Gifts should be from the heart. I began giving homemade gifts for a very long time. At first, I began making gifts out of necessity. I was a stay at home mom, and my husband was in the military.

Over the years, the money situation improved, but I noticed that it was not as satisfying personally to just go and purchase gifts. I also noticed that the store-bought gifts were not received as well as my homemade gifts.

Through the years, I've auditioned many gift ideas. Some I've given as gifts, others I've kept and used, afraid to give away. So, in this blog, I'd like to share some of the winners with you.

All of these gifts are easy, requiring only the ability to follow directions. This blog will concentrate on gifts from the kitchen.

Cakes in a jar

Cakes in a jar have always been very well received. Cakes in a jar are sealed and stay fresh and moist for up to a year. Take a wide mouth pint jar and grease it with shortening, being sure to not get any shortening on the rim of the jar. Meanwhile, make any cake or flavored bread. Cake mixes work fine, and zucchini, pumpkin, and other sweet breads work well too. Fill the jars 2/3 of the way full and place on a cookie sheet so they can all be put in the oven at once without tipping over. Place in the oven following the directions in the recipe, making sure to check doneness approx. 10 minutes before you think they might be done. I usually use a wooden skewer or spaghetti noodle to check doneness.

While cakes are baking, bring all lids and rings to a slow boil in a saucepan on the stove. This sterilizes them.

When the cakes are done, take entire cookie sheet out of oven. Make sure that you wipe the rims clean, then place the lids and rings on top of the jars, tightening gently. As the jars cool, the heat will seal the lids. Once they are cool, and sealed, clean and label each jar.

I like to put a label on the jar explaining what it is and a "use by" date. Date them one year out.

Other kitchen ideas:

Jams/Jellies

Cookies

Pickles, homemade relishes

A cookbook of family recipes

Cookie mix or bread mix in a jar

Gift Baskets

Some ideas for baskets:

Wine lovers basket with wine, wine glasses, possibly a wine chiller, corkscrew, and maybe bread sticks or a bread mix.

Pasta lovers with dried noodles, jar of sauce, parmesan cheese, a loaf of bread or bread mix.

Coffee lovers with coffee beans, creamer, mugs, spoons dipped in melted chocolate, a grinder, and biscotti.

Tea lovers with loose tea, a tea ball (or spoon), mugs, rock candy sticks, scone mix.

Breakfast basket with homemade pancake mix, syrup (homemade?), some jam, granola, hot chocolate mix, etc.

A homemade goodies gift with your jams and cakes in a jar, along with a cookbook of family favorites.

Enjoy!