Which came first, the chicken or the egg? That's how I think of giving desserts and other baked treats as gifts. Either I think of how to package a certain baked good or I think of what baked goodie will fit in a certain packaging. Another point I consider when choosing a recipe and/or the packing is that I'm pretty frugal. I'd rather spend money on the baked good not on the packaging. With those thoughts in mind, here are some of my ideas for homemade gift giving.
1. Brand New Canning Jars
Photo © 2008 Carroll Pellegrinelli, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Give a brand new canning jar with something as scrumptious as Pomegranate Nut Cake or Homemade Granola and you'll have a friend for life. To decorate this jar, with pinking sheers I cut out squares of fabric. I tied the fabric on with a coordinating ribbon, which also holds a card printed with what's in the jar and who it's from.
2. Recycled Glass Jars
Photo © 2007 Carroll Pellegrinelli, licensed to About.com, Inc.
This glass jar was filled with the dry ingredients for a recipe. Attached to the jar is the recipe with the instructions and what other ingredients are need to make the treat. This jar is decorated with tissue paper and curling ribbon. A square, cut with pinking sheers, and fabric ribbon can also be used.
3. Store-Bought Containers
Photo © 2007 Carroll Pellegrinelli, licensed to About.com, Inc.
To jazz-up the already decorated jar, I found some coordination ribbon to tie around the top. I filled this one with sugared nuts.
4. Any Drinking Glass Will Do
Photo © 2007 Carroll Pellegrinelli, licensed to About.com, Inc.
This was so simple. It was like a double gift. The teacher got a reusable insulted glass filled with chunks of fudge. I put the fudge in a large piece of plastic wrap. I then dropped it into the cup. I twisted the plastic and ties it with curling ribbon. I printed business cards with my daughter's name. The name of the treat and its ingredients were printed on the back of the card.
5. Plastic Wrap and Fabric Ribbon
Photo © 2008 Carroll Pellegrinelli, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Homemade breads make a great gift. It doesn't matter if it's loaves you've made with your bread machine or ones that you've sat home all day to allow for rising. Quick breads such as banana and pumpkin are always a big hit. It you've got tons to bake, the mini-loaves are the way to go.
