\nAccording to Good Housekeeping<\/i> magazine<\/a>, three of the most popular holiday gifts include a set of fishing tackle for catching largemouth and smallmouth bass (for men), a waffle knit pajama set with long sleeves and short pants (for women), and a piece of molded plastic called a Bilibo, which according to the manufacturer\u2019s description can serve as \u201ca turtle shell, a sand scooper,… a rescue helmet,… a cradle for dolls,\u201d depending on the recipient\u2019s imagination.<\/p>\n
If none of these seem like the perfect gift for the special people in your life, and you\u2019re thinking of maybe even staying away from mass-produced items entirely, here\u2019s another suggestion: Give the gift of homemade food.<\/strong><\/p>\n Everybody eats. And while there are lots of delicious items you can buy in stores, there\u2019s really nothing that compares to homemade food that’s cooked with love and care. And it\u2019s even better when that food was created with you in mind.<\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s put the oven mitt on the other hand and consider how cool it would be for you to make delicious homemade treats for the special people on your \u201cnice\u201d list. Whether for holidays, birthdays, or \u2014 my personal favorite reason for gift giving \u2014 \u201cjust because,\u201d\u00a0 there\u2019s a unique joy in both giving and receiving something homemade, especially when it\u2019s edible!<\/p>\n Unlike mass-produced food items, food gifts are not just about what’s inside the package but also about the love, effort, and care that you pour into the final product.<\/strong><\/p>\n In this article, we\u2019ll explore the art of giving homemade food gifts with seven delicious recipes that you can easily give any time of year. And in keeping with our mission here at Food Revolution Network, they all pass our triple test of \u201chealthy, ethical, and sustainable\u201d \u2014 in addition to being totally delicious and festive!<\/p>\n Gifting food that’s homemade rather than store-bought is great for you, the recipient, and the planet.<\/p>\n For one thing, you can save money by making gifts in bulk for multiple recipients. For example, the toasted spice blend recipe below includes sunflower and sesame seeds, as well as small amounts of several spices. You might pay up to $15 for just one spice blend from the store \u2014 or you can spend $20 on ingredients and get up to a dozen homemade batches that you can gift to others.<\/p>\n The planet benefits when you avoid the plastic waste that often serves as packaging for store-bought food and gifts. (I hereby declare that you get bonus points for gifting the food in a reusable container like these stainless steel food storage containers<\/a> or even wide-mouth mason jars<\/a>.<\/p>\n The recipient of a food gift gets something usable and delicious, and, if you\u2019ve done your homework, something they actually want. And \u2014 since it\u2019s made with your love \u2014 they\u2019ll get something unique. You and your recipient will also know the item was made and given with love (and received with love), which can strengthen and enrich your connection.<\/p>\n Speaking of homework, I\u2019d recommend finding out about your recipients\u2019 taste preferences, dietary restrictions, and allergies, so you can tailor your edible gifts to each person. Not only does this ensure a personal touch that store-bought gifts often lack, but it can also avoid the unfortunate situation where your holiday nut brittle sends your favorite aunt to the emergency room in anaphylactic shock.<\/p>\n Even without allergies to consider, when you make food gifts yourself, you get to control the ingredients. You can choose high-quality, whole-food ingredients without refined sugar or questionable additives.<\/p>\n Homemade food gifting can also be fun for kids and adults, both as givers and receivers. Let your creativity go wild and create something you\u2019re proud of!<\/p>\n When choosing a food item to gift, do so with the recipient’s likes and dislikes in mind. The easiest way to gather this information is also the most straightforward: Ask them.<\/p>\n A high-probability strategy to avoid seriously bad outcomes \u2014 especially if kids are involved \u2014 is to make something that does not contain any of the nine major allergens<\/a> (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame seeds). If you stick to 100% plant-based treats, you automatically avoid four of them, so you just have to be cognizant of the nuts and seeds, wheat, and soy.<\/p>\n As I mentioned earlier, one of the benefits of food gifting is the chance to cook in bulk, saving both time and money.<\/strong> If you\u2019re unfamiliar with the practice of batch cooking, our meal prep guide<\/a> has you covered.<\/p>\n Since you\u2019re not FedEx, you may also want to consider making food gifts that are small or at least portable and easy to transport. If you\u2019re going to gift wrap them, think about a form that\u2019s easy to wrap, or at least to stick a bow on.<\/p>\n Some ideas of small and conveniently transported food gifts for Christmas and other holidays include the following:<\/p>\n Unless you know that your recipient will want to consume the gift right away, it\u2019s typically more convenient for them if the food is shelf-stable and doesn\u2019t require refrigeration.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can always gift a coupon for an item that the recipient can redeem at your mutual convenience (and you can have fun and use all your artistic creativity creating the coupon).