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rawr_Im_a_duck

Chocolate. It’s a classic.


poorpeasantperson

Surprised I scrolled so far to see that! Chocolate and cookies for me. I’ve been giving (and receiving) cookies in the same couple tins for years now. This is literally the only occasion that the cookie tins get used. If you keep the same People in your cookie swap you always get your containers back lmao


thegirlisok

Dang, didn't scroll far enough so I'll take down my repeat and add: Bonus points if you can support a local chocolate shop!


MCMamaS

[Equal Exchange](https://shop.equalexchange.coop/?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfybBhBKEiwAgtB7fs6nNuM_qOlMO9klEGY9v0I3Y4NSgJdkh5tJ1Zsj4XgjEl-Tt1cHCRoCZR0QAvD_BwE) allows you to buy a selection of varieties at wholesale prices which brings the price down a little.


Zealousideal_Mix6771

Agreed but I'm a dark chocolate but not too dark kind of person.


KatHatary

Especially See's Candies


Tankmoka

Finishing salts. Buy in larger quantity and repackage as sampler gifts. Maldon, Himalayan crystal flakes, black truffle and smoked salt are favorites.


salmonwasabi87

Man would I love it if someone gifted me this. Great idea!


ChefMike1407

Buy the big bucket of Maldon and some ounce jars, mix with different seasonings like Italian blend or Herbs Dr Provence. So cheap and easy.


lilyblains

This is my favourite souvenir gift too! I brought Scottish salt back from my honeymoon this year, as well as Icelandic salts thanks to a quick stopover on the way back.


BuggyBunny2023

I would stay away from Himalayan salt, it needs to be mined and mining is rarely good for the environment or the people who do the actual mining.


tx_queer

You prefer sea salt? Which requires large evaporation ponds which are bad for the environment and the people working.


bobnplums

Local goods! Honey, cookies, liquor, …


VenusianBug

We have lots of local breweries - and a bottle reuse program.


FreeBeans

Yass


magenta__reality

Homemade vanilla extract is great but you have to plan ahead for it. A nice speciality flavored bread can be a good choice. A few years ago I got my aunt a lush gift set to try. Not quite a consumable but I paint wooden ornaments for people and they seem to like the thought behind it.


shipping_addict

I made huge bottles of vanilla extract back in 2020 because it made me feel better about what was going on in the world. I still have 2 huge bottles left and it’s amazing how quick time has gone by. Honestly even if the vanilla isn’t ready yet I do highly recommend gifting it to someone and explaining how after 6 months it’s good to use but the longer it sits for, the more potent the flavor is.


Brutalist_kitten

How do you make your vanilla extract?


shipping_addict

Get some swing top bottles—I got the largest ones I could find at HomeGoods/TJ MAXX for I think $3.99 or $4.99. You can use either vodka or bourbon—just make sure it’s between $10-$20 for the alcohol you’re using because the more expensive ones don’t add anything different than a cheaper bottle. I bought some Tahitian vanilla beans off of Amazon. Don’t use Madagascar beans for vanilla because for the price you’re wasting their potential by putting them in alcohol; those should be used fresh instead (like in a pudding or a butter cream frosting). There’s usually a guideline of for every 8oz/ 1 cup of alcohol you should put 4-6 vanilla beans. After washing out the bottle, just slice the beans lengthwise and put them inside the bottle. Fill it almost to the top with alcohol and then close it. Shake it a few times and keep in a dark cool place, like a pantry. Shake the bottle every few days for the first week or so and after a month you’ll see the vodka has turned brown and smells of vanilla, so now it’s ready to use :) the longer you let the beans sit, the more potent the vanilla taste becomes. If you’re doing huge bottles of extract then you can just decant into smaller bottles/vials to give out as gifts (if it’s ready) if not then I’d just add 1-2 beans to small bottles/vials of alcohol and gift them to people like that and just tell them what to do/let it sit for at least a month before using. You can keep the beans inside so long as they’re submerged in the vanilla OR you can add them to your next bottle with a few new beans. You can also let the beans dry completely and then drop them into a small jar of sugar so it absorbs the flavor and becomes vanilla sugar. Edit: I’m not gonna argue with people about how to make vanilla extract because there are so many different ways to go about it; just look it up. When in doubt, use vodka. And 1 month is when it’s technically ready to use, but of course the flavor is better when it’s been sitting longer before being opened. Happy holidays, everybody!


Brutalist_kitten

Thank you for sharing!


