Last-Minute Edible Gifts
With Christmas only a few days away, you may still have a few people on your list left to buy for. Because the kids are home this weekend, though, this is a great time to spend some time in the kitchen with them, making edible gifts to give out early this week! The great thing about making edible gifts is that even people who have everything usually appreciate something to enjoy right away. These also make great last-minute gifts for those who stop by unexpectedly. Here are some edibles that you can make this weekend to give as gifts next week:
- Jar of peppermint hot chocolate. We’ve made this before and people tend to love it. Mix a cup of powdered milk, a cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, a cup of sugar, a dash or two of salt, half a cup of chocolate chips, half a cup of tiny marshmallows, and half a cup of crushed candy canes in a bowl. Pour the mixture into a jar. Write instructions on the tag: “Mix 1/3 cup hot chocolate with a cup of hot water for a sweet treat.” Tie on a pretty ribbon, and you’re done! Another option is to leave out the crushed candy canes and simply tie a few whole ones to the jar with the tag. Add a notation to stir the hot chocolate with the peppermint stick.
- Cookies. Chances are that you’re doing some baking anyway this weekend, so make a few dozen extra and pack them into seasonal tins. You can also toss in some candy, like Hershey kisses and candy canes, to make your treats more seasonable. Whatever you’re already baking is fine; we’ve had great results with packing thumbprint cookies, classic chocolate chip cookies and macaroons. If you don’t want to actually bake the cookies, you can layer all of the dry ingredients in a jar, tie on a note as to what wet ingredients to add and how long to bake, and add a seasonal cookie cutter for that little something extra.
- Homemade fruit bouquets. If you’re getting together with family or friends this weekend or you have time on Monday morning to make this for a Christmas Eve get-together, consider trying your hand at making fruit “bouquets” kind of like the ones made by Edible Arrangements. Use a melon baller to make the round inside part of the flowers, and use pineapple to make the petals. You can also dip strawberries in chocolate for chocolate “tulips.” Skewer your flowers and display in a pretty vase or terra cotta pot.
By using ingredients that you have around the house, you can put together an attractive, edible gift that your friends and family will enjoy. Let the kids help, too; you’ll enjoy seeing the pride in their eyes as they present their gifts!
What edible gifts are you planning to give this holiday season?
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love the cookie jar gift
Thanks for the awesome ideas!
I have been given the Cookie mix in a jar from a coworker,and I went home and made these cookies, and they were delicious! I always enjoy getting cookie mix already in a jar. I gave a few to some of my coworkers this year!
Thanks for these ideas! It is easy and thoughtful! 😀
Great ideas, thanks! I’m going to try the fruit one!
These are so nice to make. They can be made easily for the people who do things for you thru out the year. There are lots of different one to make. I know I love when I get one of these. its like a personal touch to a gift that you are giving. Can be done all year round.
I love fruit so the fruit bouquet sound great ! Thanks
I think if I would show up at my best friend’s house without homemade fudge they’ll shut the front door in my face lol! So, this weekend I will be making fudge. I think I might make chocolate chip cookies too…for my nephew. They are his favorite and he just returned from active duty, so it’s the least I can do.
I love this idea because it is something that can be used and is from the heart.
I love baking for the holidays, not just for family but for friends and neighbors too.
Just what I was loooking for! Thanks so much!
I know that loved ones would like to get items that are made with love from their family. Even kids can make mom something nice and put a nice recipe in a jar. I like to receive muffin mixes, brownie mixes, and cookie mixes.
This is a great idea which we forget about all too often. A gift from the kitchen is always appreciated.
I love the peppermint hot chocolate and in Mason Jars Tie a ribbon around it and its ready
I love edible gifts so easy and cheap….
Great ideas! Thanks for the tips!!! 🙂
Wow love it soon i can break away from the computer I make some.Thank you and Merry Christmas.
I love the homemade fruit bouquet idea. I’ve never tried something like that before. Hope they turn out good.
