As the hustle of the holiday season whirls around, the joy of giving comes front and center. There is nothing better than giving someone a gift that you know they will love, even if it’s something small that didn't cost a lot of money. If you find yourself caught in the rush, don’t stress! Your kitchen can be a treasure trove of thoughtful gifts that radiate warmth and sincerity. Here’s a collection of last-minute gift ideas straight from your kitchen.
Herb-Infused Olive Oils: Elevate someone’s culinary adventures with infused olive oils. Simply mix herbs like rosemary or garlic with good quality olive oil, pour into decorative bottles, and add a tag or ribbon for a small touch of holiday flair.
Herb-Infused Vinegars: For an easy combination gift with the olive oil, pull together an herb-infused vinegar that complements your olive oil flavors. Think garlic oil with a blueberry basil vinegar, or rosemary oil with blackberry thyme vinegar. Then package each in a decorative bottle and give along with a recipe card that has your favorite way to use!
Cookie Trays: Make 4-6 different kinds of cookies and combine them on a decorative platter (you can buy nice disposable ones from most dollar stores). Wrap and attach a pretty bow and a recipe card for one of the cookies for a homemade treat that they will be able to repeat!
Gourmet Hot Chocolate: Create layers of cocoa, sugar, and mini marshmallows in a mason jar. Attach a festive tag with instructions, and voila – a cozy cup of hot chocolate awaits. If you want to make it even more special, dip plastic spoons in melted chocolate and place on parchment paper to harden. Add sprinkles or peppermint pieces while the chocolate is still melted and allow to harden. Once firm, wrap spoons in a brightly colored ribbon and place in a special mug; then, make a small basket with mug, stirring spoons, and jar of hot chocolate mix.
Flavored Finishing Salts: Infuse sea salt with flavors like rosemary or citrus zest. Pack in small jars and give a trio along with a card that contains your favorite recipe for how to use. Your friends and family can add a gourmet touch to their dishes from the comfort of their own kitchen!
Jams and Jellies: Whip up a few batches of your favorite jams and jellies. Pour into cute jars, add fabric or ribbon accents and gift a set along with a loaf of freshly baked bread.
Bark Boxes: Make a variety of chocolate barks (some of my favorites are peanut butter, rocky road, peppermint, and salted caramel) and buy stackable boxes from the dollar store. Place a different type of bark in each box so that the flavors don’t contaminate each other and tie together with a big ribbon and tag. If the recipients are animal lovers, I always love to add a pawprint ornament to go along with the “bark” box idea!
Chocolate Covered Pretzels: Dip sourdough pretzel twists in melted chocolate and garnish with sprinkles, candy, or drizzle with other flavors (peanut butter or caramel anyone?!) Package in cute bags or boxes for a delightful mix of sweet and salty.
Cranberry Orange Relish: Mix together a bag of fresh cranberries, 1 cup sugar, and 1 orange (rind included but peel away as much of the white pithy part as possible) in a food processor. Place in small decorative jars. I always give this with a small jar of sweetened vanilla cream cheese (whip cream cheese, powdered sugar to taste, and a teaspoon of vanilla until smooth). Then place a jar each of the relish and cream cheese in a small bag or basket with a sleeve of artisan crackers.
There are so many quick things that you can do to let someone know that you are thinking of them! Remember, presentation is key. Using decorative jars, ribbons, handwritten recipe cards, and personalized tags adds a festive and personalized touch to your creations. These last-minute gifts not only showcase your thoughtfulness but also spread the joy of the season one delicious treat at a time.
Merry Christmas!
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