The best gifts come from the heart! Homemade food gifts are very thoughtful and can be inexpensive if done properly. People will love how much thought and time you spend on making their presents this holiday.
- Cookies
Cookies are a classic gift to give during the holidays. They do not take very long to bake and they can be easily placed into decorative bags or cookie tins. Make some cutout sugar cookies more festive with some Royal Icing. Or if you are crunched for time Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies are always crowd pleasers.
2. Bread
Freshly baked bread is always appreciated! Wrap it in fabric or parchment paper and tie a ribbon around it. There are so many different varieties of bread you can send people during the holidays. Focaccia can bring a touch of elegance. Gruyere Buttermilk Biscuits are great for your friends that love breakfast and brunch. Sourdough is a very popular bread and looks beautiful. No yeast at home? No problem, make some Irish Soda Bread using pantry and refrigerator staples.
3. Peppermint Bark
Peppermint Bark is a classic gift to give during the holidays. There is no need to buy it from a store. It only takes two ingredients and it is super easy to make. Simply melt some chocolate and add crushed peppermint candy, cool, then break the bark into pieces. Place the peppermint bark into tins or fancy bags. Your friends and family will love this gourmet gift!
3. Pound Cake
Pound cakes are great gifts because they are simple to make and their loaf shape makes them easy to wrap! Bake it in a foil loaf pan and send it to whomever you like. Or get an inexpensive decorative loaf pan, bake the pound cake in it, and then it becomes two gifts in one! Fun flavors for pound cake are Apple Pound Cake, Peach Pound Cake, and Orange Honey Pound Cake.
4. Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a delightful and well appreciated dessert. Your friends and family will be grateful for all the effort you put forth in making it! Make Greek Yogurt Cheesecake, Apple Cider Pie Cheesecake, or classic New York Cheesecake for someone you love this holiday!
5. Fruit
If you are not much of a baker, find an inexpensive basket and fill it with fruit! Decorate the basket with flowers and ribbons. Your friends and family will appreciate the sentiment. Fruit is healthy, inexpensive, and delicious. Apples, pears, and oranges are very popular fruits to put in holiday gift baskets. There are so many different kinds of fruit, that you can individualize the baskets to each recipient’s taste.
6. Dessert in a Jar
Worried about people not eating your food gifts right away? Dessert in a Jar could be just the thing! Measure out all the ingredients in a simple dessert and layer it in an empty glass jar with a lid. Tie a little tag with baking instructions, add some fabric to the lid, and a ribbon around the neck and you have yourself a fun present that friends and family can bake on their own time! Add the ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookies or Brownies to the jar and have fun!
Whether you are dropping off the gifts at someone’s house no contact style or mailing the gifts*, please stay safe!
*Check with your shipping and mailing provider on tips and regulations for sending food through the mail.
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