Edible DIY Gift Ideas (+ printables!)

Infused Olive Oils - make & give as homemade gifts! @loveandlemons

I have to say that my favorite part about Christmas is wrapping the gifts. When I was in college in Chicago, I had a part time job wrapping gifts at the infamous Marshall Fields on State Street. Their gift wrap room was full of rolls of beautiful wrap, ribbon, and bows – it was a small haven from the holiday chaos that was happening everywhere else outside in the city. So recently, when I was given the opportunity to go through The Container Store’s “Gift Wrap Wonderland,” I was positively giddy. Of course they have gift wrap galore, but they also adorable jars, tags, tapes & twines… oh my.

These simple projects don’t require perfect corners or invisible tape (although maybe a DIY for next year!). I had way too much fun making & decorating these and I hope you do too.

DIY Gift Tags for homemade olive oils / @loveandlemons

I made lemon and chili infused olive oils and poured them each into these cute bottles (these tiny ones and these medium ones). I decorated the little tags simply with a strip of Washi tape and tied them to the jars with red metallic Bakers Twine.

Almondella - Chocolate Almond Butter Spread / @loveandlemons

Almond-ella is my version of nutella. It’s easier to make (and also a tad healthier). Instead of grinding your own hazelnuts, I use almond butter – this recipe takes 2 minutes. I dressed up Small Parfait Jars, using strands from this Candy Cane Stripe Curl BowMetal Rim Tags, and more Bakers Twine.

Almondella - Chocolate Almond Butter Spread / @loveandlemons Pistachio Goji Granola / @loveandlemons

This pistachio goji granola has been one of my favorites for years – I dressed it up in another Small Parfait Jar (I just love them!) and attached its tag with this Silver Glitter Star Gift Tag and pretty green ribbon.

Pistachio Goji Granola / @loveandlemons

I also served this Sweet & Spicy popcorn, with the same metal rim tags and a snowflake gift tag.

Sweet & Spicy Popcorn / @loveandlemons IMG_2015_12_10_06778-cropped2

Download these tag designs and assemble your own tags. Click here to download the PDF, print them out, cut them out and stick them onto Metal Rim Tags with double stick tape. (Or print them onto full-sheet adhesive paper). I also handed out little packets with recipe cards that I tucked inside these festive treat bags.

Click here to download the printable Gift Tag PDF

Click here to download the printable Recipe Card PDF.

Recipe Card Printables / @loveandlemons

…and one quick snap of me doing my demo-thing in Gift Wrap Wonderland at the Container Store 🙂

Happy gifting!

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Click here for the Sweet & Spicy Popcorn Recipe

5.0 from 4 reviews

Edible DIY Gift Ideas

 
Author:
Ingredients
Lemon Olive Oil:
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • zest of 1 small lemon
Chili Olive Oil:
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ tablespoons red chile flakes
Instructions
  1. In a small saucepan, combine the oil and lemon zest or red chile flakes and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
  2. Strain the oil and cool completely at room temperature. Pour the oil into an airtight glass container. Add fresh lemon zest or red chile flakes for garnish, if desired.
  3. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Notes
If the oils get a little cloudy in the fridge, set them at room temp for a a bit before serving.

5.0 from 4 reviews
Pistachio Goji Granola
 
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 cup whole rolled oats*
  • ⅓ cup chopped pistachios
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • ¼ cup coconut flakes
  • ⅓ cup dried goji berries
Instructions
  1. In a medium nonstick skillet over low heat, toast the oats for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Stir in the pistachios, cinnamon, salt, and coconut oil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Drizzle with the maple syrup, stirring to coat, then add the coconut flakes. Continue to cook, stirring continuously, for 5 more minutes.
  3. Stir in the goji berries. Spread the granola on a plate in an even layer and cool completely at room temperature. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
*if gluten free, look for oats that are labeled as "Certified Gluten Free"

5.0 from 4 reviews
Almond-ella Spread
 
Author:
Ingredients
  • ½ cup creamy almond butter
  • ½ cup chopped dark chocolate, 50% cacao*
  • 1½ tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
  1. Combine the almond butter, chocolate, and coconut oil in a medium glass bowl. Make a double boiler by placing the glass bowl over a smaller pot filled with simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  2. Pour into a 7 oz. glass jar and cool to room temperature before closing the lid.
  3. Place in the refrigerator until set, about 30 minutes, then store at room temperature.
Notes
*if vegan, look for chocolate that doesn't contain milk ingredients.

 This post was created in partnership with The Container Store.

13 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it):  

  1. Priscilla Hahn
    12.20.2016

    This post is lovely! I was hoping to find the popcorn recipe…am I missing it?

  2. Mindie Olsen
    01.02.2016

    Hi! Just came across your awesome website. So excited to try your recipes, they are right up my alley. Lemons are my favorite!!!! Love love love the flavored olive oil idea! I usually buy them online from Queen Creek Olive Mill in Arizona. Happy New Year to you and happy cooking! 🙂

    Cheers,
    Mindie

  3. I know how it feels not being able to get your loved ones anything for the holidays. Now that I can, I love wrapping presents (although, I’m not the best). My family would love to receive jars of pistachio goji granola. Thanks for the yummy ideas 🙂

    Happy Holidays
    http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/thinkoutloud

  4. Kendra
    12.21.2015

    Total lifesaver! Thank you!

  5. Susan
    12.20.2015

    Marshall Field’s was a big part of Christmas for me– waiting in line for lunch at the Walnut Room and scoring a table right next to the tree, buying my annual ornament, Aunt Holly and Uncle Mistletoe. For many years I carefully treasured the shiny white gift boxes with gold signatures. They had a waiting room with lockers to store your coat and babysitting when I was little. You could spend the whole day there. My engagement ring came from the antique jewelry department.

  6. Liz
    12.20.2015

    I’ve been a fan of your website for a while now. Your recipes help me think about delicious ways to eat more healthfully (if that’s a word!). Have you ever considered adding nutritional facts for your recipes? The granola on this post looks so yummu but I know that granola can sometimes be made with healthy ingredients but still be high in calorie. Any idea how this recipe rates in terms of calories and fat? Keep up the great work (hopefully with nutrition labels in the future).

  7. Ricardo from cocinandoalfuego.com
    12.20.2015

    Thank you for the inspiration for Christmas gifts, and this beautiful post.
    Happy Hollydays!

  8. homemade gifts are by far the best. I never would have thought of the infused olive oils but I love that idea!

  9. Roxana from roxanashomebaking.com
    12.19.2015

    These are such adorable and creative ideas, I love them all! Thanks for sharing the inspiration! 🙂

    • jeanine
      12.21.2015

      thanks for coming Kaylin! Great to meet you 🙂

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Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.