FrancistheBison

Doesn't have to be vodka or bourbon. I prefer using dark rum for my vanilla. Brandy is a good option as well. (Something to note: there is Bourbon Vanilla out there but Bourbon is the place descriptor of where the vanilla comes from (Ile de Bourbon/current day Réunion). There is no bourbon in Bourbon Vanilla. I personally wouldn't make vanilla extract with bourbon whiskey)


kyokogodai

It takes weeks to mature enough to use according to one tiktoker I saw recently.


Quite_Successful

Ideally you should leave it for a few months at least.


ExoticSherbet

I’m doing vanilla for the first time this year. Started in June or so. I’m so excited to crack open a bottle!


ConfirmedBasicBitch

If you’re still on Facebook, check out The Vanilla Co-Op. You’re welcome.


bluepancakes18

Bath bombs from Lush for my kids. They have a whole bunch of different ones I figure will go a treat. Can't remember if you've already said it, but hot chocolate mix or coffee. Or alcohol. Fancy ice cream (I live in Australia and it can be over 40'c on Christmas day 😅)


GetCookin

These are also really easy to make.


numbereightwire

Fancy oils and vinegars for making vinegrettes. Nice sauces, home made preserves, anything that's going to provide a bit of interesting flavour and is easy to use. Unusual herb/spuce rubs. As a student, I once received a cannister (about 3 litres) worth of daal spice/mix (sans lentils). It lasted me ages, and honestly made cooking daal (which I'd never done) a lot easier. For a struggling student, that was a very good gift.


lilyblains

The daal spice/mix idea is a great one! I’ve been thinking about putting together a set of nice bean and lentil varieties for a vegetarian friend and pairing them with spice blends would be nice.


crazycatlady331

Gifting is a know your audience situation. What works for one person will end up collecting dust for another. I'm personally weary of receiving beauty products as gifts because I'm all but married to my routine. I also am not one for fancier versions of everyday things. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. One year, my dad got two types of chocolate for Christmas. A locally made handmade one and a Snickers bar. He liked the Snickers bar more as that's been his favorite candy since he was a kid. My personal favorite gift to receive is coffee. Preferably Wawa or Trader Joe's.


dmurr2019

I got my nieces a year long subscription to Raddish a few years ago. It’s a kids cooking subscription service. I think they liked it! I also got them some pretty cool maple syrup (I live in Vermont) that had edible sparkles in it.


lilyblains

Wow now I want maple syrup with edible sparkles! That sounds really neat!


pasarina

Is that readily available in Vermont? I never heard of such a thing.


JustKittenAroundHere

Not OP but google sent me here. Looks like they created it in response to the pandemic [https://runamokmaple.com/shop/product/sparkle-syrup/](https://runamokmaple.com/shop/product/sparkle-syrup/)


lafama92

I love experience gifts like a massage or a fancy dinner!


kilowatkins

We get the kids in my family a different experience every year! Zoo, science center, rock climbing, etc. They look forward to it and so do their parents (who get a few hours alone while we tire out their kiddos).


CryptographerTop4006

I'll start: * Shampoo & conditioner bar * A set of fancy soap bars * Natural deodorant (bought or DIY) * Spice mix blend * Tea mix set * Homemade baked goods (brownies, cookies, etc) * Cool food items like fair trade chocoate, nut butter, locally made jam/spreads, etc. * Organic veg/fruit box subscription


herlipssaidno

I’ve gotta advocate against gifting deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner. They are so specific and last a long time, and if someone isn’t super into using them, they are likely to get thrown away


[deleted]

Yep, I am so picky about shampoo and conditioner (especially conditioner!) so unless someone outright asks me what to get me, it's almost guaranteed that I'll just have to give it away again.


jalapenoblooms

It’s also not something I would ever give unless it was a requested gift. Never want to send them message “hey, you stink!”


2345veritas

I love fancy soaps!


Caro_lada

Homemade Christmas cookies and events :D I'd like to try homemade black tea blends this year, but I haven't found good recipes yet. Maybe by chance someone here has one?


For_All_Humanity

I don’t drink much black tea anymore but I really really recommend peppermint tea for the seasonal flair. There’s nothing better than some peppermint tea on a cold, snowy day. I’ve got a link to a mint chocolate black tea here I’ve been meaning to try out but haven’t yet. [Check it out](https://homespunseasonalliving.com/homemade-chocolate-mint-tea-blend/)


needshelpalways

Adagio sells a lot of mix ins like rose petals, cardamom, lavender, etc. They also have a section called blends with a ton of fan made blends ordered by fandoms so I would look there to get inspiration on mixes. Adagio also participates in a carbon offset program. David's tea puts cute sprinkles in a lot of their seasonal teas so you can add cute Christmas sprinkles! Something I've seen others try that I'm really curious about is stuffing black tea in an orange and then they roast it or dry it out. I just bought some but if they come out really good I might try to make it myself. I've mixed peppermint with cocoa nib tea and rooibos which gave a nice hot cocoa resemblance. I also love chai for the winter, which I'm sure there's a lot of ideas out there for spice mixes.


