Best Food Gifts 2015

The trick with holiday gifts of any sort, including homemade food gifts, is that they shouldn’t necessarily just be what the giver wants to gift. The best food gifts, the ones that stand out in memory in the most spectacularly awesome of ways for those who receive them, are carefully considered in terms of what the gifted desires. Think about that for a moment. Sure, you could just cross someone off your list by making them any old thing. But why would you? If more people adhered to this simple golden rule that considers the spirit behind the action rather than just the act of getting it done, there would be a lot fewer feigned smiles and wan “thank yous” being muttered over fruitcake and a lot more wildly enthusiastic shouts of glee over everything from homemade hot sauce to fragrant citrus mixers for booze. In an effort to enhance the gift experience for recipients everywhere, we’ve compiled all our best food gifts—the ones we want to both give and receive. Here’s how to make someone happy.—Renee Schettler Rossi

For hard-to-please foodies (whom you desperately want to impress)

• Vanilla Extract by Leite’s Culinaria
• Pâte de Fruits by Food & Wine
• Meyer Lemon Marmalade by Simply Recipes
• Pear Butter by Framed Cooks
• Red Wine Sea Salt by Two Loves Studio
• DIY Herbes de Provence by Saveur
• Quick Kimchi Pickles by Real Simple
• Bison Jerky by Men’s Journal
• Jerky Butter (yes, you read that correctly) by Men’s Health
• Habanero Hot Sauce by Serious Eats

For those who go gluten free (may they still rejoice)

• Candied Pecans by Leite’s Culinaria
• Gingerbread Caramel Corn by Heather Christo
• Peppermint Patties by The Gunny Sack
• Chocolate Puddle Cookies by 101 Cookbooks
• Nougat With Almonds & Pistachios by Sweet Paul
• Cinnamon Honey Butter by Ina Garten
• Candied Clementines by Saveur
• Texas-Style Barbecue Sauce by Homesick Texan
• Homemade Corn Nuts by Recipe Tips
• Pralines by Homesick Texan

For boozers (may they remain in good spirits)

• Salted Beer Caramel Sauce by The Beeroness
• Insanely Good Bottled Cocktails by Liquor.com
• Assorted Shrubs by Punk Domestics
• Limoncello by Leite’s Culinaria
• Bellini Kit (including an array of homemade fruit purées) by Giada De Laurentiis
• Rosemary, Ginger, and Grapefruit Syrup Mixer by Real Simple

For kind folks of all sorts (neighbors, teachers, babysitters, you get the idea)

• Maple Pecan Fudge by Leite’s Culinaria
• Chocolate Bark 3 Ways by Gardenista
• Cranberry Orange & Pecan Coffee Cake by Joy the Baker
• Salty Olive Oil Granola by Buzzfeed
• Bourbon Balls by Southern Living
• Mulled Wine Sachets by Little Seed Farm
• Miscellany of Compound Butters by Buzzfeed
• Eggnog Marshmallows by The Kitchn
• The Best Brownie Mix by Crazy for Crust
• Classic Vinaigrette (with countless optional ways to fancy it up) by The Mom 100
• Smoked Cheddar Cheese by Leite’s Culinaria
• Chocolate “Salami” by I Will Not Eat Oysters

For kids of all ages (and let’s not forget kids at heart)

• DIY Gingerbread House Kit by Style Me Pretty
• Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix by The Pioneer Woman
• Chocolate-Covered Sponge Candy by An Edible Mosaic
• Gorgeously Decorated Oreos by So Creative Things
• Homemade Cookie Butter (made with any kind of cookie) by A Beautiful Mess
• Reindeer Bark by It’s Always Autumn
• Perfect Muddy Buddies by Seeded at the Table
• Cheesy Fish Crackers by Leite’s Culinaria
• The Most Spectacular Snickerdoodles by Sally’s Baking Addiction
• No-Bake Cake Batter Truffles by Chef in Training
• Christmas Cookie Jigsaw Puzzle by Good Housekeeping, December 1965 issue

And, last but not least, The Best Christmas Gift in a Jar Ever by Buzzfeed