Ten Great Homemade Food Gifts, and No Cooking Required for Some!

It's that time again when you need to get your kitchen into full production line mode if you're planning to turn out loads of holiday goodies to give away. Most people know someone who loves to make elaborate holiday sweets for family, friends, and co-workers. If that sounds like you, I've got a few recipes for cookies, candy, and fruitcake that might make make you smile.

But what if you're not really into holiday sweets that much, or perhaps a bit baking-impaired (like me!) Not to worry because my list of ten holiday food gifts has a few other interesting ideas such as gifts that don't need cooking or holiday treats for pets. Read on and see if there's something that sounds right for a few of the folks on your list, and if you have your own ideas for gifts from the kitchen, let us know in the comments.

1. Cookies must be the most universal holiday treat, so now wonder there are recipes galore for tasty variations. Here are a few places to find some cookie recipes which are really special.

Christmas Cookies Around the World (food blog event which might have literally hundreds of cookie recipes before it ends) at Food Blogga
A Cookie for Every Country (entire blog of Cookies from around the world)
Anna's Personal Favorite Cookies List for Giving from Cookie Madness
12 Days of Christmas Cookies from Nook and Pantry
Holiday Baking Ideas from Laura Rebecca's Kitchen
Holiday Chocolate Crinkle Cookies from Porcini Chronicles
Hazelnut Crescent Cookies from Bake or Break
Angel Fingers from The Blog that Ate Manhattan
Vaniliekranse (family recipe) from Food and Thoughts
Matcha Cookies from Nami Nami
Buckwheat Butter Cookies with Cocoa Nibs from Orangette

2. Fruitcake is the holiday tradition people love to hate, but when you see some of these recipes (and photos!) you'll may be inspired to try making some, even if you think you're not a fan.

My Family's Traditional Fruit Cake at What's for Lunch Honey
Patricia's Holiday Fruitcake from Simply Recipes
Bishops Bread, which she says is NOT fruitcake, from Tasting Spoons
Fresh Orangey Fruitcake (low fat) from In Love with Food
Chocolate Cherry Fruitcake from David Lebovitz
Mum's Fruit Loaf from Tinned Tomatoes
Figgy Christmas Fruit Roll from Under the Highchair

3. Candy is always popular for holiday gifts. Here are some classics, and a few new ideas.

Almond Roca Recipe from Simply Recipes
Chunky Turtle Monkey Love Bars from Not Eating Out in New York
Espresso Caramels from 101 Cookbooks
Honey Nut Caramels from Dessert Candy
Fabulous Five Minute Fudge from Technicolor Kitchen
Cinnamon White Chocolate Fudge from Sugarlaws
Pistachio Black Currant Truffles from A Mingling of Tastes

4. Bread. Biscotti, or Crackers are a good option if you'd like something more unusual than cookies or candy.

Homemade Beer Bread Mix with Baking Pan from Farmgirl Fare
Chocolate Chestnut Biscotti with Candied Clementine from Vegan Visitor
Cinnamon Hazelnut Biscotti from Smita Serves You Right
Cherry Garcia Biscotti from Baking Bites
Homemade Whole Wheat Pita Bread (no oven needed) from Just Hungry
Challah Loaves from Mele Cotte
Gluten-Free Chickpea Crackers from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen

5. Chutney or Relish is something that can be made year round and it makes a great gift. Many of these can be frozen so you can make them in advance.

Hot Mango Chutney from Tinned Tomatoes
Green Raisin Chutney from Food and Thoughts
Beetroot Chutney from Cook (almost) Anything At Least Once
Cranberry Apricot Ginger Chutney from Christine Cooks
Cranberry Apple Ginger Relish from Jugalbandi

6. Herb and Spice Blends or Pastes will be a big hit with serious foodies on your list. These range from simple-to-make to a bit more complicated.

Vegetarian Thai Chili Paste in Soybean Oil from Jugalbandi
Nam Prik Pao (Chili Paste) from Chez Pim
Berbere (Ethiopian Spice Paste) from Brownie Points
Herbs de Provence from French Kitchen in America
Carrabbas Italian Grill Bread Dip Mix from Sidewalk Shoes
Panch Phoron (Bengali spice mix) from The Well Seasoned Cook
Dukkah (Egyptian Spice blend) from Jaden's Steamy Kitchen

7. Meal-in-a-Jar Gifts are fun and easy to assemble even for people who don't know how to cook. Dianne's Dishes is doing a series of these, so there may be more by the time you read this. That's Dianne's Chili-in-a-Jar in the photo above.

Veggie Soup Gift Jar from Dianne's Dishes
Three Bean Chili Gift Jar from Dianne's Dishes
Hot Chocolate Gift Jar from Dianne's Dishes
Chocolate Chip Brownies Gift Jar from Dianne's Dishes
Bean and Pea soup Gift Jar from Dianne's Dishes.

8. Sea Salt or Pepper with Herbs and/or Spices makes a great gift, and it's incredibly easy to make. Last year I gave this rosemary salt to everyone on my list!

Cracked Pepper Seasoning Blend for Fish from 28 Cooks
Rosemary Salt from Kalyn's Kitchen
Herb Salt from Lucullian Delights
Make Your Own Flavored Salts from Jaden's Steamy Kitchen

9. Liqueurs or Extracts are fantastic for gifts, and many of them are remarkably simple to make. If you can find a fancy bottle, this gift becomes even more special.

Vin d' Oranges from Like to Cook
Vanilla Extract from Andrea's Recipes
Chocolate Liqueur from 18th Century Cuisine
Limoncello from Lucullian Delights

10. Gifts for Pets will be a big hit if you have animal lovers on your list. You can also make these treats for your own faithful companions!
Peanut Butter Dog Treats from Use Real Butter
Holiday Doggie Bagels from Culinary in the Country

Blogher Food Editor Kalyn Denny also blogs at Kalyn's Kitchen. This year she's planning to give away Sweet Potato Fries Seasoning Mix to friends and co-workers for Christmas gifts.