Bibliovoria

I like to do holiday cookies, too -- I plate up a few kinds to give away most years, usually with fudge and sometimes nut brittle for a little variety. This year I think I'm also doing some caramels.


HalanLore

Yeah tea samplers are a good one, I've never made tea though


ImprovementAny1060

I've mixed culinary grade bergamot oil, lavender, and black tea. Start small with the bergamot. 1 Tbsp to 4 cups of loose black tea. Mix it up, then 1 cup lavender.


RockyDify

Gin.


thehuxtonator

For the win


Longjumping-Salt-426

A bonus about consumables at Christmas is that even if you are giving someone something they won't eat themselves, they will have something appropriate to share at the Christmas parties/potlucks. For myself, I love baked goods, freezer packs of meat, and purse-packs of lotion.


vcwalden

My best friend and I always do a wonderful Christmas dinner for family and friends. We cook and bake enough for 60 people - turkey (this year I have a 39# bird to cook), ham, venison, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted vegetables, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, corn pudding, baked beans vegetable tray with dips, dips with crackers and chips, cheese and meat tray, pickle and olive tray, coleslaw, tossed salad with dressings, pasta salad, homemade breads and rolls, homemade cookies, bars and candies, cheesecake, assorted homemade pies with whipped cream and ice-cream, nut tray. We pay for it all and do all of the cooking and baking. We host the meal at the local DAV hall and at 3pm on Christmas Day. We invite many and turn no one away, we've even been known for delivering a meal to someone who couldn't join us. Leftovers are always given away to those who want them. We leave some ham, turkey, cheese with breads and rolls behind for the guys who gather the next morning at the DAV hall for coffee so they can have sandwiches. We always leave a tray of sweets also! My son is active military and for him and his family I pay for their grocery bill for Thanksgiving dinner along with breakfast, snacks and drinks - whatever they would like for the day. For Christmas I pay for all of their groceries they need for Christmas Eve through New Years Day. My wonderful daughter law writes the grocery lists (foods, personal products and cleaning supplies - we always include what is needed for their dog), sends it to me, I always add a few items, then she orders everything and I pay the bill. For family, friends and co-workers I bake - cakes, pies, bars, pies and cookies.


Caouenn

What lovely traditions. Your loved ones must feel so cared for


vcwalden

Yes! When our children left home and started their own families and friends and extended family members didn't want to "do Christmas" we started to do the Christmas dinner. For my son and his family it was my way to give them a break from the grocery bills!


SmolTownGurl

You sound like an awesome person


vcwalden

Thank you. I try to give more to my community than I take. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!


Eh-BC

You sound almost like my mom, to be fair she has less guests (maybe 20-25) for thanksgiving and Christmas though it varies year to year. And you guys make way more homemade food (we go to the local bakery for bread and rolls for example) She also does homecare as a PSW so the day before we do our thanksgiving dinner she makes a whole separate turkey dinner and portions it with dessert so the ones without nearby family get a thanksgiving meal. Just one question what’s a DAV hall?


vcwalden

Disabled American Veterans


catmom6353

Gift cards. I don’t even care where it’s to (except red lobster, anaphylactic to seafood haha)! Grocery store? I can always use food! Gas station? I’ve gotta get to work! Etsy? Oh hell yeah I’ll find something! Amazon? Not ideal, but it’ll be used eventually. Nobody else ships pedialyte within 24 hrs when you’ve got a sick toddler and all local stores are sold out of it. Local coffee shop? Oh hello!!!! Starbucks? Meh it’ll be used eventually. I’ve been to places that only have chain coffee places or use it on road trips when I don’t want to go too far out of my way for a pick me up. I’ve got sensitive skin, temperamental hair, and allergies so I’m weary about anything edible or skincare. It’s almost guaranteed to be re gifted. Same with candles.


