Edible Christmas Gifts In Jars.
{This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill! I used their Organic All Purpose Flour, Organic Rolled Oats and other goodies to make these EASY and fun holiday gifts!! Everyone and anyone is guaranteed to love them. I know I do!}
Sooo, are we all still recovering from Thursday??
Cause I know I sure am. The last three days have been basically non-stop. All fun things, but non-stop. Obviously, Thursday was spent cooking…cooking all day long. It was so much fun though. I had tons of help from my mom (she made the pies), my cousin Abby and her roommate Sarah (they where on tater duty). My brother Kai…ahhh well, he made chocolate martinis, but just his presence made everything all that much better (I love when he is home!). There were also appearances by all the other brothers. Redmond rode around the kitchen on a skateboard and I yelled at him a good five times before he stopped…typical. Brendan brought his girlfriend, Lyndsie, whom I had never meet before. I can be pretty tough when it comes to liking the brother’s girlfriends, but I think she’s awesome. She’s really cool and fits right in with family. Let’s see, who else. Creighton, my oldest brother, did a lot of football watching and of course my dad did a whole lot of dish washing. It was a long day that ended with Kai getting a new laptop for his birthday (he was PUMPED and very surprised!) Mom also surprising me with the CUTEST Christmas duvet and shams, because apparently I am eight years old still. Love it!
And that was basically Thursday. Friday and Saturday were spent with Kai, working on new videos for you guys. We’ve put in some serious time together these last couple days. Get ready, videos are coming!
Not sure what today holds, but I’m sure it will be packed. It’s everyone’s last day here but they will be back for Christmas in about three weeks.
Geez, I am kind of tired just writing all that out.
OH, and I totally forgot to tell you that the whole family hiked up the trail (minus me because someone had to tend to the birds) and cut down the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving Day…yes, we are crazy.
OKAY. But enough about all the holiday stuff. Let’s talk about these gifts! As you can see, I’ve fully entered into Christmas mode and I am SO excited to start sharing with you all the cool things I have planned for this month. It’s going to be so much fun!
I know that edible gifts in jars aren’t really a new concept, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite versions. These gifts are so fun and so easy, AND everyone always appreciates a homemade gift that can simply be prepared and eaten. Like you really can’t go wrong with these. They’re perfect for everything from hostess gifts, to gifts for the in-laws, to gifts for your best girlfriends.
So here’s the break down for you. I have seven edible gifts for you guys.
…first – homemade fudge brownie mix with um, Reese’s. YES!
…second – Christmas oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Everything is better with holiday M&M’s.
…third – Christmas chocolate chip granola. Cause chocolate for breakfast is TOTALLY acceptable at Christmas time.
…fourth – homemade salted Nutella. Can I just have a spoon please? thanks!
…fifth – espresso glazed nuts. One word: addicting.
…sixth – salted pomegranate sugar. Festive, sweet and perfect for topping pretty much any cookie, brownie or truffle.
…seventh – gingerbread spice mix. Think pancakes, waffles, lattes and hot cocoa. <–DO IT ALL.
I was so excited to team up with Bob’s Red Mill for this post. Their flours, oats and nuts obviously are the PERFECT match for these Christmas gifts.
Also…I am so excited to share that Bob’s will be giving one of you a Holiday Gift Basket full of many of the ingredients needed to make these jars. I know, I know, yes!!
The gift basket will include:
*3 lbs Organic All Purpose Flour
*3 lbs Organic Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
*Almond Meal
*Hazelnut Meal
*Sparkling Sugar
*Cane Sugar (or the turbinado sugar)
*Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (or quick oats if you prefer)
*Bob’s Red Mill Flour Sack Towel
To enter the giveaway: Tell me, tell me, what is your favorite Christmas gift to give, and what’s your favorite Christmas gift to receive???
Just leave you answer in the comments below and I will email the winner ONE week from today!!
Speaking of giving, one of my goals for December is to really try to give back to people who are less fortunate and struggling, so with each Sunday post through December, I want to talk about a charity I am giving to. Today I wanted to talk a bit about SmileTrain. Every day children in need of cleft palate surgery struggle with the basic abilities most of us take for granted. Think eating a meal, speaking, breathing or even something as simple as sharing a smile. Cleft palate can be fixed with surgery and this is what I wanted to bring awareness to today. Even donating just a few dollars can make a difference in one child’s life. I feel so lucky to have a family full of health, so I felt this was a great charity to put my money into. I would be so thankful if you guys took a little time today to read a little about cleft palate and donate if you can.
Let me know if you do in the comments, I would love to hear your stories about giving back this Christmas!!
Finally, I have to say that I LOVE these jars. I was so happy with how they turned out that I basically jumped for joy as I was shooting the photos. Oh and um, the brownies + cookies + Nutella… LIFE CHANGING… so dang good.
Also, I think I maybe had way too much fun decorating these jars. Crafts are so my thing. Just sayin.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Fudge Brownie Mix.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: brownies, fudge, mix
These gifts are so fun and so easy, AND everyone always appreciates a homemade gift that can simply be prepared and eaten.
Ingredients
- 1 liter glass jar one
- 1 cup Bob's Red Mill All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee optional
- 4 ounces milk chocolate chopped
- 1/4 cup Mini Christmas Reese Cups
- 4 ounces dark chocolate chopped
Ingredients To Add
- 16 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, 2 sticks
- 2 tablespoons kahlua optional
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
Instructions
To Assemble the Jars
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Mix the flour and salt together in a bowl.
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In the following order, layer the sugar, cocoa powder, flour/salt mix and instant coffee in your jar as cleanly as possible.
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In the following order, layer the milk chocolate, Reese's and dark chocolate. Seal the jar.
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Attach a notecard with the ingredients in the jar listed, plus the extra ingredients needed, and the directions on how to make the brownies. Decorate the jars as desired.
To Bake the Brownies
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and line with parchment paper.
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Dump the contents of the jar out into a mixing bowl. Remove the Reese's, unwrap and chop into pieces. Add them back to mixing bowl.
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Add 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) melted butter, 2 tablespoons Kahlua (optional), 1 tablespoon vanilla and 4 eggs. Mix with a spatula until just combined. Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish.
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Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the brownies are just set. Allow to cool completely before cutting, about 2 hours. Dust with powdered sugar.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Christmas Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Gift, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate, chocolate chip, christmas cookies, oatmeal
These gifts are so fun and so easy, AND everyone always appreciates a homemade gift that can simply be prepared and eaten.
Ingredients
- 1 liter glass jar 1.5
- 2 cups Bob's Red Mill all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Old Fashioned Oats
- 3/4 cup Christmas M&M's
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup turbinado sugar or brown sugar
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Ingredients To Add
- 1 cup canola oil or melted coconut oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
To Assemble the Jars
-
Mix the flour, baking soda and salt together in a bowl.
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In the following order, layer the flour mix, oatmeals, Christmas M&M's, turbinado sugar, granulated sugar and chocolate chips. Seal the jar.
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Attach a notecard with the ingredients in the jar listed, plus the extra ingredients needed, and directions on how to make the cookies. Decorate the jars as desired.
To Bake the Cookies
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper.
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Dump the contents of the jar out into a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a hand held mixer). Add 1 cup canola oil, 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Mix until the dough is moist and combined.
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Using your hands clump together a tablespoon of dough at a time. Use your hands to really squeeze the dough into a ball. If the mixture is not holding add another tablespoon more of oil. Place on the prepared baking sheet. If your balls are a little crumbly don't worry, they will come together while baking. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake for 10 -12 minutes or until set and golden. These are best right out of the oven, so eat up!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Christmas Chocolate Chip Granola.
Course: Gift, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate chip, christmas, granola
These gifts are so fun and so easy, AND everyone always appreciates a homemade gift that can simply be prepared and eaten.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Bob's Red Mill Rolled Oats
- 1 cup Bob's Red Mill flaked unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup raw hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup raw pecans
- 1/2 cup pistachios
- 1 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or 1 more tablespoon butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1/2-1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
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In a large bowl combine the oats, coconut, hazelnuts, cashews, pecans and cranberries. Toss well.
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In a skillet or small sauce pot melt the butter over medium heat until just browned. The butter will melt, foam and froth, then begin to brown along the bottom. Whisk the browned bits off of the bottom of the pan. Once the butter is browned quickly remove from the heat and slowly stir in the maple syrup and coconut oil. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir in the vanilla.
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Pour the warm maple mixture over the dry oat mixture and stir to fully combine. I normally stir for a good 3 to 5 minutes.
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Spread the granola out on a parchment lined baking sheet with sides and drizzle with 2 tablespoons honey. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes stirring every 15 minutes so the granola will get evenly toasted. The last time you stir the granola, drizzle it with the remaining 2 tablespoons honey. Remove from the oven and let cool five minutes. After 5 minutes spray the bottom of a flat 1 cup measuring cup or a flat bottomed glass with cooking spray. Press the granola into the pan using the bottom of the measuring cup so that you have a flat slab of granola that looks like it could be cut into bars. Let the granola sit for one hour to cool and harden. After an hour break the granola up into clusters. Stir in the chocolate chip and add to your glass jars.
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Decorate the jars as desired. The granola will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Notes
Servings base on 1 litre
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Homemade Salted Nutella.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Gift, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade, nutella
These gifts are so fun and so easy, AND everyone always appreciates a homemade gift that can simply be prepared and eaten.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups raw hazelnuts
- 12 ounces milk chocolate chopped
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- pinch of flaky sea salt
Instructions
-
Add the hazelnuts to the bowl of a food processor. Process until the hazelnuts form a paste, scraping down the sides if needed. This should take around 3-5 minutes. To the food processor, add all the remaining ingredients. Process until completely smooth, scraping down the sides 2-3 times for about 10 minutes. The Nutella will seem runny, but it will firm up as it cools. Divide the Nutella between your two jars. Decorate the jars as desired. Store at room temperature for 1 week or in the fridge for longer.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Espresso Glazed Nuts.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Gift, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: espresso, nuts
These gifts are so fun and so easy, AND everyone always appreciates a homemade gift that can simply be prepared and eaten.
Ingredients
- 1 cups raw almonds
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup raw pecans
- 1 cup raw pepitas
- 2/3 cup pure maple syrup warmed
- 2 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 3 teaspoons instant espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1 liter glass jar 1.5
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.
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Heat the maple syrup, coconut oil, espresso powder and salt together until the espresso is mostly dissolved and the coconut oil has melted.
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Spread the nuts and pepitas on the lined baking sheet and toss well with the maple syrup mixture.
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Bake for 10 minutes, toss with a spatula and bake for another 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Break apart and place in jars, then seal. Decorate as desired. Nuts will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional serving based on 1 litre
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Salted Pomegranate Sugar.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Condiment, Gift
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pomegranate, sugar
These gifts are so fun and so easy, AND everyone always appreciates a homemade gift that can simply be prepared and eaten.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons flaky sea salt divided
- 1 teaspoon pomegranate juice
- 1-2 drops red gel food coloring optional
- 1 ounce jar 6
Instructions
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Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
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Add the sugar and 1 tablespoon salt. Add the pomegranate juice and food coloring. Use your hands to mix everything together until all is combined and red (or pink if you did not use the food coloring). Spread the mixture out evenly on the cookie sheet and let dry at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Once dry mix in the remaining tablespoon of salt. Pour mixture into jar and seal. Decorate as desired.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Gingerbread Spice Mix.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Condiment, Gift
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas, Gingerbread, mix, spice
These gifts are so fun and so easy, AND everyone always appreciates a homemade gift that can simply be prepared and eaten.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Divide the spice mix between the 2 jars. Seal and decorate as desired.
And can we all eat all the cookies…and brownies??? please?!? who said anything about sharing. 🙂
My favorite gifts to give are any type of subscription or monthly club so people continue to receive monthly surprises throughout the year not just at Christmas and my favorite gift to receive is a Williams Sonoma giftcard because there is nothing better than shopping with other people’s money and WS is my version of Disney.
Hi there! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I love to give a gift at Christmas that is handmade. Whether it’s from the kitchen or a knitted garment, or a handmade journal, something handmade from the heart is a good thing! I also love to receive something handmade. Not everyone is crafty, so receiving something for the kitchen is always appreciated!
I love to give something homemade that you can eat- usually some kind of cookies on a fun plate or container they can keep or a bag of spicy nuts with a 6 pack of fun seasonal beer.
I like receiving candles or any kitchen utensil or something homemade from my kids is the best!
I love giving homemade stuff- but always baked or cooked things. I’m not much of a crafter. Spiced nuts are awesome to give. I love getting the same stuff but most people would rather buy something than make it 🙂
Well, first of all these jars look incredible beautiful (and the pictures too). Second of all I LOVE the idea. It´s so easy, so personal, so sweet and so nice to see!
I am going to put plenty of those under my Christmas tree!!
https://pandaonavespa.wordpress.com/
I love to give something homemade and/or personal. I love your ideas and will definitely try some.
I don’t really know what I’d like to receive this year, I’m honestly just happy to have the time and holiday experience with my family!
Hi! What a lovely gift idea! My favourite gift to recieve and to give is something homemade. I love knowing that real thought and effort went in to making the gift and it has been made with love. I also love knowing that it’s completely unique and special! 🙂
Bobs Red Mill are the best products! I have been making homemade vanilla for the last 2 years. Everyone loves it and looks forward to replenishing their stock at Christmas! We make a 12 hour drive to see my family. Kids see cousins, and grandparents and keep the tradition of a big Christmas morning breakfast with 30 people!
Good Morning! I was wondering if you add any chocolate chips to the granola as it said Christmas chocolate chip granola? All of the jars look beautiful and the recipes are too! I will definitely be making some of these! They would be great as hostess gifts! I love receiving books! I love giving and tailoring gifts for everyone in my family!
Oh my, what a wonderful idea. I want to come to your house for the Holidays!
These are the best gifts! I love the homemade nutella recipe.
Because I’m eighty years old, I always appreciate receiving a pair of warm fuzzy socks, as well as seeing the smiles on my family’s faces. And my favorite gift to give? Probably a homemade batch of chocolate chip cookies.
First…love the post & great ideas for giving personal gifts. Second…the Smile Train is such a great way to support those lovely kids. Lastly…I love to give gifts that have meaning or that someone I care about really wants & knows that I gave a lot of thought in deciding to give it. As for myself, I really like more than anything a card with a personal note from my sons, especially when they reference a memory we made together.
Hey! Thank you so much for this opportunity!
My favorite gifts are either experiences – tickets for a musical, the opera, a field trip, etc. – or something self made from the kitchen or self knitted. I love to sit in the bright sunshine in August, knitting something for my loved ones and looking forward to the cold wintertime when it will keep them warm.
And as gifts I love to receive self made jewelry from my sister and my dad. Sounds posh, but I’m blessed with two talented goldsmiths in my family and they make the most gorgeous pieces. Apart from these material things, I just love to see everyone gathered around the table, eating, laughing, talking and enjoying themselves.