I love all of your ideas. I have just a few gifts left that I didn’t know what to do but thanks to you I just got ideas. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the great ideas. I think I will make my neighbors some chocolate chip cookies and put them in a Christmas tin tomorrow.
Cookie jar mix is a good one, expecially when you’re short on time and need a quick fix..thx
I wish I would’ve seen the peppermint hot cocoa two days ago! It sounds so simple and yummy. However, I ended up giving away banana bread and it was a hit too! 🙂
Our family is making cookies and fudge! In the past we have made the hot cocoa mix and baked homemade breads as well. We love to give a little of ourselves in our gifts!
I love the cookie mix in a jar idea. I love putting together gift baskets with pancake/ebelskiver mix, nice syrups, and tea.
love these last min edible gift ideas, love the cookie jar mixes.
My mom used to give homemade banana nut bread as gifts. I gave my friends cookies that I made in Christmas tins 🙂
Love the redneck kool aid cups
Oh my goodness! Thank you SO much for the Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate Idea!!!! This was right on time for me! Perfect…just perfect 😀
I have everything I need to make the hot chocolate stuff. Thanks for the info.
I always like to give cookies.
These are great last minute gifts also. I like the peppermint cocoa in the jar.I have a few neighbors I haven’t bought something for yet.So this looks good. Happy Holidays.
Carol L
Homemade goodies are always one of my favorite things to give and receive!
I have already made some goodies, cookies, fudge and rice krispie treats.
These are all wonderful ideas. I made Christmas cookies this year and they all came out wonderful. These make great gifts every year!
i commented on the edible gifts…yummm
These sound delicious, wonderful ideas!
Thanks for the tips. I love gifts in a jar and other edible gifts.
these are great ideas. thank you
I never thought of putting chocolate chips in the hot chocolate mix! Yummmy! Thanks for sharing these ideas!
Those are somuch fun to make and give.I think people really appreciate them.
Ive done jar gifts before with cookies and soup! I love homemade gifts, especially times like this when everyone is struggling financially!
I love the idea of making a ton of edible gifts to give out at random times! easy to make a bunch at once and customize the jar for xmas or birthday!
Great idea! I will use this one when last minute gifts are needed. 🙂
These are lovely gifts. Thanks for sharing =D
I absolutely love your ideas! I am so glad that I follow your site—-makes me look good in the gift department! 🙂
Edible gifts are favorite to give and get. A little something to enjoy, even by people who don’t want anything!
simply wonderful ideas 😉 thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.. Merry Christmas to you and yours..
These are nice ideas – I don’t feel like braving the crowd at the mall.
I might have to end up doing some last minute gifts because of this list!!
I will make Rosettes.
I love giving edible gifts! Thanks!
I’ll be baking some last minute cookies this year!
These are so awesome..thank you for sharing. We are out of money right now..but want to make as gifts to start the New Year with….
This is a great idea for me because I can’t get out shopping because I am disabled. I shop on the net and there’s no time anymore. But this is something I could do from home.
Thanks for these great ideas, I always need new ideas to give neighbor gifts!
Karen
I love giving and receiving these types of gifts. It showes you put some time and effort into them.
LOVE these ideas! They’ll be so helpful for the future – and not just for Christmas gifts!
This looks good!!
Great ideas, thank you so much!!
Thank You for the sweet ideas.
Thanks for all the great ideals that you shared. 🙂
THANKS FOR THE GREAT IDEALS…..LOOK GOOD
Thank you for sharing these ideas. I love last minute baking gifts. I love making christmas goodies for new years eve!
Love Mason jars!! I’ve thought of doing this for a while:) Very cute~
I made homemade cranberry lime vodka as a Christmas Gift
I love these ideas.
It is not eatable, but I love to have some homemade sugar scrub on hand, for those ‘drop by’s’. It is real easy to make. fill a jar (I use emptied jars that I got fruit in ~~ RRR) Fill with sugar, white granulated or brown, Add coconut oil or olive oil, just enough to wet the sugar, do not over fill with the oil. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Tie on a swatch of cloth to the lid and you have a beautiful homemade sugar scrub.
