If you’re thinking about giving a homemade gift to friends and family this year, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has five easy seasonal recipes and delicious ideas to share from the Dinner Tonight program.

A woman attaches a label to a small mason jar
Homemade food gifts can be easy to make and fun to give. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Laura McKenzie)

Whether you are a last-minute shopper who needs ideas or someone who has sworn off another trip to the mall but needs a hostess gift to take to a holiday party, Dinner Tonight is here to help.

“Homemade gifts are always a heartfelt way to share something meaningful and delicious,” said Odessa Keenan, AgriLife Extension Dinner Tonight specialist, El Paso. “Taking the time to make something for someone is special. And you don’t need to be a great cook or baker to make something wonderful.”

All you need is ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry, a few mason jars and a cute ribbon or bow. It’s a great way to wrap up your shopping list in your own kitchen, Keenan said.

Homemade gifts to give

Keenan shared the following five Dinner Tonight recipe ideas to make for the holidays. The complete recipes for these DIY gifts and other inspirations from Dinner Tonight can be found on the website.

A clear bag of pecans that looks like a homemade gift with a label that reads Delicious Pecans
Pecans bought or grown on your own tree are a great addition to a gift nut mix or candied on their own. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Michael Miller)

Cranberry Apple Granola

Granola is a popular and easy-to-make snack or topping for Greek yogurt. This cranberry apple granola recipe can also be tailored to personal preferences by using other dried fruits. A one-minute Dinner Tonight YouTube video can guide you through this easy recipe.

Chai Tea Latte Instant Mix

Instead of paying big bucks for one cup at a coffee shop, a chai tea latte instant mix recipe allows the recipient to enjoy many cups of this delightful drink at home. Here is a short YouTube video to guide you through gift-making.

Everything Spiced Nut Mix

Cashews, pistachios and almonds are combined with three different types of seeds and a handful of other ingredients to make a unique and rich-flavored snack. Make a large batch following this easy recipe, divide it among friends, or take it to a holiday potluck or gift exchange.

Protein Hot Chocolate

Extra protein makes this favorite holiday drink recipe even more filling and satisfying.  A hit with kids and adults alike, gifted alongside a container of marshmallows, this is a sweet treat the whole family can enjoy.

A white cup on a table that holds a dark liquid.
Beverage mixes are a thoughtful homemade gift that are also easy to make. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Shelby Dittman)

Candied Pecans

A fantastic appetizer or snack, candied pecans are lightly sweet and pair well with beer or wines such as moscato, riesling and blanc du bois if you want to add them for an adult gift, said Keenan. A YouTube video is also available to guide you through this simple, six-ingredient dish.

Keep food safety in mind making a homemade gift

When giving friends and family homemade food items, Keenan said to keep a few tips in mind:

  • Food allergies. You never know who has a food allergy to an ingredient. Make sure to list all ingredients on a label and attach it to the gift.
  • “Best if used by” date. Homemade gifts are great but when should they be used by? Make sure to mark when the item is best used by or if it can be frozen for later use.
  • Instructions. Giving spice mixes or homemade drink mixes is great. Just don’t forget the directions.
  • Storage. Make sure you note how to store the food items, especially if they are perishable. Let the recipient know if an item belongs in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry.

Note that these tips do not apply to food products for sale. Keenan said if you are interested in selling foods made at home, visit this website to learn more about Texas Cottage Food Law. 

Dinner Tonight program

The Dinner Tonight program is a helpful recipe and food safety resource to use year-round. It was developed to provide busy families with quick, healthy, cost-effective recipes that taste great, said Keenan.

“Not only does the Dinner Tonight program provide recipes, it also has weekly video demonstrations on a variety of topics, including cooking tips and techniques, nutrition topics, menu-planning basics and information on healthy living.”

For more information about Dinner Tonight and healthy recipes, go to https://dinnertonight.tamu.edu/.

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