Christmas food gifts, home made - good or bad idea? (cookies, homemade bread)

[southdown]

I'm thinking of making fancy decorated cookies, pretty wrapped fudge and some very colorful jams and preserves as gifts for friends and neighbors.

Be honest please - is that a good idea, or will it look a bit lame...? I am planning on using nice quality jars, wrapping, boxes etc.

Any tips, ideas, recipes?

[movingtohouston]

I don't see anything wrong with it. I have done this myself many times. Most people will appreciate the effort you went to create something.

[masonsdaughter]

Sounds like a great idea. Not tacky at all. When you give something you have made, you have given something of yourself.

[diertac]

I love to give and receive handmade gifts. Another nice thought would be to print up the recipe for your gift on a small card (maybe just using card stock and your home printer), punching a hole in the corner with a hole punch, and wrapping it onto your gift as well. That way it's the gift that keeps on giving!

[southdown]

Thanks for the encouragement! I was feeling a bit uncertain about this.

Can you tell me about anything you have given or received that you thought especially good?

[cynwldkat]

I think it's a wonderful gift---a gift from your heart! I love homemade gifts, foods, jams etc. I am hoping to do that too this year....I am limited in what I make but I do know the love and effort I put in it will be appreciated.

[cynwldkat]

Last year my daughter knew we were remodeling my kitchen, for 8 months, and had no way to cook. So she made a bunch of different kinds of cookies and individually wrapped each of them. She mailed them to me and I have to say it was the best gift ever!!!

[movingtohouston]

You can never go wrong with fudge!!!!!! lol In the past, I have made mini cranberry loaves, wrapped them up with colored saran wrap and tied little ornaments to them. Plates of cookies in a pretty tin. It's all in presentation.

[southdown]

Originally Posted by cynwldkat

Last year my daughter knew we were remodeling my kitchen, for 8 months, and had no way to cook. So she made a bunch of different kinds of cookies and individually wrapped each of them. She mailed them to me and I have to say it was the best gift ever!!!

Your daughter is just the sweetest person.... now, where does she get that from I wonder....

Originally Posted by movingtohouston

You can never go wrong with fudge!!!!!! lol In the past, I have made mini cranberry loaves, wrapped them up with colored saran wrap and tied little ornaments to them. Plates of cookies in a pretty tin. It's all in presentation.

Thanks for that idea, cranberries were going to feature quite heavily in my food gifts, so that's a good one! And yes, definitely, presentation is everything!

I have some single malt scotch that no-one ever drinks, maybe that could go in some fudge...or...??

[masonsdaughter]

I don't have much of a hand for candy, so I stick with homemade bread. I do white bread, cinnamon bread, and bananna breads. I also do cheese balls. Since I can't make candy, I am always glad to receive it. I am sure everybody will love their gifts.