Edible Gifts for Christmas: What to Make?

Each year for the last many years, I have made a set of edible Christmas gifts to give out to people such as employees at Eric’s work for whom Eric is their boss, religious education teachers, our piano teacher, various therapists, ballet instructor, and the like.  Some years, I have also made a gift basket for family members, in addition to other gifts that we might give them.

Because of all this giving, I have had a lot of experience of what has worked and what hasn’t worked, at least for us.  So, when some friends and I decided to share a week work of posts around some Christmas topic, I thought that edible gifts were right up my alley.  Each day this week, I’ll look at a different aspect of the process.

What to Make?

The very first thing you have to figure out is what you’ll be making as your edible gifts.  There are many options, so you might want to first decide if you are making just one thing (like your famous Strawberry Pineapple Jam) or if you are making multiple things (such as a basket full of a variety of cookies).

One thing that works for me is to think of what things I have made in the past, either for baskets or just taken places, where I got a lot of compliments.  If you have received lots of compliments on an item or been asked to share the recipe often, then that would probably be a perfect candidate for something to make as a gift.  (That is, if it is suited for gift giving, of course.)

How to Gather Ideas

Because I make a variety of things each year, I typically start by writing out things that I know I will include in my baskets.  Since I will be making at least 15 – 20 each year, I try to do some things that are quick, some things the kids can help make, and maybe even some things that can be prepared ahead of time and frozen.

Each year, I know I will include items that people have commented on and might be disappointed if they weren’t included, like Holiday Snack Mix, Pine Bark, and Cake Balls.  Then, I decide on what else I might want to make to round out the basket.

To gather ideas, I look through my recipe collection binder, cookbooks, magazines that are typical during the holiday season that have ideas for Christmas goodies, and online (including Pinterest).  I try to be mindful about overly complex recipes, as well as watching out for ingredients that are just far too expensive to use for large scale baking.

If you are considering some edible gifts for Christmas this year, my assignment for you tonight is to sit down with a paper and pen (or whatever your favorite mode is for making notes), and start writing down what you think you might include.

If you already know what you are making or might be making, be sure to share it here in the comments for other people to get some ideas too!

Check out the posts of some of my other blogging friends, who are also writing Christmas themed posts this week:

A Slob Comes Clean – Getting Your Home Company Ready
Feels Like Home – Christmas Traditions
Somewhat Crunchy – Christmas with Dairy Allergies
Spell Outloud – Children’s Books
Mama’s Learning Corner – Children’s Crafts
Many Little Blessings – Edible Gifts
Sunflower Schoolhouse – Decorations
An Oregon Cottage – Christmas Cookies
Catholic Icing – Wishing Jesus Happy Birthday
The Traveling Praters – Traveling
The Homeschool Classroom – Gifts Kids Can Make
Mama’s Laundry Talk – Laundry Gifts

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