Okla-Homemade: DIY Edible Holiday Gifts

Checking off all of the people on your holiday gift list can seem daunting. Finding the perfect gift for each person could have you running in all directions and still coming up short handed. Spending some time in the kitchen with a few reliable recipes would result in a happier you and flattered recipient. A homemade edible gift is warm, personal, unique and, most importantly, delicious.

Holiday spice pecans embody the holidays. We eat these all year round, but their flavor begs to be made during the holiday season. Warm and sweet with just the slightest touch of heat, these pecans are always a crowd pleaser. Package these in a small bowl or tin that the recipient can use to serve the nuts and keep on using well after the holidays.

Slow-roasted tomatoes are one of my very favorites. They are sweet and savory and are slow cooked in a generous amount of olive oil that results in a completely decadent appetizer. For a truly special gift, I like to pair a small jar of the tomatoes with a generous chunk of Humboldt Fog cheese and an Antoinette’s Bakery baguette.

My dad has made loads of holiday cookies for as long as I can remember. His chocolate crinkle cookies are some of my most preferred. To me, they symbolize the holiday season. They require few ingredients, are simple to prepare and are loved by all ages. My kids love getting their hands in the powdered sugar and helping with these. Everyone loves receiving them.

For a fun take on a hostess gift, try mixing up cranberry daiquiris and serve the drink inside a Corkcicle canteen (Summer Snow at 41st and Harvard has a great selection of Corkcicles www.SummerSnowGifts.com). The cocktail will stay perfectly chilled while being served at the party and your host ends up with a unique and very useful new gift. This gift is a nice alternative to the predictable bottle of wine.