Do you need some last minute gift ideas? Well, I have 80+ DIY food gifts for the holidays listed here for you - plus a recipe for whole wheat pancake mix, too!
Last Minute Christmas Shopping
It's December 20th as I write this, and I think it is safe to say we have officially entered last minute territory when it comes to Christmas gifts. If you still have shopping to do, you better do it soon! And oh, it will be awful. There will be lines. Screaming children. The things you need to buy will be sold out.
A Better Way: 80+ DIY Food Gifts for the Holidays
But there is another way! You can make your own gifts.
Everyone loves a homemade gift! (Well, maybe kids don't. If you give your kids jars of Meyer lemon marmalade for Christmas, it will probably be something they tell their therapist about 20 years from now. Don't give your kids homemade marmalade for Christmas.)
And guess what? I have 80+ DIY food gifts for the holidays right here.
While you're here don't forget to check out our new Vegan Christmas Cookbook. It's packed with all my favorite tried and true recipes for a plant based holiday feast!
DIY Food Gifts for the Holidays
Here are more than 80 DIY edible gifts for the holiday season!
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix in a Jar - A DIY Edible Gift!
First up is my very own pancake mix in a mason jar! This simple pancake mix is easy to make, mostly healthy, and filled with mini chocolate chips that make it a sure crowd pleaser. I've even included printable labels for the jars!
Drinks (Alcoholic and Otherwise)
Pomegranate and Vanilla Vodka
This vodka is so easy to make, I promise you. I’ve seen a few pomegranate vodka recipes, but I haven’t seen the combination of pomegranate and vanilla and I thought it would work well. A little bit of ribbon and a homemade gift tag, and you’re well on your way to making your own Christmas gifts.
Homemade Mulling Spice Mix
Each little bag is perfect for mulling one bottle of wine or one ½ gallon of apple cider. I tested a bag for myself in apple cider, and the result was perfect.
Homemade Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix
Dark AND white chocolates plus crushed candy canes make this a decadent, festive hot cocoa mix. Gift a jar with a big bundle of candy canes and maybe even a bottle of peppermint schnapps or Bailey's Irish cream. 'Tis the season!
Orange-Bourbon Infusion
This infused booze is perfect for making summer cocktails in a snap
Limoncello
Many people equate this as a summertime drink, but Limoncello would make great Christmas gifts too.
Blood Orangecello
This beautiful blood orangecello is a fun twist on the classic limoncello. It's every bit as delicious as it is beautiful, and you only need three simple ingredients to pull it together.
Homemade Tea Blends
Mixing your own herbs for tea is as easy as choosing the scents that appeal to you and blending up your favorite choices. In summer, you may prefer a delicious iced tea, while winter may see you brewing a nice warm tea to ward off the chill.
Strawberry Infused Vodka
Imagine giving the gift of this gorgeous red hued Strawberry Vodka. It's pretty, delicious, and this Strawberry Vodka is sure to make even the biggest Scrooge merry.
DIY Flavored Syrups
You can use these flavored syrups for more than just coffee of course – try adding them to cocktails, mocktails or sparkling water. And they make perfect gifts too!
Candy
Vegan Chocolate Matzo Brittle
This recipe for chocolate matzo is an excellent way to use your surplus of matzo as gifts to give away this festive season.
Gingerbread Caramel
These Gingerbread Caramels are a delicious and a great Christmas candy to add to your Holiday goodie making list.
Easy Chocolate Toffee
Rich caramel toffee is coated in creamy chocolate and sprinkled with nuts for a crunchy finish. Yummy gifts for the holidays!
Peppermint Sticks Recipe
Hand-pulled peppermint-candy sticks taste delectable plain or dipped in chocolate.
Spiced Sweet Potato Caramels
These homemade Spiced Sweet Potato Caramels are packed with flavor from cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. They make a delicious holiday treat or a thoughtful gift!
Salted Caramel Fudge
I make this salted caramel fudge using my favorite brand of coffee creamer, but you could use any of the flavors to customize your fudge however you like.
Candied Orange Peel
I love this snack even though I don't really like to eat orange! It is also a nice gluten-free holiday gifts option!
Homemade Peanut Butter Cups with Bourbon
A tasty grown up version of a childhood classic: Peanut Butter Cups. Dark chocolate, PB, and bourbon come together in cute, mini-sized bites.
Easy Homemade Lollipops
Easy Homemade Lollipops are the fastest and easiest edible treat to gift or get. Their crystal-clear color leaves the door wide open for customization when it comes to the colorful add-ins.
Cashew and Cayenne Brittle Recipe
Brittle can be a showcase for a variety of ingredients, giving each homemade batch its own texture and flavor. Try this variation.
