Easy Homemade Food Gifts from the Heart

I love giving food-related presents during the holidays --especially when they are homemade. These gifts are so easy, you can even find time to make them during this hectic season.

Herb-infused oils are simple, useful, and decorative gifts to make for the cooks in your life. Choose herbs and a bottle that match the personality of the recipient.

Dry herbs (such as rosemary and garlic)
Attractive glass bottle with cork or sealable cap
Olive oil
Ribbon
Optional: paper recipe card

Once you find your bottle of choice, clean it by placing it in boiling water, then let it air dry completely. Add the herb(s) of your choice into the bottle -- my favorite is a combination of rosemary and garlic. Then fill the bottle with olive oil and top with a cork or sealable cap.

To decorate, tie a small bunch of the remaining dry herb to the bottle with decorative ribbons. If you want to take the gift a step further, create an old-fashioned recipe card to accompany the bottle. Simply search Yahoo! Food and choose a recipe that you think would make the best use of the oil you've created.

Candied cranberries are another classic, elegant, easy-to-make food gift. I love to keep them around my home while entertaining during the holiday season and give them as a gift to the host when attending holiday parties.

4 cups cranberries
4 cups water
4 cups sugar
Decorative tin box
Ribbon

To make them, simply remember the rule of equal parts. First, in a large saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a near boil, stirring until sugar dissolves to create a simple syrup. Pour syrup into a large bowl and add the cranberries. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Drain the cranberries well and toss with fine sugar (not powered sugar -- that is too fine) until well-coated. When they are dry, place them in the decorative tin and tie with a ribbon for a thoughtful gift.