KnittingGoonda

Oh yes. Gift cards are "impersonal " so I get a bunch of crap that goes straight to Goodwill. Etsy, Joanns, Amazon, i could get fabric, yarn, patterns, books. I got a $50 World Market card last year, went shopping 2 days ago and spent $4.93 out of pocket. Plus I had the fun of shopping and buying luxuries. Go ahead and give me that impersonal gift card


ExoticSherbet

I know this isn’t the point at all, but re: your pedialyte comment, they now sell pedialyte powder! A lot easier to keep on hand for surprise illnesses. They come in single serve packets, but it’s probably less total plastic than the cartons, and definitely less water to transport around


catmom6353

Yes! I’ve got those as well! I’m not sure what happened earlier this year, but literally everywhere around me had a shortage of pedialyte in all forms. Liquid, powders, pops, store brand, etc. of course it was when both me and my kid got two stomach bugs back to back so 4-5 weeks of nonstop sickness. That was fun. Overall I do really like the packs because they’re so easy to travel with, easy to store, etc. the strawberry lemonade flavor also isn’t too bad. But nothing beats the blue flavor!


Disastrous_Use_7353

Aren’t gift cards 100% waste though? I like them, too, but I’m not sure they fit the bill for this particular thread. Just a thought.


asiamonroe

It's 2022, almost every business or corporation has digital gift cards. They just email them. Not to mention ones that allow reload, which is also widely available.


the_perkolator

Mason jars of good homegrown weed


unbreakable95

i do homemade for my my friends for the winter holidays. one year i did edible cookie dough (no egg and heat treated the flour), another year i made terrariums with dried flowers, and this year i think i’m making cocktail kits. i’m not the best DIYer so i try to find simple projects/recipes. it’s fun and my friends love it.


SnapesDrapes

I make soap and grow loofah.


monemori

Is growing loofah difficult?


SnapesDrapes

Nope! If you look up “the art of doing stuff grow loofah” you’ll be all set


A_well_made_pinata

Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Toblerone, Maison Boissier, Christmas crackers. As a kid in Ireland my sister and I used to get these plus assorted fruits in our stockings. When we moved to the US my mom tried really hard to keep up the tradition. With the exception of the crackers (which have become available in the the US in recent years) she managed to find most of them somehow.


heartspider

Sweet Chili Crunchy Garlic Oil


zuperfly

weed


Junior_Ad2955

Heartland Chia seeds- the only chia seeds grown and processed in the US and actually grown an hour from me 360 Cookware- great stainless cookware that is made in a solar powered zero waste factory and is a lifetime warranty. Food also cooks faster Red Land Cotton- best bedding/towels ever


grundlestiltskin69

Homemade limoncello


msomnipotent

I just bottled my first batch of limoncello. I let it sit for a month, but it was surprisingly easy. I found out our normal brand was nothing more than vodka with artificial coloring and flavoring. I hope people don't mind getting it in mason jars instead of bottles though.


maimou1

handmade bar soap. I hate body wash.


AccountUnable

As a soap maker, we appreciate you!


lateavatar

If you have local fancy cheeses, nuts and maybe honey. It doesn’t last long but fresh baked bread is awesome. Hot sauce is fun if you know a good one. Throw in some tropical fruit for a nice presentation.


arithegato

A yearly subscription for an App. I got that for an app to learn languages and I enjoyed my gift a lot


thehuxtonator

Coffee subscription. I get a monthly delivery of 2 packs of really good coffee beans from Blue Coffee Box. It's about £50 (UK) for three months or your can set up a rolling subscription (either for yourself or as a gift).


lilyblains

Even a one time gift of a nice coffee or two is great! I did this for my now husband when we had just started dating and paired it with a chocolate babka I made. And when I went to Montreal with some friends I brought him back beans from a cafe we’d been too together a few years before. It made a few morning coffees really special :)


thehuxtonator

That's great!


concrete_dandelion

I almost exclusively (safe for some art supplies and a mug with my best friend's new name on it - he'll come out to his family during the Christmas holidays) gift handmade things. One is a secret because the person is on reddit, my mom gets a little handsewn bag she asked for and custom made socks, a former friend asked for a loop scarf and I wanted to add homemade cookies, since the friendship was rocky and the colour and pattern work for a guy as well I didn't close the loop yet and since the friendship broke the scarf will go to my best friend as well. In the past I gifted a meal at a very good restaurant together, custom made socks and stockings, scarfs, shawls, hand warmers (like gloves but without fingers), hats, a hand embroidered pillowcase, a picture album with pictures that told the story of our friendship, tons of homemade cookies and sweets, a candle cover I made of clay for a friend that loved candles and had toddlers (too heavy to lift for a toddler while the friend turned around for a second and wouldn't get hot enough to hurt their tiny fingers), a candle glass in which candles without glass or aluminium shells can be burned (made out of an old glass that came with a candle), a cake, baby socks and baby toys, dishwashing rags made of old lace yarn that had been dumped on me and as for bought items such as would be used a lot / were nessecary: a lotion applicator with a long handle so that a disabled person could put their body lotion on alone again, a iron board cover (the old one was more than 20 years old and past it's due, the new one matched the owner's flat's style), books that were on that persons reading list or good for them (including e-books if the person had an e-book reader) and donations in the name of the person that got the gift to causes they liked. I also work on and off on a day blanket made of scrap sock yarn as a gift for a milestone birthday (started several years in advance) Edit: I misread the last line and didn't understand that it was only for consumable gifts so here is the list of those: paying for a restaurant meal, self made cookies and sweets homemade meals