Chocolate
Vegan Fresh Raspberry Truffles
Fresh raspberries are rolled in vegan ganache to make these easy truffles. Adapted from Gourmet's Chocolate Covered Raspberry Truffles.
Keto Chocolate Espresso Truffles
Rich keto chocolate truffles with espresso – the ultimate dessert for coffee lovers! Dipped in sugar-free dark chocolate too.
Crock Pot Candy Recipe
This easy Crock Pot Candy Recipe is a chocolate medley of sorts. It combines milk chocolate, white chocolate, toffee and Nutella! These sweet candies serve as a tasty snack or portable dessert to share!
Healthy Homemade Peppermint Bark
This healthy homemade peppermint bark is a delicious, lower sugar alternative to the classic! It’s an easy recipe that’s creamy, minty, and a perfect accompaniment to the Christmas season.
Salty Hot Fudge
If you’re giving this as a gift, put it in a Mason jar and tie it up with a pretty bow. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could give this with a package of homemade graham crackers. This hot fudge will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Red Wine Chocolate Truffles
Red Wine Chocolate Truffles combine the aromatic strength of a dry, red wine and the dark
tones of a quality bar of chocolate. The truffles themselves are simple to make, but have such a complex flavor you may guess otherwise. The truffles are rolled in cocoa powder before serving, lending a clean appearance to a rustic sweet. These truffles would make for a lovely addition to serve at a party with family and friends or enjoyed in front of a fireplace with a good book all by yourself.
Five Minute Fudge Wreath
Are you still scrambling for a really quick really easy really GOOD homemade food gift? I’ve got you covered with this super easy five minute fudge wreath.
Smoked Almond Dark Chocolate Turtles
These beautiful little treats are so easy to make and too pretty for gift giving!
Soups, Sauces, and Chilis
Vegetarian Five Bean Soup Mix
These soup-in-a-jar kits not only look absolutely beautiful (pretty beans!) but they are also super healthy, vegetarian and totally delicious. With a little bit of pretty fabric on top, a nice ribbon and a label (which you can download for free at the end of this post)—they package up to be an absolutely adorable holiday gift that I’m sure a lot of folks on your list would be super happy to receive.
Dal Fry Mix in a Jar
Dal fry is a typical Indian lentil dish (and popular on restaurant menus) made with cumin, turmeric, onion, tomato, garlic and lentils. I’ve simplified the recipe and turned it into a holiday gift mix in a jar. If you have friends and family who are vegetarian or Indian food lovers, they will be delighted to receive this as a Christmas gift! And you will love making this gift – its easy, fun, vegetarian, vegan AND cheap!
Hot Pepper Sauce Recipe
A recipe to make your own homemade hot pepper pepper sauce in your own kitchen. It’s super easy and super flavorful.
Southwestern Three-Bean & Barley Soup Mix
Making your own dry soup mix from beans and spices couldn't be easier. Layered in a jar, it makes a very pretty gift.
Sweet-and-Smokey Cranberry Chipotle Ketchup
This Cranberry Chipotle Ketchup recipe is sweet, smoky, and just a little bit spicy. It's the perfect ketchup for sweet potato fries!
Best Curried Lentil Soup Recipe
Dried lentils and seasonings are layered into a beribboned mason jar to create this inexpensive, one-of-a-kind holiday gift.
5 Legume Soup Mix with Barley
5 Legume Soup Mix with Barley is an easy and updated gift. So pretty on the counter or fill jars as a gift for loved ones and attach the recipe.
Vegetarian Black Bean Soup Mix
Packed with hearty plant based protein, vegetables and spices, this Vegetarian Black Bean Soup Mix is so quick & easy to put together for a perfect cozy weeknight meal.
Homemade Sriracha
This Sriracha Recipe is customizable to your taste buds, whether it be more tangy, spicy, salty and savory. This homemade sriracha recipe is super easy to make.
Baking Mixes
Monster Cookie Mix in a Jar
Monster cookies are one of our favorite cookies, and they make the perfect holiday gift.
Gingerbread Cookie Mix in a Jar
Give the gift of cookies that they can enjoy whenever the mood strikes them. An easy gingerbread cookie mix in a jar makes a great teacher gift this Christmas and holiday season.
Cranberry-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
Need an easy, last-minute, but thoughtful gift? Look no further, because these Cranberry-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar are fun, festive, thoughtful and are so simple to make.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quick Bread {In a Jar!}
This oatmeal chocolate chip bread on it’s own is yummy…but layer the dry ingredients in a jar with a cute label as a gift? Even better!
Peppermint Brownie Mix in a Jar
This peppermint brownie mix in a jar makes the perfect holiday gift! It’s easy, festive and tastes delicious once baked. Download the free printable tags for an extra special touch!