Oh my, these are all beyond pretty!!!
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt
My favorite gift to give are my homemade macarons because everyone goes absolutely nuts over them! I love to receive books, Godiva chocolate truffles and anything homemade.
Your choice of charity is one that is extremely near and dear to my heart. My dad, who was a prominent plastic surgeon (he trained at Mt.Sinai in NYC, then returned to his home country in Seoul, Korea), founded a non-profit organization, ‘Smile for Children’, where he, his colleagues and students performed plastic surgery (cleft palate, among others) free of cost for children who couldn’t affored the medical expenses. He not only helped countless Korean children, but went to Vietnam every year for a decade to perform plastic surgery on the Vietnamese children born with a cleft palate. For a while, he even funded the organization with his own personal funds. Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke in 1996 and has some difficulty with his motor skills, so obviously he had to give up surgery. But I’m still so proud of him, and proud to be his daughter. Thank you so much for giving to this charity, because as you said, the surgery to correct cleft palate can change the course of a child’s life forever.
I love giving food. Sweets make everyone happy. I love to receive kitchen gadgets. There is always something on my list!
I love giving cookbooks with a couple of specialized gadgets. Candy cookbook with candy thermometer for example. Love getting anything homemade or movie gift cards which force me to get a babysitter and go out with my husband!
My favorite gifts to give are to my students who come from poverty stricken homes. I sponsor two kids each year and fill a trash bag of gifts (clothes & toys) and they’re from “anonymous” and their parents put the presents under their christmas tree from “santa”. It means the world to me to be able to do this. And my favorite thing to receive is my stocking! I love opening my stocking which is usually full of simple, little things…underwear, lip gloss, protein bars, sometimes earrings.
Love all of these ! Love love to give homemade gifts – cookies are a biggie for my family we make dozens of about 10 different varieties every year and wrap them up on pretty serving plates and hand out to neighbors , postal workers . Friends etc – ???
My favorite gift to give is sugar plums! My local chocolate shop always makes them and packages then in individual little boxes with ribbon. I like to put them in the very tippity toe of everyone’s stocking. We always read ” The Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve night so it seems festive to actually give sugar plums. My favorite gift to get is macadamia nuts. My mom’s been giving them to me every Christmas that I can remember and I love them but don’t have them all year except when I get them at Christmas. Now I get them from my husband and mom- score!
My favorite thing to give is baked cookies/sweets made my be. This year I want to try granola. And as a person that don’t receive that much all I want is to have the opportunity to have Christmas dinners with my friends.
I always heard that the people that have less are the ones who give more and now since I’m unemployed I know the meaning of that sentence. I began to be more aware of others difficulties and be much more sensitive. This year I’ve tried to help as much as I can, several animal associations and the food bank, and giving clothes and things that I no longer use to people who need it most!
Happy holidays
These jars are the cutest! My favorite gifts to give are homemade edibles with a gift card attached to the recipients favorite store. I also love being crafty with photos – memories last a lifetime. My favorite gifts to receive are new additions to my kitchen tools and toys. I love baking and cooking (I’m addicted to your blog and tell everyone about it ☺️) but rarely have the means to splurge on quality appliances and paraphernalia, so when I get some as a gift it means so much and I think of that person every time I use it. I love your choice of charity. I usually donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. My son with Down Syndrome needed surgery the day he was born (and several after) and I couldn’t imagine being a parent who couldn’t save their child due to finances or lack of medical knowledge. Thanks for the awesome recipes, as usual! I am so excited to be in Christmas mode! 🙂
I love to give homemade dessert sauces, like caramel or hot fudge. They are simple to make but people love them!
A good book is probably my favorite thing to receieve.
I love to give away food or body/bath products (in pretty little packages, of course). I’m happy to receive ANYTHING, but I particularly love receiving books.
I love to give and receive anything handmade! The last couple of years I have cross-stitched gifts and framed them. I love doing this as my mom and grandmother taught me how. It’s nice to give them back a gift they have ultimately helped me accomplish!
My favorite gifts to give are something I’ve made from scratch – usually this means cookies, but sometimes I’m able to knit something in time to give for Christmas 😀
My favorite gifts to receive are gifts that show the person has put thought or energy into planning something meaningful. For example, I’m hoping my boyfriend will consider our mutual interests when holiday gift shopping/planning this year :3
I like to give and get gifts for the kitchen or a good pair of warm socks.
I love making and giving cookies to friends and neighbors. My favorite gifts to receive are cookbooks.
I luuhhveee Bob’s Red Mill; did you know that they are employee owned. Very cool.
Favorite gift to give I am a terrible gift giver in that I get so excited about what I have picked out that I end up telling that person our of excitement. The worst right? So all of my gifts are my favorite to give.
Favorite gift to receive is probably anything from my mom, she loves giving gifts (where I get the excitement it from).
I am always touched by personal, handmade gifts! A few years ago when our kids went off to college (3 and all at one time) no one had any money to spend on gifts so we decided that nothing store bought would do. We all had to make our Christmas gifts for each other and we have been doing it ever since. What fun it is to come up with new ideas (thanks for the help here!) and make them. The favorite gift I receive is the “cry gift” each year we compete with each other to see who can make the gift (and sentiment card) that will make someone come to tears. Sounds crazy but we all sit around while the other is opening the gift and watch closely to see if we see a tear. It’s fun! It’s beautiful! and it’s Amazing!
I don’t have a favorite gift to give but I take pride in that I always try to find the perfect gift for everyone according to their interests. My favorite gift that I have every gotten for the holidays were tickets to a Broadway show from my then-boyfriend, now husband!
I love personal or homemade gifts. If i have time, i crochet lap blankets or hats as gifts.
This is awesome! My favorite gift to give is something that I made myself (tailored to the recipient, of course). My favorite gift to receive is something that I truly need, so that I think of the giver every time I use it.
I love to make batches of my homemade fudge to give as gifts! I love to receive cookbooks!
i love giving my homemade granola (n a jar just like you did!) My favorite gift is a gift certificate for a massage… always want one!
I love giving books as gifts–it’s how I share my love and joy of reading with my friends and family. There is something for everyone (fantasy, historical, even recipes!), and they are also pretty easy to wrap.
I actually enjoy practical gifts more than anything because they tend to be things I use frequently or will not (or sometimes forget) to buy myself. Past winners have been bubble umbrellas, specialty food gift cards, and coffee gear. And, of course, books.
After seeing this post, I think these are going to be my gifts this year!! I am a huge cook and I can’t believe I’ve never done the cookie-in-a-jar idea, but this year it’s happening! Thanks for the motivation (and adorable photos to get me excited). I love homemade gifts and these could not be cuter!
As far as what I’d like to receive, my family and I draw names (because there are just too many of us) and I’ve asked for a Dutch Oven or a cast iron skillet. Anything for the kitchen will do. Now if I can just find room… =)
You could have made this a whole weeks worth of post—-a lot of goodies to try.
My donations go to Salvation Army during Christmas time—I put something in every kettle I pass. Your cause here is also most worthy.
I love to make gifts to give ( Im making knitted dish clothes now) I like simple gifts that i can use. Thank you.
My favorite gift to give is one of my homemade spice mixtures! Favorite to receive – anything with thought put into it. 🙂
My favorite gift I gave was to my daughter which was from a website called Love with Food. It is a subscription box of snacks that gives back a meal to a local food bank for every box they send. My daughter says that the snacks are actually very good. Great gift with a great giveback.
I always give my friends tins of Christmas cookies that hold around 30 different varieties of cookies along with pampering bath products that I know they would not spend money on for themselves. I love to receive cookbooks and all things kitchen. The kitchen is where I spend the most time and I love it!
I love giving homemade granola to my cardiac rehab patients and I love receiving a new cookbook to read Christmas morning with my coffee by the fire!
My favorite gift to give is my homemade Kaluha in a cute bottle with a coffee cup to go with it. I love to recieve any thing that my grandchildren have made. The time that is spent making a gift tells me that they were thinking about me the whole time they were making it and there is no better present than that.
Every year, I make a massive batch of homemade granola and package it up in jars to give to friends.
As for me, any gift is a good gift, right? I especially love gifts that show that the giver really put some thought into what the gift would mean to me!
What a fun opportunity! I love to give really personalized gifts like arms warmers to a running friend or a cross body bag to an on-trend friend. I love to get anything cooking related to fuel my love for creating in the kitchen.
This post comes at such a great time! I would love to give these as gifts this year!! Where can I get those jars?!?! I love giving books as gifts as well as Harry & David’s pears. You can’t go wrong with those!
Such good ideas! I love to give something homemade and I love to get homemade gifts either edible or decorative and functional. I will have to review all the ideas for my homemade holiday giving this year.
Thanks!
So excited for Christmas and all your recipes!! My favorite gift to give is anything I put my own touch in finding/ making/ hunting down for someone. When you really put a little of yourself into making that gift special for someone and then get to see their reaction when they open it! My favorite gift to receives a trip or adventure of some sort, I would so rather have an amazing memory I can enjoy with someone else and that lasts forever!
Fantastic ideas that I will definitely be using! I love to give someone that random gift they said they wanted back in July and then surprise them with it at Christmas time. I love all of the homemade treats and just spending time with friends and family I don’t get to see regularly.
My favorite gift to receive is anything plant or garden related, and I love to give the same, or handmade items or baked goods.
Beautiful gift ideas, thanks. My favourite gifts to give and receive are Christmas stockings or baskets, packed with homemade gifts and small treasures that are personalized for each of the people on my list.. So much fun to open too! Thanks for this opportunity!
My favorite gift to give is a meal to a needy family! I usually cook a meal for a needy family and if there are children I will purchase a few gifts for them. The smiles and gratitude from the family is the best gift I could receive!
Handcrafted items both ways, giving and receiving. Something from local small businesses is always wonderful, if it can’t be made by the individual. Love these ideas listed here, surely I will be making these for a dear friend~ thank you! =)
I love to give AND receive gifts that are handmade, they just seem to be more thoughtful than something grabbed off a shelf!
i love giving homemade treats!! as for what i like to receive, as long as they put some thought in it and it is meaningful, i will definitely love it!
Gift to give: something unique from a craft fair that really speaks to me about the recipient. Or something she admired 3 months ago and I remembered.
Gift to receive: dinner out with friends, a weekend away, a lovely print–anything given with humor and love.
I love to gift people with surprises! I get to have fun planning the secret, and I’ll make the giftee feel special! I love to receive gift cards, as boring as that is, because I really also get the experience of planning how to use it and actually going shopping too.
I love giving gifts people forgot they wanted. Starting over the summer I keep track of things people mention off hand that they want and when they get it for Christmas it’s a surprise still something they want. I love getting art for my walls. By now my family knows the color schemes I have in my house and they know my taste so it typically works out pretty well.
My favorite gift to give is anything on “santa’s” list from my kids… I know when they make that list, sometimes I will look at it and wonder how I will make it happen (their tastes can at times pricey). Seeing their faces when it comes on Christmas day just makes my whole year! My favorite gift to receive is always my stocking. At my age, my mom still takes the time to put these together, and they are always filled with all of the little necessities and a few small trinkets. This is the only gift I look.forward tobyearb
*dern my big fingers*
But this is the only gift I look forward to year after year!!
My favorite gifts to give are activities! I like to make memories with people so I prefer to do something together over gift giving. Hiking, paddleboarding, a weekend away or even just a dinner out—I love giving and being part of these types of gifts.
My favorite gifts to get are homemade! Cookies, candies, candles, teas, artwork…anything people took the time to produce.
My favorite gift to give is always something super personal. I spend time thinking of the perfect gift and hunting through stores to find it. My favorite gift to receive is always food haha especially in chocolate form?
First, I love, love, love this site. I have received more “keeper” recipes on this site than any other. As for holiday giving, my favorite gift to give is homemade cakes. My daughters and I bake for the neighbors, teachers, and seniors in the community. Each year, we try new recipes, new decorations, expressing how we feel that season. My favorite gift to receive is something local or that support a small business. I enjoy the “story” behind the gift just as much as the gift itself.
I love making big batches of salted caramel sauce and granola to give as gifts throughout the holidays. And I love receiving homemade gifts in return 🙂
My husband and I spent over a decade (most of our 20s) living in the Colorado high country (yes, Summit! Still have our townhouse in Frisco) and each year when the holidays rolled around we would make the trip back to the East Coast to be with out families in Maryland. One year, before marriage & kids we made a to-die-for Pate from scratch in my moms kitchen. We sealed it up in little hinged jars ( I trekked to Denver to find & brought on the airplane) and brought it to everyone that Christmas holiday. My husband and I love to cook together although we don’t get the opportunity as much these days with little ones. We have vowed this season to make it again as a reminder of what Christmas means for us. Hello amazing food & good times in the kitchen!
Fav gift to get? Cookware. Anything related to the kitchen. Secret? My virtual Crate and Barrel cart is loaded with $500 bux worth of bowls (yes, I am bowl obsessed at the moment) & some new, fun, wine glasses. Hoping Santa pulls through for me!
I love to give people homemade treats, especially if I’m a bit low on cash or the person is hard to buy for. Everybody loves cookies, brownies and blondies, can’t go wrong! As for gifts I love to receive, fresh flowers are always such a delight. Or a new pair of shoes. Haaaaaay!
Absolutely love the idea of salted pomegranate sugar and everything else sounds amazing as always.
My favorite gift to give is food! I like to find out what their favorite food is, kick it up a notch and give that as a gift 🙂 My favorite gift to receive is the gift of time…sitting and enjoy conversation with the ones I love…or even someone I just met… learning about them and their life!
I love to give aromatherapy candles, creams, body lotions, hand washes and soaps. They are little treats that can be expensive and many times people don’t think about buying them for themselves.
I like to receive gift cards so I can pick out whatever I like for myself…unless my husband wants to surprise me with a weekend getaway somewhere…and then that would definitely be my favorite thing to receive.
Love these gift ideas! Definitely might give these to the secretaries at the school I work at! My favorite gifts to give are the homemade kind. Last year my husband and I made homemade vanilla extract and Kahlua. It was so fun to make together and people loved it! As I’ve gotten older (I’m only 28 ☺️) I’ve come to realize I don’t need much “stuff” but I would rather experience something with my family more than anything. I do love baking related gifts though ?
I love to gift and receive homemade food items. We have a huge Pecan tree in our backyard and every year I make Sweet and Spicy Pecans to give away in pretty jars. My husband & I also smoke cheese, wax it and give it as gifts with a nice cheese board, made from wood cut on our property.
Love the jars you made. I will use a few of these this year, it was a bad year for our Pecan crop and these jars will supplement my food gifts.
