‘Tis the season to be YUMMY!  We are going to fill you in on our favorite DIY edible gifts that will leave your lucky gift recipients begging you for more! These are a far cry from the fruitcake that you receive every year from your Great Aunt Myra!

If you’re caught up in the holiday shopping frenzy this time of year, it can be easy to forget that some of the best presents are those you make yourself. This year, consider whipping up edible goodies straight from your kitchen to give as your holiday gifts. Not only will you have the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself, but you’ll also avoid the long lines at the mall and save yourself a ton of money.

Depending on your skill level and the amount of time you have to spare, you can make a large batch of the same thing for each person or make several smaller customized batches to better suit a variety of tastes. But whatever you decide to make, be sure to set aside ample time for preparation and packaging. If needed, give yourself one afternoon to cook and another to wrap it all up.

The biggest thing to remember about DIY edible gifts is that presentation matters but, it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Whether it’s a little piece of ribbon around a mason jar, a handwritten label on a glass bottle, or a carefully wrapped care package everyone is guaranteed to appreciate the time, effort, and deliciousness you put into an edible present.
Below are a few easy edible gift ideas for the holiday host or hostess, they can all be whipped up in a few short minutes and are easily tote-able from place to place.

Chocolate Chow Mein Clusters

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup chow mein noodles
• 1/2 cup salted peanuts

Time to Whip it up!

1. In a microwave, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips, stir until smooth. Stir in chow mein noodles and peanuts until well coated.
2. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Yield: 8 clusters.

Savory Roasted Rosemary Almonds

Ingredients

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw almonds
• 4 large sprigs fresh rosemary, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Time to Whip it up!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and cover the baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine all spices in a bowl and add the olive oil and almonds, tossing to coat the almonds completely.
2. Spread the almonds on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Wa-lah! Holiday gift giving made easy!

Enjoy!

Let’s face it! The art of being a happy host is far and beyond the call of duty. You want to WOW your guest, and have them thinking you’re a superhero host! I know it’s easier said then done, here are some tips for throwing a party without wanting to throw yourself over a ledge:

PANIC LESS, PLAY MORE, AND GET YOUR PARTY ON

Panic Less:

Expect that something will go wrong—> and be ok with it

When you Host a party, whatever happens, just got with it, because more often than not, the thing you thought was such a disaster could turn out to be the party’s defining moment in a SUPERHERO way. Just because it’s not exactly what you envision doesn’t mean its the end of the world. Take baby steps if you are new to entertaining. Surround yourself with people who love you and are rooting for you.

Play More:

Focus on your strengths and don’t think you have to be an expert in all things party. I say, pick one thing you’re great at and ROCK with it! Ask yourself “ What makes me feel confident? What do people say you are great at?” If you feel like you implement the same ideas all the time but your guest continue to complement you on the ideas – KEEP DOING IT. They are complementing you hoping that you will continue to do it. Since you have conquered those ideas, try ONE new idea each party. This will keep the stress level at a minimum and you will PANIC LESS.

PARTY ON:

I’m sure by now you are ready to hear some ideas that you can implement in your HOST SUPERHERO task! The idea is to have that ”WOW” moment that your guest will always remember. Think outside the box and “Party On” with these simple ideas:

POTLUCK PLAN—> Everyone helps pull a potluck together, even kids. Bring in a chalkboard that says “TO DO” so no one gets away with being a slacker. Email the guests to ensure that everyone takes on a dish and is assigned a role to help out. (ex: uncle Bob is bringing the green beans and taking out the trash) You get to sample everyone else’s handiwork and there’s just something about everyone sharing the duties that goes well with the generous, selfless feeling of Thanksgiving.

BEAUTIFUL BUFFET—> Pay attention to detail like you would a dinner table. Creating a buffet allows you to create a gorgeous, abundant display. Grab empty wine bottles and fill with ivy or other trailing plants.

BOWLING PIN TURKEY—> How to keep the kids busy while you are in the kitchen. You can get bowling pins online, thrift stores, and garage sales. Instruct kids to trace their hands onto contraction paper and cut out design. These can be glued to the back of the pin for the tail.

INFUSED WATER—> A refreshing alternative to sugar-laden juice, infused water looks amazing in clear glassvessels. All you need to do is cut up slices of your favorite fruits or herbs, toss in a large drink dispenser, fill to the top with cold water, and let sit for two hours. About 10 minutes before guest arrive, top each one with ice.