With so many of you thinking about how to supply gift after gift for teachers, co-workers, neighbors and hostess gifts, I have had many requests for ideas for homemade gifts lately, and I though I would compile some fresh (and pretty easy!) ideas here for you. You can find last years ideas HERE).

-HOMEMADE INFUSED OIL:

I simply took a few slices of meyer lemon, dried chili’s, one sprig of fresh rosemary and 3 cloves of garlic and put them in the jar. I added 2 cups of olive oil and then keep it refrigerated. This should only last a couple of weeks (because of the fresh ingredients). Be sure to tell the recipient to keep it refrigerated. (By the way, I L-O-V-E this oil and have been using it for all my cooking and salad’s since I made it.)

I paired it with a really pretty vinegar, merlot salt and a gorgeous pair of salad tongs for a great gift. (I would be STOKED to receive something like this!)

You could add a dishtowel, pepper mill or a salad bowl for a really fabulous present!

–HOMEMADE MULLING SPICE:

This would be beautiful all on it’s own, or with a bottle of great apple cider to go with it.

-BAKING MIX:

This jar is filled with all of the dry ingredients for my Dark Chocolate Biscotti with Cranberries and Pistachios – but think of the possibilities!! Cookies, Quickbreads, Cake mixes. You could really make an endless supply of homemade “mixes.” Attach a bow and a recipe card and this is a sweet and thoughtful gift.

-CANDIED NUTS

I found this recipe for candied almonds from David Lebovitz, but you could make my spiced candied pecans, or any other candied nuts that you like and fill a jar with them. These are thoughtful and delicious snack all on their own.

Then, of course there are cookies and cookies and cookies!
Such as these Almond Poppy Seed Cookies with Almond Frosting

Or some of the rest of the 60 something cookie recipes I have here. I think I might have a prob.

There are packaging ideas here!

Here are all of my ideas from LAST YEAR for Homemade Gifts!

I HOPE THESE IDEAS HELP!! Please let me know if you have other homemade edible gifts up your sleeve- I would love to hear about them!