How sweet of you to do this! I love love love reading all of these. Reflecting back over the years I have to say my favorite gifts to receive are the ones my child gave to me. It may be a piece of paper with a picture drawn on it to most. However, to me it is our family story. My son (7) always draws a picture of our family together holding hands and the stick people always have smiles on their faces. He always puts cute little notes like I love you mommy and daddy! The excitement when he gives it to us is so precious. Just looking at the picture and seeing that is how he views our family makes me so thankful and happy that he truly loves and appreciates us.
My favorite gifts to give are personalized ones. I love to give very sentimental gifts that are unexpected. This year my husband and I are giving his mother a bracelet that has her late mothers actual handwriting engraved on it. I always want to give something meaningful and irreplaceable. Ahh I just love Christmas.
i love giving gifts that are made by my kids. they do their best and invest time in thinking about what they’ll give. those are what i’m most proud to give.
to receive, really anything because i never expect to receive anything. in my family, christmas stopped at age 18, so i’m still surprised when someone gives me something for the holidays.
To give: Christmas dinner with the whole experience of family
To receive: Christmas dinner with the whole experience of family
Like everyone here, when I have the time I like knitting or making something. I also keep my ears open for anything my friend of family might mention the wanted , do some snooping for online wish lists, and lurk around their Pinterest boards to see if they have a ‘Want’ board or something. Yikes I sound like a stalker, I’m just a wish list hound because I like for things to be a surprise.
This year Christmas has gone to dogs because we recently got a puppy who now more grown up, has best friends so I bought I’d see if I could cook up a good healthy treat for them 🙂
Oops sorry about the typos. Gotta love autocorrect…a manual on how to turn off auto correct would be a great gift to receive – ha! I also realized that I forgot to mention what I love receiving. Honestly, kitchenware, gift certificate to the art store, sketch books (because you can never have on many), and anything good books related to dog training as it’s become a hobby of mine.
As for charity, I love the smile project, and another one we like is the heifer project. We are friends with someone whose relative worked for them and were informed that they are a really well run organization.
Sorry about all that babbling. Heh.
Happy holidays to you and your family whose parents gave you all such cool names!
Hey Tieghan! Love these gift ideas!
My favorite gifts to give are those rare ones when I really nail it and get the person something they hadn’t ever even considered but that turns out to be really useful or fun for them. My favorite to receive is honestly just being around my family and home for the holiday. I’ve been out of the state for the past 8 years and it is always such a joy to be back with my parents and brothers; I see them so rarely now. Glad you had a good Thanksgiving!
I love these ideas! Like you said, mixes in jars are not new, but everyone loves them and your twist on Nutella sounds amazing… I’m sure how much would actually make it to its intended recipient because, yum! I love the idea of using Bob’s Whole Wheat Pastey Flour but I’m having trouble baking with it. When I sub for all purpose, or even try splitting 50/50, consistency isn’t the same. Any advice to share?
My favorite gift to give is a collection of recipes made over the years in a funky handmade book. The book is heirloom, and my nephews particularly appreciate this kind of thing. Plus local food stuff they don’t find in their home town. I’m not particular about receiving gifts, but cook magazines are always welcome and of course, I’d use the give-a-way goods as well!!! Love your site! Thanks
I love to give something I know the receiver wants…so I listen….and I love to receive food items or kitchen items….
My favorite gift to give and receive is — TIME. I love to give my time to others (volunteering), and I love to have time for myself to do nothing, or whatever I like (a gift I try to give myself, but doesn’t happen often). It seems like there is never enough time for both.
I love giving cookies (the AK cookies from Lucky Peach have been a big hit lately, although Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace cookies are a solid go-to, even if they aren’t very pretty. But I also love shopping, and I LOVE finding a really fantastic gift. I spend all year thinking about my Christmas gifts.
Edible gifts are my favorites to give and to receive!
I love anything homemade to give or receive. I really like knitting gifts for people, and will usually try to do A good related group gift for my whole family, like making cookie mix in a jar! I was very excited to see this post.
This is such a great idea! I love to give handmade gifts, like scarves and baked goods. I LOVE receiving cookbooks to be honest!
My favorite gift to give is always a homemade yummy treat in some kind of amazing dish that goes along with the gift- my favorite to receive is anything that took a little time…. not just running and grabbing at the store. My favorite to date was a gift from my husband… he begged a the chef at our favorite restaurant to teach me private cooking lessons. He begged for over a year 🙂 The chef finally took my husband seriously and agreed. BEST gift ever!
I love to give “care packages.” Big boxes filled with all sorts of stuff. I’ll spend weeks putting them together for people I love. And it’s always exciting to find a big heavy box on your doorstep!
To get…. hmmm I absolutely love scarves and candles- little luxuries, but really anything that shows the giver really thought about what I might like!
I love the diversity in all these jarred gifts you’ve dreamed up! I can just see everyone of my friends flipping over the pomegranate sugar!
I love to give gifts that are enjoyable but are also thoughtful and practical! I also love giving gifts that are about spending time with others, such as an event ticket or a game of some sort. I also love receiving the same kinds of gifts, ones that are a surprise but still something you absolutely love and wouldn’t have thought to buy yourself. Homemade gifts are also the best.
My favorite thing to give for Christmas is a pineapple and cream cheese coffee cake shaped like a Christmas tree and decorated with red and green cherries then drizzled with white icing. I love to receive anything homemade.
I love to receive a bottle of perfume, I am somewhat of a collector of scents and always enjoy a new one.
I stopped buying gifts for people several years ago and only give homemade treats from the kitchen. I always make an assortment of biscotti and then choose an item that I make several varieties of like different flavored caramels or nut butters.
Your jars are beautiful!
Give = I love surprising my husband – he is so easy to find something he needs (like a new headlamp for running)
Receive = seeing family and having fun over food and time together
PS I am not sure why but every time I try the print button from your website my computer locks up.
My favorite gift for the holidays is anything I can make myself — it’s fun and relaxing to do and the results are always very appreciated. One year I had foot surgery several months before Channukah and Christmas so while I was laid up, I crocheted neck warmers for all my friends. Another year I made my own curry spice mix. This year I was considering soup mixes, but now that I’ve seen the granola recipe, I think I’ll be taking that route.
I love receiving new kitchen items & my mom always sends me 2 or 3 magazine subscriptions that come all year. And I love giving gift cards that way I know there getting something they need or want.
I like to give something that people dream about but they rather buy something for others. For exmaple, my boyfriend, he always gives me chocolates, flowers or stuffs like that but he never buys something for himself. I will buy him his favorite books this winter, stylish shirts and maybe something sweet. And what I like to receive? Anything that is vegan – food, cosmetics or clothes with this theme 🙂
My husband and I bake up HUGE batches of seasoned oyster crackers to give to everyone we know! We usually fill up little tins and boxes. We always have friends and family ask for them, and we try to make enough to last them a few months.
As for gift-getting, I’m fairly easy to please. I love spending time with friends and family, and I love getting anything that adds to my kitchen. My favorite thing is the reaction that I get when friends enjoy whatever I happen to have brought for foods, usually butterscotch pie!
What a beautiful article. I loved reading the readers comments too. Every year the churches in my area team up to buy gifts for families in need but it’s done in such a way that the parents actually pick from all the donated gifts to give to their children, and the same is true for the children to give to their parents. They have an allotted dollar amount and then they “buy” the gifts. It is done with such dignity for all family members. So my favorite gifts to give are these gifts to the families in this program.
My favorite gift to get is when my whole family (about 30 of us) all come to my house to share a whole weekend of cooking and being together. It’s a wonderful tradition that we’ve been doing for many years and to me it’s priceless!!
We make up calendars each year full of photos we’ve taken throughout the year. We’re not professional photographers or anything, but they always turn out nice and our friends and family say they look forward to receiving them each Christmas. As for my favorite gifts to receive, I enjoy things for my kitchen and cookbooks. And my husband picks out a puzzle each year to give me that I usually start on New Year’s Eve. Dorky? Yes. But I love it all the same.
These are so cute! I’m planning on making tons of these for Christmas now 🙂
I love Christmas because I love snow (the mountains look gorgeous), the Christmas lights, and I also love giving presents. Honestly, one of my favorite presents to give is a donation in the name of the recipient. For example, my mom loves animals, so I always donate to an animal cause, usually her local Humane Society, for her Christmas present. Why does the recipient have to be the only one who benefits from the present? When it comes to receiving, my husband has a “rule” where he will give me one thing I want and one thing I need and it has become a tradition that I deeply enjoy. One year I got a new electronic toothbrush, which isn’t romantic but is nice because then I don’t have to worry about buying one for myself 🙂
I cannot wait to see what other Christmas goodies you have in store for us this season!
Beautiful post, thank you for the reminder and thoughts around giving back 🙂 Living in Chicago has me focusing on homelessness since it’s outrageously cold here in winter!
And what a fun giveaway! I love giving gifts that bring people together. Last year I got my mom and mother in law a tea advent calendar so they could bond over their favorite flavors all month long 🙂 On the receiving side, any fun specialty foods or spices! Always a good excuse to get creative in the kitchen.
I love Gifts in a Jar both to give and receive…one year I gave Soups in a Jar and everyone loved them!
My favorite gift to receive is something that I want but would never buy myself because I don’t NEED it (i.e. an immersion blender, a mani-pedi gift card, an electric wine opener). My favorite gift to GIVE is a Kiva gift card. People can pick a person in need overseas to loan money to for different reasons–support businesses, help pay for education etc. It’s great!!
Thanks for the gravy help! I have another turkey to make later on this month and I’ll give your suggestions a try and see if they work out better for me. I never post so I just want to thank you for all the wonderful recipes (the peanut butter cup fudge with bourbon sugar was a huge hit this year at an early gift exchange I had!) I love giving away all the canned goods I make over the summer along with anything cozy (blankets, fluffy pillows, robes, ect). I have a 3 year old daughter and I love anything that she has made for me and something pretty from the husband never hurts either! Thank you again!
During the holidays, we always exchange homemade cookies and candy with our neighbors. It’s a fun tradition, and you end up with a counter full of different kinds of cookies. I like trying a few new types each year. My favorite gifts to give are definitely cookbooks. I love cooking, but I also think it’s an important life skill and I feel like there’s a cookbook for every personality! I guess I just want others to love cooking as much as I do.
I like to give a gift of a monthly box subscription for something the recipient enjoys. It lasts all year instead of just December. I would enjoy getting a housecleaning service or at least a quiet weekend alone where no one messes up anything. Ha ha on that one! 🙂
Tieghan, thanks for the great gift ideas!! These look charming, as well as tasty.
My favorite gifts to give are things I have made; Something I have put time and myself into–jewelry, a collage, a handmade card, a poem…or a baking mix!!! 🙂
My favorite gift to receive is time with someone I love…especially if it’s a visit from a friend who I rarely get to see.
Hope your holidays are filled with love and laughter.
Definitely going to give these recipes a try this year. I always have a rough time finding the funds (and sometimes ideas!) to get everyone I love gifts. I think these recipes are lovely and definitely gifts from the heart.
As far as giving and receiving….
I just enjoy giving people things. The finding of gifts, the wrapping, the anticipation, the surprise and thanks make my heart so joyful. There’s nothing like it. This year, my mom and I are planning to make small packs for the homeless with things like hot hands (we live in Northern Illinois so the temps can get extreme), coupons, snacks, warm knitwear (I knit so it’s the least I can do), and a bit of cash. It’s something small we can do to make the lives of others easier and hopefully more filled with love.
I enjoy receiving things that are homemade. Food, crafts, anything. Also, books and candles!! I LOVE to read so anything to help me relax and be cozy is great. Merry Christmas, Tieghan! Thanks for all the wonderful posts! Truly enjoy reading your blog <3
Gabby
I like not expensive meaningful gifts. Like home made gifts
My answer for both is something homemade and from the heart!
I love giving edible gifts, so this is perfect 🙂 My favorite gifts to receive are those that are homemade or just thoughtful – things I didn’t necessarily ask for but that reminded the person of me. Or anything edible 🙂
I always make homemade peppermint patties (among other goodies) and they are my favorite to give. I love to receive warm fuzzy socks!
I am obsessed with your style, Tieghan! I am also obsessed with Bob’s Red Mill, especially since I am a new chef and currently a semester and a half away from finishing culinary school. The purest, most delicious ingredients from an honest company get me giddy 🙂
Also, I’ve found that Bob’s helps me out quite a bit when it comes to making desserts and things for my mother-in-law (celiac’s disease) and brother-in-law (vegan). I plan on using a number of your holiday dishes at our first ever Morgan family Christmas party, hosted by myself and my fiance…but don’t let me kiss up too awful much…
I wanted to say that my favorite gift to receive on Christmas day is something I can use every day, you could say something practical, but I just say bring on the rice maker!…chances are I’ll have you over for stir fry. In the same respects, I feel that the perfect gift to give someone you care about is something they will want to use time and time again. Picture it: a Christmas sweater themed Star Wars or a wine glass that fits an ENTIRE bottle of wine (2 gifts I intend on actually giving).
Christmas used to be a so-so holiday for me, personally, but with the new skill of cooking and baking that I am working to fine tune every day whether it be with research or experiments…I feel that it will become more and more magical with each passing year. After all, food is love, and it holds a sense of togetherness that feels so warm that it can melt even the coldest of winter snow, even if we don’t get a whole lot of that in Florida 🙂
Thanks for reading, and thanks for writing.
-Meghan
This post came at the perfect time! I was literally just talking to my roommate about what I should give my professors this year for Christmas! I usually give out candied pecans, but I think those oatmeal cookies may win this year 😉 Lovely pictures as well!
-Claire
tallgirlbigworld.com
I love to give something that is either heartfelt or is quirky yet personal, like a cookie-monster mug and homemade cookies for my cookie-loving brother-in law.
I love to receive gifts that are heartfelt-no matter what the gift is, the fact that they thought of me is what truly makes it a great gift.
Happy Holidays!
Loved the recipes! I will definitely be getting together with my grown daughters to make these awesome edible Christmas gifts in jars … we know so many people that love to receive homemade Christmas goodies at Christmas… I love to receive homemade gifts or Christmas treats at Christmas…It’s so nice to have such a variety of Christmas baking…and some new recipes… and i love to make trays of Christmas goodies and give them to friends and family who appreciate them so much because they are so busy with work and activities this time of year…many of them have no time to bake and they really appreciate home made Christmas baking.. I know they will appreciate my edible Christmas gifts in jars this year…thank you so much for the awesome ideas and the recipes! …I am a huge fan of Bobs Red Mill products and have been for years!
Thanks again! Debbie
I love to give something that I think the person will enjoy but would never buy or do for themselves. And I love receiving anything with thought put into it.
The thing I love to give is a gift that the recipient REALLY wanted, but thought no one could give them. This could be a visit from an out-of-town relative, a hard-to-find edition of a book, or the toy of the year that disappears frim shelves early on. I love to receive anything that I can wear or that smells delicious!
