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Earlier this morning I found myself in an all too familiar holiday panic over those last couple of gifts that need to be bought. I had fully intended to have all the shopping done by December first, but you know how it is. There are always a few last minute things to get, plus now that I have kids, they need to give something to their grandparents who are so generous all throughout the year. I know I still have plenty of time (ages according to people like my hubby, who does all his shopping and wrapping on Christmas Eve), but we’ve all been in the position of agonizing over the perfect gift to get for that special someone who already has everything.
While we were in the craft store looking for party supplies for my son’s third birthday, we spotted some pretty decorative bags in the cooking and baking section. There were also all kinds of ways to personalize gifts: gift tags with photo inserts, card making kits, and make your own ornament kits. It dawned on me, why not make some of our gifts this year? My son is at the age where he loves all kinds of arts and crafts, and his production is far outpacing our refrigerator and counter space.
Loved ones always appreciate a homemade gift from the little guys. Whether it is artwork, a craft, or a homemade holiday treat, opening a handmade gift is sure to put a smile on grandma or grandpa’s face. And edible gifts are the very best kind! Because they are consumed right away, there is nothing to store and bring out year after year.
The options are endless for holiday goodies to share. Make your recipes in large quantities and you can enjoy them yourself too. The hot cocoa mix recipe from last week’s article a great one; it’s easy for even then littlest of children to help measure the ingredients and pour into baggies. Attach the directions for making the hot cocoa and tie with a decorative ribbon and you’re good to go. You can also place the Ziploc bags into a decorative holiday gift bag to make a pretty package.
Homemade cookies also make perfect gifts; keep a few dozen on hand for surprise visitors and festive nibbling. From classics like sugar cookies and gingerbread to international specialties like German pfeffernesen, and Italian biscotti, your children will enjoy helping to mix up your favorite holiday treats. Gifting a platter or tin of cookies is an ideal way to make someone else’s season bright. Other sweet treats can include fudge, peppermint bark, and handmade caramels and candies, depending on how your time and patience allow.
There is no end to the savory treats your children can help create. Spiced nut mixes, breadsticks made from frozen dough or puff pastry and seasoned with herbs, homemade chex mix, savory cheese popcorn… these are all easy ideas that make pretty packages, tied in cellophane with bows and stickers for trimming. And they’re so much more delicious when they are homemade. If you are going somewhere where the gift can be refrigerated immediately, then your kids will surely enjoy making the pretty homemade cheese balls in the recipe below, and the receiver will enjoy eating them.
I am not so crafty so buying those pre-made bags and boxes is the way to go for me. But you may be able to manage making your own beautiful containers and trimmings, which your kids can embellish with their own stickers and handiwork. There are all kinds of ideas available online.
So, take a little of the rush out of the season, and sit down with your kids and enjoy making these and other homemade gift ideas for your loved ones!
©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/pamela-chester/1113-holiday-handmade-gifts/
The Season's Best Handmade Gifts
While we were in the craft store looking for party supplies for my son’s third birthday, we spotted some pretty decorative bags in the cooking and baking section. There were also all kinds of ways to personalize gifts: gift tags with photo inserts, card making kits, and make your own ornament kits. It dawned on me, why not make some of our gifts this year? My son is at the age where he loves all kinds of arts and crafts, and his production is far outpacing our refrigerator and counter space.
Loved ones always appreciate a homemade gift from the little guys. Whether it is artwork, a craft, or a homemade holiday treat, opening a handmade gift is sure to put a smile on grandma or grandpa’s face. And edible gifts are the very best kind! Because they are consumed right away, there is nothing to store and bring out year after year.
The options are endless for holiday goodies to share. Make your recipes in large quantities and you can enjoy them yourself too. The hot cocoa mix recipe from last week’s article a great one; it’s easy for even then littlest of children to help measure the ingredients and pour into baggies. Attach the directions for making the hot cocoa and tie with a decorative ribbon and you’re good to go. You can also place the Ziploc bags into a decorative holiday gift bag to make a pretty package.
Homemade cookies also make perfect gifts; keep a few dozen on hand for surprise visitors and festive nibbling. From classics like sugar cookies and gingerbread to international specialties like German pfeffernesen, and Italian biscotti, your children will enjoy helping to mix up your favorite holiday treats. Gifting a platter or tin of cookies is an ideal way to make someone else’s season bright. Other sweet treats can include fudge, peppermint bark, and handmade caramels and candies, depending on how your time and patience allow.
There is no end to the savory treats your children can help create. Spiced nut mixes, breadsticks made from frozen dough or puff pastry and seasoned with herbs, homemade chex mix, savory cheese popcorn… these are all easy ideas that make pretty packages, tied in cellophane with bows and stickers for trimming. And they’re so much more delicious when they are homemade. If you are going somewhere where the gift can be refrigerated immediately, then your kids will surely enjoy making the pretty homemade cheese balls in the recipe below, and the receiver will enjoy eating them.
I am not so crafty so buying those pre-made bags and boxes is the way to go for me. But you may be able to manage making your own beautiful containers and trimmings, which your kids can embellish with their own stickers and handiwork. There are all kinds of ideas available online.
So, take a little of the rush out of the season, and sit down with your kids and enjoy making these and other homemade gift ideas for your loved ones!
Homemade Cheddar Cheese Cranberry Ball
Made with butter, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, chutney, dried cranberries, fresh parsley
Made with butter, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, chutney, dried cranberries, fresh parsley
Serves/Makes: 8
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 packages (8 ounce size) cream cheese, softened
- 3 1/2 cups finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons store-bought chutney
- 3/4 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- crackers
Combine the butter, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Mix until combined. Stir in the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and chutney. Mix well.
Combine the cranberries, parsley, and walnuts in a shallow bowl.
Form the cheese mixture into one large cheeseball or smaller ones. Roll in the cranberry mixture and coat thoroughly.
Place the cheeseball(s) in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving. Can be chilled overnight.
Serve the cheeseball with crackers.
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©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/pamela-chester/1113-holiday-handmade-gifts/