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…
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1. 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 375 ml 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 instead of buying them at the grocery store! Amazon is cheaper for large quantities, but reviews are mixed. We get ours from J. Crow's Marketplace.
2. 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.)
3. 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!
4. 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!
5. 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!
6. 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!
7. 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.
8. 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!
9. 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!
10. 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.
11. 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!
12. 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!
Nita says
Basil infused olive oil or vinegar...Or any other herb/spiced infused oil/vinegar!
Jennie says
Thank you so much for this. I had no ideas for end-of-year teacher gifts, and have been improving my granola recipe lately. I'll give granola! Yay!
Darcy Struckmeier says
I have to tell you again that you are fabulous. I have been "wanting to" get healthy for years and your blog has just made everything click. I started the 10 day challenge just to "See" and here we are 2 months later completely changed 100%. The benefits are overwhelming!
I was stressing the other day on how I was going to handle Christmas! Usually I do big huge cookie platters all around. Its homemade vanilla this year!
I am working hard through this year changing all things for birthdays etc. So many opportunities to bump up our good health!
Thank you SO Much!
Linda says
Hi Lisa! For your Advent House you could put little decorations in each door and have a small tree nearby to decorate! These could be in addition to your giving ideas. I did this for my daughter at Christmas and each month of the year, I had ornaments for every Holiday, we both loved it!
Take care!
Linda
Cali says
Homemade vanilla made with bourbon instead of vodka is sooooo much better!!
Beth Hill says
I am in no way affiliated with this company - just wanted to say the best place I've found for vanilla beans is vanilla products USA. They even give away free beans depending on how much you order. I went in with some friends...I advise starting with a pound, split it three ways in quart jars, and cut them into 1/2" pieces, topping with the vodka. It will work a lot faster and you'll have rich dark vanilla in no time. Also, start brewing now for next year! The longer it sits, the more amazing it gets. I've been using the same beans for several refills already, and it's still doing well after about 2 years?! Those I gifted to last year raved and wanted more this year! You can't go wrong having a lot sitting in the pantry and working away. Yum. Thanks for spreading the word! These are some great ideas.
Sissylue says
This year my girls are making homemade bath salts, lip balm, bubble bath and body scrub.Each item only takes a few ingredients and are simple enough to make that my first grader has no problem doing it. A bit of googling will bring up numerous 'recipes' and directions. The only thing that makes the gifts a bit 'pricey' is that we use essential oils from the natural foods store for our scents instead of the scents from a craft store. We collect pretty glass bottles and jars through out the year so that by the time the holidays roll around we have what we need without needing to buy extra. The tiny little glass jars that have pimientos in them are perfect for the lip balms.
laurel says
Two years ago, I did the homemade vanilla extract. Last year, I gave sea salt that I harvested during our annual summer beach trip. This year, I'm doing Soulemama's lip gloss and granola. I love giving handmade gifts almost as much as receiving them. This was a fun list!
vanessa says
Absolute Favorite Persimmon Pudding:
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/recipes.cfm?ID=322
My husband requests it every Fall. We top it with whipped cream.
I love your blog!!!
Alison says
Thanks for all of your creative ideas! I linked to your recipe for Shortcut Chocolate Pecan Pie today on my blog.
http://www.you-can-make-that.com/2011/12/fascinating-find.html
Danielle says
Great list -- but you should add the homemade cheese crackers. A friend of mine has requested them for her christmas gift this year.
Last year I gave Chipotle Rosemary Spiced Nuts -- they are fantastic!
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/book-reviews/ina-gartens-chipotle-rosemary-spiced-nuts-cookbook-review-and-recipe-from-barefoot-contessa-how-easy-is-that-fabulous-recipes-easy-tips-133191
Karen says
Can't wait to try the vanilla extract! I was thinking about giving homemade coffee creamer, but my husband said I was crazy. I might do it anyway. It's just so yummy :)
Kassi says
How do you make homemade coffee creamer, would you mind sharing your recipe Karen? If you please email it to me! [email protected]
Sarah says
I love the vanilla extract idea! When you say "Simply slit two vanilla beans down the middle, drop them into 375ml of vodka" do you mean to put both beans into one jar? I ask because it looks like there is only one bean in each of your jars and I don't want to mess it up! I am a visual learner, ha!
100 Days of Real Food says
Yes, put both beans in one bottle of vodka...the pictured jars (from Michael's) are smaller than a 375 ml bottle of vodka so I split it up into a couple glass jars. I have to give you props for paying attention to detail!
Kate says
So, using the jars from Michael's did you just fill jar with vodka and then put 1 split bean in it?
100 Days of Real Food says
I actually made the vanilla extract in a large vodka bottle with several beans then split it up amongst the glass "gift" bottles.
Kate says
Last year I mixed up a Hot Cocoa dry mix with powdered milk and made homemade marshmallows. I gave them to people in mugs.
Rebecca ~ Sweet Baby Yams says
I am really loving these ideas. I normally give away cookies, but this year I am going to change it up.
Carol says
SHi! I love this post. I would love to do the Vanilla Extract, but as usual, I didn't think ahead about Christmas gifts :) I was wondering, if I get started this week, would Vanilla Extract be ready for Christmas eve? Also, I read online some recipes for extract and most say that for good infusion, it takes 6 weeks! Then you can strain and pour into smaller containers. What do you recommend? And where did you get those cute little bottles?
Carol says
The post should start with "Hi!" :)
100 Days of Real Food says
Yes, the vanilla would definitely be ready in time for Christmas and even if the recipient uses a couple teaspoons the first week what is left in the bottle would still continue to get even better/darker. There is still plenty of time for this gift! Also, I got the bottles at Michael's Craft Store.