No matter what kind of gift we give, if I make it in the kitchen, in the craft room or something bought at a store I want each gift to have a personal touch. I want it to be something I know the recipient likes either by their favorite color scarf or their preference to white chocolate vs milk chocolate. A gift make in a kitchen feels like it comes more from the heart, the scarf comes more from the wallet. Over the years I’ve gifted dessert bars, pies, spices pecans but by far my favorite is one of the millions of different types of chocolate chip cookies. I’ve never met a person who doesn’t say “Ohhhhhh” when they see a chocolate chip cookie. And to change it up from year to year I pick a different recipe, there has to be hundreds if not thousands of different chocolate chip cookie recipe to choose form…now go get your bake on ; )
I LOVE giving hostess gifts… no matter what it is- special soap, flowers, food with a cute dish…anything. I loved the concept since I first learned about it. Thinking your granola looks like a perfect choice in a cute mason jar!….And I’m a totally nerd about getting socks for Christmas- good socks! The thermals, the ski socks, wool socks, cute socks, fluffy socks!
Yes yes yes to the salted nutella. I don’t know why but it has never occurred to me before to make my own but it’s so easy to do and a lovely recipe 🙂 Thanks!
My favorite holiday gift to give are my homemade candied orange peels. People are always initially apprehensive, but one they try it and I see the delight on their faces….it’s total awesomeness!
I always appreciate a Trader Joe’s gc, but am honestly just happy to spend time with my family during the holidays : )
My favorite gift to give and to receive are one and the same, a warm holiday hug!
These look amazing! My favorite gifts to give are tickets to an event I know the person will enjoy (sporting event, play, etc.) My favorite kind of gift to receive is a membership to something I like to do around town (botanical gardens, aquarium). Thanks again for all the great recipes!
I absolutely love buying gifts for everyone in the holiday season! I don’t have a particular favorite gift to give, because I love making every gift special- listening to little hints they dropped months ago. However, baked goods are always a go to for handing out at parties or get-togethers, good food always puts a smile on peoples’ faces! As for my favorite gifts to receive, I always appreciate homemade gifts that people put effort and time into- it always speaks the most to me! Much love to all this holiday season! Can’t wait to make all these for family and friends, I’m putting that homemade nutella on the side for my secret Santa!
I love giving gifts that are really personal and sentimental to the person and I love receiving gifts with the same qualities!
I love giving things that the giftee and I can enjoy together – games, movies, toys, etc. I love receiving LEGOs!!! And new cookbooks.
I love giving subscriptions for my family’s favorite magazines and I love getting gift cards from Amazon, King Arthur or Chef (my favorites!)
For my neighbors, I bake bread, cakes or cookies.
I love your jar ideas and may try some of them this year.
Thank you for the opportunity to enter for a free gift.
i love giving away christmas cookies or spiced nuts (depending on what i know about the receiver’s preferences). cookie wise i like to mix it up; something with chocolate, something with peppermint or gingbread, and something that isn’t typical christmas-y (japanese pastries filled with sweet red bean, coffee almond shortbreads, etc).
My favourite gift to give is homemade vanilla extract, favourite to receive is bath and beauty products 🙂
I absolutely love giving the gift of an amazing meal ending with an awesome dessert. I feel like a full belly is the best feeling ever!
I love receiving anything that is bread related… If someone gives me carbs it can turn any bad day around for me.
My favorite gift to give is the one that isn’t expected…like a box of homemade goodies to the traffic guy at my daughter’s school. My favorite gift to get is something I would never buy for myself…like a doughnut pan…simple enough, but I honestly wouldn’t buy it for myself because I know I’ll only use it a handful of times and I’m crazy frugal. I think those simple gifts are really special…and remembered.
My favorite gift to give is a decorated tin of homemade decorated sugar cookies! and my favorite gift to receive is any kitchen appliance/gadget
My fav type of gift to give is something decadent or splurge-y that a practical friend or family member would never buy for themselves like a fancy lipstick. It’s always nice to give someone a treat! As for me, I’m one of those terrible people that has a detailed Christmas list at the ready each year. So while I don’t make it easy, I love to be surprised with something that I’ve never thought about that’s very me! One year I got an awesome pair of moccasins made by an Etsy seller that I still love 4 years on!
My husband is an avid hunter. I love it when he is able to harvest an ELK and we can gift ELK meat. My favorite gift(s) to receive are homemade cookies/candy!
Pecan tarts have been a standby gift for my family for as long as I can remember!
I have many favorite gifts to give..but I absolutely love giving baked goods as gifts! Mini bread loaves are the best, especially wrapped in an adorable bow with a cute note attached. I also love giving my mom the assorted bag of Lindt truffles every year. It’s become a tradition and every year she acts like she has no idea what she’s opening, but still gets as excited as ever. My favorite gift to receive? Hmm anything with food involved or cooking/baking supplies. I get most excited to open my stocking because I know dark chocolate is somewhere in there.
I love giving AND receiving books best of all, but food is a close second!
This photo perfectly describes Christmas.
I’ll be tying your homemade Nutella 🙂
Though I love my entire family and appreciate absolutely every gift, I have to say Christmas is the only time where me and my little sister actually go out of our way to do something nice for each other. So my favourite Christmas gift to both give AND receive is the ones we do for each other. Our rules are simple: give a gift with hidden/inside-joke meaning, and don’t spend too much money. Last year, I have to say, I don’t think can be topped because she went and got me the greatest darned thing in the world. The thing I’ve always wanted my WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE! I’ve always had this obsession with obtaining the best six pack abs I could ever have (working on it…) and she actually got me one of those cheap little plastic stick on abs. i know, it sounds stupid, but it meant everything to me. That is all 😀
Homemade biscotti!
Hand knit items
I love knitting things are people around Christmas and they always love getting hand-knit items. I love receiving gift baskets filled with goodies to make and eat.
I like to give something Colorado-ish – a few years ago gave CO shaped wood cutting boards, but as you know the shape isn’t exactly memorable, but they all liked them.
I enjoy receiving anything, but food or kitchen related items are my favorite!
Food & FOOD!!
Hi Tieghan! I just found your blog about a month ago and I’m totally obsessed – LOVE how creative you are!
My favorite gift by far to give is baked goods! People always love them, and I’m on a student budget, so it helps keep things relatively inexpensive… And my favorite gift to receive is books! Happy holiday season, keep up the good work girl!
I love gifting Ribbon gift cards! Especially when I’m not sure what I want to give but I want something more personal than a regular in-store gift card.
Clothing is my favorite gift! And food 🙂
I love giving tins of homemade chocolate covered pretzels to friends and family. On the receiving end, I love new kitchen gadgets and cookbooks!
I love these recipes. The jars are so festive!
These look beautiful! I love to give cookies! I think my favorite presents are warm and cozy, like PJs or socks.. or cookies, too! Thanks for the wonderful recipes!
Love making a home gift at Christmas and Valentine’s Day! Homemade lemon cello and cordials at Christmas and bath oils and salts at Valentines.
I like giving handmade or homemade gifts, something that can be personalized to a specific person. I feel that they mean so much more and I would have to say that I like receiving that same type of gift as well.
Favorite gift to give is my time to someone in need.
Favorite gift to receive is the time to do the above. 🙂
I love your blog, you are so talented and inspiring! For the holidays, I love to give gifts that are homemade and heartfelt. A few years back I gave my husband (then boyfriend) a scrapbook of our adventures over the previous year and it was by far his favorite gift. I like receiving gifts of the same nature, heart felt and hand made always feel more personal. They definitley make the holidays feel more special.
My favorite gift to receive is anything from the store, Anthropologie. My favorite gifts to give are candles and my baked goods.
My family and I don’t celebrate Christmas, though I love giving/receiving gifts! I think probably everyone’s favorite thing to give or receive is something that has meaning, something that shows that the giver cares enough to spend time figuring out what the receiver TRULY wants. Having said that, though, one of my favorite gifts I’ve ever given was when I had matching custom silicone bracelets made for my sibs and I, with our group nickname and “Forever Friends” written on it. It wasn’t something they would’ve ever come up with, but the sentiment and the symbolism behind it was something that I hope (and I think it did!) mean a lot to them. It’s impossible to pick a favorite gift I’ve received…but ONE of my favorites was when all my sibs + parents put together a tribute to me and all the things they loved and appreciated about me. They each wrote something, and then they compiled it into a post and published it to the private blog I have for keeping in touch with my extended family. I always write a special post for my family members on their birthdays, so this meant a lot to me, hence why it sticks out in my memory. ? They are so sweet, and I think I cried while I read all their kind words!
I love the nativity season. One of my favorite gifts to give is a roll or two of walnut kolache (I use my grandmother’s refrigerator dough method) along with a homemade horseradish cheeseball. I usually bake and freeze the kolache early in the season, and then take the pairing to the homes of friends and relatives whom we visit during the holidays. It’s memorable, and I find that everyone loves a homemade gift they can look forward to receiving each year.
I am very practical, so when it comes to receiving gifts, I love to receive something I will press into service immediately-a specialty food item, new leggings, or thank you cards.
My favorite gift to give is anything that makes my little boy smile and my favorite gift to get is anything that he’s made himself just for me.
My favorite gift to make and give is a goodie basket filled with homemade vanilla, limoncello, kahlua, candied nuts and other confections. My favorite gift to receive would be kitchen stuff and baking supplies 🙂
I love to give jams, sweet quick breads, and holiday breads made with yeast because they’re such a welcome gift for families and their guests.
I love to receive gift cards because it’s like receiving presents all year long!
Love your ideas!!
I love to give homemade English Butter Toffee. For me, I like to receive cookbooks. I usually give my husband a photo of all the to cookbooks so he can just go to the bookstore and pick one from the photo. I make sure he doesn’t pick the wrong one. 🙂
Gift giving is a bit of a sport for me, and one of my favourite methods of procrastination.
Some of my favourite recent/current gifting “projects” are:
– My little sister is moving into her first away-from-home-kitchen-having apartment soon, so I’m preparing a basket of sweet and savoury Mason Jar snacks and spice mixes to help her make delicious home-made food on her busy student schedule.
– My best friend is newly pregnant, so I put together a “care package” of mommy-pampering supplies and some appropriately geeky baby clothing.
– Making themed stacks for my departments bi-weekly workshops!
– There’s a book called “The Golden Rules of Spices” that comes with a great sample-selection of some gorgeous spice mixes, so I like to give that to the cooking-inclined, sometimes with a mortal and pestle, because really, how cool are they?
This year I’m a little short on funds, so I think that most of my received presents are going to be small donations to the “Help Meg Pay Rent” fund, but in general, the best gifts that I have received are:
– When my family surprised my by flying aforementioned friend across the country for a visit.
– My parents have agreed to let me cook the meals when I’m home over the holidays and to fund the whole process, so I’ll get to try out some ingredients and techniques I wouldn’t usually be able to spend on!
And I look forward to having the Half-Baked Harvest cookbook on my 2017 wishlist!
I like giving something locally made and I like to receive something unique and handmade. Fantastic gift ideas Tieghan!
My favorite gift to receive is an Anthropologie gift card 🙂 and to give would be a really good book or something handmade – like a quilt. Such great ideas!! Thank you!
These recipes look divine! I will definitely be giving some of these as gifts this Christmas! Especially since…
I love giving food! People’s eyes light up when you give them something delicious. It’s just such a wonderful feeling.
I love to receive… also food. LOL! Though I think my actual favorite thing to receive is experiences. My mom took us on a trip to Hawaii one year. It was amazing and I have so many wonderful memories. My fiance took me to the fancy food show in NY one year – that was EPIC.
My fave gift to give is either my mint brownies, fudge, or peppermint bark. I love receiving toffee! It’s delicious but I’m too intimidated to make it.
Wow! I absolutely love all of these! Where did you get those specific jars??
I truly LOVE giving any gift, my favorite. I especially love putting together baskets with a theme for people to enjoy lots of different treats.
I enjoy getting homemade goodies, kitchenwares and gift cards!
My favorite gifts to give are homemade goodies, and my favorite to receive is gift cards for dinner
I love getting clothes and I like giving personalized experiences/baskets, such as couple date nights.
I love to receive pictures/photographs of places our children have been….even better if they are in the pictures! I love to give gifts from the kitchen….a recipe out of the ordinary
I am going to love giving these jars away…..fantastic idea…..I like to get gifts from the heart
My favorite gift to give is pecans, from a place I like to order from. My favorite gift to receive is chocolate!
I like to give homemade Carmelcorn. I like to receive any yummy treats made with love?
My favorite gifts to give are anything thoughtful, from a framed picture to a homemade piece of art. I love receiving gifts from local businesses because I truly value giving back to my community, and I love the small shops around my downtown area!
I like to give a gift that is something the person wants that they would never get for themselves and my favorite ‘gets’ are things made by my granddaughters!
What I love to receive is just quality time with family, I really don’t need anything else and I always cherish the moments I have to spend with family.
In terms of what I love to give, I love giving chocolate. My family and I love to sit down with a good box of chocolates and each try a bite of each, its so much fun and I always imagine that’s what other people do with chocolate as well.
I’m definitely making some of these jars this year, definitely for the people that have little kids, I imagine they would love these!
I enjoy giving handmade gifts… the gifts are not always made by my hands. This time of the year, I live on Etsy!
I enjoy giving handmade gifts. Unless the gifts are food, the gifts are not made by my hands! This time of the year, I live on Etsy!
I love giving and receiving books!
The jars are so pretty and festive!! My favorite gifts to give are really anything that can make a family member or friend smile – something homemade, or special food! And my favorite gifts to receive… are just spending time with my family and relatives. Thanks for having this giveaway!
As I get older, I like getting plain things – like SOCKS!!!! Or just a giant bag full of candy and other fun stuff that can make me less stressed as a college student. I LOVE making gifts for people, especially scrapbooks or other keepsakes. But whatever I give, the look of sincere joy on the person’s face will honestly always be the best present. (Cheesy, I know)
I like to give anything and receive anything! Boring I know but its the holidays! Who cares?!?!
I love the ideas of gifts, definitely making for my daughter’s teachers )
We like to give homemade gifts -cards, cookies,homemade macarons ( that we make with my daughters ) For a gift to receive – I like delicious chocolate,cook books and love everything handmade ( it’s made with love )
Love these gift ideas!
My favorite gifts to give are stocking stuffers like fun kitchen utensils and yummy chocolates. My favorite gifts to receive are holiday PJs or anything warm like soft sweaters or blankets!
Yum!!! These all look delicious! I love giving and receiving handmade gifts- my sister is super creative and I always look forward to her gifts!
One of our favorite things to do during the holiday season is adopt a family (or part of a family) and provide Christmas gifts and/or dinner for them– so fun picking out special things that will brighten their day and make things easier for them.
I love cooking and you are an inspiration to me as a home-cook. Christmas is all about giving to one another. I love giving homemade gifts. As for receiving, anything is welcome.
