Looking for a thoughtful (and delicious!) DIY gift that even the most discerning recipient will love? This list is chock full of easy recipes for gifting at all occasions!
So often, well intentioned gifts end up in a drawer or closet, never to see the light of day. When we struggle to come up with just the right gift, choosing something that can be enjoyed, even if temporarily, stands to be valued more than something that will add to the clutter pile.
The following homemade gifts offer a range of deliciously thoughtful ideas. Not only will grandparents, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, and friends (even furry friends!) love them, they are sure to appreciate the time and thought that went into making them.
Beyond the following list, you might also consider those in your life who would value the gift of time and a ready-made meal. There are oodles of recipes on this site that can be prepared in advance for easy reheating later. Many freeze well too.
From soups and stews to casseroles, baked oatmeals, and breakfast sandwiches, there is truly something for everyone. A few recipes that I’ve made and given for recent holiday gifts include:
- Homemade Marinara and Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce (the latter is meaty) with a box of pasta and a baguette
- Chicken Tortilla Soup and Corn Spoon Bread
- a batch of Egg Sandwiches
- Amish-Style Chicken Corn Soup
- and many of the items listed below!
Read on for more inspiration…
Salted Hot Fudge Sauce
This tried-and-true chocolate sauce is thick, velvety, and strikes the right salty-sweet balance. It’s quick and easy to prepare and makes a lovely gift!
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Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
A popular hostess and holiday gift and a great project for kids to make for friends, Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar are fun to bake, give, and eat. Printable tags included.
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Magical Reindeer Food
Make these as a fun activity with your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews. This magical food is perfect for kids to give to their friends or to use themselves on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Potpourri
The aroma of warm spices and fresh citrus join festive cranberries in this colorful, easy-to-make mix that is perfect for gift giving – and equally wonderful to make for yourself!
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Homemade Lip Balm (Happy Chappy)
This lip balm really works. It’s smooth, creamy, and naturally nourishes dry, chapped lips. For added appeal, the light aroma of peppermint blends with the tropical undertones of coconut. That said, you could absolutely experiment with different scents or go fragrance-free.
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7-Minute Salted Caramel Sauce
Drizzle homemade caramel sauce on ice cream, cakes, pancakes, waffles, pound cake, cheesecake, and apple pie – or enjoy it by the spoonful! I also like to stir the sauce into coffee and use it as a dip for apples. Stored in a jar and tied with a bow, the sauce makes a lovely gift as well.
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Roasted Pumpkin Butter
If you’ve never made pumpkin butter before, this foolproof recipe is reason to start. The warm flavors add something special to toast, oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, baked goods and more. (Hard to resist by the spoonful, too!)
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Homemade Limoncello
Bring the Amalfi Coast to you with this easy-to-make Italian liqueur that calls for just three ingredients. The lightly sweet, lemony flavor is perfect as a mixer or an after-dinner drink and makes a festive holiday or hostess gift. It takes several weeks for the flavors to develop, so allow time before you plan to drink it or give as a gift.
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Pancakes in a Jar
The following recipe may be used as a gift but also as your go-to biscuit mix. When presenting as a gift, a small container of maple syrup makes a fitting accompaniment!
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Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Butter
The heavenly aroma of sweet apples and warm spices will fill your kitchen in this easy recipe that can be sweetened to taste and enjoyed in so many ways. You can even bake with it!
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Cinnamon Honey Butter
This copycat version of Texas Roadhouse restaurant’s popular recipe is a delightful spread for rolls, bagels, toast, muffins, cornbread, and sweet potatoes. It makes a lovely addition to a food gift too.
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Rosemary Roasted Cashews
Rosemary, salt, and a hint of heat makes these easy-to-prepare nuts a snacking favorite. Store in a jar, tie with a bow, and add a sprig of rosemary for a thoughtful gift.
Spanish-Style Marinated Olives
I love how the utter simplicity of this recipe manages to deliver such wow factor. The olive fans in your world will devour these flavor-packed bites, and you’ll appreciate the five minute prep. An easy upgrade to any cocktail hour, cheese board, or antipasto platter. Irresistibly snack-worthy and giftable too!
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Homemade Dog Treats
These are sure to please your four-legged friends—and they make thoughtful holiday gifts for their owners!
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Easy Hand & Body Sugar Scrub
This customizable, boutique-worthy scrub is effective, economical, and smells good enough to eat!
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3-Ingredient Cinnamon Ornaments (bake and no-bake options)
Three simple ingredients come together with ease for a project that’s fun for adults and kids alike. Once dried, you can decorate as desired or opt for a rustic look. Great as a gift and the aroma will last for years!
