45 Best Homemade Food Gifts for the Holidays
Who wouldn't love getting one of these edible gifts?
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This holiday season, give your family and friends a gift from the heart — and the heart of your home: the kitchen. Make one of these festive treats — cookies, chocolates, jams, and more — and package it in the season's prettiest wrapping. Food gifts, especially those that are homemade, will appeal to the foodie in everyone, and creative DIY Christmas gifts that just happen to be delicious are perfect for everyone from your best friend to your kids’ favorite teacher. Making your own gifts can also be a great opportunity to practice your cookie decorating skills and maybe even get some helper elves involved for a fun seasonal activity.
If you're looking for a DIY edible gift to complement your homemade treat, try out one of these simple crafts below. And if you want to add just a little extra something for the person on your list who not only loves to eat food but enjoys making it as well, check out these fun and useful gifts that foodies will also love from our team of kitchen experts.
To Begin: Here's How to Package Your Gift
Sure, these treats are super easy to make. The packaging, well, that's up for debate. Before you head to the kitchen, make sure you have all the supplies to wrap your gift in style (a large mason jar will usually do the trick).
White Peppermint Bark
Make this stunning bark with the best white chocolate you can find and it’ll be on everyone’s wish-list year after year.
Chocolate-Dipped Madeleines
Store-bought madeleines get glammed up for gifting, with only 2 additional ingredients!
Chocolate-Pistachio Orange Slices
These sweet citrus slices are the right combination of healthy and decadent, and they’re gorgeous to boot.
No-Bake Waffle Dippers
These chocolate-coconut cookies are not totally homemade. To make, buy the three (!) ingredients, assemble, and enjoy!
Best-Ever Granola
Start with this basic, best-ever recipe and then mix in dried fruit and nuts for extra flavor.
Christmas Cookies
You can't go wrong with a tin full of cookies. Choose from classic sugar cookies, well-dressed gingerbread men, fruity shortbreads, and more.
Ginger and Cream Sandwich Cookies
What's better: the cookie or cream? In this case, both are equally delicious.
Slice and Bake Chocolate and Pistachio Cookies
These sweet and salty cookies are Christmas in a nutshell ... get it?
Get the recipe for Slice and Bake Chocolate and Pistachio Cookies »
Aztec Chocolate Granola Bark
Remember that granola from earlier? Well, here's what happens when you cover it in chocolate-y goodness.
Jam Sandwich Cookies
Package these jam-filled cookies in handmade envelopes by following this downloadable template.
Polar Bear Sugar Cookies
Give each polar bear some personality with a customized, confectionary sweater.
Peanutty Cap'n Crunch Candy Bars
Because if you haven't drizzled caramel and chocolate over cereal, what are you doing?
Sugar Cookie Ornaments
These customizable cookies are a dessert and decoration all in one.
Snowman Spoons
Package these adorable, frosty spoons with a pack of cocoa (and marshmallows!) for the ultimate winter treat.
Walnut Crescent Cookies
Save hazelnuts for your nutcracker. Here, walnuts are the star of the show.
Honey Nut Cheerios Turnovers
Give these honey turnovers the full Christmas treatment with red and green sprinkles.
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels
Is there really anything more salty-sweet delicious than chocolate-dipped pretzels? Colorful sprinkles complete the look.
Citrus-Marinated Olives
If you'd like to gift these marinated olives in cute containers, make sure they have a moisture-proof lining, and drain olives before placing them inside.
Spicy Cocktail Pecans
The holiday party season is full of cocktails, so be a good guest and bring along some addictive snacks.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
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