Top 50 Gifts from the Kitchen You CAN Make
Giving gifts from the kitchen is a fun way to share a little of yourself with others this holiday season. Your friends and family will appreciate a tasty treat and be touched by the sentiment and creativity you put into their gift. Here are 50 gifts from the kitchen that you can run across the street or send across the country.
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Soups in a Jar
Unwrapping a jar of lentil quinoa veggie soup mix may seem odd on Christmas morning, but from my experience, it’s much appreciated weeks later when it’s served for supper on a cold, busy winter night.
- Vegetable Lentil Quinoa Soup Mix
- Split Pea and Ham Soup Mix
- Garden Vegetable Soup Mix
- Bean Soup Mix
- Chicken Noodle Soup Mix
- Onion Soup Mix
Cookie & Pancake Mixes in a Jar
When you can’t give the finished baked version, send a mix in a jar or baggy. Here are out favourites.
- Chocolate M & M Cookie Mix
- Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie Mix
- Cranberry Chocolate Chip Oat Cookie Mix
- Pancake Mix
- Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix
HOMEMADE SEASONING MIXES
Homemade seasoning mixes are one of my favorite homemade convenience foods. They’re fun to make, add superb flavor to food, are less expensive than store bought alternatives and allow you to avoid high levels of salt, sugar, preservatives and fillers often used in commercial seasoning blends. Bulk buy individual herbs and spices or add in any of your own dried herbs. Have fun!
- Italian Seasoning
- Onion Soup Mix
- Taco Seasoning
- Lemon Herb Seasoning
- Steak Spice
- Apple & Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Cajun Seasoning
- Homemade Hot Pepper or Hot Pepper Flakes
- Popcorn Seasoning – Chili Lime, Chili Cheese & BBQ
- Fancy Finishing Salt – Rosemary, Chili Lime & Lemon Pepper
Beverages
Hot or cold, boozy or not, homemade beverages or mixes make excellent gifts for young and old.
- Infused Vodka – Cranberry Orange & Saskatoon Lemon
- Limoncello – Lemon Infused Vodka
- Herb & Fruit Simple Syrup
- Hot Cocoa Mix
- Mulling Cider Blend
- Chai Tea Mix
- Fruitti Tutti Tea Blend
Preserves & Infusions
Jam, jelly, salsa, chutney or pickled vegetables make ideal gifts for close friends and family who know and trust your commitment to safe canning practices. If you prefer not to do any hot water bath canning, try the infused vinegar or honey as a pretty, delicious gift in a jar.
SAFETY NOTE: If you take short cuts on your home canned goods or do not follow all proper canning procedures – don’t give your canned goods as gifts. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh, but seriously, you do not want to be responsible for anyone getting sick from your gifts. You or your family may have not gotten sick (yet) but what if the people your gifting your products to have a more delicate constitution or are more vulnerable. For the latest and most reliable guidelines follow the National Centre of Home Food Preservation.
- Hot Pepper Jelly
- Christmas Mandarin & Cranberry Jam
- Mandarin Jam
- Hot Pepper Rings
- Pickled Red Onion Rings
- Infused Vinegar – Chive, Orange and Cranberry, Hot Pepper & Garlic, Garlic & Herb, Lemon and Tarragon
- Infused Honey – Vanilla Bean, Orange Cinnamon & Lemon Ginger
Nuts, Seeds & Salty Snacks
Looking for something more nutty or savoury? Try some of these ideas.
Other Homemade Goodies
You simply cannot go wrong with wrapping up some of your best baked treats. Consider cookies, cakes, pies, barks, chocolates, breads, loaves or bars – anything that represents something special about you or the item your making. Worried your favourite baked item isn’t “seasonal”, don’t be. With the right wrapping and sentiment, anything can become the perfect gift.
- Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies
- German Christmas Stollen
- Chocolate Energy Bites
- Crunchy Honey & Oat Granola Bars
- Rosemary Focaccia
- Granola
- Carrot Granola
- Trail Mix
- Dried Apple Rings in the Oven or Dehydrator
- Fruit Leather
- Scalloped Potatoes in a Jar
- Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix
Labeling Gifts from the Kitchen
Once you prepared your favourite recipe, package it in cute jars, boxes or tins with plenty of ribbons and colorful embellishments. For an extra thoughtful touch, attach a personal note saying why the gift recipient is special to you. And of course, always include an ingredient list, storage instructions, best before dates and further cooking instructions to eliminate any concerns about allergies or how to best enjoy the food.
For some sample labels and tags check out the Free Resources Section in the Store. You’ll find blank gift tags and recipe specific instructions like the samples below.
Is Giving Giving Gifts From the Kitchen Safe?
At any given time, this is a legitimate question. Food safety should always be at the forefront of your mind – especially when making food to give to others. Here are my tips any time you’re preparing food:
- Keep Everything Clean – you and your kitchen
- Don’t Double Dip – use a new spoon when taste testing
- Cook Thoroughly – use an internal thermometer to ensure you get it right
- Keep raw food and cooked food separate
- Choose low risk foods to give, like the ones below or that are listed in Farmers’ Market Guidelines.
- Include ingredient list and cooking instructions with food gifts
I’d love to hear if your going to give any gifts from the kitchen this year. What are you making, how are you wrapping it and who’s the lucky recipient. Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @getgettys and Facebook @GettyStewart.HomeEconomist.
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Download this printable Guide and learn to make beautiful, delicious Gifts from your Kitchen.
Includes tips & links to 50+ ideas for homemade, shelf stable gift giving.
- Cookies in a Jar
- Soup in a Jar
- Flavoured Infusions + Preserves
BONUS printable gift tags