My Favorite gifts to give are fabulous cookbooks, or beautiful table linens and tea towels. Sometimes I create a fun food themed gift basket, like an italian dinner complete with a red checkered tablecloth or a mexican fiesta in a stone mortar or molcajete. Give me anything gourmet food stuffs i.e.. good vanilla or vanilla beans, coffee, curds, salsas…..you get the idea……YUM!
While I am not crafty, I do love to bake bread and give bread as gifts! As for what I like in return, pretty much anything:).
Love all the homemade gift jars! I may have to give them a try!
My favorite gift to give is something that I know someone really wanted. 🙂 It’s so fun to really make someone happy. I love receiving giftcards!
I love to give and receive anything homemade. It means so much more coming from the heart and the person put special thought into creating something just for you. I’ve made ornaments, blankets, hats and scarves. This year I want to give out some homemade bread with a cheese spread ♡♡ yum!
I love giving or receiving gifts from Etsy! I’m not much a crafter, but can still give something beautiful and handmade from Etsy 🙂
Bob’s Red Mill is the bomb! I’m excited to give a variety of presents this year–today I’m finishing making some beaded jewelry for my mom and niece. And I personally could really use a new winter coat… 🙂
Every year my mom and I make homemade English Toffee and Peanut Butter Balls to hand out to all of our neighbors. However, this year I think I am going to be making these jars! What a great and beautiful idea. I love to make your recipes. I made the Brie Spirals for Thanksgiving and they were a huge hit. 🙂
One of my favorite things to receive is a loaf of homemade bread. My neighbor makes one for every holiday and brings one over and they are always so delicious. We usually have so many extra sweets that it’s nice to receive something other than a dessert.
Thanks for all your awesome recipes!! Happy Holidays! 🙂
I give everything homemade and enjoy getting anything.
My favorite gift to receive is a gift certificate to a local restaurant. I love going out to eat and there are so many great little places around town. Not only is the food great but I love supporting local businesses. My favorite gift to give is a homemade edible gift. This year I am making flavored salts and butters and giving them to friends and family with a basket of homemade biscuits. As you can see, I love food and whether I’m giving or receiving it, it’s the best gift.
For my kids, grandkids and best friends, I love being able to think something that I am pretty sure they will love, but each year I look for a goodie recipe or two to mail to my brothers and families ~ so was very excited to see the title of this post! I think maybe the espresso spiced nuts and the pomegranate sugar. I love your unique ideas and twists and wish you a special and happy season.
These are all great ideas. I love giving very thoughtful gifts to people I love. Good example is my sister is a huge Harry Potter fan and I’m getting her an authentic print from the movies. I love to get kitchen stuff, especially new spices or spice blends that I can concoct interesting meals with! Happy Holidays!
Such cute jars!
I love to give kitchen stuff as gifts because who doesn’t love a cute mug… and I love receiving any body care or cosmetic product!
My favourite gift to give is my home made garlic dill pickles, my favourite gift to receive is Christmas cake.
Great site, love the ideas and the food photography is gorgeous!
I love giving savoury gifts as I find chocolate and sweets are overly abundant during the holidays. My favourite is the life changing cracker recipe from Sprouted Kitchen which I package up in little bags to give out – a big hit and has now become a staple gift given the requests. I love receiving homemade bread (non sweet trend here!) – I have a coworker that bakes a loaf for each of us and holy cow. its amazing and is gone within a day. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes and inspiration! keep it coming!
Everything always looks so festive in your pictures! I love it!
My favorite gift to receive is always art or baking supplies 🙂
My favorite gifts to give? Something I know the recipient will love – so it depends – my favorites this year thus far are a fabulous unicorn ceramic cereal bowl for a young lady i know, and a beautiful necklace with a shakespeare quote for a young actress.
My favorite Christmas gift to give is gift card. My favorite Christmas gift to receive is gift card as well.
I love to give homemade cinnamon rolls or homemade bacon jam and homemade sourdough bread. As far as receiving, anything homemade or vintage is the best! Thanks for the great recipes! I also had a question about the chocolate chips in the granola recipe as I did not see it listed. Thanks again!
Hey Kimberly! Thank you for pointing that out! Fixing the recipe now! 🙂
I love giving pottery. Generally stuff I’ve made, but also pieces by local artists. I like getting that stuff, too, but I’m picky so maybe gift cards are secretly my favorite…
I igfe away homemade Baileys every year! Last year I did spiced Bourbon for my vegan friends as well. I love to get Buckeyes from my BFF every year no matter how far apart we live getting my care package always feels like she is right here with me! Can’t wait to make some of these jars! The Nutella for sure is happening
My favorite gift to receive is anything I can listen to or bake with and my favorite gift to give is something that shows the receiver that I really listen to what they say and the sorts of things that they like and care about.
I like to give homemade baked goods or something thoughtful that the person will enjoy. I really like to received practical, useful gifts.
This is a perfect Idea I will have to try this for christmas this year!
http://xoxobella.com
I love to give any kind of homemade treats…it really is the best gift. And I love to receive cookbooks…I have hundreds of them!
Like a lot of people, I like to give homemade gifts. This year, I made a dozen bottles of vanilla extract. They’ve been brewing since Halloween. I love to receive anything edible, as I live for food.
I love to give handmade items that are unique to the recipient, whether I have knitted, sewn, drawn, or baked them. I love to receive gifts that show the special bond the giver and I have, which my closest friends and family are so good at picking!!
My favorite gift to give is a hand written card with a deep and heart felt message paired with fresh baked cookies or a hand painted image. My favorite gifts to receive are gift cards to coffee shops, warm sweaters, and the genuine smile on a loved ones face when they open up their gift 🙂
my very favorite to give is a personal gift that I know they will appreciate. I know each family member or friend well enough to choose the perfect gift. I myself really like to receive gifts that are well thought out
Usually my family does not exchange gifts for the winter holidays. Both of my siblings and I are away for school and so the holidays are the one of the few times we actually all get to be together, that is as great a gift as any. I honestly could ask for more. Usually before I leave college, I like to buy an edible arrangements bouquet or make some desserts for the staff at dining halls in my school. There are too many people in this world who work so hard and are not recognized for their contributions. I’ll also walk around campus handing out candy canes or chocolate coins (for Hanukkah) to my friends before they leave for home. This year I plan on mailing my friends cookie goodie bags:)) I just hope they don’t fall apart and turn into dust on the way there haha
Usually my family does not exchange gifts for the winter holidays. Both of my siblings and I are away for school and so the holidays are the one of the few times we actually all get to be together, that is as great a gift as any. I honestly couldn’t ask for more. Usually before I leave college, I like to buy an edible arrangements bouquet or make some desserts for the staff at dining halls in my school. There are too many people in this world who work so hard and are not recognized for their contributions. I’ll also walk around campus handing out candy canes or chocolate coins (for Hanukkah) to my friends before they leave for home. This year I plan on mailing my friends cookie goodie bags:)) I just hope they don’t fall apart and turn into dust on the way there haha
I love giving and receiving homemade gifts best! I love baking cookie gift boxes for all the households on my list! 😀 I love getting other peoples’ baked goods too! Anything edible is always good!! Haha
My favorite gift to give is a tall mason jar of chocolate covered pretzels with a custom note! My favorite to receive is anything hand made! 🙂
OH…easy! Best Christmas gift to receive is FAMILY. Here on the ranch we don’t get many visitors so at Christmas time family is so very special.
To give? Hmmm….it’s gotta be something to eat! That’s why your presents in a jar is going to make my Christmas so much easier. Delicious, festive. Thanks SO much, and thanks for Bob’s Red Mill. I love their products (even if I have to drive 2 hours to get them!).
Merry, merry!
That nutella has my daughter’s name on it! I will definitely be making several of these gift recipes. My favorite gift to give is something that I have made along with a purchased item, like a homemade recipe with a carefully chosen festive dish towel or wooden spoon. A favorite gift that I like to receive is a vintage cookbook or canning jar.
I love giving cookies, and I love getting homemade gifts
I love to make caramels and chocolates for the stockings. I love to give gifts that require a search! Christmas shopping is all part of the fun. 🙂
So many cute gifts! I love them all. And they are so easy!
Thank you so much, Naomi!
Hi !!
Okay, so these gifts are ridiculously pretty and awesome. Seriously. Oh and umm.. My favourite gift to give is probably a prank gift (hehehe). Of course the real gift follows afterwards, but I mean.. You should see their faces.. A butt plug for my dad? [awkwaaaard] Or maybe hello Kitty tee for my brother in law. I’m laughing out loud just thinking about it. My all-time favourite gift to get … is probably … a ring (!! I’m still so young, so I’ll probably have to wait for a while) but I’m just saying.. I wouldn’t mind wearing a beautiful ring while waiting for the big marriage…….
I give my homemade caramels each year and I love to recieve anything homemade-especially treats!
I love giving out things that are fun and functional, haha. My favorite gifts to get are kitchen gadgets.
I love giving and getting creative homemade gifts!
Fav gifts to give hand crafted items or homemade sugar cookies. To receive specialty food items.
Oh, my, a giveaway right before Christmas, this is so perfect!! I love to bake, so of course I like to make a baked gift so that I can have some fun too 🙂 But what I love to receive are plants! Not cut flowers, but plants that can make happy for years to come ( well, if you take good care of them 🙂
I love to give things that I make to people I love. I sew, knit and crochet but I also love to give things like these jars to people. I can food too and I give that away too. Really anything from the heart is a good gift no matter if it is bought from a store or homemade.
I love giving really awesome tee shirts and love receiving cookies.
I love to give Christmas cookies in cutely decorated boxes if I can manage to get my act together! I also love giving anything that I know for a fact the person is going to LOVE. It’s so fun to watch their face when they finally open the package. And while I love receiving pretty much anything (?) one small thing that always makes me happy is getting a Starbucks gift card. It’s not that it’s such an amazing gift, and not even my favorite coffee, but there’s just something special about that green siren that makes me smile!
I always give a decorative wrapped tray of cookies. If I do not, they always say they were hoping for cookies. So the tradition continues and I know they will enjoy the cookies. I always add a small homemade ornament as well. As far as for me getting something, I would much rather have people make a donation to charity from me. There are so many needy people that I would prefer helping them. I get great pleasure out of helping people I need.
I love giving and receiving edible gifts! I’m not a gift person so it is much easier for me to put something like this together than try and figure out what to get people. This year, I plan on making gingerbread spiced peanut butter in small mason jars for coworkers and neighbors. I guess I better get on that.
i feel like i only give edible gifts anymore, most often homemade. that’s what i prefer to receive too! 🙂
Since I basically turn into an elf around the holidays, I love to spread the cheer to anyone who comes into my apartment. That being said, I love to give gifts that make people happy, whatever that may be. I also enjoy baking endless amounts of christmas sweets and bread for my friends. (gingerbread chocolate chip and white chocolate cranberry are my fave.) and honestly what I like to get on christmas is some good food, good wine, and good company. xx
The first thing that came to mind was candles…
I love to give them every year just as much as I like receiving them!
I love to give hand made gifts for the holidays – the time you take and love that you put into the gift creates a special connection. Plan to do these for all my new office mates this year 🙂
To receive…I feel incredibly blessed to have what I have and realize that personal belongings is not what makes life full of joy. For this reason I am requesting for all of my family to donate to The Farm Sanctuary where that money can go to help rescue other animals and provide food and shelter to the voiceless.
I like to give themed gifts (spa day supplies, ice cream sundae kit, bbq, etc), and I like to receive anything that the giver put some time thinking about (personal, not generic). Thanks for the giveaway!
I love to give gift cards, and receive them as well. Never can you go wrong!!
Thanks for the giveaway.
Amanda L
I love giving and getting books
These are so so cute and such a good idea for my office presents! Might have to do a different one for each friend – perfect! My favorite things to give and receive are usually experiences – trips or something travel related. My family loves to travel!
These are all so cute and creative! I especially love the pomegranate sugar. That’s so unique and sounds SO good!
My favorite gift to give during the holidays is something that the person receiving it will really love AND will be able to use all year long.
My favorite gift to receive is any type of kitchen gadget. I’m not too hard to please in there area 🙂
My favorite Christmas gift to give is always food related. In the past, I’ve made special cookies, but this year I’m going to try various types of sourdough bread loaves! Hopefully they turn out!
Oh my goodness, as I’m sipping my coffee this morning, everything in this post looks so extremely yummy and makes me hungry! My favorite gift to give is definitely edible goods like cookies and other sweet treats; not surprisingly, these are also my favorite things to get! I believe you can get to another persons’ happiness through their tummy 🙂
Throughout the year, I keep a notebook in my purse and each time I notice something that a family or friend needs or wants, I write the item down. Then, when it comes time to get gifts for Christmas, it is so easy and fun to get everyone gifts they love and needed all along! For example, last year I got my mom kitchen supplies for her new home, some of her favorite art books that she wanted when we were at museums, and chocolate. (of course!)
For myself, I very much enjoy getting items related to baking or cooking, OR beauty/bath supplies.
Giving~our kiddos have never been much into toys, we try to make it about experiences.
Receiving~I have mentioned a few times I’d like a few StCroix lambs, we’ll see. Probably need more fencing done first, so is it weird to want barb-wire & T-posts for a gift?
I try to give in little ways everyday as I see it. Like the exhausted teenager working a job & going to school (I see those a lot, mostly @ my house) I give them gas$, homemade jerky, kombachu tea. Or the mother who waited on us last night ( who had a 6mth @ home & would rather be home w/ her baby) she got a 100$ tip. We don’t have a lot of $ ourselves but, when I see people trying hard & I have alittle extra$ @ the moment, I give it. Someone in above comment mentioned it seems those that have the least give the most, I find that to be true. Material things don’t matter to me, as long as I have my family, a warm bed, & belly full of food…life’s good
I love to give something nostalgic, like a favorite childhood book. I like to receive fun kitchen gadgets.
Hey Tieghan! Awesome recipes as always. Last year I was in the hospital over Christmas, so the biggest gift for me this year is that I will be home and with my whole family. (Although your blog updates certainly helped cheer me up in the hospital!) My favorite gifts to give are handmade cards with long, personal messages. I find that no matter what I make or buy, everyone especially loves the handwritten cards with inside jokes and lists of all the reasons why I appreciate them. Anyway, looking forward to the email every morning (except Saturday’s 🙂 ) that tells me what great idea you’ve thought up for the day!
These are really cute jars! It’s definitely given me some good ideas. I love giving and receiving gifts that have been thought out. Something that I really know means something to someone or even receiving a family treasure. I also love Christmas cards, knowing someone took the time to write in it and send it. I really enjoy your recipes!
