July is a great time to start Christmas “shopping.” This might sound a little crazy, but I give gifts to a LOT of people – mostly family, and a few friends. Gift giving is hands down my love language, so skimping on Christmas presents just isn’t my style. Ask me to wrap them and that’s another story.
So in order to do Christmas in the way that makes my heart happy without completely blowing out my budget for the entire year, I start early. I also like to gift handmade and consumable items, and they take a lot of time to create, if not a ton of money.
Fast forward to that December, and I had a cabinet full of homemade presents ready for gift giving and my Christmas shopping was done almost as soon as I started.
By starting on presents during the summer, I’m able to spread out the effort and cost it takes to make really special gifts. By the time December rolls around, I’m usually at least halfway done with all of my “shopping.”
Since that first year’s foray into canning and pickling, I’ve paid close attention to what gifts have been devoured (jalapeño jelly) and which are still sitting on the shelf a year or two later (dilly beans).
I’m now mindful of what others will actually be excited to receive versus get put away on the shelf to be eaten never. This way, I’m really cutting down on waste and giving a truly consumable gift. Homemade gifts are the very best, unless they become another dust-covered trinket like the last minute drug store purchase.
That being said, I love to give gifts that are excitedly received and used, so a large part of my homemade food gifts end up being spice mixes. Bonus – they can be whipped up last minute, like the taco seasoning above. I had a friend’s birthday party to attend that day and wanted to add a little more to her gift. 10 minutes later, it was mixed up and put in a pretty mason jar.
My favorite way to give spice mixes/other presents that don’t need to be canned but still look pretty in mason jars are with reusable mason jar lids. They’re especially great for spice mixes and I use them at home as well.
Just over 5 months until Christmas is here again. I can’t wait.
That is something I’ve been doing for. years making canning food into gifts not just for Christmas for all kinds of celebrations and they love it.
It’s also really awesome if something comes up last minute and then you can just “shop” your closet for a great gift!
Great idea to have a stash of homemade gifts on hand to give out throughout the year (as well as at Chrismas)! I have a big herb garden and we enjoy making and giving out herbal jellies. People love gifts from the heart!
My herb garden has been pretty sad over the years, but maybe it’s time to step it up. My MIL has a huge bay laurel and she gifts dried sprigs. It’s awesome. I can’t remember the last time I bought Bay leaves.
I’m with you! Frugal and thoughtful gifts are the way to go. 🙂
So much better than getting rid of gift giving entirely, in my opinion 🙂