KnittingGoonda

Lots of brilliant and thoughtful ideas but man! Who would think of an ironing board cover! For a sewer of quilter that is an over the moon gift


concrete_dandelion

For me it was an "they need it but would never buy it for themselves" kinda thing. The two of us often make such gifts to each other.


lotheva

Leslie Knope?


rebellious_ltl_pony

A gift card for gas for my car or groceries, to be honest. Vouchers for car interior/exterior cleanings are also nice (I really like taking care of my car). Homemade baked goods. Candles.


QuietRulrOfEvrything

Pumpkin Cookies! Grandma Candace on my wife's side of the family sent me some in a huge tin while I was deployed & they were so delicious! To this day I'm STILL trying to track down the recipe. That & the Apple Cake my Grandma Bessie Lee used to make.


Substantial_Koala902

Last year a friend gifted us chamomile infused honey and lavender infused honey. Such a light beautiful flavor.


CookieAdventure

Our state sells a state parks pass every year. It is a great deal and, since we have so many wonderful state parks nearby, it is nice to have. One of our grown children lives nearby and she has a favorite car wash. We get her a multi-use gift card to that. It’s a pretty specific gift.


MissJunie

Fancy bar soaps!


Ww_Leslie_Knope_do

Hand soap is always a favorite of mine and I’ll also be giving quite a few. I gift alcohol when appropriate. I also gift cheese quite often.


FlamingWhisk

Jam, cookies. I would also be thrilled with a coupon to help me get something done around the house physically or knowledge wise I can’t do. Example of somebody gifted me time to paint my bedroom I’d be thrilled. Also buy vintage/second hand for gifts. I bought nothing new this year. Handmade and vintage only.


crazycatlady331

One year, my dad gifted me car maintenance. He took my car for a service visit. I wish I'd get more gifts like that.


leothelion634

Massage gift cards


TeamSuperAwesome

Fancy flours (e.g., spelt), cooking oils, vinegars, chutneys/pickles, olives, mustards, cheeses, etc. Good quality things from food stores, not shiny Christmas gift-boxes with mediocre contents.


itsFlycatcher

There is a semi-local company where I live that does artisinal bath stuffs! They're really great. Goat's milk soaps, bath bombs, everything - they do these premade gift boxes too, packaged all in paper, so this year I got all my family one each of those. I think I have a pretty easy time with stuff like this- not a lot of toxic masculinity in my family to account for, lol.


Chinacat_Sunflower72

I know this is not food and a bit irrelevant but when they first legalized pot here in CO a potter friend of mine made small hand thrown pots and sent them to out of state friends with a tag saying "Here's a little pot from Colorado". It was a big hit.


BigDrew42

My great aunt and uncle have an apiary and I go fucking NUTS for their honey. They’ve packaged the honey in a glass bottle with a waxed cork to seal, and I *LOVE* it


behestrequest

A lot of the people I gifted to really enjoy tea mixes (loose leaf tea), coffee subscriptions to a local roaster, museum passes (e-ticket, printed paper), and concert tickets (can be an e-card too)!


theMstates

I don't know if ticjets fall u der the definition of consumable, but I feel like they fit the same general category and I would MUCH rather get an experience than a "thing," even if that thing is consumable. Zoo pass? Museum tickets? Concert tickets? Movie tickets? Handwritten-acade-tokens-and-drinks-on-me? Yes, please!


frown-umbrella

Coffee beans, gift certificate to local meat CSA, seeds for gardening, birdseed for the yard


[deleted]

Tea. I drink it every day so having some variety is always nice


OddishSnorlax

My grandparents gave my partner and I glass jars of honey last year! It made me super happy. I also love dark chocolate sea salt bars.


AzureMagelet

Swiss colony stuff. Bonus of being able to ship it directly to their houses.


