These homemade Christmas food gifts are thoughtful edible ideas that everyone on your list is sure to love! From cookies to fudge and candied nuts, these goodies are easy to make and irresistibly delicious.
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Simple Homemade Edible Gift Ideas
I love to make homemade Christmas food gifts! Nothing makes me happier than simple homemade edible gifts from my kids, family or friends.
With so many delicious homemade food gifts from the kitchen, though, it can be hard to narrow down what to make and give! These Christmas cookies and holiday desserts are some of my favorites and are all delicious and easy to make.
Whether you are younger and need an affordable gift idea, are a a mom wanting to show appreciation or you need a little something extra to go with a gift card or kitchen gift like a mug or towel, these homemade food gifts are a great place to start!
Planning Ahead
Before I start making homemade Christmas food gifts, I like to make a list of who I will be giving edible gifts to and when and how I will be giving them the edible gifts.
- Gift recipients: Make a list of the people you plan on gifting edible gifts. From neighbor gift ideas, to church, teachers and more, the list can get long.
- Budget. Knowing how much ingredients cost and how much you will spending on delivery (wrapping bags and ribbons, platters, cookie tins, mason jars) can help you from getting carried away.
- Ingredients and packaging. Make a list of what ingredients and supplies you will need. I love to shop at second hand or thrift stores for jars and plates and a baking list helps plan around grocery store sales!
- Host a cookie exchange: If the thought of making loads of Christmas food gifts makes you stressed, host a cookie exchange party instead! Everyone leaves with their own edible gift. Easy!
Packaging Homemade Food Gifts
Homemade Christmas food gifts are a great way to make someone’s day and this includes the festive packaging or wrapping!
- Canning jars. You can often find these for a great price at a thrift store. I love to use them for small candies, baking mixes, homemade hot chocolate mix and my stovetop potpourri.
- Jars. Granola, sauces and spices blends all fit well into small jars!
- Cellophane bags: Homemade quick breads, fudge, candy, nuts and more look so cute in clear or holiday bags. These can be easily found at Dollar Stores. Tie with ribbon or twine.
- Cookie tins. Dollar General, Walmart, Dollar Tree or your local store are great places to look for plastic or metal cookie tins. Grab some bows to stick on top!
Christmas Cookies and Sweet Treats
Christmas Oreo Balls
These Christmas Oreo balls are easy to make with crushed Oreos and cream cheese. Dipped in white chocolate and decorated with sprinkles, they are sweet, chewy and decadent!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Homemade Toffee Recipe
This rich and buttery homemade toffee recipe takes only thirty minutes to make and is super easy, too! Perfect for parties, holiday gifts, and snacking!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Christmas Crack Recipe
This Christmas crack recipe is the best sweet and salty treat made with a layer of saltine crackers, sweet toffee and chocolate! So easy and irresistible!
Total Time: 27 minutes
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Fantasy Fudge Recipe
Original fantasy fudge is just like the recipe from the back of the Kraft marshmallow cream jar. A holiday classic!
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
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Peppermint Bark Recipe
This peppermint bark is easy to make with delicious layers of peppermint infused white chocolate, dark chocolate and crushed candy canes. A classic holiday treat for gifting!
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Caramel Candy Recipe
This soft and chewy homemade caramel candy recipe is a treat you'll reach for again and again. This easy candy recipe is perfect for gifting to friends and family!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Sugar Cookie Truffles
No-bake sugar cookie truffles made with only 4 ingredients! An easy and delicious treat for the holidays that is super easy to make.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Ginger Molasses Cookies
Soft and chewy ginger molasses cookies are made with plenty of ground ginger, cinnamon and molasses then rolled in sugar! These cookies are a holiday favorite.
Total Time: 33 minutes
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Christmas Oreos
These chocolate covered Christmas Oreos are an easy holiday treat dipped in chocolate then decorated in fun and festive ways. Perfect for sharing and gifting at Christmas!
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Easy peanut butter balls made with creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar and covered in a sweet chocolate coating. So easy to make and the perfect holiday treat!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Christmas Sugar Cookies
These Christmas sugar cookies are the best with a soft texture, sweet buttery taste and decorated with an easy icing. These festive cookies are perfect for the holiday season!
Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
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Cream Cheese Mints
Melt-in-your-mouth old-fashioned cream cheese mints are easy to make with only 4 ingredients. It's simple to change candy flavor or color for holidays or occasions.
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
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Italian Christmas Cookies
Authentic Italian Christmas cookies are a special holiday treat with a soft and tender vanilla cookie topped with an almond glaze and festive Christmas sprinkles.
Total Time: 50 minutes
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Pistachio Cookie Recipe
Soft, chewy and festive pistachio cookies are easy to make with instant pistachio pudding mix. A little green food coloring makes them perfect for Christmas or St. Patrick's Day!