<\/p>\n To get ideas for food gifts, peruse your favorite cookbooks, or think about cherished family recipes. At the risk of immodesty, this feels like a good time to mention the very first Food Revolution Network hardcover recipe book, Real Superfoods: Everyday Ingredients to Elevate Your Health<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n Some of the recipes in that book that might qualify as excellent homemade food presents include Golden Glow Lemonade (an awesome and delicious healing tonic), Crispy Miso Onion Chickpeas, Super Seedy Granola (seedy in a good way, I assure you), Velvety Chocolate Berry Dessert Cups (yes, healthy, although your recipient may not believe it after taking a bite), and Sublime Sweet Potato Mini Drop Biscuits. To whet your appetite, I\u2019ve included two giftalicious recipes from Real Superfoods<\/i> below: Sweet and Savory Spiced Pecans<\/a> and FRN\u2019s Fuel the Fire Cider<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also find candidates for DIY food presents in many other wonderful health-focused, plant-based cookbooks that we love. Check out the cookbook roundup<\/a> on our blog for additional inspiration.<\/p>\n Since you probably aren\u2019t going to be preparing these food gifts in a commercial kitchen that has to undergo regular safety inspections, it\u2019s really important that you practice fundamental food safety protocols<\/a>. You do not want to share a side of salmonella with that jam because you did a slapdash job of washing a cutting board.<\/p>\n For kicks, let\u2019s take a minute to review the basics:<\/p>\n If you will be canning items, be sure to also follow recommended food preservation guidelines<\/a> to prevent spoilage.<\/p>\n While the food inside is the main attraction, the food gift packaging can also add fun, sparkle, and class to the experience. You won\u2019t care how great your friend\u2019s homemade applesauce is if they just ladle a pint of it into your lap \u2014 which I realize is an extreme example. But this is what my mind sometimes does when I\u2019m a bit hungry while writing about food.<\/p>\n As we\u2019ve seen, another great thing about homemade food gifts is the opportunity for sustainable or zero-waste<\/a> packaging.<\/strong> And you can decorate this packaging with love and the help of your cleverness and creativity.<\/p>\n Mason jars \u2014 and here are a pair of very fancy mason jars<\/a> that just scream \u201cvintage\u201d \u2014 or upcycled glass containers work well because they\u2019re see-through, so a beautiful spice mix or granola can serve as its own decoration. You can also paint on the glass, or adorn it with ribbons (which I realized just moments ago is an anagram of my last name) and other accents.<\/p>\n You can wrap baked goods in a classy tea towel, a pretty fabric scrap left over from a project, or a reusable food wrap<\/a>. Then you can deliver them in a basket, tin, or decorated produce bag.<\/p>\n Cereals and mixes can go in reusable silicone bags<\/a>, which themselves make lovely and thoughtful gifts for someone who likes cooking. If you enjoy secondhand shops and garage sales, you might be able to amass a collection of vintage cookware that would make excellent containers for your homemade food gifts.<\/p>\n Giving can be just as fun as receiving, especially when you tap into your creative talents as an expression of thoughtfulness, care, and gratitude. Giving the gift of scrumptious food not only provides an exciting and rewarding experience for you, it makes sharing delicious plant-based foods even more fun. We hope you enjoy creating and giving these wholesome gifts from the heart with the help of these nourishing recipes!<\/p>\n Give the gift of warmth this holiday season with Food Revolution\u2019s Fire Cider. Warming and immune-supporting ginger, turmeric, onion, garlic, and horseradish root create an invigorating, nourishing, and healing tonic that is the perfect gift to give those who could use a little plant magic. What\u2019s more, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. When the vinegar runs out, simply refill and steep again!<\/p>\n Creating your own homemade spice blend as a gift is a thoughtful and tasty way to express your love and appreciation any time of year. This easy-to-make blend is bursting with flavor from the variety of healthy seeds and spices and can transform any meh meal into a fantastic one in a snap. Plus, it’s guaranteed to put a huge smile on the receiver’s face!<\/p>\n Vibrant jewel-colored beets set the tone for a merry and bright gift that is as delicious as it is festive! These sweet and tangy beauties are quick to make and don\u2019t require complicated canning. Just stick them in the fridge overnight and enjoy! Pickled beets are an affordable, sustainable, and unique gift that the receiver can enjoy again and again on their own or as an ingredient in a variety of plant-based recipes.<\/p>\n When giving the gift of Sweet and Savory Pecans, be prepared for many thank-yous and compliments. What may seem like a rather complex and elegant gift actually couldn’t be more simple to create. These easy-to-make pecans are perfectly sweet, a little savory, and plenty crunchy. To gift them, add them to a mason jar, reusable box, or storage container. In fact, you may spend more time considering how you’d like to present the gift than making the gift itself!