At any time of the year and especially at Christmas, homemade gifts say you care and that extra personal touch means so much to those friends, family or co-workers who are at the receiving end of your generosity. While some people approach food gifting as an economical way to exchange presents with acquaintances, others maintain a tradition of sharing family food favorites from one generation to the next.

Food gifts are easy to make and you can be sure they will not go unappreciated. After all, how many people do you know who do not like cookies, candy, fudge and other similar goodies? You do need to keep in mind however anything you know about food preferences, allergies or health concerns for best gift-giving intentions.

Christmas Cookies

This holiday favorite is always a hit. Cookie-cutter shaped sugar cookies are fun to make with the family and decorate with holiday colored frosting and candies. Russian tea cakes, mint chocolate brownies, mini thumbprints with currant jam can make the holiday sweeter in more ways than one.  Children love participating in baking cookies and boxing some up for them to take to their teacher is better than a single shiny red ornament.

Fudge

Every grandma has their own special recipe. If your grandma hasn’t shared it with you yet, there are plenty of recipes online to try and tweak into your signature sweet. Chocolate, peanut butter, with nuts, without nuts, caramel – the possibilities are endless. Such melt-in-your-mouth goodness is great to share with your boss, customers or to say thank you to your friendly mail carrier.

Candy

There are all kinds of candy to make at Christmas. Melt down chocolate and freeze in molds, then paint. You can make candy canes, snowmen, reindeer and Christmas trees. If you are hosting a party during the season, wrap each one individually in transparent wrapping and display on a tray, creating a festive scene for party guests. Let the guests take a couple home as they leave.

Breads and rolls

One of the best parts of Christmas dinner is hot buttery rolls from the oven. Bake a few extra batches of bread loaves, rolls and other bread-based goodies to share with friends, co-workers and neighbors. Loaves of banana nut bread, fruitcake, and other treats make great snacks at office parties, church events or school functions.

Pies

My favorite pie is pumpkin pie, my husband loves pecan, and my children can eat a whole apple with ice cream on the side in a single sitting.  Whether it is cream pies, fruit pies or anything else you can bake between pie crusts, nothing says love like a homemade pie.  If you can deliver while it is still warm, you may be invited inside for a slice, a cup of coffee, and refreshing conversation to catch up on the past year.

Packaging these simple sweet and hearty gifts in pretty boxes, tins and bags will add that extra flair. Add ribbons and a thoughtful card to set it apart even further. Those who receive such scrumptious treats from you will not only remember how well they taste, but also how spectacularly they were presented. The only downfall to make at home food gifts is that you may be expected to gift such items every year. Oh what a merry problem to have!