Total Time: 1 hour
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
This chocolate peanut butter fudge combines the two classic flavors in a 4-ingredient recipe made in the microwave. It's rich, creamy and easy to make for the holidays!
Total Time: 1 hour 54 minutes
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Crockpot Candy Recipe
Crockpot candy made with two kinds of chocolate, almond bark, peanut butter chips and peanuts are a slow cooker treat that is a holiday favorite!
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Homemade Bread Gifts
Cranberry Orange Bread
An easy-to-make quick bread filled with fresh, juicy cranberries, orange juice and zest, and then topped with a sweet orange glaze. This cranberry orange bread is perfect to make this holiday season!
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Pistachio Bread Recipe
This pistachio bread is soft, moist and simple with yellow cake mix, pistachio pudding mix and a nutty glaze. We love this pistachio quick bread for a sweet breakfast or dessert!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
This pumpkin cream cheese bread is a delicious dessert to make this fall! It has the perfect amount of pumpkin spice flavor with an amazing cream cheese filling.
Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
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Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Recipe
This lemon poppy seed bread is light, moist and flavorful made with Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice and zest, lemon extract, and poppy seeds, then topped with a lemon glaze!
Total Time: 1 hour
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Christmas Homemade Food Gifts in Jars
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Make a large batch of this homemade hot chocolate mix to have on hand all winter season long. It's easy to make, tastes better than store bought and makes a festive gift!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Peppermint Brownie Mix in a Jar Recipe
This peppermint brownie mix in a jar is the perfect holiday gift! Just a few simple ingredients are needed for this easy, festive and delicious homemade brownie mix.
Total Time: 10 minutes
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M&M Cookies in a Jar
Layered cookie mix in a jar recipe that makes the perfect homemade Christmas gifts. These are always a big hit! Free printable tag and instructions included.
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Homemade Pancake Mix
Say goodbye to box mixes! This easy pancake mix only requires 5 simple ingredients and can be made ahead of time. Store in the pantry and make soft and fluffy pancakes in just a matter of minutes!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Vanilla Cake Mix
This homemade vanilla cake mix is easy to make with a few ingredients and stash away in your pantry for those days you want to bake a vanilla cake for dessert!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Savory Snacks and Sweet Edible Gifts
Mixed Candied Nuts
These easy and addictive mixed candied nuts are a fantastic sweet and salty snack with a hint of cinnamon. It's also the perfect holiday gift idea for friends and family!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Candied Pecans
Delicious candied pecans coated in an amazing cinnamon sugar glaze. The best combo of sweet, salty, soft and crunchy. Perfect for snacking, gift giving and adding to salads!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Christmas Chex Mix
Sweet and salty Christmas chex mix made with just 5 simple ingredients. The perfect holiday snack mix coated in white chocolate.
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Peppermint Bark Popcorn
This peppermint bark popcorn is easy to make with white chocolate coated popcorn, crushed peppermint candy and a chocolate drizzle. It's the perfect holiday treat!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
This hot fudge sauce recipe is rich, decadent and easy to make in minutes. It's the best fudgy homemade sauce for topping ice cream sundaes or drizzling over other desserts!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Sweet and Savory Compound Butter Recipe
This sweet and savory compound butter makes the perfect homemade Christmas gift! Download our free printable label for an extra special touch.
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Apple Butter Recipe
This crockpot apple butter makes your house smell like fall as it slow cooks. With a simple ingredients and no sugar added, it's perfect for spreading on toast or gifting!
Total Time: 10 hours 10 minutes
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Jalapeño Jelly
Sweet, savory, and spicy homemade jalapeno jelly is easy and budget-friendly to make. Follow the canning process to keep it shelf stable for up to a year!
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
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Hamburger Seasoning Recipe
The best hamburger seasoning that will take the flavor of your burger up a notch! Whip up a batch to have on hand for the next time you fire up the grill.
Total Time: 5 minutes
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Homemade Salsa Recipe
The best homemade salsa always reminds me of my favorite Mexican restaurant. It's fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor, perfect for any Mexican-inspired recipe!
Total Time: 5 minutes
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Homemade Chex Mix
This homemade Chex mix is a classic snack with salty, savory and crunchy flavors and textures. Also called nuts and bolts snack mix, it's easy to make at home and irresistible!
Total Time: 50 minutes
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Reindeer Chow
Make this Christmas reindeer chow in just 15 minutes with Chex, peanut butter, chocolate, powdered sugar, pretzels and holiday M&M's! A must-make holiday snack.
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Rolo Pretzel Reindeer
These Rolo Pretzel Reindeer are the perfect treats for the holiday season and so easy to make! Only takes 4 ingredients and a few minutes to bake.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Categorized as: Christmas, Holiday Cookies
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