Rosemary Focaccia Bread In A Jar
Give a unique gift of homemade bread to make- a Rosemary Focaccia bread mix packaged in a mason jar with printable tag instructions.
Blueberry Muffin Mix in a Jar
Looking for a gift idea that will appeal to your recipient's heart and stomach? Look no further than this Blueberry Muffin Mix in a Jar recipe. Pack this muffin mix in a canning jar and give with instructions for mixing and baking the muffins.
Cowgirl Cookies
I took the traditional oats, chocolate chips and pecans this Cowgirl Cookies is known for and added some pink m&m’s to make them, well, more girly. And with a little fabric, labels and a brown suede bow, they’re perfect little gifts.
Oils, Vinegars, Seasonings, and Extracts
Infused Balsamic Vinegars
Gourmet vinegar makes great gifts; it’s so much less expensive than the store bought flavored vinegar.
Al Munro – Flavoured Salts
Make your own flavored salt at home - it's so easy! Definitely need to try the Chili Salt.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
A simple recipe for homemade ranch seasoning mix, perfect for recipes, or for homemade ranch dressing.
Indian Spice Rub
Curry, cumin, coriander, mint, turmeric and ginger make a delicious Indian-inspired rub for tofu, chicken breast or with sautéed potatoes.
The BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning
Quick homemade taco seasoning loaded with chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. This perfectly balanced taco seasoning mix makes the BEST seasoning for tacos, burritos, chicken, and much more!
Vanilla Sugar
This recipe is a great use up for leftover bits of vanilla bean or pods that have been previously used. When I make vanilla ice cream, I like to remove the bean from the cream after it has finished steeping. I then pat the bean dry and use it for this Vanilla Sugar.
DIY Infused Olive Oils
All simple to make, delicious, and incredibly versatile — any of the 4 infused oils can be used for salads, sandwiches or any other kind of cooking. And, the bottles came out really pretty!
Vegan Furikake Rice Seasoning
Furikake is a Japanese condiment typically sprinkled over or mixed into rice. Here is a very basic recipe for homemade vegan furikake.
Tangerine Sea Salt
This is a bit of a variation on the Spice Jar favors that we featured last week, featuring flavored sea sat and some pretty great packaging to go along with it!
Quick Breads
Blueberry, Bourbon, & Brown Butter Spiced Cakebread
I used cake flour rather than all purpose, but I baked it in a loaf pan and used a quick bread technique. This is perfect eaten warm topped with a bit of butter and a cup of coffee. And the smell of this beauty baking is pure holiday.
Quick Cinnamon-Raisin Bread
This cinnamon-scented raisin quick bread will make any kitchen feel cozy. This cinnamon-scented raisin quick bread will make any kitchen feel cozy.
Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread
This Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread is a super-moist, super-scrumptious dairy-free banana bread recipe, studded with fresh blueberries. Even if you're not vegan, you will love this delicious bread!
Citrus & Spice Tea Banana Bread
Warm and cozy, this moist Citrus & Spice Banana Bread is perfect to serve around the holiday season.
Triple Chocolate Malt Bread
Triple chocolate malt bread is a chocolate lovers dream, with three types of chocolate in one tasty dessert loaf.
Lemon Bread
This Lemon Bread is the perfect treat for any sweet tooth! It’s super easy to make and is a great snack for any time of the day.
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Loaf
I’m sure this incredibly yummy loaf with a cup of tea will warm up any cold day!
Cinnamon Chocolate Bread
This Cinnamon Chocolate Bread recipe so good…dense and full of chocolately-cinnamony goodness. I would definitely make this for company or bring it to a party, or keep it all for myself and eat if for breakfast.
Easy Guinness Bread
Guinness Bread is easy to make for when you have leftover Guinness. The Irish stout helps the bread rise without yeast so there’s no waiting before baking. It also lends a nutty flavor to this lightly sweet bread.
Snacks
Seasoned Mixed Nuts
Besides serving these yummy nuts up for a snack on game day, they are also great for gift giving.
Curried Cashews
These curried cashews are impossibly addictive--every time we made them in the Test Kitchen they disappeared in a flash. If you use salted cashews, omit the added salt.
Red Chile Pecans
The only problem with these red chile pecans is that they are seriously addicting! Spiced with a bit of red chile powder and sweetened with maple syrup, a great little snack.
Curry Popcorn and Nuts
This Curry Popcorn and Nuts recipe makes a seasoned popcorn mixture that has a lingering bite. It makes a spicy “adult” snack that is great at parties, and also great for gift-giving!
Christmas Morning Granola
Homemade granola packed full of seeds, nuts, and fruit makes a thoughtful gift for the holidays.
Basil and Sun-Dried Tomato Crackers
Homemade crackers are much easier to make than you think! These Basil and Sun-Dried Tomato Crackers are delicious by themselves or with a little olive tapenade or cheese.
