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Admit it. When you think of “making” or “baking” some type of holiday gift you think of cookies. Or maybe candy. No matter what it is I guarantee it’s full of sugar, and collectively there’s just too much of that going around this time of year (in my opinion)! I personally think there are many other little holiday gift ideas that are more exciting – and more original – than cookies, and since I like to play by my own rules here’s some of what I will be giving out this year…
- Homemade Vanilla Extract
One of my favorite things about this gift (other than how cute the bottles are!) is that you can make them in advance. In fact – this is a gift that will actually get better with time, which is quite the opposite of a lot of other homemade goodies. Simply slit two vanilla beans down the middle, drop them into 375ml of vodka (I used the red Smirnoff) and within a few weeks you will have infused pure vanilla extract that someone can use in all sorts of recipes like granola, pumpkin bread, French toast, and oatmeal. And save some money by ordering your vanilla beans online (with free shipping) instead of buying them at the grocery store!
- Assorted Whole-Grain Muffins
I adore all those cute treat boxes this time of year, and the ones pictured below from Michael’s Craft Store (that I purchased with a 40% off coupon) are no exception. But just because they are “treat” boxes doesn’t mean you have to fill them with cookies, sweets, and cupcakes…try thinking “out of the box” instead! Okay, kidding. There’s nothing like a cheesy joke to lighten the day. 
Anyway, pictured is an assortment of whole-grain pumpkin, zucchini, corn bread, and blueberry muffins or you could also add some banana nut or cinnamon raisin muffins to the mix as well. As far as I am concerned you can’t go wrong! (Hint: Make your muffins in advance, and store them in the freezer until gift-giving time.)
- Seasoning Mixes
Whether it’s a meat rub for chicken or pork or a spice mixture for homemade ranch dip (or all three!) this could be yet another unique holiday present. Craft stores like Michael’s and A.C. Moore sell cute little containers and jars – meant for wedding favors – and with one of their weekly 40% or 50% off coupons it could be a rather affordable gift idea as well. Attach a recipe card detailing how to use the spice mixes and you end up with another creative gift idea!
- Homemade Granola Cereal or Granola Bars
This is what we eat (and love) for breakfast almost every single day so I can’t think of a better reason to share it with others. You could give the granola cereal version in a jar or gift bag or make some granola bars with dried fruit and put them in little treat boxes (which is what I gave out last year). Don’t forget a little recipe card to go along with it because you know you’ll leave them wanting more!
- Homemade Bread
If you make your own bread either in the oven or in a bread maker you have an advantage because that’s just one more very thoughtful and tasty holiday gift you can offer. Whether you want to make the standard Honey Whole-Wheat Sandwich Bread or a Cinnamon Raisin Loaf I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed. I’ve actually given out loaves of bread as “thank you” gifts before, and they were very well received!
- Glazed/Candied Nuts and Popcorn Mixes
This Cinnamon Glazed Popcorn recipe is easy to make and a crowd pleaser. I also have a standard glazed pecan recipe that we love, but don’t be afraid to mix it up by adding extra pepper or even making something with a stronger flavor like Thai Curry Cashews. You could also add in extras like plain popcorn, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, or unsweetened coconut to make more of a spiced trail mix. The possibilities are endless!
- Homemade Whole-Grain Pasta
If you have a pasta machine (like me!) then don’t be shy because just about anybody would love to get some fresh, homemade whole-grain pasta as a gift. You could pair it with a jar of organic and/or local tomato sauce and block of good Parmigiano Reggiano cheese if you really want to get fancy. It would make a very nice – and memorable – holiday gift.
- Home Canned Goods
I personally have never canned anything (it’s on my to-do list!), but if your pantry is stocked with homemade pickles, salsa or whatever else you were busy making this summer then wrap a red bow around it and call it a day!