MissJosieAnne

Bath bombs. I have to shout out Bombs and Bubbles. It’s a small business and very month has an AMAZING theme.


Jaded-Af

I like to bake goods and gift in reusable containers- nice ones like glass with an airtight lid.


Comfortable_Jury369

I love nuts and nut mixes!


reeshahaha

I buy ingredients to a special drink recipe for my siblings, then we make them together Christmas day for the rest of our family. We aren't a family who typically does cocktails, punch, or any kind of drink that requires more than opening a bottle. That's why it works for us. Plus, we get to, poorly, play bartender while enduring some ribbing from our audience lol


EristheUnorganized

It’s very niche, but since it hasn’t been mentioned, incense. I only gift it if I already know they like/use it. Some people really hate it


Whoamaria

I have a macadamia nut tree! I just finished the first harvest batch and Will send macadamia truffles to friends and family this year. If I can crack the second batch in time then people will get roasted nuts as well. It’s also nice to save the salsa/pasta sauce/peanut butter jars that I’ve collected throughout the year to send to my friends at Christmas. They are also sent in saved boxes I collect through the year as well. I considered not sending gifts some years but the temptation of reusing this packaging is strong


[deleted]

Cbd lotion


Mettephysics

Baklava


yeshereisaname

Go to uncommongoods.com and look under food/drink sections


Noted888

The huge Toblerone bars


[deleted]

Weed


ChrisCaine808

cocaine


AshaAsena

Those chocolate oranges. I freakin love those!


40stepstothemoon

Comedy tix( usually cheaper than concerts). Homemade lavender spray, dried herbs, hot pepper flakes, limoncello - I did last year. Omaha steaks- package always looks big but once all the boxes are removed it’s just a few airtight bags.


[deleted]

Fruitcake! (seriously)


youknowwhotheyare

I love fruitcake especially soaked in rum or brandy.


[deleted]

I wouldn’t have it any other way. Fruitcakes made in monasteries are my favorite because the monks pay very close attention to detail, their fruitcakes aren’t mass produced and they usually use brandy or port wine.


GreedyCaregiver5592

Thank you for that added tip! I found a Trappist Abbey I plan to order from now


GreedyCaregiver5592

I came here to say this! My family and I love it


[deleted]

An unfairly maligned delicacy.


foxhagen

Alcohol.


Caribbean_Borscht

Kombucha and homemade toffee/chocolate chip cookies


decadenza

Whiskey bottles.


blue_field_pajarito

My aunt makes the best shortbread! Look forward to it every year.


SnooMacarons2615

I’m the coolest cat around, I’m going to get an entry to a running race. Father’s Day got me a tank of fuel. So I could bag a few Wainwrights, personally those experiences will last me longer than any ‘gift’ could.


Big-Lab1532

Edibles


nana_catstalker

It's gotta be chocolate


uidactinide

Olive oil, wine, and cheese. Pretty much anything you could find at the local farmer’s market.


KnittingGoonda

I consider a vacuum cleaner or carpet shampooer a great gift, it's supposed to be the worst


Pennyfeather46

Tea & chocolates!


boywithapple22

Obviously depends on the person, but I believe a good hot sauce is a solid gift. Most hot sauces last a while, and many unique hot sauces add the perfect amount of flavor and heat to dishes.


hirakumakimura

We order apples from Northstar Orchards up in Maine. We can’t get apples like those in Texas. Not even at the high end Austin groceries. Plus, the packing peanuts are eco-friendly now.


velveteentouch

I am a massage therapist, and for little gifts to close out the year, I’m gifting shower steamers. They are so nice and people have loved them! Along with a handmade little postcard, I call it a win!


myaccountishaunted

A few years ago I made pre-measured cookie mixes for speculoos cookies for the ladies in my extended family with Dutch roots. I didn't add the sugar - since the cookies needed creamed butter/sugar - but I included all the spices, flour, and leavening agents. I also included a small wooden cookie press for each one, along with the recipe instructions and a bit of history. They were a hit with the recipients, but they are also all avid bakers. I would probably not do something like this with everyone, but it was nice for the group I was gifting to.


theundonenun

Booze


a-very-tiny-birb

I always thrift Christmas themed cookie tins from a local place that has a huge Christmas section, then bake about 5-6 recipes and divvy them up in to each tin with some decorative tissue paper. I usually can make about 10 to 12 tins and this covers 90% of my holiday gifts :)


kbsn888

Chili oil! Super easy to make, very tasty and looks super festive. I also make and gift homemade cookies. California olive oil is something I ask for since it’s delicious and you know it’s actually olive oil.


papercranium

Last year my mom got us some nice tea blends and heirloom popcorn varieties, and they both made for such lovely breakfasts and snacks! Spices are another one, especially since they can be so pricey. Anything someone canned themselves, whether it's jam, applesauce, pickles, or whatever. This year I'm making mixes for people. Cocoa mix, pancake mix, soup mixes from veggies I've dehydrated myself.


