Holiday Series 2019 - «Edible Gifts and Packaging»
Edible gifts appeal to the foodie in everyone. Especially those that are homemade carry an added value that no store-bought item can offer. A bottle of homemade ketchup and a DIY spice rub together become a perfect Christmas present for your favorite grill master, a set of homemade flavored salts or vanilla, orange and lemon extracts would make a home-cook (or even a professional one) very happy this Christmas. Cleverly DIY-ed tea pouches into a Christmas tree or the ever popular chocolate spoons will warm the hands and hearts of the recipients. And there’s nothing more special for Grandma and Grandpa than homemade cookies that were baked by little hands.
Photo by Nefeli Kavvada on Unsplash
Photo by Sonja Punz on Unsplash
Photo by Florencia Potter on Unsplash
Photo by Óscar Ardèvol on Unsplash
These gifts, that just happen to be delicious, are perfect for everyone from your best friend to your kids’ favorite teacher. Making your own gifts can also be a great opportunity for example, to practice your cookie decorating skills and maybe even get some helpers involved for a fun seasonal activity (see this blog post about the benefits of crafting/baking with children).
When it comes to gifting food, presentation is just as important as the recipe itself. That's why is it important to spend some time to package them beautifully. After all, first impressions are everything, they say! Cellophane gift wrapping, bags and boxes, tags, colorful ribbons or baker’s twine will make your gift appetizing to the eyes first whether the packaging is elegant, or boho-chic, elaborate or simple. They will make for a stunning sight!
Below, you can see some of my own creations. These were gifts for classmates or teachers of my girls, friends and family, co-workers etc. The snowman who hides chocolate lollies has a great smile with very little effort; a very simple box becomes festive when we make it from Christmas paper and wrap it with an elegant label and the Christmas muffin mix in a glass container offers its instructions of use in a form of layered fishtail tag fastened to the lid with baker’s twine. Each packaging has just a few simple applications of "beautification" but the aesthetic effect is well worth the effort.
This blog post is not about the recipes themselves, but if you’d like a compilation of handmade edible gifts there’s this website or this website - just two of the very many sites - (I have no affiliate relationship with them) where you can browse for ideas and get the recipes and even packaging instructions.
Give your family and friends a gift from the heart — and the heart of your home: the kitchen.
Thank you for spending some time with me today and I hope you will try and make some homemade edible gifts this holiday season. And if you’re receiving it - you are lucky and you’re loved!
Your very own fairy,
Tünde - Nefeli
