Starting just after Thanksgiving (I refuse to think about Christmas until after turkey, dressing, and gravy have made their first appearance of the year), I start thinking about my kids and others Christmas goodie packages. Even though I still send Christmas gifts to my kids, I have been told that what they really look forward to are their Christmas goodie packages. And each year I try to mix things up a bit. With either treats that are new and I know the kids would love, or goodies from their childhood which I know they adore. I just don’t want to send the same items every year. What fun is that? (For me or for them!)
Now, of course, there are lots of fun goodies that travel well. Those get sent via UPS. But delectables that might not make it to their destination intact, I save for gift giving to family and friends in the area.
So, having a bit of experience in the “what should arrive intact and what might disintegrate into delicious crumbs, get broken in transit, ooze out of their container, or spoil if not delivered in a timely manner”, I will mark – hand deliver. If not marked as such, I believe the items not identified for “home delivery” would do well and enjoy traveling to exotic places.
All the treats listed below are recipes you will find on this site. Duh! And all are treats that I would have no hesitation in gifting to even the pickiest of recipients.
So, I hope this inspires you to give edible gifts to your loved ones, your kid’s teacher, your neighbors, someone who might be alone this holiday season, etc. And it doesn’t have to be a big package. Just a small reminder that you care about them and wish them a happy holiday.
So, I hope this post gives you inspiration to make homemade treats to share with others this holiday season. It’s been a rough year for many of us. And it isn’t going to get any easier. But who can’t feel just a little bit better about life with a homemade biscotti in one hand, and a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate in the other. Life is just too short to miss out on these simple pleasures. And we as cooks can make it happen.
So, from our home to yours, peace and love and HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
BEVERAGES (ALCOHOLIC AND NON-ALCOHOLIC)
Glögg (hand deliver)
Mocha Hot Cocoa Mix
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix
CANDY
Black and White Fudge
Boozy Chocolate Orange Balls
Candied Pecan Bourbon Praline Fudge
Chocolate and Almond Covered Old English Toffee
Chocolate Pecan Bourbon Balls
Fleur de Sel Chocolate Bark
Fudge!!
Fudge with Brandied Cherries and Walnuts
Peanut Butter Fudge
Popcorn Brittle
Salted Bourbon Chocolate Fudge with Pecans
Salted Peanut Fudge
The Trouble with Truffles (several truffle recipes) (hand deliver)
CHRISTMAS BREAD or CAKE
Apple Carrot Pecan Quick Bread with Cinnamon Streusel Topping (hand deliver)
Baba Au Rhum (hand deliver)
Candied Fruit and Nut Braided Yeast Bread (hand deliver)
Caribbean Black Fruitcake
Christmas Berliner Stollen
Cinnamon Sugar Quick Bread (hand deliver)
Cognac Glazed Eggnog Bread (hand deliver)
Crumble Topped Peachy Bourbon-Pecan Quick Bread (hand deliver)
Crumble Topped Pumpkin Zucchini Carrot Pecan Bread (hand deliver)
Danish Puff (hand deliver)
Dried Cranberry and Almond Braided Danish (hand deliver)
Eggnog Bundt Cake (hand deliver)
Holiday Fruitcake
Krendl – Russian Christmas bread (hand deliver)
Light and Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls with Rum Raison Cream Cheese Frosting (hand deliver)
Nantucket Cranberry Cake (hand deliver)
Sticky Buns or Cream Cheese Topped Cinnamon Rolls (hand deliver)
COOKIES
Anise Biscotti with Slivered Almonds
Candied Ginger Refrigerator Shortbread Cookies
Chewy Caramel Pecan Squares (hand deliver)
Chocolate and Hazelnut Filled Pastry Cookies (hand deliver)
Chocolate and Pecan Toffee Bars (hand deliver)
Chocolate Chip Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Chip Shortbread Refrigerator Cookies
Chocolate Orange Biscotti
Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies (hand deliver)
Christmas Refrigerator Shortbread Cookies
Double Chocolate Mint Cookies
Dried Cherry, Pistachio, and White Chocolate Biscotti
Ganache Filled Shortbread Sandwich Cookies (hand deliver)
Holiday Austrian Kipferl Cookies (hand deliver)
Italian Dried Cherry and Almond Christmas Cookies
Knockoff Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies (hand deliver)
Molasses Cookies
Payday Candy Bar Bars (hand deliver)
Peppermint Candy and Chocolate Chip Biscotti
Pink Cookies
Rolled Sprinkle Cookies
Russian Teacakes
Speculaas (Dutch Spice Cookies)
White Chocolate Dipped Coffee Bean Shortbread
NUTS
Honey Roasted Nuts
Not Your Mama’s Chex Party Mix
Quick and Easy Party Mix
Rosemary Roasted Cashews
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Pecans
THIS AND THAT
Bacon Jam (hand deliver)
Bourbon Caramel Sauce (hand deliver)
Bread and Butter Pickles (hand deliver)
Caramelized Onion and Port Wine Jam (hand deliver)
Caribbean Rum-Raison Ice Cream Sauce (hand deliver)
Chocolate Kahlua Ice Cream Sauce (hand deliver)
Chunky Applesauce (hand deliver)
Cinnamon Granola with Dried Fruit and Nuts
Dark Chocolate and Orange Ice Cream Sauce (hand deliver)
Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream Sauce (hand deliver)
Homemade Ricotta Cheese (hand deliver)
Seasoned Sea Salt
Spiced Rum Sauce (hand deliver)