—————————————————— Holiday Gift Guide: 5 Homemade Gift Ideas | Eating Our Words | Houston | Houston Press | The Leading Independent News Source in Houston, Texas

Lists

Holiday Gift Guide: 5 Homemade Gift Ideas

Every week this holiday season, we've been posting our favorite food-centric gift ideas. We've already featured Useful Kitchen Tools Under $30, Holiday Gifts That Nobody Actually Wants, Top Gifts for Kids, and more.

While store-bought gifts are wonderful (consumerism! Americuh!), homemade gifts have that extra special touch. They're perfect for your dad, for the aunt who has everything, or for the host of that weird party you got invited to. Plus, they are delicious and you'll be adored by everyone around. Check 'em out:

See also:

Top 5 Seasonal Booze Gifts Top 5 Gifts for Wine Lovers Top 5 Gifts for the Baker 5 Gifts for the Coffee Snob Keeping It Kosher: Top 5 Hanukkah Gifts

5. Holiday Fudge

Fudge reminds me of road trips, family vacations, and summers at the shore. It's one of those treats reserved for special occasions...and there's nothing more special than the holidays.

Buy a pretty tin (bonus gift!) and fill it with homemade fudge and tissue paper. Try Martha Stewart's fool-proof recipe or look here for over 100 flavors including Spicy Chocolate-Chili and Funfetti Cake Batter.

If you're a baker, throw in some of your famous holiday cookies and call it a day.

4. Gourmet Dessert Toppings

Make a few batches of toppings like Nutella Espresso Hot Fudge, Caramel Bourbon & Vanilla Sauce, Sweet Pineapples, Homemade Strawberry Sauce or Honey Walnuts and Dried-Fruit. Then, pour into jars, decorate with ribbon, and mix and match the jars as gifts.

3. Savory Snacks In a Tin

Give a tin full of homemade Chili Pecans, Five-Spice Pistachios, Blue Cheese & Walnut Crackers, or Herb & Cheese Scones, or Pimento Cheese Squares. Then, listen to everyone ooh and ahh about how cool you are.

2. Desserts In a Jar

Pick up pretty glass jars in different sizes at discount stores like Home Goods and fill them with homemade mixes. Make a Spiced Hot Cocoa w/ pepper and cardamom and gift it with holiday mugs. Layer a canister with ingredients like butterscotch and walnuts for Toffee Blondies In A Jar. Or try Pecan Brownies In A Jar, Cowgirl Cookies In A Jar, or German Chocolate Cake...wait for it...In A Jar. Make it special with ribbon, handwritten labels, and a wooden mixing spoon.

1. Infused Liquor

Ahhhh, the gift of booze. The ultimate, I-didn't-know-what-to-get-you, but I-know-you-like-drinking gift.

Instead of just buying your brother a bottle of Johnnie Walker, try personalizing the gift by infusing the booze yourself. Check out our DIY Infused Liquor guide for tips and ideas like bacon infused bourbon or tequila with jalapeño and pineapple.

Happy holidays!



Follow Eating Our Words on Facebook and on Twitter @EatingOurWords

KEEP THE HOUSTON PRESS FREE... Since we started the Houston Press, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Houston, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.
Brooke Viggiano is a contributing writer who is always looking to share Houston's coolest and tastiest happenings with the Houston Press readers.
Contact: Brooke Viggiano