Hello Friends!

I posted these last year and they were such a hit I thought it would be fun to do it again. I am putting them all in one blog post so it is easy for you to reference. The Holiday season is busy enough, so please allow me to lessen your load with some simple gift ideas. These are all budget friendly, and many items can be bought in bulk at warehouse stores to allow for you to make multiple batches. I hope this blesses your Christmas gift giving this year and reminds those around you that they are loved. 

I am thinking a lot this year about the little gifts like this that can remind people in my life that they are loved, and point them to the One who loves them eternally and unconditionally. The One who remembers them. The One who keeps His promises. The One who is Himself Love incarnate. The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The One whom we celebrate in this season. 

One more thing, too, on the wrapping:

The Dollar Tree sells tins and little cartons (I have linked them here since it looks like you can now order online!) and tupperwares for such an amazing price! I love their little Christmas tins. I also love using the Target Spritz brand clear plastic bags with a simple red ribbon. For the soups and pasta sauce, I swear by these quart containers off amazon.

Without further ado, and in no particular order, I give you…

 

The Twelve {Food Gifts} of Christmas

 

1: On the first day of Christmas, my {children’s teacher} received from me…

The Pioneer Woman Peppermint Fudge: this easy 3-ingredient peppermint fudge is decadent, and couldn’t be any easier! If you google it, you’ll come across is quickly. All you need is chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and peppermints/candy canes. The recipe makes an 8X8 pan, and I can usually get a good 50 pieces of fudge from that.

 

 

2: On the second day of Christmas my {mail deliverer} received from me…

Pinebark: If you know, you know. Some call it Christmas crack. Others call it toffee. Whatever you wanna call it, it’s DELIGHTFUL. *I didn’t make this recipe up. I think the angels in heaven did. You can add festive m&ms, sprinkles, pretzels, sea salt, or anything else you desire.

 

3: On the third day of Christmas my {in-laws} received from me…

Naptime Kitchen Spiced Granola: Homemade granola is like a cozy hug. The warm spices make your house smell heavenly and it’s chock full of so much of the good stuff. Coconut oil, ginger, cinnamon, nuts, and pumpkin seeds to name a few. It’s also extremely forgiving and flexible. Sub as you need to and make it your own. 

As always, throw it in a jar or bag, grab your red ribbon, and BOOM! another Christmas gift checked off your list.

 

4: On the fourth day of Christmas my {neighbor} received from me…

NTK Spaghetti Sauce (or your own favorite store bought sauce) and a box of spaghetti: This gift DEFINITELY says, “I love you.” In fact it says, “I love you so much I am gifting you a priceless possession of mine. A labor of love. A big bowl of carby cozy spaghetti goodness.” ??{feel free to write that on the card}. The spaghetti sauce recipe on my blog makes a hefty amount and is perfect for a busy weeknight when you want homemade comfort food without all the work! You could make a batch and keep half for yourself and gift half away. A win, win! Pair it with a box of pasta in a cute gift bag or basket, throw a red ribbon on it, and you’re DONE!

 

 

5: On the fifth day of Christmas my {coworker} received from me…

Homemade cookies and a coffee: And guess what!? This one is 100% store bought. Sure, homemade cookies would be wonderful but if I’m honest I think these taste homemade and sometimes you just don’t have the time. These are the vegan chocolate chip cookies from Whole Foods. Some of my absolute favorite cookies ever (their regular chocolate chip are my other favs). I bought a 12 pack of them and simply split them between 2 bags.
An easy way to bring someone “fancy coffee” without worrying about it being hot is one of these canned lattes. They are La Colombe and if you get the Triple Draft it’s even a festive red color. I discovered them at Whole Foods a while back and I gotta say they are delicious. They have become a treat I buy myself often. I know Trader Joe’s, Target, and most grocery stores also have them. I think you can get a 4 pack for around $10.

Think about it, you could grab a dozen cookies and a 4 pack of these and have 4 clever gifts done for around $15-$20. Not bad!

The bags pictured are Spritz brand plastic bags from Target. A 20 pack is $2! The dollar store is also an AMAZING place to find bags, boxes, and tins for gifting.

 

 

6: On the sixth day of Christmas my {book club} received from me…

Maple Mustard Salad Dressing: This dressing for my mom’s “Maple Mustard Vinaigrette” is on the blog. You could make a big batch and bottle it up in bottles like these (I just linked some similar on my blog. From amazon, 8.5 ounces and 12 for $20. or if local she found them at @kitchenandcompany). You could also use kombucha bottles and take the labels off. Or just use a good ole jelly jar. Slap a red bow on it and you’re all done and with a healthy gift your friends, family, and neighbors will LOVE!

 

 

7: On the seventh day of Christmas my {sanitation crew} received from me…

8: On the eighth day of Christmas my {friend with a new baby/job/overwhelmed by cooking} received from me…

Black Bean Soup: An easy, budget friendly Christmas gift for a friend or neighbor. I know what you’re thinking…who would want black bean soup when they could have cookies ?!? But hear me out…People are going to inundated with sweets this season, and instead having a healthy lunch or meal they don’t have to think about could really bless them.

 

10: On the tenth day of Christmas my {neighborhood friends with kids} received from me…

Homemade cookie dough ready to bake: I LOVE this idea because it blesses someone with something to enjoy in the future in case the week of Christmas has them inundated with sweet treats. For this gift idea, you can take whatever is your favorite homemade cookie recipe, roll them into balls, freeze them on a sheet pan till hard (approx 1 hour) then transfer them to a bag. Simply staple the baking directions to the bag and the lucky gift receiver can pull out one or ten to make on a cold night in January once all the Christmas treats are long gone. Your homemade cookies baking in their oven will be like a nice warm hug! I highly recommend my whole-wheat sea-salt chocolate chip cookies!

 

11: On the eleventh day of Christmas my {Christmas party host} received from me…

Andes Brownies: These particular brownies came to me in a dream and my goodness are they delicious! I am going to tell you what I did, but then also give you a few ideas that people told me when I posted about these in my stories. Whichever method you choose, you don’t be disappointed.

12: On the twelfth day of Christmas my {boss} received from me…

Maple Chili Dijon Spiced Pecans: Any sort of spiced nut or seed is a great option. I am sharing my recipe below for spiced pecans. Stick them in a jelly jar, throw a bow on it, and BOOM! You’re done. Perfect for adding to salads and soups or just snacking. Also, they are gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and nutfree so good for alllll the food allergies. 

[lt_recipe name=”Maple Chili Dijon Spiced Pecans” prep_time=”10M” cook_time=”15M” total_time=”25M” ingredients=”2 cups pecans, roughly chopped;1/2 c craisins, chopped;1 tsp dijon;1/2 tsp chili powder;2 tbs maple syrup;Pinch sea salt” ]Preheat oven to 375 degrees;Roughly chop the pecans and craisins and put them in a medium sized mixing bowl;In a smaller bowl, combine the maple syrup, dijon, chili powder, and sea salt;Pour the wet mixture over the pecans and craisins and toss till evenly coated;Pour onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper and use a spatula to spread them out into an even later on the pan. Bake for 15 minutes*;Allow to cool, store in an airtight container for up to 1 month;*Not all ovens are the same, so if you think yours need to go a little longer to toast more, allow them to keep baking, checking and stirring them at 2 minute increments to prevent burning [/lt_recipe]

 

Alright everyone! That is all I have got for you. I really hope these ideas inspire and help make the gifting of the holidays both fun and delicious!