If you’re looking for something quick, easy and affordable to give for the holidays, you might want to consider a homemade edible gift. It doesn’t even have to involve a lot of baking or fussing in the kitchen. If you’re creative, many things that you already have or that are easily attainable from the grocery store can become treasured and practical gifts for friends, family and colleagues.
Gift Mix
Choose your favorite recipe, layer the dry ingredients in quart canning jar and attach baking or cooking instructions to the cap with a ribbon. You can adapt just about any recipe to a gift mix. Some that work especially well are cookies, bean soup, hot chocolate and brownies. Be creative with your layering, including various colors and textures up against each other.
Fruit Basket
Fruit baskets are fun and colorful gifts. Choose clementines, oranges, apples, pineapples, pomegranates, mangoes or whatever else looks good. You can also include other goodies, including dark chocolate bars, crackers, cheese or wine. Arrange everything creatively in a basket and tie a bow around it, and your gift is ready.
Rosemary Tree
Find a large rosemary plant at a nursery or garden center, transplant it into an appealing pot and trim it into the shape of a tree. Attach a little handwritten card or booklet with rosemary recipes and care instructions, which include making sure the plant has plenty of water and bright sunlight. You can decorate the tree with holiday trimmings, too, if you’d like.
The great thing about edible gifts is that you know your recipient will use them, and they won’t be wasted. They can also express your own personal sense of style and creativity. If you use your imagination, just about anything can be transformed into something someone will love.