<\/p>\n Editor’s Note<\/strong>: Obviously, this is not a recipe for those with nut allergies. If you or your recipient is allergic to nuts, you could make a variation of this with sunflower and pumpkin seeds or try our Super Seedy Granola<\/a> instead.<\/em><\/p>\n This jam is sweet, savory, and just a little bit tangy. A delightful fusion of caramel figs, tart-yet-sweet balsamic, and minty thyme, Balsamic Fig Jam makes a great hostess gift to bring to your next gathering or to contribute to a celebratory vegan charcuterie board<\/a>! We highly encourage you to whip up a few batches to gift to those on your list who love a sweet and sentimental gift made from whole fruit.<\/p>\n Cracker-making in your own kitchen?! It\u2019s not only a fun activity for you and your family to do together, but it can also make gift-giving even more exciting! These homemade crispy cracker thins are a simple way to express your thoughtfulness and care. Best of all there are no natural or artificial flavorings needed. Thanks to the addition of rosemary, you\u2019re left with a festive and delightfully herby flavor that\u2019s perfect for the gift-giving season!<\/p>\n Show your appreciation to friends, family, and neighbors this year with the gift of these tasty snowball cookies. You can gift them in a recyclable container or large mason jar. And don\u2019t forget to include a handwritten note about how much you appreciate them (the recipient, that is, not the cookies). Once they try these snowballs, however, they\u2019ll likely send some appreciation right back to you. (P.S. Double the batch so you have some to keep for yourself!)<\/p>\n Editor’s Note:<\/strong> For a nut-free version of this recipe, replace the almond meal with another cup of oat flour and use seeds in place of the pecans.<\/em><\/p>\n Homemade gifts can be incredibly special both for the giver and receiver. And food, in particular, makes a great gift. You know it\u2019ll get used, and it won\u2019t take up space the way many consumer goods do.<\/p>\n There are many different ways to give food as a gift. But you can start by unleashing your creativity in the kitchen. And then keep that creativity going by using reusable or upcycled items for packaging and containers. Because with DIY food gifts, you\u2019re also giving a piece of your heart, time, and effort, which is a beautiful way to express your love and care for the recipient.<\/p>\n Featured Image: iStock.com\/Daisy-Daisy<\/i><\/p>\n Are you searching for a gift that conveys warmth, thoughtfulness, and a personal touch, while nourishing the recipient and being kind to the planet? Look no further than your own kitchen! Homemade food gifts are a delightful way to show someone you care. Here\u2019s how to find recipes, prepare them safely and efficiently, and package them beautifully and sustainably.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":45528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,2640],"tags":[2583,2599,2553,2506,2595],"class_list":["post-45527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-blog","category-lifestyle","tag-condiment-recipes","tag-gift-guides","tag-product-recommendations","tag-recipe-collections","tag-snack-recipes","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Homemade Food Makes a Great Gift<\/h2>\n
![\"Glass](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock-1164717046.jpg\")
1. Save Money on Gifts<\/h3>\n
2. Reduce Plastic Waste<\/h3>\n
3. Practical and Useable<\/h3>\n
4. Controlled Ingredients<\/h3>\n
5. It\u2019s Fun!<\/h3>\n
Tips for Edible Gift Giving<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tips-for-Choosing-a-Food-to-Gift.jpg\")
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Where to Get Homemade Food Gift Ideas From<\/h2>\n
![\"Young](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock-1304562499.jpg\")
Practice Food Safety<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Practice-Food-Safety.jpg\")
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What to Store or Wrap Your Gift In<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/What-to-Store-or-Wrap-Your-Gift-In.jpg\")
Recipes to Give as Food Gifts<\/h2>\n
1. FRN\u2019s Fuel the Fire Cider<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"FRN\u2019s](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/giftidea3.png\")
<\/p>\n2. Toasted Spice Blend<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Toasted](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Toasted-Spice-Blend-6.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. Pickled Beets<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Pickled](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pickled-Beets_ribbon.png\")
<\/p>\n4. Sweet and Savory Pecans<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Sweet](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sweet-and-Savory-Pecans_ribbon.png\")
<\/p>\n5. Balsamic Fig Jam<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Balsamic](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Balsamic-Fig-Jam_ribbon.png\")
<\/p>\n6. Crispy Rosemary Cracker Thins<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Crispy](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Crispy-Rosemary-Cracker-Thins_ribbon.png\")
<\/p>\n7. Pecan Cranberry Snowball Cookies<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Pecan](\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75,format=auto\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pecan-Cranberry-Snowball-Cookies_ribbon.png\")
<\/p>\nThe Gift of Food Is the Gift of Health<\/h2>\n
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