be thinking of your tasty treats long after the wrapping paper has been hauled to the curb.
Edible Homemade Happiness
- Tie up bundles of baked goods with holiday ribbon, or add a cheerful scrap of fabric screwed onto to canning jar lids.
- Use our printable gift tags!
- Keep a stash of gifts handy for unexpected guests or last-minute party invitations. Items that last longer, like jams or flavored salts, are ideal, just in case you don’t give them out!
- Have a gift-making party where you and your friends create multiple kinds of homemade gifts. Split projects between attendees, and let everyone take home a few of each kind for maximum gift-giving potential!
- Be sure to list ingredients and note if the gift is appropriate for those who are vegan, gluten free or nut free. Keeping the special diet gifts separate will help!
- Let your recipient know if there is a “best by” date. Homemade vanilla sugar lasts forever, but chocolate-covered fruits don’t!
Here are just a few of my favorite homemade gifts from the kitchen.
Get more recipes for gifts from the kitchen and find inspiration in our online holiday guide.
