I don’t know how it happened, but it’s December. 2023 has passed way too quickly, but whether I want it to be here or not, it’s time to start thinking about what holiday treats I want to make, checking the calendar to schedule family get-togethers and planning my gift list. 

In years past, I shared on my blog how we made Christmas gifts for our family one year. I decided to not only gift a few handmade items again this year, but I wanted to put this post together before the end of the month to give you ideas.

I’m gifting homemade (and in some cases homegrown) gifts this year, like a few jars of my homemade jam and pickles, made from cucumbers and dill I grew myself. 

If you’re not a canner, there are a few other things you can gift in a jar, like homemade salsa, I like this recipe from Pioneer Woman. Be sure to make it a day or two before gifting it, as I’ve found it will keep in the fridge for about a week. Or, you could make homemade granola and gift it in an airtight jar, such as a Mason jar. 

If you’re a baker, you could gift a friend or loved one something you’ve baked. I don’t consider myself a great baker, but when I was a teenager I discovered how easy it was to make banana bread and bless my young heart, I got the idea to purchase those mini foil loaf pans and festive colorful clear plastic wrap, and I gifted all my relatives mini loaves of banana bread. You could gift something similar, like muffins, a variety of quick breads, or regular bread. 

In the last year I’ve really gotten into fermenting, especially using raw honey to ferment items, it’s important to use RAW honey if you opt to ferment honey as it contains the natural yeast and bacteria that causes fermentation.

This is something that is easy to make and ferments in a couple weeks, for most items, (and gets better with time) and it’s something that can boasts numerous health benefits, which is perfect for giving in the middle of winter. So far this year I’ve made honey fermented garlic, honey fermented ginger, and recently, honey fermented cranberries and ginger.

The latter two are delicious in tea, and honey fermented garlic is great drizzled over stir fry, cooked meat like chicken wings, or Asian noodle dishes, but mainly I eat a spoonful or two of the cloves and honey as a preventative before I go to gatherings during cold and flu season or if I start to feel a little run down, since it can boost the immune system. This website has a few ideas for items to ferment in honey. 

Other ideas include gifting a jar of dry ingredients like cookie or brownie mix, or hot cocoa mix, along with a handmade gift tag with written instructions to make the recipe. Or, if you’re looking for a gift for someone who doesn’t bake, try making a rub or even homemade potpourri in a jar. 

I hope this article has given you some homemade gift ideas that each person on your list will love.