Homemade Gift Ideas and creative packaging…

Here are some of my favorite ideas for edible gifts and creative packaging for your cookies, and other scrumptious treats!

*My very favorite! This is a vintage style lunch pail, spray painted with chalkboard paint. Fill it with chocolate ginger cookies– and you have an amazingly cool gift.

*Sterilized paint cans (available at container and hardware stores. Wrapped in paper, or just clear (I also love the traditional tin ones) make an amazing receptacle for Nutella cookies with dark chocolate and sour cherries.

*An acrylic jar that typically would have been used for cotton balls becomes the perfect coffee shop style biscotti holder. Add tea or a lb of coffee for a great gift!

*Make homemade caramel corn and package it in a cool tin for a whole new take on “popcorn tins.”

*They sell these paper boxes at craft store and packaging supply store. I let the girls decorate this one, filled it with white chocolate-cranberry cookies and gave it to a neighbor. Adorable cookie house! (and great project for keeping the kids very, very busy!

*One of my favorite gifts my husband ever got at the office was from someone who brought him a bag of scones and some homemade jam. We ate them all same day and I still remember it years later. AMAZING gift idea.

*Speaking of homemade jam– that is in incredible gift all on its own. I dressed these up with muffin liner hats and a little twine!

*Go a step further and add a loaf of homemade bread. People will freak out with happiness and devour immediately!

*Easiest fudge recipe in the world- treat the pieces like truffles, and create a very elegant gift!

*Have a favorite spice rub? Whip it up in bulk and pour into these little latch jars. Add an apron and a pair of tongs for your favorite BBQ master.

*Candied nuts make a wonderful gift. I put them in pencil tins wrapped in origami paper. Make it bigger with A recipe card for a great green salad with a balsamic dressing and add a bottle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

*Take your brownies (in mint, peanut butter or pretzel varieties) to a whole different level by slicing them into rectangles and laying them on display in a paper wrapped tie box. Sprinkle them with edible gold glitter for extra fanciness!

*Homemade Granola is a wonderful treat. Whip up a batch, and put it in this large latch jar with a scoop for your favorite health nut.

*Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate Kit! Toss together a blend of ½ unsweetened coco powder and half powdered sugar and put in a latch or mason jar. Follow up with marshmallows and peppermint candies.

*Chocolate dipped pretzels. A piece of cake to make, and totally cute when piled into a clear acrylic pencil box with a simple tag!

*Candy Cane meringues, easy and beautiful- one more solution for the acrylic pencil boxes!

*If all else fails, take a paper wine box and or regular gold box from the drug store. Wrap with strips of paper or tons of ribbon for an instant artistic update.