Holiday Gift Ideas

We have entered the month of December / Holidays. Even when I do not celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, I still have to give gifts to many people around. It starts from couple of my colleagues to couple of neighbors to my kids' school staff, teachers.

Expenses for the gift for a person like me who doesn't have to give gifts to a lot of people itself adds up. Just imagine how much every other American who celebrates these holidays have to spend for relatives, friends etc.

I am a foodie, I prefer to give food as gifts. You don't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to make some nice things. I pick a lot of holiday cookie boxes after holidays when they are on sale. I store them and use them for the next holidays.

If you are not very much into scratch baking, try these where you can make three different kinds of goodies with a cake mix.

Want another variation for a blondies using cake mix? try this recipe. Another variation of the same can be found here.

Want to do scratch baking - these are perfect for a cookie platter or box and always seems to be a hit -  Coconut Macaroons, Ginger Spice Cookies, Coconut Almond Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Dry Fruit Cookies, Craisins and White Chocolate Biscotti.

You don't have to limit to cookies only. You can make cakes in mini loaf pans and wrap them in food safe plastic. Tie a ribbon and your gift is ready. Choose from any of the quick breads to cake recipes that you are comfortable making.

Dealing with a health conscious person to give a gift to? Try this cardamom granola or maple granola. Packing this is so easy. All you need is a nice holiday themed bag with a ribbon.

Know of anyone who is interested in baking? Make a basket with couple of baking pans, a whisk, a bowl and give a bunch of blank recipe cards. Possibilities are endless. You don't have to spend a lot to give someone a meaningful gift. 

You could add some homemade brownie mix or pancake mix with the instructions. You could also make a basket/platter of dry fruits and nuts as a holiday gift. If you buy different kinds of dry fruits and nuts in bulk and then divide them to make small packs, you will save a lot of money. Throw in couple of chocolate bars to make it even more complete.

I do want to warn all of you about the kind of people who consider gifts of food as "cheap". They can never understand the effort, time and thought that is involved in making these. If you know of this kind of people, it is better to buy them something from the store or give a holiday card instead of going through all the trouble.

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