Martha Stewart, the editors of Real Simple and your mom have all said it: a homemade gift is the best way to show someone you care. But not everyone can whip out embroidery floss and deliver a hand-embroidered pillow by Dec. 25 and many gift recipients have already stated a preference for “something that doesn’t take up more space.” What to get the person who has everything? Something edible!
Giving an edible gift comes with inherent risks – picky eaters, food allergies – but in general, I find the thought and effort is appreciated. It’s a great way to introduce someone to a food they’ve always feared trying or felt was too luxurious to buy for themselves. Even stocking someone’s pantry can be a thoughtful gift, and at the very least, unwanted food can easily be regifted. Here are some edible gift ideas that will actually be enjoyed!
Spice Mixes and Rubs
Do you have the perfect secret spice rub for a rack of ribs? Mix up enough to fill a spice jar and share recipe ideas for using it! Some great homemade mix ideas include: herb dip mix, blackening seasoning, taco seasoning, Cajun spices or bread crumb mixes.
To give as stocking stuffers this year, I mixed up two of my go-to spice rubs that I’ve adapted from recipes over the years – Moroccan spice that, when blended with olive oil, makes a perfect paste for chicken and a coffee spice rub that delivers delicious pork tenderloin. Here’s what I included, doubling or tripling the amounts as needed:
- Moroccan Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; ½ teaspoon ground turmeric; ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom; ¼ teaspoon ground cumin; salt and pepper.
- Coffee Spice Rub: 1 ½ teaspoons of espresso powder (I used one packet of Starbucks Via coffee…it’s the perfect amount!); ½ teaspoon of dark brown sugar; ¼ teaspoon coriander; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; 1 ½ teaspoons of chili powder; salt and pepper.
Themed Gifts
One year, a friend gave me a baking gift set that included fancy types of sugar (muscovado, demerara and turbinado) and very nice Belgian baking chocolate. The whole gift probably cost her $20, but they were the kind of indulgences I usually push past when I see the price tags at finer grocery stores. Customized gift baskets like that can be inexpensive, but still make your recipient feel like they’re being spoiled. Here are some ideas for gift combos:
- A wine-tasting set: a miniature bottle of wine, perfectly paired chocolate, a Carlsbad Oblaten wafer cookie, and a wedge of cheese. Throw in a miniature corkscrew for the wine lover on the go!
- Italian Dinner Set: Splurge on a jar of pricey pasta sauce and nice pasta, a hard chunk of parmesan and a bottle of Chianti. Be sure to invite yourself over to enjoy!
- Fancy Sandwich and Salad Fixins: Make those brown bag lunches a little more interesting! Gift a friend some of the more creative condiments that have come out recently, such as lemon mayonnaise, apple Dijon mustard or a tapenade spread, plus glazed or candied nuts to top his or her salads.
- Better basics: Stock their pantry with fancy salt (try Pink Himalayan or truffle salt), mixed peppercorns and imported olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Baked Goods
Giving cookies, cakes or bread isn’t a new idea, but it’s always appreciated. If you want to make the gift feel more special, share a handwritten copy of the recipe on nice stationary.
Some ideas for mixes you could whip up (just find a recipe you like and put together the dry parts): pancakes, scones, cookies, brownies, cupcakes and granola.
I grew up in Southwest Virginia and every year of childhood, my friends would make Russian Tea to give as gifts. I’m not sure how it got its name, but the ingredients are cheap and people adore it. Here’s a recipe for Russian Tea from my friend Kara:
Russian Tea Mix
- 2 ½ cups of Instant Orange Drink Mix (like Tang)
- 1 ½ cups of Instant Lemonade Mix
- 1 ½ cups Instant Unsweetened Tea
- ½ cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
Canned and Bottled Gifts
If you really want to show someone you care, you’ll gift a canned preserve from your garden, but I’m guessing if you’re reading this, it’s too late.
That said, keep in mind for next year that preserves, jams, jellies and salsas are amazing gifts and fairly easy to make with produce you buy at the Farmer’s Market in the summer and early fall.
If you have no qualms about giving a gift that can’t immediately be enjoyed, preserved lemons, homemade limoncello and other infused vodkas are easy to make and take about a month to be ready for consumption. Just be sure to give your recipients notes letting them know when they can happily try their gift!
Do you have a favorite edible gift to give or receive? Let us know in the comments (and be sure to send some to our office)!