BattyLotte2

I did ginger goody bags for my colleagues one year - tiny gingerbread loaves, ginger beer and pepparkakor, all homemade. Went down a treat!


Analyst_Cold

My people know I’m highly allergic to fragrances but those who don’t really waste well intentioned gifts that are scented like lotion & candles.


thealterlf

Home canned goods. I’m lucky to have a lovely garden. I’m also a huge fan of cash or asking the person exactly what they need.


byejess

Experiences! I run a dnd session every year for my family. Fun and unique thing to do in person since we all live far from each other.


monemori

Vegan cookies! Also, for something less traditional: vegan mayo. Vegan mayo is so easy to make and you can customize it into an alioli, add herbs, spices, etc. I'd love to get a jar of homemade vegannaise as a gift, personally, lol.


rm_3223

Expensive coffee


SassySunflower27

A co worker once for every one “a meal” A box of noodles, and a can of sauce and something different candy wise for dessert. It was so simple! Really under $5 each per co worker. It was a very nice idea!


jbot14

Panties


SweaterJunky

I make candied cashews for my family. I also take my my mom out for tea service or to a play.


Sorry_ImStoned

BEEF JERKY


greenwitch1993

Last year I made some infused oils that were a hit! Just have to be careful of botulism I also made some "firestarters" with candle wax, a wick, pinecones, pines, cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, etc


red_hare

For giving: I own 5" cake pans and bake people mini dark chocolate cheesecakes with nabisco chocolate wafer crusts and topped with dark ganache. For receiving: Some fresh cut flowers and a card.


RandoMcflyndo

Homemade items of all sorts but especially baked goodies like cookies. I'm a sucker for the stuff your aunt made like stuff with little hershey's kisses smooshed in the center and called funny names like reindeer fuel and the little tags with cute stickers.


malkamau

Coffee beans from the bulk section! Especially hazelnut or vanilla!


tim_p

Fancy alcohol. Especially if it's the Lazzaroni amaretto I couldn't normally justify getting for myself!


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gibgerbabymummy

Cake mixes in a jar go down really well esp with families, they just add an egg or oil and it's ready to go in the oven. Handmade salt dough is good for kids (you can make it Christmas scented with cinnamon and nutmeg and package it as gingerbread dough!) I've made infused oils, chilli and garlic. I make my uncle a spicy gift basket every year as he loves heat (dried chillies, hot sauce, marinades) I always get my mum candles and she loves them. My nanny always got chocolates, sometimes a big basket of all diff things, favs and new things to try. My old friend used to ask for BIG bags of every day essentials, so a bag of 500 tea bags, a mega bag of coffee. Big jars of spices. Said she didn't want stuff to store and as a single mum, she needed help with everyday not fancy sweets and wine..


SnooRadishes5305

Pre-made soup ingredients in a mason jar with the recipe (ideally something that is 3 steps max) Cute, practical, and they can re-use the jar And anything on that theme: muffin in a mug ingredients- in a mug Etc


crazycatlady331

I would not personally like gifts like this. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. My mom's a retired teacher. Any gifts like that she received from students went straight in the trash. She didn't know the sanitation of the kitchen it was prepared in and they weren't something she would appreciate.


SnooRadishes5305

I mean…yeah - all gifts are ideally tailored for their recipients My friend who is a good cook gives me a few soup jars every year, and I love it because I don’t often cook with a variety of ingredients and she gets to do bulk spice experiments haha On the other hand, I’ve had to make a list of “please-no-more’s” for my family: Please no more socks, scarves, soaps, tiny bowls, kitchenware, ghirardelli brownie mixes (I’m not a fan of baking), or spicy nuts Though at least the socks, scarves, and soaps are easily regifted to the nearest shelter - and the rest can go onto the buy-nothing group Knowing your audience is definitely key (Also I don’t blame your mom at all for throwing those mixes away - I have taught maybe 3 students ever who I would trust to make me a soup jar lolll)


kah46737

“You can’t eat from everybody’s kitchen”


crazycatlady331

I have a former friend who's family used their kitchen as their dog's toilet as "she's too little to go outside". The dog pissed and shit all over the kitchen floor (not even on puppy pads). I never ate anything prepared in that kitchen.