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Chunky Homemade Granola
This big batch recipe makes two full baking sheets of classic, crunchy, lightly sweet granola that is delicious with yogurt, milk, fruit – or by the handful. If some elves made some for me, I'd be happy!
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Chocolate Caramel Matzo Brittle
Sweet, salty, and crunchy, this traditional Passover treat will be a crowdpleaser any time of year!
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Lavender Syrup
The secret to this syrup's beautiful color isn't actually the lavender. It’s blueberries! The easy-to-make floral syrup adds memorable flavor and color to cocktails, mocktails, lemonade, iced and hot teas, coffees, and lattes.
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Fruitcake Quick Bread
Fruitcake… or fruit bread? This quick and easy batter bread is packed with fruit and nuts but unlike traditional fruitcake is less sweet and more mildly spiced.
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Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche
Irresistible dulce de leche is easy to make in your slow cooker. Plus you can control the consistency, making it soft set like pudding or drizzle-able for use as caramel sauce.
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Small Batch Pickled Vegetables
Quick Pickled Vegetables are easy to make with almost any vegetable, and the tangy, crisp bites will elevate salads, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, burgers, carnitas, tacos, burrito-type bowls, stir fries, and more. Great for everyday snacking too!
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Homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream
Homemade Irish cream makes a lovely gift for a fraction of the cost of the name brand. (Tastes fresher, too!) Enjoy on the rocks or stir into coffee, cocoa, baked goods & more.
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Spiced Glazed Nuts & Pretzel Mix
Sweet and spicy mingle with salty and crunchy in this crowd-pleasing cocktail snack that doubles as a convenient hostess or holiday gift.
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Homemade Hot Honey
Hot honey is the buzz-worthy condiment that adds spicy-sweet appeal to all sorts of sweet and savory dishes. It’s easy to make at home—and cheaper than store-bought—and makes a great gift!
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Simple Vanilla Syrup
A perfect way to sweeten homemade lattes, iced coffee, and a variety of other drinks and desserts. A great gift for the holidays too!
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Homemade Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is easy to make at home with just two ingredients! The following how-to offers helpful details on which beans and liquor to use and how to store for practical use and gifting.
Christmas Chex Mix
Sweet, salty, and delightfully crunchy, a big batch of this festive snack mix takes about 10 minutes to prepare and is perfect for holiday parties and gift giving. Tailor the recipe to any occasion by simply varying the color of the M&Ms!
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Caramel Popcorn with Salted Peanuts
Make gourmet-quality popcorn at home with these easy instructions and helpful tips. Delicious for anytime snacking and makes a fabulous gift too.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs
My grandmother’s recipe for the classic treat, this time-tested recipe rivals a Reese’s peanut butter cup. The recipe can be prepared in stages and makes enough to share!
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Blueberry Lime Jam
With its sweet-tart taste, this recipe will enliven anything from toast to a corn muffin. With year-round availability of fresh blueberries (or use frozen), this recipe is equally ideal for a summertime hostess gift or a holiday present.
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Chocolate Acorns
These adorable fall treats are easy to make and fun to eat. As an option, peanut butter may be used as your “glue” instead of the melted chips. Although it will not harden and hold firmly like the chips, it will still taste great!
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(Slow Cooker) Chocolate Peanut Clusters with Sea Salt
A big batch of these sweet treats is easy to make in your slow cooker. The portion-controlled bites are hard to resist…and perfect for sharing!
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Classic Strawberry Jam
The quintessential flavor of homemade strawberry jam is easy to achieve thanks to these simple instructions! Makes a lovely gift and the recipe works equally well with frozen and fresh strawberries.
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Spiced Pecan Chex Mix
This sweet and savory spin on the classic snack mix is easy to make and hard to resist. Package in a festive tin for a delicious gift!
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Tamari Almonds
Simple to make and delicious to eat, these flavorful almonds offer a satisfying crunch and hint of saltiness with just two ingredients.
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The Best Holiday Cookies!
All the best cookie recipes in one convenient location! This tried-and-true list of family favorites covers all the bases for the most irresistible dessert platters, cookie swaps, bake sales, and holiday gift giving.
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Birdseed Ornaments
It’s hard to come up with the perfect gift for parents, teachers, neighbors, aunt and uncles, and family friends. Birdseed ornaments are fun to make and economical, too — and your feathered friends will thank you!
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Royal Icing & Graham Cracker Houses
No-bake graham cracker houses are easier than their gingerbread counterparts but every bit as festive. The fun activity is sure to bring good cheer and enhance your holiday decor. For a thoughtful gift, package the base with a container of icing and lots of candies for decorating.
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Homemade Play Dough
This simple recipe is sure to delight your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and can be made with basic pantry ingredients. Stored in an airtight container, the play dough will keep several weeks.
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