My four siblings are all in the process of starting families and therefore are constantly running around library hours, doctor’s appointments, and friends houses. Because of their busy lifestyles I find that the most practical and appreciated gift is something that helps my siblings come together with their families to enjoy time with one another. My passion is cooking and so to be a blessing to them and enjoy the process of that, i love giving them “gift certificates” to a homemade meal. I simply give them a homemade gift certificate and a card with a little menu in it. It is so much fun to do this because i can be creative with the meals and my siblings really love having a nice meal with their family.
My favorite gift to receive is probably socks. I seem to constantly be loosing mine and i love having crazy cozy socks!
My favorite gift to give is homemade cookies and PB cups…also eating the ugly ones while I make them is a perk 🙂
I can’t pick a favorite gift to receive…probably mittens because I always lose them!
My favorite gift to give is homemade (and decorated) cookies, fudge, peanut butter balls, and so forth. I think it is so fun to give something that I have put a lot of effort into. My favorite thing to get is probably clothes or hair tools. 🙂
I like to give away crochet gifts, and receive gift cards in return!!
I am greatful to receive any gift of any kind and I love giving gifts that I know the person has really wanted, but would not buy for themselves.
I love to give gifts that are activities related to the person’s hobbies. I like to receive cooking presents
I love giving AND receiving food gifts!!!!
I love giving out different baked goods every year. I love getting books in return!
I love giving really personalized and unexpected things, or when inspiration is lacking, homemade treats are always fun. I love receiving experiences (cooking classes, food tours, ect), or edible things.
These recipes are great Tieghan! I love making stuff like this for gifts.
My favorite gifts to give are the ones that the recipient didn’t know they wanted, but love. I gave my sister a 1920’s toaster last year that i had refurbished. She absolutely loved it and used it constantly! Unfortunately we lost her this year to a sudden aggressive cancer, but I am happy that the last thing she got as a gift from me was so used and wanted. Now it has a special spot in my kitchen.
The gift I love to receive – cookbooks. I am not ashamed to say I have quite an extensive collection. I love them though because I can use them throughout the year, and I can always hunt through them to trigger new recipe ideas in my brain.
I don’t have a signature gift that I give out year after year, but I love seeing the light in someone’s face when they open up a personal gift. This year, we did gifts a bit early in my family, and I bought my mother an antique, stained-glass lamp to replace one I broke years ago. She cried. We hugged. It was wonderful.
As for getting….I’m an avid runner and you can’t have too many pairs of socks.
I love giving gift baskets I make out of trader joe’s products because I’m obsessed. I love receiving gifts that are meaningful from the person. I hate getting gift cards – it’s so impersonal to me.
My favorite gift is to give – Something made from the heart. Thanks to your wonderful recipes, I find I can never seem to leave my kitchen (LOL). My husband and kids (age 4 & 6) love my heart healthy baking. Unfortunately, I’m not the best cook but I try my hardest to please everyone. It helps to have two sous chefs lending hand to help in the kitchen. To minimize the fighting, each of them takes a turn to help with the ingredients. At times cooking has been a lot of trial and error since my son has a dairy allergy to find recipes that he loves and can enjoy. Keep connecting…we love your recipes.
As for myself, I never really get anything in return…I’m always the one that goes above and beyond. But a simple thank you does go along way for all my hard work.
I love to give anything that’s a surprise! I also like receiving surprises. 🙂 I like to give gifts that they never knew they needed/wanted. I like to receive anything my boys pick out for me (they’re 5 and 8). 🙂
My favorite Christmas “gift” is being with my family, sharing the joy of the season, celebrating how lucky we are to be together, how blessed we are. I love every minute I spend with my grandchildren – they are good, and kind, and wise (and really fun) – time well spent. Family is at the age where they need more important tools and we try to find the right thing that will not only help them in their lives, but that will delight them by its unexpectedness. Same for friends – we don’t often exchange, but if I see just the right thing, I snap it up. thank you for your inspirational blog. Mele Kalikimaka!!!!
My favorite gift to give is my Mam-maw’s old fashion Chex Mix. She used a recipe that pre-dates me (& I am 62!) and it is far better than the one on the box! By far! And I present it in a neat tin to add to the pleasure…..and to keep it crisp. My favorite gift to receive is music! (and a tin of old-fashion iced sugar cookies!) 🙂
WARM & HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU & YOURS!
Thanks for what you do! Love your site!
Some of my favorite Gifts to give at Christmas are usually homemade goodies. My baked Tortilla Crisps with melted butter and cinnamon & sugar are a big hit. I use Christmas Cookie Cutters! I also love to bake Banana Walnut Bread. I’m easy to please; receiving a homemade gift always makes me happy 🙂 Love this giveaway!! Happy Holidays!
My favorite gifts to give are homemade lotions and potions. My favorite to get are experiences-such as a trip to the glass museum with my aunt, or the spa with my sister. : )
I love giving food….in such a hectic time of year, some home cooked soup or rolls or cookies just can make people’s lives easier – feed their bodies and spirits! Best gifts I receive are any notes my kids give me – I love the sentiments and the effort.
I love inspired gifts – things that just scream the recipient and that I’ve happened upon. I like receiving the same. Nothing generic, but full of thought and care towards who I am and what I enjoy.
I think some of my favourite presents have merged giving and receiving into one, when my friends and I have said, “instead of focusing on presents this year, let’s spend the money on doing something cool together.” It’s taken the form of spa days, theatre nights, splurgy dinners. One year, after graduation, it was a Europe trip with my best friend. Another time, a few of us celebrated a baby shower by crashing at a friend’s house to prep freezer meals and clean up to help prepare for the kiddo’s arrival!
My favorite gift to get is always a “tower” of nut butters that my husband gets me every year (he switches it up with new flavors every time!). Favorite gift to give–definitely the homemade presents I make with my daughters for my mom (their Meme)–she always cries sweet happy tears 🙂
I love to give gifts made with my hands whether it be food baskets or jars, a quilt, or a painting. The best thing I could receive is when family gathers together for the holidays. It doesn’t happen enough and when family gets together it is the BEST!!!
Love the jar recipes. Something to keep in mind for Christmas. 😉
I love to give gifts that reflect the person’s personality and interests.
As for receiving gifts, pretty much the same as the above.
my most favorite gift to give are homemade cookies. usually made by my best friends and i. one night, flour drenched aprons and lots of wine drinking. the most wonderful gift to receive? such a tough one but i would have to say gift cards from Etsy. i lose myself for hours searching through vintage trinkets or handmade treasures. such artistry exists in one place and i love supporting such a marketplace. truly brings me joy each holiday season!
Thanks for these recipes, I love making gifts in a jar to give for the holidays.
I love giving homemade gifts for the holidays, and I’m always looking for new ideas. I typically do some sort of alcohol (last year it was limoncello, this year it’s moonshine) and baked goods.
I love receiving homemade gifts as well!
I love to give candles along with all my cookies I bake for the holidays
I also like to receive homemade gifts as they can help inspire me and see what other people have thought of the past year!
I always try to give thoughtful/unique gifts catered for the receiver…could be a game, a band t-shirt of a group they like, or ski socks! I also love gifting homemade cookies or granola. As for gifts I like to receive? Shoes, makeup, or quality work out gear. 🙂 thank you!
I love giving edible gifts, usually cookies although last year I made vanilla sugar for everyone because I ran out of time to bake.
I don’t celebrate Christmas but for gifts in general, I love to bale things for pp . Or suprise them with a gift they have been dying but can’t bite the bullet to buy. To receive, I love anything kitchen related or clothes. My mother in law has the best taste.
My family always makes a variety of Christmas cookies every year and we pass them out to family and friends. I love getting homemade gifts from my kids.:)
I love giving home-baked goods for Christmas gifts! And I love receiving pretty much anything 🙂 Even just a warm cup of coffee in the morning!
This doesn’t really work for everyone, but I love to both give and receive fun beers and whiskeys for the holidays! In my circle, we all appreciate something interesting to drink, and with so many craft brewers and distillers plying their trade, it’s really easy to find something unique as a gift. Likewise, even if I’ve had the drink before, I always have more fun drinking something from a friend.
Hi Tieghan! I like to give my homemade limoncello and cookies…….as for gifts for me , Anything made by my kids!
My favorite gift to receive is something that was something of my Grandmother’s. My favorite gift to give are the handknitted accessories I have made–shawls or scarves or hats.
My favorite things to give are the gifts that are truly personal to the individual. Something that they’ve been wanting, or something that truly speaks to who they are and what they mean to me.
As for the gifts to receive, I honestly don’t want much. I love books and scarves, but I am truly happy with something as simple as a hug.
I deliver homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas eve to tide everyone over while they open presents in the morning. I like to give and receive practical gifts. I give boxes of handmade greeting cards, cozy, fuzzy socks, and fleece sheets. I enjoy getting cook books and kitchen gadgets. I actually use Bob’s products already and can always use more for all my Christmas baking.
Yummy! Going to try some f these this year!
I love your blog and can’t wait to assemble some of these jars for the family!!
I love to give gifts that I have thought long and hard about that will definitely bring a smile to the recipient’s face!! My favorite gift to receive is also something that I feel the giver put a lot of thought into. The holidays should come from the heart! This Christmas, I would love to receive that basket….just sayin’! Thanks for the opportunity!
Like so many others, I love to give homemade baked goods. One of the things I give every year are my homemade buckeye candies. My mom and I made them many years ago when I was a child and I still make them and give them today. I like to receive new cookbooks and I’m addicted to coffee mugs! 🙂 Love everything you do! Thanks for making my life a little brighter!
I love giving homemade goodies! Candies & cookies are my favorites to make/give. Though I’m taking an éclair/cream puff class in a few days and plan to make some of those as gifts! My favorite gifts to receive are the stocking stuffers my husband gets me. It’s always a great assortment of treats, drinks, movies, gift cards, etc.
I love to give baked goods wrapped in cute boxes and ribbon, and my favorite gift to receive are homemade/handwritten cards.
I love to give concert or sports game tickets. That way, my loved ones get an entire experience to cherish in the future. For me, I love getting books that have been vetted by my friends and family. It always inspires me during the holidays to spend some time cuddled up reading– a rare little escape from the world.
What an awesome idea for Christmas and your pictures are always so great 🙂
I love giving homemade gifts – you can individualize them to the recipient and they show thought/time was put into their present. I really love receiving little unique gifts from someone’s travels or hometown, something that I couldn’t find anywhere else!
Ah I love to give food and I love to receive food….. I love lots of little small gifts!
I love both giving and receiving homemade gifts. I run a Christmas Hamper program in my home town where I can give back to those in need of Christmas dinner and gifts for the children. It is such an incredible feeling to help people in need! Blessed to have the opportunity!
My favorite gifts to give AND receive are the homemade something to eat in a jar or bag. I swear!! My mom was a grade school Spanish teacher for many years(before she retired) and I always enjoyed helping her open her gifts from all her students. The best ones every year were a homemade pancake mix, a cranberry orange relish and a mixed bag of different cookies and fudge. The way to my heart is definitely by way of my belly:). I always enjoyed those gifts so much that I’ve attempted to keep passing the joy on in the same fashion.
Our favorite gift to give is a basket full of homemade cookies, tea breads, and cinnamon ornaments.
I love getting homemade gifts in return.
My favorite gifts to give are those that I know will bring an instant smile to the face of the receiver. Some times the gifts are homemade and other times bought. I however love making gifts and cooking so anything pertaining to crafts or cooking is an ideal gift for me. I have two grandchildren with disabilities and seeing their faces light up with the simplest things brings me the greatest joy. Their enthusiasm and constant smiles are infectious. I hope everyone is able to enjoy their holidays with the people they love
Hi! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!
I love to give gifts at Christmas that are handmade. A photograph or a book, a terrarium, something edible. Something that makes the receiver smile every day or brings them joy.
I also love to receive something handmade. I am very blessed that everyone in my family is creative, so I am usually super pleased with what I receive! Merry Christmas!!
Cookies. And. Edibles. Are. A. Classic. Give. Or. Receive. Gift. During the. Holidays
LOVE all these ideas! I can’t wait to make them! My favorite gifts to give are the ones people don’t think they’re going to get. The ones that are a little pricey or hard to find but you know how happy they are going to make someone that all the effort is worth it 🙂
Give: Something that somebody mentioned to me MONTHS ago, and then forgot about.
Receive: socks. (yes, just like Dumbledore)
I love to give foods like granola and baked breads. I love receiving chocolate especially the kind my kids don’t like. Like chocolate covered nuts and chocolate with savory flavors!
I love to give homemade items as well as food. I also like to get homemade and homemade food also. It is always better!
I LOVE FOOD GIFTS! These are some wonderful ideas! And I love the way you decorated them!
My favorite gift to give is homemade things and my favorite gifts to get are BOOKS! (and bottle of wine never goes amiss either!) 🙂
Chocolate and chocolate!!!
For the past few years we have been putting together handmade gift baskets for our families and they include – an easy to store for later – meal, drink, dessert and knitted or sewn gift. We always make a few different styles to fit everyone’s tastes. It’s a lot of fun and everyone loves guessing what will be in the baskets each year. We even get suggestions when people come across new recipes. My favorite gift to receive is anything that someone has put heart into either making or thinking about the recipient. It shows and that is wonderful.
I love making jars of non-dairy lemon curd for my Mom who can’t have any milk products. Little does she know I’m squirreling a bunch away in the freezer for her this Christmas. 🙂
Favorite gift to receive is my aunt’s goodie basket. She’s been making them as long as I can remember and they’re filled with all kinds of cookies, fudge, jams, pickles, breads – all homemade! Over the years she’s even tweaked our baskets to make sure we all get our favorites.
I love gifting homemade vanilla extract in super cute bottles, the process takes about 4 months so it’s a very thoughtful gift and I really enjoying reciving subcription gifts that remind me of the holiday season and the person gifting the gift 🙂
Such a great post! I’ll definitely be making your granola mix for my secret santa gift with friends! I love gifting items that I know someone has been eyeing for a long time but never bought. They may have mentioned it months before and only once to me so the surprised on their face when they open the present is priceless. I love receiving anything homemade that I wouldn’t be able to get or make myself. Something like hand-knit winter gear or socks are some of my favorites.
Oooooh, that Nutella is definitely happening this year. One question about the recipe, though. You noted in the directions that it would “firm up as it cools,” but you didn’t mention anything being heated. Is the chocolate supposed to be melted before it’s added to the food processor? It seems like it would blend with the hazelnut paste better that way.
Love to give gift baskets to couples, a little homemade food items and a little purchased with a nice bottle of wine and maybe glasses, cutting board, cheese knives. Of course love to get the same, or girly stuff like makeup, jewelry, etc!
Love you site, recipes, photos, stories, just everything. Can’t wait for the cook book!
Merry Christmas!
My favorite gift to give is homemade granola – I make big batches every year and give it to everyone. People love it! My favorite gift to receive is a gift cert for a massage. I love massages but always feel it is too much of an indulgence to get on a regular basis so it’s always a treat.
