DIY Holiday Gifts

Give a gift that’s thoughtful, creative and affordable. Whether you’re presenting them to relatives or toting them along as hostess gifts, these homemade treats are sure to please.

Flavored Honey
Pack a beautiful jar of this natural sweetener along with some loose-leaf tea or a loaf of freshly baked bread.

Curried Lentil Soup Jar
Tuck all the necessary ingredients for a warming soup into a pretty jar and jot down the cooking instructions on a note card. Or, try a sweeter take on the jar motif with Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies.

Chocolate Truffles
Customize these perfectly portioned chocolate treats with whatever flavorings your loved ones adore. Popular suggestions include chopped nuts, crushed candy or a dusting of quality unsweetened cocoa powder.

Fig-Balsamic Vinegar
Number 15 on Food Network Magazine’s list of 50 Gift Jars is this beautifully crafted vinegar. Infuse tangy balsamic with figs, thyme and black pepper. Drizzle over fresh berries or a small piece of wonderfully stinky cheese.

Vanilla Sugar
Using vanilla beans as part of your holiday baking? Recycle the remnants into a container of granulated sugar and store in a cool, dry place. A teaspoon has only 15 calories and infuses coffee and tea with amazing vanilla flavor. For a spicier twist, toss in a cinnamon stick or some toasted cardamom pods.

Basil Salt
Make a batch of artisanal herbaceous salt to sprinkle on veggies and popcorn and to flavor sauces and marinades. Make it with basil or parsley, or try other flavors, like Rosemary-Citrus Sea Salt.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.

from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/2gIaGku