Sweet & Savoury homemade Gifts at Christmas time of year made in the kitchen are really personal and perfect gifts for friends and family. They are also ideal for last-minute gifts from simple ingredients and show you have gone that extra mile to provide perfect Christmas.
The best thing about this thoughtful gift is that when making it at home, sometimes from your own recipe, you can stretch ingredients to a big batch of the easy edible gift of double, triple or quadruple your recipe; this also can be made in one day. This good idea is a great way that can cover dozens of lucky recipients in one go, including relatives, teachers, neighbours, co-workers, helpers and all who deserve a few thanks. Save money this holiday season by making delicious homemade Christmas food gifts.
Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
- 350g unsifted floor
- 1tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 225g margarine
- 175g soft brown sugar
- 175g caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C/375 degrees F/Gas 5
- Mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the margarine, caster sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes nice and creamy. Beat in the eggs, then gradually beat in the flour mixture. Split the dough into two halves, rolling each half into a sausage shape approx 5cm in diameter. Wrap the dough in cling film and place it in the fridge until ready to use. When ready to bake the cookies, cut each log into slices 2cm thick and lay them on a baking tray widely spaced apart. The grease-proof paper applied to the baking tray stops cookies from sticking once cooked.
- Bake for 9 – 11 minutes. Allow to cool at room temperature, and decorate these homemade treats with icing sugar, white chocolate, dark chocolate or even chocolate chips, plus many other great ideas to create your Christmas cookies. These cookies can make the perfect Christmas gifts for your holiday party once placed in decorated boxes, pretty glass jars or Christmas food gift baskets together with printable gift tags with personal information added.
- Edible gifts are not only for our friends & family with just a sweet tooth; several people love only savoury treats. Listed below is a suggestion for savoury Christmas recipes to keep everyone happy.
Chutney
If you’re unfamiliar with chutney, it’s a fruit relish-type condiment that pairs sweet and spicy flavours to create a fabulous accompaniment to meats, cheeses, salads and other dishes. The following recipe uses canned cranberries, which are inexpensive and easy to find in most areas. Once prepared, Cranberry Chutney in glass jars makes beautifully presented edible gifts when wrapped with ribbon, a homemade recipe & gift card. Be creative to make homemade Christmas gifts your own and the joy of your lucky family member or best friend.
Cranberry Chutney Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 teaspoon ginger spice
- 1 tablespoon diced garlic
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 orange or 2 clementines, peeled and diced
- The juice of 1 lemon or 1/4 cup of bottled lemon juice
Directions
- Add cider, garlic and spices to a large pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, stirring often, and reduce to medium-low heat. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add cranberries, sugar, citrus and lemon juice. Simmer, occasionally stirring, for 2 – 3 hours.
Once prepared, can your chutney use a mason jar available at your local food warehouse, craft store, or online via Amazon or other retailers? Can your chutney using the National Center for Home Food Preservation’s USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning guidelines, and there you have it, your DIY gift.
Hors D’Ouvres
Toast bread in advance and spread finger food with moulded cream cheese balls – just one suggestion. Serve with a refreshing glass of white wine or red wine.
Serve as-is in a small dish with a spreading knife and other selections of crackers and cheeses, a great start to the happy holidays.
These are a few examples of edible Christmas Gifts, but the list is endless. Just remember that personally made treats are the most appreciated DIY Christmas gifts due to the effort the hostess puts in to celebrate the Christmas season. Happy Xmas!!
