12 Easy Food Gifts for Christmas

Southern Living

Show 'em you love 'em by picking and choosing among these handmade, from-the-heart gifts for everyone on your list.

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For the Cake-Lover

Hector Manuel Sanchez

This mix makes a serving perfect for one. No need to bake a whole cake when you can pop this mug in the microwave. From start to end, you cane make and eat this cake in under 10 minutes.

Make This: Mexican Hot Chocolate Mug Cake

Package Them In: Plaid Alphabet Mug ($8; potterybarn.com); Clear Party Bags ($5.71 for 50 bags; amazon.com)

Download the Tags: Mug Cake Gift Tag

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For the Southern Baker

Photo: Hector Sanchez
A decadent fudge filling gives bakers a shortcut to pie nirvana, while easy, homemade self-rising flour with cornmeal gives biscuits added texture.

Buy This: Pointer Brand Aprons (fabrics, styles, and prices vary; pointerbrand.com)

Make These: 
Hot Fudge Pie Filling
Homemade Self-Rising Cornmeal Flour

Package Them In: Party Treat Boxes ($13.95 for 12; donnahay.com.au); Weck Tall 28.7-oz. Glass Jar ($4.50; westelm.com)

Download the Tags:
Hot Fudge Pie Filling
Homemade Self-Rising Cornmeal Flour

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For the Caramel Connoisseur

Photo: Hector Sanchez
Caramel lovers will appreciate these sweet holiday candies.

Buy This: Outer Banks SeaSalt ($14.95 for 4 oz.; outerbanksepicurean.com)

Make These:
Homemade Caramel Taffy
Boozy Caramel Fudge

Package Them In: Mini Gingham Cupcake Liners ($2.75 for 50; bakeitpretty.com); Medium Glassine Bag (20 cents; thinkgarnish.com)

Download the Tag:
Homemade Caramel Taffy

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For the Cocktail Cognoscenti

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Show them you're right on trend with a spirited olive garnish and versatile infused simple syrup.

 

Buy This: Bristow Gin ($34.99; bristowgin.com for retailers); Southern Living Norman 3pc Bar Tool Set ($59; ballarddesigns.com)

Make These:
Naughty Olives
Lemon Simple Syrup

Package Them In: Weck Tall 9.8-oz. Glass Jar ($3.50; westelm.com); Cork Boston Glass Bottle ($2.12; specialtybottle.com)

Download the Tags:
Naughty Olives
Lemon Simple Syrup

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For the Brunch Bunch

Photo: Hector Sanchez
Which came first, the chicken or the waffle? Decide over a brunch of pecan-crusted chicken tenders with a bacon-studded waffle.

Buy This: Blizzard Branch Pure Cane Syrup ($6 for 12 oz.; blizzardbranch.com)

Make These:
Pecan-Cornmeal Dredge
Bacon Waffle Mix

Package Them In: Party Treat Boxes ($13.95 for 12; donnahay.com.au); Weck Tall 28.7-oz. Glass Jar ($4.50; westelm.com)

Download the Tags:
Pecan-Cornmeal Dredge
Bacon Waffle Mix

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For the Cheese Lover

Photo: Hector Sanchez
Update the cheese platter with a new cheese ball, spiced honey for drizzling, and marinated feta.

Buy This: Upcycled Individual Spreader by Sycamore Hill ($18; sycamorehill.etsy.com)

Make These:
Smoky Bacon-Cheddar Cheese Ball
Lemony Garlic Feta Cheese
Chile-Infused Honey

Package Them In: Glass Canisters with Wood Lids ($39.95/set of 3; williams-sonoma.com)

Download the Tags:
Lemony Garlic Feta Cheese
Chile-Infused Honey

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For the Italophile

Photo: Hector Sanchez
Spiced nuts make a great stir-in for pasta; roasted sweet peppers, a sweet bruschetta topper.

Buy This: Fettuccine all'Uovo ($5.10; fraligourmet.com)

Make These:
Roasted Sweet Peppers
Garlicky Mixed Nuts

Package Them In: Weck Short 9.8-oz. and 12.5-oz. Glass Jars ($3.50/each; westelm.com)

Download the Tag:
Garlicky Mixed Nuts

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For the Lowcountry Lover

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Break out the propane cooker and a big pot for a Lowcountry boil spiced with this mix. The mustardy dipping sauce pairs well with peel 'n' eat shrimp.

 

Buy This: South Carolina hot sauces (prices vary; pepperpalace.com, puckerbuttpeppercompany.com)

Make These:
Shrimp-and-Crab Boil Sachets
Carolina Mustard Sauce

Package Them In: Cardboard Drink Carrier ($1.50; thinkgarnish.com); Weck 1/5 Liter Jar ($3.99; worldmarket.com)

Download the Tag:
Carolina Mustard Sauce

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For the Backyard Grillmaster

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Fire up his or her imagination with an all-purpose BBQ rub and sweet-and-sticky sauce.

 

Buy This: Baxter's Original Premium Smoking Woods ($5.49; baxtersoriginal.com).

Make These:
Smoky Grill Rub
Sweet Tomato BBQ Sauce

Package Them In: Round Spice Jar ($3.99 for 4; worldmarket.com); Square Swingtop 8.5-oz. Bottle ($2.28; specialtybottle.com)

Download the Tags:
Smoky Grill Rub
Sweet Tomato BBQ Sauce

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For the Jet-Setter

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Hit the sweet spot with creamy, luxurious truffles.

 

Buy This: Bourbon Barrel Foods Sugars Gift Set ($33 for 3; bourbonbarrelfoods.com)

Make These:
Chai Truffles
Coconut-Irish Cream Truffles

Package Them In: Hip 2B Square Boxes (85 cents; thinkgarnish.com)

Download the Tags:
Chai Truffles
Coconut-Irish Cream Truffles

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For the Nicest Neighbor

Photo: Hector Sanchez
Show some neighborly kindness with a cup of homemade hot cocoa with sweet honey marshmallows.

Buy This: Gien Filets Noel Mug ($56; tableideas.com)

Make These:
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Honey Marshmallows

Package Them In: Weck 17.9-oz. Juice Jar ($4.95; crateandbarrel.com)

Download the Tags:
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

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For the Slow-Cooker Set

Photo: Hector Sanchez
Give your friends a way to warm up during the winter months with delicious chili and stew starters.

Buy This: Southern Hostess Serving Spoon ($38; oldworldmarket.etsy.com)

Make These:
Green Chile Chili Starter
Hoppin' John Starter

Package Them In: Weck 28.7-oz. Glass Jar ($4.50; westelm.com); Cellophane Bag (30 cents; thinkgarnish.com)

Download the Tags:
Green Chile Chili Starter
Hoppin' John Starter

 

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Beau from the Big Easy

Photo: Hector Sanchez
Celebrate New Orleans with a bag of chicory coffee, a savory sandwich condiment, and a sweet praline syrup.

Buy This: Still Perkin' New Orleans Chicory Royale Coffee ($10.95 for 1 lb.; neworleanscoffeeshop.com)

Make These:
Pickled Muffuletta Salad
Praline Drizzle

Package Them In: Le Parfait 1/2 Liter Jar ($6.95; crateandbarrel.com); Weck 1/4 Liter Cylindrical Jar ($3.95; mightynest.com)

Download the Tags:
Pickled Muffuletta Salad
Praline Drizzle

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