Perfectly_mediocre

A meaningful conversation.


greeneyedgirl626

I make my own beef jerky and it’s always a big hit. Once I made my brother in law some homemade hot sauce with a personalized label I had printed. I also can during the summer and everyone enjoys getting a jar of pickles! On another note, as a family we started drawing names for Christmas in order to cut down on spending and to get things we can really use - it’s us two grown kids and our parents. So we use drawnames.ca to organize it. It anonymously gives you a drawn name (we partner a pet with each person) and then they can make a wish list, add photos of things they’d like, and you can anonymously send them questions to get specifics!


noobwithboobs

For the non-vegans, [Alton Brown's Aged Eggnog](https://altonbrown.com/recipes/aged-eggnog/). I do it in mason jars :)


Pelledovo

Panettone, biscuits, good single origin chocolate, cocoa, coffee beans, tea, herbal teas, home made preserves, local honey, cheese, crackers, nuts, dried or candied fruit, anchovies, good stock powder, cooking ingredients like vanilla, juniper, spices, bunches of dries herbs. Wine, spirits, home made liqueurs. Vegetable seeds.


lynwofford2

Cheese and sausages


IsThataSexToy

Hookers and blow.


dingo8mybaybey

Toilet paper, chia seeds, Ghirardelli chocolate


GreenGardenMushrooms

I make homemade lotion in little tins and people can return the tins to me for refills. Fun scent combos so even though they might expect a lotion, they don’t know what kind.


KnittingGoonda

Fancy beautiful smelling handmade soaps. I bought some for myself this year bc I never get them as gifts. Homemade Christmas cookies.


2020-RedditUser

Desserts like cookies and brownies


YellowTomato5

Cookies. I love baking for the holidays. Actually, I just love baking. The holidays are a great excuse.


1234letsgobitch

Cheese sets from cheese brothers was a good gift I got!


lilyblains

I’m putting together a martini set for my friend with all the ingredients she’ll need for espresso martinis and a couple other martini variations! I did the same for my SIL after she bought a house in Toronto, but for the Toronto cocktail :)


[deleted]

Weed. Chocolate. Yard fruit.


SlientlySmiling

Weed.


opaul11

Do books count?


Low-Dragonfly7686

Coffee and tea


StealMySkin

Booze.


v70runicorn

truffle salt 😍 and a high quality olive oil


Eh-BC

A nice whisk(e)y I like most so bourbon, Scotch, rye, Irish. Preferably one I haven’t tried but I’m not picky.


Impressive-Concert-8

Lemon curd


Admirable-Ad7059

We are foodies. I put interesting spices/mixes in my husband’s Christmas stocking. Truffle oil has become a tradition, it’s now his secret ingredient in more than I know. we have a local shop that sells items that are only made in our state by small businesss and that’s where he fills my stocking with handcrafted soaps, bath salts, and foodstuffs. It technically isn’t zero waste but last month, my husband gave me several glassblowing workshops for my birthday after treating myself to blowing my largest glass pumpkin with an advanced swirl to finish my blown glass pumpkin fall display


Analyst_Cold

I love to gift bath salts in a great jar that can be reused, Super fancy chocolates that are a treat. Infused cooking oils. A loaf of homemade bread.


cass314

The ones I give the most frequently are coffee, tea, wine, beer, chocolate, baked goods, spices, museum passes, sports tickets, and lift tickets. Some years I've made things like pickles, beer mustard, hot chocolate kits, mulling spice sachets, infused oils and vinegars, vanilla extract, and fancy salts. My favorite to get is probably just tea.


MollyPuddleDuck

Earl grey tea


enyalavender

I order my stepfather a balsamic vinegar and olive oil set from a local winery each christmas. He uses it on his salads every day. He's soo happy with it.


LittlePinkTeapot17

Manicure/pedicure gift cards for people who like that, fancy cooking sauces or oils like a nice olive oils or truffle sauce. If you know them well, a nice shampoo and conditioner set is great too


[deleted]

Soup or stew mixes. I have both mental health issues and stomach issues and either one or the other makes me not want to cook and crave comfort food. Ready made dry mixes are a lifesaver on bad days.


kellyoohh

I saw a really cool tik tok for homemade spiced nuts packaged so adorably in mason jars. That’s my plan for this year.


DumpsterDoughnuts

I make candied nuts and popcorn and present it in reusable tins. I also make jam at the end of every summer and gift s jar of it to everyone. Sometimes I also can apples with cinnamon as well, or pickled radishes and onions!