- Frozen Meals/Soups
I do happen to have a lot of homemade soups in my freezer (in both small and large jars), and if you were giving a gift to someone that could refrigerate or freeze it again right away I think this so-called “meal in a jar” would be very much appreciated. Even a cold soup (or assortment of soups in small jars) that had not yet been frozen would be nice to offer as well. Think of those teachers that have to try to avoid the lunch line every single day!
- Meals in a Jar
Rather than giving someone premade soups you could also create a jar full of pretty layered dried beans and spices along with a recipe card for making homemade soup. Also, I saw a picture on pinterest where someone made their meals at the beginning of the week in attractive layers in big clear glass jars (would love for someone to do that for me!). Once again if you are giving a gift to someone that could keep things cold this could be a very unique and useful idea.
- Dried Fruit or Beef Jerky
If you have a dehydrator or know how to make your own beef jerky or dried fruit (cinnamon spiced apple chips, anyone?) in your oven this could also be packaged up in cute little bags and given as a holiday gift. I might have to experiment with this idea myself for next year!
- Advent Calendars
This is a little off-topic since it isn’t a gift you give to others, but it actually is sort of a “gift” you give to your children as you count down to Christmas. I’m sure we’ve all seen those pre-filled advent calendars with a piece of candy or chocolate for each day, and two years ago I followed suit by filling my own little advent house with everything from skittles to M&Ms to gum, etc. Well, last year was our first holiday season since our switch to real food so I was racing all around town looking for little gadgets, figures, and toys that were small enough to fit in the little doors of our advent calendar. It ended up being a bunch of plastic junk that the girls quickly lost interest in…or actually just “lost” because they were all so small! So this year I’ve been inspired by an idea from This Lunch Rox to turn our advent house into a “giving house.” She created a gorgeous little “giving jar” with some amazing ideas, and since I don’t want to over commit our already busy family we are going to do a scaled down version of her brilliant idea! I am going to get a set of blank business cards from the office store and write little suggestions on them that my daughters can do each day on their own. Some examples might be writing a nice letter to their teacher, making holiday cards for children who are ill, writing a letter to a soldier overseas, or even giving extra hugs or compliments to others that day. I figure those little cards will fold up and fit in the doors of our new “giving house” nicely, and if I intertwine them with a few fun gadgets (similar to last year) it will hopefully be a smooth transition!
If you have any other “real food” homemade gift ideas please leave them in the comments below!
Love this post….wondered where you got your adorable advent house…also, the glass jars for the vanilla beans! (I’m already gearing up for Christmas!
) thanks!
Kristin
Thank you! I got the advent house at Target (a few years ago) and the bottles can be found at A.C. Moore and World Market.
Homemade infused olive oil – you can make with chilis, herbs,etc and put in small bottles with a cute sticker on it with the oil flavor
I love this stuff! I have featured it on my Weekly Rays of Sunshine: http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/weekly-rays-of-sunshine/
Thank you for sharing! Great pics.
Thank you for the vanilla extract recipe, I made for a cookie exchange gift, and I found the bottle at Michaels.
I have a quick and maybe dumb question. How do you thaw frozen muffins and bread? I froze the whole wheat zucchini muffins and put them in the oven but the middle was still cold. I’m asking because I want to make them for gifts ahead of time and freeze them and mail them to family. Thanks!
Hi Anna. I just allow them to thaw on the counter…no heating required. Jill
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Just a thought – homemade stock. I started making my own stock years ago and was amazed at how easy, tasty and let’s face it – hugely superior it was to the store bought kind. A pretty jar with a ribbon and a festive handmade label could make for lovely presentation of a quart of homemade stock. (And who wouldn’t love to receive something that will make their next few soups or stews extra delicious!?)
How about home made BBQ sauces. Especially for the men in your life. And of course salsa. Because the ones in the stores have chemicals and preservatives.
I make a smoky tomato soup base. That is canned. Then who ever I give it to. Just has to add milk or cream. Yumm. Smoke some tomatoes. And make a soup.
