There’s much to love about the holidays but deciding on the perfect gift for the friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, teachers, and other special people in our lives can be challenging—and expensive. Homemade gifts offer a thoughtful, economical solution, and the following list is sure to provide something for everyone.
1. 3-Ingredient Cinnamon Ornaments
They are sturdy and last for years, and they continue to smell like cinnamon. These handmade ornaments are easy to make and can be decorated for the tree or used as a gift tag or topper. A fun project for adults and kids alike!
2. Chocolate Caramel Matzo Brittle
Matzo isn’t just for Passover. The saltine-like cracker makes a perfect base for this delicious twist on brittle. Bring to a Hanukkah party (or any party for that matter!) and it will be gobbled up before you can say Happy Holidays.
3. Christmas Chex Mix
Need another excuse to use those holiday-colored M&M’s? Look no further. This festive Chex Mix is a real crowd pleaser and doubles as a gift when stored in a Mason jar and tied with a bow.
4. Christmas Potpourri
The warm, sweet aroma of this easy-to-make mix feels like a dose of holiday aromatherapy. Package the simple ingredients in a jar and give as a gift or enjoy in your own home long after the holidays are gone.
5. Easy Hand & Body Sugar Scrub
Dry skin is often a downside of cold weather, which makes this gift especially useful. The boutique-worthy scrub leaves skin soft and moisturized and smells good enough to eat—plus it takes just minutes to make.
6. Homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream
Looking for a thoughtful hostess gift that feels unique? Homemade Irish cream may be your answer! Sweet, creamy, and quick to mix up, it’s the perfect complement to coffee and hot chocolate and tastes just like the real deal.
7. Homemade Dog Treats
Sure to please your four-legged friends, these tasty treats double as a thoughtful holiday gift for their owners and contain ingredients they’ll feel good about.
8. Magical Reindeer Food
Santa always gets the good stuff, but what about his reindeer? This year, embrace the magic of the season and delight the children in your life with a bag of glittery reindeer food. A fun project for you and your kids or grandkids, it’s also a great gift for young kids to give their friends.
9. Eggnog Quick Bread
This seasonal loaf has the essence of eggnog without being too heavy handed. Easy to make as regular or mini loaves, the bread offers a thoughtful hostess gift and is perfect to serve at your own holiday get-togethers. (Try the Fruitcake Quick Bread as well—it’s sure to be a surprise hit!)
10. Salted Hot Fudge Sauce
Salty, sweet, decadent, and easy to whip up in a big or small batch, a jar of this velvety sauce makes a delicious gift for friends, neighbors, and co-workers. We drizzle it over vanilla ice cream and pass a plate of cookies for an effortless, crowd-pleasing, holiday dessert.
11. Slow Cooker Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Making your own candies has never been so easy. Salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy, the portion-controlled bites hit all the right notes, making them a surefire hit with friends and family.
12. Snickernoodle Biscotti
Biscotti may sound fancy, but it’s quite easy to make. Ideal for dunking in coffee and tea, the mild cinnamon flavor and pretty look makes for an impressive holiday gift.
Ann Fulton
Fountain Avenue Kitchen
Ann Fulton is a recipe developer and food blogger at FountainAvenueKitchen.com. Her online kitchen is full of reliable recipes that are easy to customize and add a little fun to mealtime. Find more inspiration by following her on Instagram or Facebook @fountainavenuekitchen.