I made chocolate dipped spoons with hot chocolate packets for all my nieces and nephews for Christmas. 🙂 Found the adorable idea on Pinterest!
OooOo I usually just give cookies, but I think I’ll give peppermint hot chocolate this year! It looks great in those mason jars 🙂
My daughter has to have hot chocolate every morning and evening sice she was 3….I wonder if she would like peppermint…I have to try making this during christmas
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
I just love little edible gifts in mason jars. I love the hot chocolate and cookie ideas.
I prepared some homemade rumballs. Also, some hot chocolate in mason jars.
Very cute ideas. I always like when the kids make the ‘melted’ snowman hot chocolate baggie to bring home. I like the dry mixes in cute jars with creative tops.
I never thought of a homemade fruit basket. I have a distant relative that I will see over the break. That’s a perfect gift!
Love these ideas. There are always people I forget about and need a last minute gift to give. These are perfect
The peppermint cocoa sounds so good!
Love idea like these..a homemade gift ALWAYS means more to me than something that you would pay a million dollars for! It shows you took the time to actually THINK of the person you gave the gift to..touches my heart!
The peppermint hot chocolate is such a great idea, I think I’m going to have to use it!
This is a great idea, it’s hard for me and my wife to battle the crowds in the stores so this would solve alot of last minute gift rushes to the store. Thank you and have a Happy Holiday.
Thanks for the great ideas! I’ll definitely be making some cookies 🙂
these types of gifts are always so warm and perfect for the holidays.
Great ideas! I always love the hot chocolate in jars. It’s so perfect for this time of year and super easy to do!
Great suggestions! I love making homemade gifts and edible and easy ones are even better!:)
These are great ideas.
I love the jars! Sort of country cozy mixed with classy. I bet this is fun to make with the kids. I will definitely be trying this. Thank you 🙂
I think these make great gifts. Something special about a homemade item is more personal.
i love homemade gifts! i made homemade vanilla this year! bought cute tags that say “from kyla’s kitchen” … along with nice sleek jars … fun, fun! thank you for sharing your ideas! merry christmas! 😀
I love the idea of the peppermint hot chocolate mix! So simple yet thoughtful!
I did not bake or make anything this year because I have been sick. I bought my son’s teachers some candy and Cuties tangerines and put them in a baggy. The hot chocolate and/or the cookies is a really good idea for next year. Thank you!
I think homemade eatable gifts are the best. You know they were made from the heart.
The peppermint cocoa sounds good
i love idea i have to get copy of it
This is an awesome inexpensive idea. Wish I could have thought about it when I was thinking of what to give my co-workers.
The hot chocolate sounds great! Im writing that recipe down right now! Sounds like a wonderful idea and something you can adapt throughout the year by just swapping the candy cane for other seasonal ingredients!
Yum! I’ll make some to give to my friends.
Thanks for sharing!
thanks for the ideas
I so need some hot chocolate. Thanks for the recipe!
Me & my sisters always stir candy canes in our hot coco it’s so good
Love the peppermint sticks and hot chocolate idea. I didn’t bake anything for the holidays but usually I make large, soft chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies (large, soft), iced sugar cookies, and pralines.
I love homemade goodies, they are the best gifts you could give or receive
I like the jar of peppermint hot chocolate idea – that is really cute to give out to friends.
Another great homemade gift, particularly for men, is black or maraschino cherries soaked in a jar of brandy, rum, or whiskey. Though cherries are scarce this time of year, Frozen ones you can thaw and drain work well, as this should be refrigerated, but chances are, they won’t last long!
This is getting passed on to my girlfriend, she is going to love it! She always wants to do handmade gifts!
These are cute ideas! I would probably eat these myself haha.
I thinking of doing this for a few shut-ins for Valentine’s Day. Just around the corner!!