My favorite gift to give is a plate of homemade cookies, all different types, recipes of my Grandma. She does 10 or 12 different varieties; while I’m not quite that ambitious (I do about 6 or 7 kinds), they’re always well-received.
My favorite gift to receive is a book. I love spending Christmas night, after everything is all quiet again, reading a book by the Christmas tree.
My favorite gift to give is something personalized- I love giving monogrammed or stamped jewelry or notebook with people’s names on them :). I love to get anything super useful (festive right? hah)- kitchen ware, awesome sheets, beautiful notebooks and pens, etc.
I love getting wine 🙂 and I love giving my doggy gifts 🙂
I love to give jars of homemade candied jalapenos as gifts. Of course, that’s if I have any left because we eat them on everything! My favorite gifts to receive are cookbooks with unique recipes and beautiful photos.
Perfect timing on this post – I was just about to start making some welcome gifts for our new neighbors!
My favorite gift to receive is anything for the kitchen. I come from a very traditional family where the women do all of the cooking. Because of this, food became my hobby late in life – and not only is it something I enjoy, but something I think I’m pretty good at. It took several years to convince my mom that giving her son cookware was an okay thing to do. To me, getting cookware as a gift is a way of knowing that I am accepted for who I am. Plus it has the added benefit of enabling me to bring a smile to the face of others 🙂
As far as my favorite gift to give – a unique experience. My nieces and nephews are at the age where they don’t need more stuff (do we ever need more stuff?). Plus, we live out of town – the only in the family to do so. Because of this, we don’t see them nearly enough and so the opportunity to just get to know them better is one of the best gifts we can give. I remember one time last summer when all my wife and I did was to take them for ice cream at our favorite ice cream parlor. They were SO excited. I love to be able to give them the gift of laughter and memories.
My favorite gift to give and receive is time. I have a twin sister who lives in Maryland and we give each other the gift of dinner together every Christmas. It doesn’t matter what we eat, it’s just the simple act of sharing time together since we don’t have as much as we used to.
I love getting kitchen appliances…or a fabulous pair of shoes! I love giving experiences, a concert or a show of some kind. Something that the person will look back on and remember as a great time.
I really love both giving and receiving gift cards for experiences – restaurants, bed & breakfast, theater, concert, tour, yoga classes, etc. Everyone seems to have so much stuff and life is short. These types of gifts go over well in our circle and it gives you the chance to have something new to share.
I enjoy making my gifts (sewing , cooking & photos). Everyone has enough stuff unless you are a kid. I just enjoy spending time with family as a gift. We have an annual baking extravaganza (me, my daughter and daughter in law ,4 grandkids and my husband) where we all get together and bake like crazy. It gets rather crowded in my kitchen by we have a blast (making memories). I am working on putting a decorating table in the basement where we can ice and decorate the sugar cookies. Then we deliver all these goodies to neighbors, family and friends (sometimes in snow storms). Sharing and caring. Love it all. Share the Joy of the season.
I love the spirit of Christmas, being with family, cooking, and making handmade gifts. Especially food items that can be eaten during the holidays, as well as used throughout the year. I always look for new things to make and share.
I like to give a=handmade gifts! Things like ornaments and jewelry! And i love to get books and sweaters! Good combo now that I think about it. lol 😉
I love to give books as gifts. And I love receiving gift cards!
I love giving unique holiday gifts tailored to individual personalities! It’s my favorite!! When it comes to receiving the simplest of hand made things gets me pumped! I would love to make these jars for family gifts, the gift basket wouldn’t hurt! I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!
hmm my favorite gift to give is something handmade..anything thoughtful!!
and to receive, material wise, a book or a donation in my name to a charity!
these jars look amazing!
Thank you for the cute goodies in a jar recipes! Love Bobs Red Mill 🙂
I love, absolutely love, any present that my kids give me. The best present of all is family time. I still love giving presents to my kids who are older but wish they were all little again as that time was so magical.
We have been giving whole, smoked brisket to friends for a few years and it really makes us happy to give something that they really appreciate and look forward to receiving. In that same tradition of annual gifts, we give our kids and their wife and girlfriend good wool socks and a flannel shiva every year. I like all gifts! These gift jars are beautiful and useful! Thanks for the ideas.
LOVE giving gifts to my kids. Love receiving CD’s and manicure/pedicure gift certificates!
I like to give handmade cards or (for special ones) scarves for Christmas. And I love it when I receive Christmas cookies, preferably homemade.
Oh my word all of these look fantastic! I love giving homemade treats to all of my office buddies. Mom and I usually make dozens and dozens of homemade cookies (chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal, snickerdoodles, tidbits), wrap them up in pretty bags, and off they go!
My favorite gift to give is something that someone needs but doesn’t think about getting it for themselves. An example is my husband, I got him a winter coat because I would watched him shiver in his hoodies while saying “I’m fine” so many times.
My favorite gift to receive is the one where I adore a little trinket and someone noticed, even though time had passed.
That salted pomegranate sugar!!!
For Christmas or bdays I love to give things that have meaning to the person I’m gifting to either something homemade or bought. What I like to receive for Christmas is really anything, any gift even if it’s small it’s meaningful. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes with us!
Well to receive baked goods and to give electronics
My favorite gifts to receive are anything that helps me be creative! Adult coloring books, paints, pastels, colored pencils…I love creating, so bring on the craft supplies! my favorite gifts to receive are those that I’ve been keeping in my head for months! You know, when someone offhandedly mentions wanting something and you think, “Aha! This will be a great gift for my husband! Now I just need to remember this idea until Christmas!”
I will be making many of these for gifts this year, THANK YOU! My favorite gift to GIVE at Christmas is a nice pair of cozy socks and a baked good. Anything from homemade bread a pie. My favorite gift to receive is an unexpected visit from friends!
My favorite Christmas gift to give is to distribute cup cakes to friends and colleagues and the best gift to receive is fruits for my family and me to eat.
I like to both give and receive food 😉
My favorite to give is something edible. Books are what I like to receive but oddly enough, rarely do.
My husband and I create a family cookbook every year – recipes, photos, family and friend adventure highlights. It is so much fun to give those! To receive, my favorite gift is the love & hugs! 🙂
My favorite gift to give is a homemade craft. I’ve been making special pillows – some are hearts with homemade fabric flowers, a few are for teens from tee shirts with sayings on them. I’ve given them to lonely seniors to cheer them, to ppl in the hospital, too! My favorite gift to get is a gift certificate – so many would be great that way I could have the fun of shopping, too, and make that gift card last! I love Bob’s Red Mill – I have loved their mixes, flours, powdered milk non-instant, almond meal, and many more – but I have to say I recently discovered how great is Bob’s popcorn -try it!
My favorite gifts to give to all my neighbors are homemade cranberry nut bread. To win such a delightful gift would be a blessing.
I always like to give and received gifts of food, wine and candles. I usually send a gift basket filled with someone’s favorites for Christmas.
This is a wonderful post and I love your acts of kindness!
I try to donate what I can, especially around the holidays, for families who do not have the luxuries I am grateful for or to help in a time of need. My favorite gifts to give are homemade ones, whether it is a tin of baked goods, ornaments, framed pictures, etc. I enjoy receiving practical, thoughtful gifts. I am all about a gift that I can use. This year I asked for luggage since I travel a lot. Thank you for this opportunity 🙂
My favorite gift to give during the holidays u are a tray full of different holiday cookies. My little boy loves helping me make the cookies and package them up. I am asking now to donate to charities instead of gifts. But I do love receiving baking items too.
I like to make a CD for my husband each year of special songs from that year that remind me of him or our time together.
I LOVE to receive anything that helps me relax and take care of myself since I am a busy mom of 4. Bring on the bath salts!!!!
What beautiful work! You are so talented, and thank you for sharing. My favorite gift to give is anything homemade, but mainly cookies, mini or regular-sized breads (pumpkin, gingerbread, etc) and candy. I’m going to try those dipped pretzels you posted about recently and already got the ingredients. The past few years I’ve assembled plates of sometimes 5 or 6 different types of cookies, and wrapped festively. It’s funny, but that’s basically what I also enjoy receiving the most, something homemade. Many times clothing needs to be exchanged, and you don’t always know someone’s preference for lotions and potions.
I love the gift ideas, especially when Christmas budgets are shrinking these days. Thank you for sharing! My favorite gift to give to close friends is a loaf of Soft Cinnamon Swirl Dairy Bread. I only use Bob’s Red Mill Whole grain flour and products and everyone loves the bread all wrapped up in a big red bow. I agree with you, homemade gifts are greatly appreciated. Have a great day! And thank you for the opportunity to enter for the prize!
My favorite gifts to give are baked goods, so these ideas are perfect to mix things up a bit. I’m asking for a latrine to be built in Africa as gift this Christmas. I absolutely love this blog! Thanks for these ideas- so cute!
Wow! That home made Nutella made my mouth water! Those jars made your mixes, concoctions and recipes look beautiful! Would love to have a few of those. Love Bobs Red Mill products, too…..we use a lot of those products!
I love to gift hand made items from hair bows to crochetted blankets. This year I’m going to gift a peppermint scrub along with baked goods. I love any gift but especially home made gifts. The thought and love that comes along with them are priceless. Pick me pick me!
I love to gift hand made items from hair bows to crochetted blankets. This year I’m going to gift a peppermint scrub along with baked goods. I love any gift but especially home made gifts. The thought and love that comes along with them are priceless.
I love to give anything I have knit…this year it’s cowls, hats and felted dryer balls. I’m not particular of what I receive, anything my family gives me is perfect.
I love to get only hugs and kisses and a day with my family, reading the Christmas story in the Bible, having Christmas dinner together, and perusing through old photographs and reminiscing. I love to give homemade gifts, along with needed items of warmth for the children. This year will be one or two of the recipes you have listed. Thank you so much for them. Merry Christmas
Thanks for sharing these great ideas!
My favorite gift to give is probably anything to a child. Honestly, I love seeing a child’s face light up when they open a present.
My favorite gift has to be anything my kids and husband pick out for me. There is a lot of love between us all and it makes my heart explode when we exchange gifts.
My favorite gift to give is any gift to my children because I love to see their reactions. My favorite gift to receive would be anything from my children because they are so excited and want to make me happy
All these ideas look amazing. Really enjoy your blog!
My favorite gift to receive so far was a candid photo printed on wood of my children and I. My favorite gift to give is also custom created photo books for our parents.
For Christmas, we like to sponsor kids ideally the same ages as our own. We take our children on a big shopping trip and on that trip we only pick out gifts for the kids we are sponsoring. We do not buy any gifts for them, and they help us to pick out the toys. It is so awesome to see them learning about giving to those in need.
I am always short on time, so I try to find gifts that are meaningful and keep on giving. A lavender bath set for someone who loves that scent, for example. I love to receive hugs and thoughtful gifts in return, like the gluten-free baking set from Bob’s Red Mill I was gifted last year!
My favorite gifts to give are homemade cookies from the recipes my Polish grandmother would bake; kolackies and Christmas thins. I love to receive Christmas decorations, that way I smile year after year remembering the person who gave them to me.
Love gifting unique boutique gifts; love getting books!
My favorite gifts to receive and give are actually the same thing! I love finding unique, locally made gifts for those I love. I actually buy holiday gifts all throughout the year, as when I find something perfect for that specific person I buy it. When I get that personal gift back from someone, I know they were thinking of me, not just a last minute box-store gift because they felt they ‘had to get me something’. It’s the personal touch and the idea that you’re getting something you usually wouldn’t purchase for yourself 🙂
I loved this post! Jarred gifts are so pretty and so much fun go make, give, and receive.
Making things to give is my favorite–soaps, cookies, blankets, and put in a gift basket. Or I like to find super unique coffee table books or cookbooks at thrift shops.
I am so Blessed in my life, I like having our friends & family over best. That gift of caring and time means the most to me(but a great candle wrapped in glitter paper never hurts!) last December I got tested to be a kidney donor to a wonderful woman, and we found out just a couple days after Christmas that I was a match, and that was the best gift I think I’ll ever be able to give!
I love giving the gift of “love from my kitchen”. Breads, cookies, spices and mixes are always a favorite. I love to receive home made personal care items…lotions, soaps, scrubs and bath salts. Any excuse for this busy Momma of 3 to pamper herself a bit! 🙂
Each year, we give salty and sweet gluten-free homemade treats to family, neighbors, and friends! It’s a treasured family effort and so much fun making and delivering these gifts. Mom’s favorite gifts to receive are anything made with love and time spent with my busy teens!
I love to give and receive the gift of precious time together.
I love to make homemade goodies as gifts for people especially at the holidays. These pretty jars are perfect! I will upload to Pinterest for future use. As for gifts I love to get would be anything Apple related!
Thanks for posting
Laura
Fav gift to give is a sample of everything I baked…. (I love to bake)
Fav gift to receive is pictures of my family (they live far away)…
Merry Christmas…❤️?⛄️
I love giving and receiving anything homemade.I typically make jewelry for the majority of gifts. It means more when it comes from the heart.
Two homemade things I like to give; things Ive sown or cheesecakes, which Im very good at.
What I like to get; anything thoughtful or beachy. Love beachy!
I love to give and receive books! I have always been a huge reader, and I think that giving a book is like giving an eternal gift – you read and you learn, you lend to other people, you go back to your favourite parts of recipes over and over – it’s perfect!
I love when I’m able to make and give homemade edible gifts, made with lots of love. I enjoy receiving hugs, kisses, and a Christmas dinner with my family . Having all of us together to read the Christmas story from the Bible, sing Christmas carols, reminisce memories of Christmas past while looking through old photos, is all I need for Christmas. Merry Christmas to all.
I love to give gifts that are just a little bit different, something that is either homemade – like embroidered or quilted pillows – or gives you an experience – tickets to a sporting event, or a concert. Gifts I like to receive? Spa day, cleaning woman, concert tickets, and anything related to cooking! And, always, charitable donations in my friends’ and family’s names to organizations that help feed and house those in need. Food Bank of South Jersey is one of the best around! Thanks for sharing your recipes above – I’m SURE I’ll be making a few of them for my friends and family!
I love giving kids gifts that they can create, a craft project or drawing/coloring/painting items. I really love to get homemade goods as gifts. Something that someone made me is way cooler than anything store bought!
My favorite Christmas gift to give is event tickets! A few years ago, I stopped buying tangible gifts for my immediate family and instead took them to see Broadway shows. They loved it, and it was way more fun to share the experience with them than to give them clothes or new gadgets. My favorite holiday gift to receive is new cookware and bakeware because I am always in the kitchen!
I love to give personalized gifts. I love to get sweets, pj pants and wine or beer.
Every summer we pick wild berries (blueberries, raspberries, salmonberries, strawberries) and make lots of jam, and can it. These make a lovely gift that is just as fun to give as it is to receive. It’s fun trying others’ jam and perhaps finding a new favorite.
