Mason jar dessert mixes can be a great way to extend someone's holiday celebration.
Homemade food gifts make frugal, creative gifts that you'll enjoy giving. The key to homemade food gifts is making sure they are non-perishable, packaged well and, of course, delicious. Caramels and pies are thoughtful, but consider packaging ingredients for a pan of brownies or pot of soup for an exciting way to share food with friends. Or make a batch of chocolate-dipped pretzels for a homemade gift straight from the heart.
Dessert in a Jar
Layer brownie ingredients such as sugar, flour, cocoa powder, chocolate chips and nuts in a clear Mason jar to create an attractive and delicious gift. Hole punch an instruction card, string a ribbon through it and tie it around the top of the jar. Fill a jar with chocolate chip cookie ingredients or research other jar dessert recipes and make sweet gifts for friends.
Food Preserves
From fruit preserves and jams to pickled vegetables, tomato sauces and salsas, your garden-picked produce can be canned and shared with friends. Don't have your own garden? Canning produce from a farmers' market is an equally thoughtful food gift. These canned goods can be packaged uniquely and decorated with a ribbon and ingredient list.
Granola
Granola, which is easy to make and keeps without refrigeration, can be personalized in many ways. Add dried fruit to granola or sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar. Package with ribbons and labels to complement colors of your finished granola or to fit a holiday theme.
Pretzels
Chocolate-dipped pretzels are yet another non-refrigerated food item that is easy to package uniquely and share with friends. Pretzels can be homemade or store bought and dipped in milk chocolate or white chocolate. Sprinkle with nuts and package in a wax paper-lined gift box.
Soup
Similar to brownies in a jar, soups ingredients can be layered in glass jars and packaged with instructions for a pretty gift. Good Housekeeping's curried lentil soup combines dried lentils layered with dried onions, curry powder, garlic powder and dried apple rings. The variety in color and texture makes for a tasty, unique presentation.
Tags: with friends, food gifts