Peppermint Crunch Puppy Chow
This peppermint crunch puppy chow is a festively sweet, completely irresistible holiday snack mix made from just Chex cereal, white chocolate, candy canes, and confectioner’s sugar.
Vegan Salted Caramel Corn
The maple syrup adds a unique flavor, and I would have to say that this stuff tastes just as good, if not better than, the non-vegan version. Another holiday gift idea?
Honey Nut Granola
No need to buy fancy or expensive granolas when it's so easy to make your own at home! This Honey Nut Granola is so good. Really good.
Jams, Jellies, and Spreads
Fig Paste
Love Maggie Beers fig paste? With this recipe, you can make your own easily at home and give as gifts this holiday for an impressive treat!
Fig-Anise Compote
Cook the figs in this compote down until they can be spread with a knife or spoon. The compote is equally delicious as a condiment on a cheese plate, as an accompaniment for roast pork or as a spread on toast. If you're giving this as a gift, include a card with serving suggestions.
Carrot Cake Jam Recipe
This is a wonderful jam that tastes just like Grandma’s carrot cake!
Cinnamon Roll Flax Almond Butter
All the flavors of your favorite ooey, gooey breakfast packed into a nutritious nut butter.
Herb Infused Caramelized Onion Jam
A simple, fresh and elegant gift idea.
Two-Tone Peach and Blackberry Jam from The Modern Preserver
This Two-Tone Peach and Blackberry Jam is a gorgeous way to use two of my favorite summer fruits. And if you're going to make preserves to share, this is one that's sure to impress.
Pear Ginger Jam
Ginger Pear Jam is a small batch, old fashioned homemade jam made with no added pectin. Ginger and pear come together to make a warmly spiced jam. Use this pear jam on toast, with meats, or as a substitute for applesauce.
Honey Roasted Peanut Butter
It's so easy to make my own peanut butter, I don't think I will ever buy peanut butter from the store again.
Meyer Lemon and Vanilla Bean Marmalade
Delicious! The vanilla bean takes a little of the edge off the lemons.
I hope you've found the perfect DIY Christmas gift here! If you need more holiday inspiration, check out these great ideas:
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
What an awesome list! I love this! And thank you for including me 😀 Your mix also looks great - I've been meaning to try a whole grain pancake mix so it's easy and ready to go but just haven't gotten around to it yet. And the labels are great!
Kiersten says
You're welcome! 🙂 The King Arthur recipe is a great starting point for a pancake mix. I've been having pancakes for lunch all week and they are SO good--you wouldn't even think that they're whole grain!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I adore homemade gifts! And I think people love receiving them too. Pancake mix is brilliant. Thanks for including me!
Kiersten says
You're welcome! 😀
Ren Behan says
Great post, thank you so much for linking to my Pomegranate and Vanilla Vodka! Ren
Kiersten says
You're welcome! I love your recipe. 🙂
mjskit says
I absolutely love this idea! I mean - who doesn't love chocolate chip pancakes, but how many of us actually make them! I would love to get this for a present!
Kiersten says
Yeah, I always like the idea of a big pancake breakfast on the weekends, but I am not at my best in the morning (to put it kindly)--having a pre-made mix makes it much easier!
Lauren says
What an awesome list of goodies to peruse! Thanks for the mention girl! 🙂 I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!
Kiersten says
You're welcome! 😀 And I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas too!
Jeanette says
What a wonderful resource you're put together - I love homemade gifts and would love to make some of these for my friends for the holidays!
Erica says
What a great idea! This year, I made customized cookie boxes for all of my high school teachers! http://cannella-vita.blogspot.com/2012/12/everyday-vita-cookie-boxes.html
Kiersten says
That's a great idea too--thanks for sharing!
Shirley says
I love this idea!! And I love adding whole wheat flour to waffle or pancake batter, I don't think you can even tell the difference. I might have to gift this next year, cute jars and all. And I'm totally intrigued by Rosemary Focaccia in a Jar and have to check it out now.
Kiersten says
You really can't tell the difference! And you can't even tell that there are oats in the batter either. These are the best pancakes I've ever made.
JulieD says
I love this through and through and I love homemade pancake mixes better than store bought anyways!
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
I love this list! Such a great resource--I've been meaning to make more homemade food gifts for the holidays, and I think this year I'm going to go for it. They make the best stocking stuffers.
Kiersten says
They really do make great gifts--everyone loves to eat! 😀
shannon says
Can the oil be replaced with applesauce? I've heard of people doing this for healther versions. If so, what ratio would be best?
Shannon
Kiersten says
No, in this recipe, you really couldn't replace the oil with applesauce. The mix would go bad quickly.