Festive Delights: 3 Homemade Holiday Recipes to Gift and Share
- Nichole Dandrea-Russert
- Nov 29, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
How’s your holiday shopping going? Maybe you’re breezing through your list like a festive superhero—checking off friends and family with ease and finding seemingly perfect gifts for everyone… well, almost everyone. Because then there’s that one person. You know the one. The name that stares back at you long after the rest are crossed off. Every year the story repeats: you’re feeling accomplished and efficient, knocking out your list like a pro… until you reach the person who either already has everything or is so particular that shopping for them feels like a part-time job.
Take a deep breath. It’s going to be okay. You always pull through, and this year will be no different. But here’s a fresh idea—one that skips the stress entirely.
Remember the joy of giving handmade gifts as a kid? Those colorful cards with slightly crooked drawings and heartfelt messages that made your loved ones smile from ear to ear? Some of those treasures might still be hanging on their fridge or tucked away in a memory box. Thoughtful, simple, made with love—and unforgettable.
So instead of spending hours hunting for a gift they might like, why not create something you know they’ll absolutely love?
Enter the grown-up version of those childhood creations: homemade holiday recipes wrapped with love. ♥️These thoughtful, edible gifts aren’t just for the tough-to-shop-for people, either. They’re perfect for foodies, wellness enthusiasts, dinner hosts, neighbors, teachers—even your mail carrier.
In fact, since moving into our Atlanta home five years ago, I’ve made the Sweet and Savory Pecans in this article for our mail person, David. Every year he tells us how much he looks forward to them. He snacks on them during his route and saves a few for relaxing at home with his favorite drink. He loves them so much he hasn’t once hinted at sharing with his wife—this year I’ll have to make a separate batch just for her! And yes, he drops subtle reminders throughout the year that he’d happily accept them anytime.
Below are three recipes from Real Superfoods Cookbook, the book I co-authored with Ocean Robbins of Food Revolution Network, that make wonderful homemade holiday gifts. They’re easy to prepare in batches—perfect if you want to treat several friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers (and keep a little for yourself!). As a bonus, the pecans and granola will fill your home with the kind of cozy, aromatic goodness that doubles as natural culinary aromatherapy. Your kitchen will smell like pure holiday magic.
The Fire Cider requires a bit more patience—it’s best when it sits for several months (or even up to a year!) to let all the flavors infuse. But don’t let that stop you from gifting it now. Simply include a small note card with instructions so your recipient knows when it will be ready to enjoy.
When it comes to wrapping these gifts with love, simple is often best. I like using mason jars tied with ribbon, twine, or raffia for the pecans and granola. You can also fill a gift box with tissue paper, add the homemade treats, and finish with a festive ribbon. For the Fire Cider, a mason jar works beautifully, or you can choose a reusable glass bottle from your favorite home goods store to make the gift feel extra special.
Festive Delights: 3 Homemade Holiday Recipes to Gift and Share
Click below for Festive Delights: 3 Homemade Holiday Recipes to Gift and Share. You can download them to your device or print and add them to your recipe library.
If you haven't grabbed Real Superfoods Cookbook yet, grab it from anyplace you like to purchase books. Another idea is to gift the book along with the recipe you make from the book!
Below are the descriptions and photos of each finished recipe, excerpts courtesy of Hay House and photos courtesy of the very talented photographer, Angela McNeil.
Sweet and Savory Spiced Pecans
These snacking treats come with a warning: their sweet and savory flavor plus perfectly
crunchy texture will keep you coming back for more! Pecans fit the superfood category
with their plant-based protein, healthy fat, and abundant phytonutrient content, making
them an ideal sustainable and nourishing snack. Sweet and Savory Spiced Pecans also
add the most incredible flavor and texture to salads and grain bowls. You can also use
them as a topping on sweet potatoes and roasted vegetable dishes.
Serves: 8
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Download recipes here
Super Seedy Granola
A nut-free take on traditional granola that is just as tasty, crunchy, and nutritious! This
granola is yummy by itself as a snack, or you can enjoy it as a cereal with plant-based
milk or on top of plant-based yogurt for some crunch. The superfood seeds are packed
with zinc, magnesium, and iron.
Serves: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Download recipes here
Fuel the Fire Cider
Patience is the name of the game when making Fuel the Fire Cider, and it’s very much
worth the wait! The ingredients in this beverage all have their own unique phytonutrients that make it an invigorating and healthful tonic. Plus, it’s magnificently tasty. Enjoy an ounce a day for immune system support.
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes (+ 4 weeks)
Cooking time: none
Download recipes here
Which recipe will you try first and will you gift it or keep it all to yourself? 😃
