Homemade Holiday Food Gifts…From The Kids

Is it just me or do the holidays creep up sooner every year? (Or maybe I’m just less organized each year?) Having kids will do that to you, so my strategy for tackling the gift list is to put the little ones to work in the kitchen. The mess will be worth the outcome – special presents for teachers, grandma or just about anyone on your list. Here are a few ideas to get started:

Mini Breads & Bites – Combine your kids’ favorite fruit and nuts to make mini quick breads (you can purchase small foil loaf tins at the supermarket.) Try this recipe for Mini Pear Walnut Bread or Carrot Cake Bites. Cool and wrap in colored plastic wrap.

Cereal in a Jar – Look online for homemade granola recipes, which are usually simple enough for the younger kids to help make. Package in a Mason jar with a few cinnamon sticks tied with a bow. Or simply layer oats, cinnamon, dried fruit and nuts in a jar for a flavored oatmeal mix.

Spice Sets – Have kids stir up different spice mixes. Pour into glass vials with a handwritten tag attached listing the ingredients or ideas on what foods to flavor with. Some fun combinations:

Sweet Spice= Cinnamon + nutmeg + sugar
Salt Replacer = Black pepper + thyme + garlic powder
Spice with a Kick = Chili powder + paprika + cumin

Fruit Sauces- Cook down cut apples with a little sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a pot over medium heat. Or make other fruit sauces using canned pears, peaches or apricots. Mix in nutmeg, cloves or allspice for different festive flavors. Seal in Mason jars tied with sprig of rosemary or evergreen. (Keep refrigerated.)

Herb garden – Have your kids paint small planters then have them pot herb plants or seeds. “Kitchen window friendly” herbs include basil, thyme or parsley. For an extra festive gift, pot a small rosemary plant and trim like a Christmas tree.

Here’s to happy kitchen memories this holiday season!