My 10 Most Favorite Food-Inspired Homemade Christmas Gifts
We all know the holidays can be an expensive and overwhelming time of year. From family to friends and everyone else, there are a lot of people to think about when it comes to gift-giving. The challenge for all of us though is finding a legitimately good gift for each person on our list, without totally breaking the bank. We don't want to regift unwanted items in attempts to have something/anything to give away, but also it can be both exhausting and expensive to buy something uniquely special and separate for each person.
To solve this seasonal dilemma, I love to make homemade gifts to give out. Besides it being a rather easy and economical option, there are so many creative options in the $5 range. With the homemade element showing a bit of added effort, it can make a rather inexpensive gift seem extra special.
I've compiled the following list with some of my personal favorites. Each are healthier than the usual fudge or cookies in a tin can. Each better, all of these are simple to prepare and easy to scale no matter the number of people you are playing Santa too.
There is no reason to leave anyone off your list with these homemade Christmas gift ideas:
1. Candied Pecans (Veggies & Virtue): These are becoming my infamous homemade Christmas gift, made with local pecans and the hidden twist of egg whites instead of butter for the sweet, crunchy coating.
2. Flavored Finishing Salts (Mommypotamus): Whether you are looking to give something sweet or savory, these salts are a super simple recipe to share.
3. Smoothie Bowl Coloring Book (Meal Makeover Moms): It is self-print for FREE using the MMM link, then add a box of colored pencils plus little bags of smoothie bowl toppings for a fun gift to any age.
4. Herb-Infused Oils (Free People): Perhaps on the backside of a gift tag, include your favorite way to use the oil!
5. Coffee Stir Sticks (Live Eat Learn): Tie this cinnamon+chocolate stick up with a "this cup is on me" coffee gift card.
6. Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Stir Sticks (mom4real): For the non-coffee drinkers in your life, tuck this in as a fun homemade touch with a cute mug and pack of your favorite hot cocoa mix.
7. Soup in a jar (Good Housekeeping): Moms everywhere enjoy a meal they didn't have to make. Use this lentil soup recipe for an easy, economical alternative to take-out!
8. Chocolate Chip Meringue Drops (Allrecipes): A healthier option for any cookie exchange!
9. Chocolate Peppermint Bites (Milk & Honey Nutrition): For the LARA-bar lover in your life, these will be an unexpected holiday favorite - full of wholesome ingredients and festive flavors.
10. Cranberry Orange Granola (The Foodie Dietitian): Whether served over Siggi's yogurt to start the day or enjoyed as a snack, this granola has seasonal fruits and spices that are sure to hit the spot this holiday.
I may need to extend the Christmas season for another month because I want to make all of these recipes -- to enjoy myself and to share!