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Festive Gift Ideas – It’s Not Too Late!

On the first day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
A jar of apple chutney…

Christmas is getting scarily close but it’s not too late to cook and share some Christmas cheer with family, friends and work mates (except that one work colleague who thinks bought is better than made. They’re getting a box of ‘choc’ seashells from the supermarket).

Really though, who doesn’t love a homemade basket of goodies? A jar of something made with care? No one – that’s who! Most of these recipes can be done at the last minute (like 10pm the night before school breakup), when time is short and the spirit is flagging. Nothing particularly complex here. Turn on the stove, pour yourself a big glass of festive cheer and get cooking.

  • Bengal Apple Chutney – an old favourite. Easy to make and a very flexible recipe. Make some for gifts and some for the cheeseboard over the coming weeks.
  • Crunchy Granola – make a huge batch of this and all your present woes will be solved. Pack into mason jars or brown paper bags with twine and gift tags.
  • Butterscotch Brazil Nuts – made in the microwave. Just because I don’t have a kitchen at the moment, doesn’t mean I can’t make homemade gifts…. What’s your excuse?
  • Peanut Butter Builder’s Biscuits – something to make with the kids. Quick to make, quick to eat.
  • Coconut Macaroons – these are not the French style macarons you see at every market and coffee shop. These are good old fashioned macaroons that you see at local school fetes.
  • Merry Bliss-mas Bliss Balls – there’s always going to be one ‘clean eater’ in the ranks. Easy to make Bliss Balls are a perfect alternative to Rum Balls.

You’re welcome…

18 comments… add one
  • Veganopoulous November 17, 2015, 7:05 pm

    I love home made, I’m planning on making all gifts home made this year (with possibly a purchased cookbook or two) though I have to do all the baking before the weather gets too hot and hope everything freezes well!

    • Fiona Ryan November 18, 2015, 4:40 pm

      The hot weather is the enemy of the Christmas cook. And if there’s one thing worse than hot weather, it’s humidity. It’s not here yet but it’s on the way!

  • Mandy November 17, 2015, 8:58 pm

    Nothing nicer than a homemade gift.
    Have a beautiful.
    🙂 Mandy xo

  • Glenda November 18, 2015, 12:43 am

    Hi Fiona. What a lovely idea for a post and what lovely ideas for Christmas gifts.

    • Fiona Ryan November 18, 2015, 4:41 pm

      Thanks Glenda. Let’s hope by next year I have some new additions and am not trotting out the same dishes.

  • Jan Rhoades November 18, 2015, 12:17 pm

    Some useful and easy ideas. Well done. A good prompt with Christmas swiftly looming

  • Tandy | Lavender and Lime November 18, 2015, 1:57 pm

    It’s far too early for me to be thinking of making gifts. I don’t have time right now 🙂

    • Fiona Ryan November 18, 2015, 4:42 pm

      Well then it’s Choc Seashells from the shops then : )

  • Cassandra November 19, 2015, 10:29 am

    I’m going to try your Crunchy Granola recipe for myself! Great ideas.

    • Fiona Ryan November 19, 2015, 9:56 pm

      I’m sure you will enjoy it Cassandra. Let me know how you go.

  • Sherry from sherryspickings November 21, 2015, 9:55 am

    Brazil nuts are my fave. I must make this.

    • Fiona Ryan November 24, 2015, 8:14 pm

      Very, very easy Sherry. You won’t be disappointed.

  • Liz (Good Things) November 22, 2015, 8:13 am

    A fab round up… it’s scarily close! xx

  • Lisa November 25, 2015, 1:46 pm

    One month to go. ARGH!
    I wish I worked with you. Who would choose seashells over home made yumminess?!?! Actually, I think we do work fairly close location wise from some of the lunch places you mention… hmm, I’m not stalky at ALL!!

    • Fiona Ryan November 27, 2015, 8:41 am

      ha ha – well we should catch up then Lisa! In the New Year when everyone is wishing they were back on leave, I’ll chase you up.

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