And I like condiments for cheeses. Like chutneys and pesto. Or dips for bread. With tapenade or basil and sun dried tomatoes.
I love your blog by the way. I eat clean. With the odd slip up. But I am a chef and I use no pre made sauces etc. just home made goodness. And I know what’s in my food. Good for all of us to try
Cheers
Hi There! Regarding the vanilla….how many beans go in each bottle? I wasn’t sure if it was 2 beans per bottle (so 4 pieces), or it was 1/2 a bean (1 piece) per bottle? Thanks!
Hi Nikki. Yes, it’s the 2 beans split in a 375ml bottle, but, if you have a smaller bottle, then you can split them. Jill
LOL, I had already thought about sending the vanilla as gifts. The advent GIVING calendar is an amazing idea. We have one that hangs on the wall with little pockets that I can slip little cards into. Thanks for all the GREAT ideas. I am all for sending gifts that people can really use and giving healthy gifts is even more of a bonus!!
I have a question about the little tins that you put your spices in…what size are they? I don’t have either of those stores around here, so I am trying to find some online. However, when I look at the dimensions they seem incredibly small. I was looking at the ounces of the containers. I am wondering if a 4 oz container is going to be too small.
Stephanie – I am so sorry to be getting back to you after the holidays (too late) with an answer! I hope it worked out for you regardless.
Homemade Christmas gifts are my favorite things to do!Thanks for some new ideas. Last year and this year I dried my herbs from my garden mixed them all together and made “Summer Harvest Herbs” packets in clear cellophane bags with a cute label and ribbon. Family,Teachers and friends loved them and I heard through out the year when they used them and on what! A gift that keeps giving! (Thank you Mother Nature!!)
I already have vanilla going for friends as well, been aging now for 2 months and looking dark and lovely, and was thinking what to put with it, the granola sounds like a terrific addition!
For the Advent Calendar, no need to fill the kids with trinkets – rather create an Advent of Activities – one different per day, some fun (baking real food treats), some silly (camp out under the tree), some serious (reading t’was the night before…) I have a list!
We have a tradition similar to the one you posted about the giving tree. Sometime before December, we sit down with the calendar and put all ‘must-do’ activities on it. Example – school programs, town tree-lighting, and then begin to fill it in with must-do’s. My husband and I figure out the best day for getting the tree, decorating outside, visit out-of-townn folks or invite folks in. Then we fill in with good-will acts – visit SPCA and take treats, letter to soldier, donation to food bank, etc. Lastly we fill in fun things – cookies, crafts, letters to Santa, hot cocoa and Christmas movie. Then I put up a chain with an activity on each that coordiates with the December calendar. Also, I keep track so if I need to make a switch-a-roo (ex – bad weather on outside decorating day) I can easily. Hope this helps and will be anxious to read other ideas.
Hi, silly question but how many liters is375 ml? I wanted to make one big batch them separate. I have a 1.75 liter of vodka.
Thanks
Hi Amy. It’s .375 liters, so, it would be just shy of 5 to make 1.75. Jill
The link to vanilla shows prices that seem extremely high . . . they show 1/4 lb for $50. I found an organic vanilla (including shipping) for $20 . . .
I just ordered my vanilla beans from http://www.olivenation.com! I can’t wait to taste the finaly product. Thanks!!
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In the spice mixes, the ranch one is pretty straightforward, but for the pork rub, do you just add the Oregano, Salt, Pepper,and Cumin? And for the chicken, just use the dry spices from the recipe link of the Crock Pot Chicken?
Hi Alicia. Yes, just mix the dry ingredients together. Hope everyone enjoys them. Jill
Hi! I started the vanilla and it seems there is a film building up on the beans….is this normal? I followed your instructions with the vodka and beans in the bottles. I don’t want to give my friends and family bad vanilla. Help!
Kasey – Yes that can happen…it’s totally fine to use!
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