Deena@StayatHomeFOODIE says
These are great ideas.
I'm planning on trying making my own vanilla extract for myself, so that I can test it out before next year.
I've also done cookie mix in a jar... it looks fabulous and is so easy to make.
Carisa says
I'm doing the granola this year. I decided last week. So funny that you posted afterward!
Charlotte says
Amazing ideas! Thank you for sharing! I've been pondering the problem of wanting to give cute, inexpensive Christmas gifts to a few friends, but NOT wanting to add to the plethora of sugary baked goods going around this time of year! I'll definitely have to try the vanilla extract and seasonings :) Another gift idea to spruce up a loaf of bread is to do a braided yeast loaf. I make my sister's recipe for squash braid bread, which has a lovely yellow color and a DELICIOUS flavor, and is just about the prettiest bread I've ever seen!
Marie says
Lisa- I started canning beans and chicken, and jams (low sugar variety- I use sucanat) and applesauce this past year. I don't know why it took me so long- it's so easy! (Takes time- yes. But also easy- and a lot of "hands off" time.) You will love it!
100 Days of Real Food says
I hope to get into it next summer!
Amy says
I am doing something very similar! Although I'm focusing on these gifts for the great grandparents of the family - so I have to tweak my ideas a bit. I'm trying not to give anything cold- but I have to keep in mind they don't want all these great ideas!
I thought about vanilla- but most of them don't cook more than a freezer meal. And at Thanksgiving grandma was giving away some cute jars of jelly - because she had too much. sigh... So what I've decided to do is canned jars of applesauce(grandma's recipe!), dried soup mixes, granola bars, and some local chocolate. Maybe a small loaf of homemade bread.
I think a homemade gift is perfect for the elderly in your family who you want to bless with a gift, but they don't need or really want anything.
Nicole Melton says
There is a vanilla bean farm in Hawaii the only one in the US. I think it's important to support our own goods!!
Tiffany says
I LOVE the idea for the Giving House - What a neat idea! I hope I remember that when my child(ren) is/are old enough!
Aimee says
These are all such great ideas! Thank you!! I am very happy to know now how to make vanilla extract. I just discovered that the more affordable store brand at my local grocery has corn syrup in it. I guess that's how they "water" it down and make it cheaper than the brand name. Boo!
megan says
Here's a soup-in-a-jar recipe we love...do the boullion granules fit the real food theme?
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/friendship-soup-mix-in-a-jar/Detail.aspx
100 Days of Real Food says
Hmmm...I'd have to see the ingredients, but probably not. Those much more salt/sodium than necessary as well. The rest of their idea is good though!
TyKes Mom says
Love love love the homemade vanilla! I never would have thought of making my own vanilla. Thank you so much!
Mary says
You have some wonderful ideas here. I'm new to your blog but I'll be back. I really like the food and recipes you share with your readers and I enjoyed the time I spent browsing through your posts. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
The Poorganic Life says
These are great! I love to give granola and bread. It's not food (well, maybe to my kids it is) but I can't wait to try a cheap and easy homemade lip balm from a blog I just discovered, The Elliot Homestead.
Melissa says
I am going to make homemade bath salts/srubs this year. I have never done it before, but I just googled (not sure if that is a real word or not :) recipes for the salts/scrubs and was overwhelmed by the amount of options out there. I am going to make 2-3 different "flavors", put them in little glass jars that I saw at Michaels and give them out with a cute little scoop. The "flavors" I am going to make are Lemon, Pumpkin Spice and Maple Brown Sugar.
100 Days of Real Food says
love that idea too!
Lee says
I love that!!!!
Amber Best says
I love the vanilla idea as a gift. I have been making my own vanilla for almost a year, due my son's dietary issues with grains. I use Rum for my base. It makes such a wonderful vanilla, that my family does not want me to ever go back to store bought!
Amy says
I know you mentioned on facebook that you're wondering what to do with persimmon, and I happen to be in the same boat. Today I saw this post on Roost...pretty good timing!
http://www.roostblog.com/roost/vanilla-clove-panna-cotta-with-honeyed-persimmon.html
100 Days of Real Food says
What a pretty blog...thanks for sharing!
Rachel @Balance and Blueberries says
Thanks for the ideas! I love them. I keep seeing homemade vanilla extract, and I really want to try it. Maybe I'll make that happen this month, before Christmas...
Alicia says
Thank you for these great ideas! Where did you find your Giving House? I have been looking for something like this for a while.
100 Days of Real Food says
I got it at Target a couple years ago...they have similar ones, but not the exact same style.
Brandalynn Johnston says
I was wondering how you made your own Ranch dip seasoning. Love Ranch but way to fatting from the store.
100 Days of Real Food says
Click on the word ranch and it will take you right to the post with the details!
Christy says
Love the vanilla bean idea. Thanks!
Katie says
Brilliant!! I especially love the vanilla extract and the seasoning mixes.
Jo says
My BBGF and her husband also neighbors share your last name. We have a saying around here. Leake Likin' Lovin it! Gonna make the vanilla extract as gifts this year. Any suggestions for type of vanilla bean.
Melissa says
Where did you get the labels for the frozen soup?? I have been looking all over and can't find any that I like and yours are cute!
Courtney says
Where did you get your jars from for the vanilla extract? Thanks!!!
Lindsey says
I have a question about the vanilla- Where did you buy the bottles? I'd love to make some!!
Courtney says
I picked mine up @ my local home brew/winemaking shop they have bottles and corks of all sizes.
Cheryl says
One year I made my mom frozen dinners. I wrapped the instructions to put under the tree and gave her the frozen, labeled foods in a box to take home to her freezer.
Marishannon says
I've actually been thinking about making my parent's some frozen meals this year!