Honestly, my favorite gift to receive is something that was handmade – whether by the recipient or by an artisan doesn’t matter. One year my son, knowing my love for Casablanca, framed clippings from a magazine that he found that had an ad for the movie. I still have it. He also made me a sled from popsicle sticks for our Christmas tree and, at the age of 8, painted the word Rosebud on it because he knew how much I loved Citizen Kane. (Do you see a pattern here?) I still have THAT too. I have a handmade tile that my sister-in-law made in a class. I love it. I love things that are handmade – preferably in the USA.
I love giving things I’ve knit or baked, since the item is always tailored specifically to the recipient and have always been well received. To receive, tea and chocolate are always received with the utmost enthusiasm!
Receive something homemade give something homemade
I love to give out goodies that I have made, and I love to receive things that are thoughtful and have a special sentiment about them. The best gift I have ever received is my vitamix blender. I use it all the time, and the family member that gave it to me knows I spend all my time in the kitchen.
That’s a toughie. I customize gifts to the people I give them to… I try to find something they’ve been wanting for a while or are in need of. My favorite thing to get is money. lol
I like to give my apple butter and my husband’s chunky sweet relish as holiday or hostess gifts. I also like to give crocheted gifts. One Christmas I crocheted potholders for everyone, including myself 🙂
My favorite gift to give is hand soaps and lotions. My favorite gift yo get is something from my Amazon wish list or gourmet food, spices or teas.
I love receiving anything homemade from my children and I love giving homemade treats like cookies or snacks.
Love making cookie jars like these!!! I love gifting homemade baked goods for Christmas!! I also love receiving home cooked meals! Especially with bobs red mill ingredients!
Oh my goodness these gift ideas are so AWESOME!! You truly are so creative and it is so clear how much work and effort you put into this beautiful and amazing blog! I honestly love all your posts, also have you ever looked into doing a podcast? I have noticed a few other food blogs starting some, and I think yours would be an absolute hit!
My favorite gift to give is a homemade photo book my sister and I always make for my parent. They love it, and it is so much fun each year to look through and relive the memories with my fam:) It is also a tradition for my family to all get to open a present on Christmas Eve, which is always pjs! I love this tradition; it wouldn’t be Christmas without it! But probably my favorite gift would be new clothes.. Me and my mom have such similar (and good haha) taste!!
My favorite gift to give are my White Russian truffles & other homemade packaged goodies. My favorite to receive is something pampering from my husband. He’s better at picking something out for me than I am!
My favorite gift to give are gift cards: dinner at a favorite restaurant for my hair stylist, dental hygienist, my doctors; coffee or quick lunch for the receptionists. They love being remembered.
My favorite present to receive is my daughter coming in from LA and visiting & then my entire family getting together for a meal or movie. Spending time together is what’s most important to me.
My favorite gifts to give are candles, I am obsessed with them. I also make them myself. I like to receive wine & candles, of course. This is my go-to site for recipes! Love them.
I love giving away baked goods! This year I’m hoping to make chocolate covered saltines 🙂
I love making up baskets of some sort. Like Breakfast in Bed with homemade pancake or muffin mix and syrup, fruit, & coffee; or a good Christmas movie with homemade caramel corn, hot cocoa mix, etc – then I love finding little Christmas decorations or greenery to add just the right touch for whoever is I’m giving too. My favorite thing to receive is time together with all of my family (they live all over), but I also really enjoy homemade gifts from people too.
I love to give and receive homemade gifts. Taking the time to make something sure beats buying a gift any day!
I love to give small, unique gifts that are useful, such as baking mixes with favorite flavor or a pair of gloves for pumping gas with hand sanitizer to use afterwards. My favorite gifts to receive are small homemade treats and electronic gadgets. What can I say, I am a techie.
My favorite gift to give is a bottle of single malt scotch. My favorite gift to get is event tickets.
I love to give hand crocheted items, and food! Fun things like Carmel corn, and yummy drink mixes. I love to receive anything made with love. Cookies are among my favorites.
I like to give charity gifts that mean something to the person, like “adopting” their favorite wild animal, buying a square foot of rainforest, books for a school, etc. I feel like we all have too much stuff so giving something to someone or something else makes sense. It sounds sappy but it’s so great!
I like to get gifts that send me on an adventure with the gift-giver. It could be tickets to a museum, outdoor gear, cooking stuff, a “coupon” to help with home repairs…anything that will create memories.
Funny Bob’s Red Mill story…years ago when my now-fiancé and I had been dating for about a month we both spontaneously got each other a small surprise gift. One of us got Bob’s flaxseeds and the other got Bob’s flax meal! We had had some flax cookies the week before and apparently both wanted to flax up our lives! I swear this is true, how could I even make that up? 🙂
I love receiving Christmas cards and I love giving people recipe books full of my own photos and recipes
Handmade first both giving and receiving just because it shows the time, effort and love. And handmade is a family tradition. But that doesn’t mean other gifts aren’t showing the love too! It’s the thought that counts! I love the holidays because of the opportunity to give and to see loved ones. It’s also a great time to reach out to anyone in need of a little TlC!!!
I love receiving and giving homemade gifts. Merry Christmas
I love trying to give something sentimental, anything that makes them feel good.
As for me, I’m happy just getting Christmas cards in the mail.
Good luck everyone!
My favorite gifts to give… Well, it’s usually homemade jams or fruit butters. This year I managed to make a lot of apple blackberry jam, so I will likely grab those. Pickled red onions are a family fave.
Gifts to receive? I think anything that really shows the giver really thought of me.
Gifts to give: anything homemade from the kitchen or garden! Gifts to receive: anything to enjoy in the kitchen or garden!
I enjoy giving and receiving handmade gifts. I knit and crochet many of the gifts I send out. I’m a lazy cook, so my favorite cookies (to give and to eat) are shortbread cookies. A good friend gave me the recipe several years ago. When our brother-in-law ate one, he pronounced these tasted just like the ones his mother (from Australia) used to make.
My favorite thing to give homemade cookies, cinnamon rolls, and other sweets.y favorite thing to receive is handmade artwork from the kids. Thanks for the giveaway.
I am really enjoying my first year of giving mostly handmade gifts! Planning out something extra special to sew or make for each person just for them has been so fun! And I love to receive handmade gifts as well! Those are my favorite both ways, I think! Beautiful jars!
My family is much into vintage and handmade. We don’t do huge gifts. So I love to give what suits the recipient, that I know they will like. I love to receive gifts that aid in my passions for reading, cooking, gardening, and DIYing.
I love to give give gifts that are homemade. My favorite to give is milk chocolate English toffee. My favorite to receive is something homemade too, especially from the kids in my life. These gifts come from the heart.
I love giving and getting homemade gifts. My husband was an attorney and always enjoyed delivering my home baked goodies to the municipal courts in our county. The Court Clerks received alot of food from attorneys but they expressed their appreciation for “homemade” food from us. Last year I changed it up a bit from food due to my lucky find….cobalt blue French water bottles. I made two aromatic bath salts. One with Himalayan pink salt, epsom salts, fractionated coconut oil and lavender essential oil and in the second one was dehydrated herbs (yes, I grew the herbs and dehydrated them), jojoba oil, epsom salts and sandalwood essential oil. I appreciate a homemade gift of any kind. I’ve always believed if someone thought enough of me to spend their time on the item, it is a gift from the heart – whether friend, neighbor or grandchild!
My favorite gifts to give and receive are love and love! If I need to be more specific, I most love to give handmade gifts and love to receive heartfelt gifts, ie something that has a special meaning or someone put a lot of thought into.
My answer to both is love. Seriously. Spending time with the other person. Baking something yummy to share. Doing some arts & crafts together. Volunteering together! Shared moments & experiences!
That being said… I have really wanted to do some variation of the gift in the jar! Soup, cookies, cocoa, brownies… they all sound great! I am also crocheting some gifts! And as far as receiving? I love to get homemade gifts!
My favorite Christmas gifts to give are homemade. Listen to what your family and friends like to eat and make that for them. It can be something for the freezer for when they don’t feel like cooking, or cookies and something to totally surprise them. My favorite things to get would be something for the kitchen. A friend gave me a set of measuring spoons awhile back, I have some already but it was the thought behind these. She knows how I love to cook and these were a vary ornate set with hearts on them for foods made with love. I love them and things like that.
I love to make gift baskets for families and friends!
First off LOVE this post! Such great ideas! My favorite Christmas gift to give are customized homemade macarons or my homemade batch of chia seed-hemp seeds-protein-organic almond butter =D It’s a huge favorite around the holidays because I kick it up with some added holiday spice :). Favorite gift to receive is anything home made. One of my past favorites I got from a dear friend of mine was homemade lavender and herb soaps!
Love, love, love these ideas! We always have a big open house (next weekend) before Christmas and I usually make some little things for the guests to take home. These ideas will be used this year!
My favorite gifts to give are ones that are so personal to the person. I keep my eyes and ears open all year and can usually find things – either made or bought – that fits the person so well. They aren’t necessarily expensive or big, just personal. Like a calendar for my mother-in-law with pictures of all her kids, grand and great grand kids, birthdays, holidays, etc. Not super expensive but she loves it!
I’m not a big “thing” person so the best gifts I enjoy are experiences – time with family and friends. A spa day with my daughter is super special!
My favorite gift to get is something that my kids have made me?And I like to give homemade cookies ?
My favorite christmas gift to give is fuzzy warm socks, scarves, and mittens.
I love to receive fuzzy socks, blankets, and scarves too!!! Puts me in the holiday sprirt.
Tieghan, your pictures are lovely as usual. 🙂 My favorite gift to give is my homemade salted peanut brittle. It’s always a hit! And to receive, I love getting tickets to a show or concert. I’d rather go DO something than gather more stuff.
My favorite gift to give is making most if not all of Christmas dinner for my family. I love it. I know that sounds cheesy but it’s the truth. I like surprising them with a new casserole every year and the looks on their faces when one of my pies is actually a winner. My favorite gift to receive is not doing the dishes. hahaha
I love to give food gifts — I’m a great baker, and homemade foods signify, to me, love and care — and books (hubby and I are huge bibliophiles!). My favorite gift to receive? Candles, probably, because they’re an indulgence I love but don’t have the money to buy for myself too regularly.
i love to give baked goods and i love to receive handmade items.
I love to give cookies.. and I love to receive full bellies and compliments!
These are so cute! I want to make them all! I love giving/making themed baskets with a little mix of everything that person likes, as for receiving.. I’m a sucker for anything chocolate, I’d be so happy with a Hershey bar 🙂
I love the homemade gift ideas! For my kids, I love to give them Harry Potter themed gifts. My eldest daughter is giving her almost-11 year old twin sisters admission to Hogwarts letters! They will explode with joy and surprise.
My favorite gift to give is something the receiver truly wants (even when they don’t realize they want it!). I love seeing peoples expressions when they open gifts. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a gift that I baked, knit or purchased at the store. I’m happy with anything, but I will admit my favorite gift is cash. I live on a pretty tight budget and I love being able to “splurge” on something I normally wouldn’t buy myself. Then when ever I use it, I think of the person who “gave” it to me!
I love to give hand-knit scarves and baked goods, and I love getting tea or food-themed gifts!
So my favorite gift to give is my girls “big gift” at Christmas! Their big gift is of course, the most anticipated gift. (If my answer could be any and every gift I give, it would be.. hehe). They always have one expensive gift and a pile of little ones. This year for example my 12 yr old is getting her first cell phone, an iphone 6! And my 9 yr old is getting an ipod touch! And honestly, I dont care at all what I receive. The best gift I get is the company of my husband and two daughters on Christmas morning!!! The best gift I get isnt at all a materialistic one, its to see the joy in their eyes as they stare at all the gifts under the tree for the first time, to live the excitement with them as they open em up one by one and when their finally finished its getting their arms wrapped around my neck as they say thank you!! Ahh its the best. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! ♡
This is the cutest gift idea, and I love your idea to give back this month! 🙂 My favorite gift to give is anything homemade…cookies, peppermint bark, truffles. I seem to take treats with me almost everywhere ;). I also love giving gifts that relate to people’s interests or collections – I know someone obsessed with owls, so I am always on the look out for anything owl themed! As far as receiving, I’m all about fancy chocolate or anything from Anthro/Sur la Table/Williams-Sonoma.
I love giving baked goods to my friends and family. I mail a ton of packages out each year and it’s so fun! I like receiving gifts, too…don’t really have a favorite though.
I love receiving any kind of kitchen gadget, pan or dish for Christmas.
Many years ago I started giving away jars of food that I had canned over the summer and have found that it is greatly appreciated as most of my friends do not can. This year I have tried alot of new recipes and can’t wait to see what they think. I have also started making my own soap so each gift bag will include a bar of hand made soap. I have that giving something you made is so much more special as it is giving of your time to create it.
I love receiving items for my kitchen, I spend alot of time in there to try to feed my family the right foods. Happy Holidays to all.
I love receiving anything homemade!
I love to receive clothing that fits :). I like to give items that are useful and have value beyond just decorative… and anything from Etsy.
hi! i am a non american and really must do these jars as they look gorgeous to give away!! could you just help me with those Mini Christmas Reese cups? i cant find what it is, i would need to see it to be able to find something similar in my country (which is sweden) or just explain what kind of chocolate that is! thanks for your help! and for all your gorgeous recipes i love!
great gift ideas, want to try them all, i love to give homemade cookies as gifts.
I love these gift ideas!
I used one of your pictures on my blog, I hope it’s ok for you, otherwise, please tell me and I’ll remove it!
Thank you for the recipes!
Lucile.
I made 6 jars of the chocolate fudge brownies, and saved one for my family. I wanted to let you know that I just made them, and they were DELICIOUS! Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and mini Reese’s cups? Thank you!
I can’t wait to try the next recipe!
My favorite gifts to give are gift baskets – I often shop at Cost Plus World Market to buy treats, cooking ingredients and other items & figure out who would like what in their basket.
My favorite gifts to get are gift cards. I prefer to make it easy for my family and friends.
I have fun helping my kids with their gifts for each other. It’s fun to see what my little girl thinks of for her older brothers. One year she gave them their favorite items from her Halloween candy. She saved them until Christmas and put them in their stocking the night before.
Awh that is so cute! I love that she saved it all the way until Christmas!
What kind coconut oil do you use? Unrefined or refined? I don’t know which one use to make this nutella and granola.
I like to use unrefined. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holiday ? ?
Thanks for the answer! Merry Christmas! 🙂
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Thank you so much Samira!
I love to receive warm socks. I love to give sweaters and homemade goodies.
Thank you so much Robin!
I have made your Christmas Chocolate Chip Granola recipe as stocking stuffers/host gifts for 3 years in a row now!
My family is so excited for it this year, they were talking about it in September! I love how easy it is, how incredible the house smells and how INSANELY TASTY it is!
Thank you so much, your recipes are always impress!
Thank you so much Maclean!