Perfect Holiday Gifts From The Kitchen—Easy, Quick, Budget-Friendly

It’s hard to go wrong when giving a delicious, consumable gift. Breads, cakes, cookies, herbed vinegars, flavored mustards, jams, jellies, snacks, candies, chutney, and pickles are just a few examples of food items that make highly appreciated gifts.

 

I hope you enjoy my favorite recipes for gifts of holiday treats that follow below—all of them quick and easy! You still have time.

I’ve given all of these as gifts over the years, to rave reviews. And actually making these goodies is only half the effort.

Packaging, wrapping, and presentation are equally important and that is why you will also find Tips for Making and Presenting Gifts From the Kitchen below.

Enjoy!

Holiday Fudge

It’s hard to go wrong with a delicious, consumable gift for any occasion, but especially Christmas. Perfect homemade fudge that’s neither complicated nor fussy checks off all the boxes.

This easy chocolate fudge, made with chocolate chips and marshmallows, is done in 25 minutes. A classic holiday staple!

You’ll need:

• marshmallows
• sugar
• evaporated milk
• chocolate chips
• butter
• vanilla extract
• walnuts (optional)

HOLIDAY FUDGE RECIPE →

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Holiday Hash

This yummy holiday treat is quick and easy to make. And because this recipe makes so much of it, you could easily turn it into 10 or 15 gifts. Just pick up so cute glassine bags or other perfect food/snack gift containers at your local craft store, and you’re on your way!

You’ll need:

• Rice Chex
• Corn Chex
• Cherrios
• small pretzels
• jarred peanuts (dry-roasted, plain, honey-roasted, whatever)
• plain m&ms
• white melting wafers (or white chocolate chips)

 

HOLIDAY HASH RECIPE →

 

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Christmas Walnut Toffee

You’ll need:

• butter
• granulated white sugar
• Lyle’s Golden Syrup (or light corn syrup)
• water
• chopped walnuts
• chocolate chips

CHRISTMAS WALNUT TOFFEE RECIPE →

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Spiced Holiday Nuts

These Spiced Holiday Nuts are super simple, savory and delicious. Perfect for yours or your giftees’ holiday cheese trays!

You’ll need:

• walnut halves
• hazelnuts
• whole unsalted cashews
• pecan halves
• butter
• ground anise
• ground cinnamon
• coarse black pepper
• nutmeg
• smoked almonds

SPICED HOLIDAY NUTS RECIPE →

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Slow Cooker Sugared Nuts

Get ready for some very unusual steps that ensure the nuts are crisp and perfectly glazed. Make sure you follow the instructions precisely.

You’ll need:

• walnut halves
• butter
• powdered sugar
• ground cloves
• ground cinnamon
• ground ginger

 

SLOW COOKER SUGARED NUTS RECIPE →

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Slow Cooker Chex Mix

This classic combination of cereal, nuts, butter, and seasonings cooks in your slow cooker. That’s a lot less watching and stirring for you!

You’ll need:

• Rice Chex
• Wheat Chex
• Corn Chex
• Cheez-Its
• mixed nuts
• butter
• Worcestershire sauce
• Corn Chex cereal
• pretzels (any shape you prefer)
• seasoned salt
• garlic powder
• onion powder

SLOW COOKER CHEX MIX RECIPE →

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Christmas Crack

You can create delicious Christmas cracker toffee in just 15 minutes using only 5 ingredients. This holiday treat, made by layering salty crackers with sweet toffee and chocolate, is sure to please your crowd!

You’ll need:

• saltine crackers
• butter
• light brown sugar
• semi-sweet chocolate chips
• m&ms, chopped nuts, or sliced almonds

CHRISTMAS CRACK RECIPE →

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Tips for Making and Presenting Gifts From the Kitchen

• A single recipe can be divided into several gifts. Simply arrange pieces of fudge or toffee on a pretty Christmas plate and wrap in clear cellophane, topped off with a pretty ribbon or embellishment.
• Snack foods can be presented in a small tin or Chinese take-out container. Look for these at any well-stocked craft store. If you don’t tell, no one will have to know just how easy and inexpensive these delicious gifts really are.
• Write down a favorite family dessert recipe and place it along with all the required ingredients in an appropriate new baking or serving dish. Wrap everything and top with a big bow.
• Present your edibles in special containers: an interesting bottle, a nostalgic candy box, or a pretty jar. Even the most elegant, delicious gifted treat that is poorly presented, will be off putting on the other end. Trust me on this! Take the time and effort to make the presentation as beautiful and its contents.
• Fill a pretty or comical mug with flavored coffee, tea, or hot chocolate mix. Wrap it along with a holiday-theme, sentimental favorite, or devotional book.
• Fill a cookie jar with homemade cookies. Include the recipe.
• Wrap up the ingredients and recipe for mulled cider.
• Create your own Cookie-of-the-Month gift (or Quarter for the less ambitious among us): Bake one dozen cookies to include in the holiday gift, along with a card announcing your recipient will receive another dozen each month all year long. This can be one of those gifts that’s easy to give but more difficult when it comes to following through, so give cautiously.
• Even if you do not cook or bake, you can still give wonderful, inexpensive gifts of food. Buy quantities of nuts, fancy cookies, fresh coffee blends, candies, or dried fruits. Repackage these into those small unique containers you’ve been collecting all year.
• A simple cookie cutter in a holiday shape of a star, tree, or gingerbread man can make a great little gift. Lay the cookie cutter in the middle of a piece of clear cellophane. Fill the center of the cookie cutter with tiny candies such as jelly beans. Gather the cellophane and wrap with a bow.
• Personalize your food gift with your own label: Millie’s Chutney or Minerva’s Cookies sounds very special.
• Attach the recipe to the gift with ribbon, a piece of raffia, or a tasseled cord. Add a spoon or spreader for chutneys or flavored butters.

 

 

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