Homemade Holiday Gifts 2013
Hubby and I are working our way through our holiday gift list. I like to make homemade gifts for friends. I’m going to ruin the surprise by telling you guys my plans for gifts this year. Sorry to everyone who is getting these gifts. They’ll be just as tasty even if it’s not a surprise.
Spicy Guinness Mustard – this mustard is so simple to make and the flavor is just right for the mustard lover on your list.

Spiced Tomato Jam – Hubby and I could not get enough of this chunky fancy ketchup this year. It goes great on anything from a breakfast sandwich to grilled chicken.

Candied Vanilla Pecans – the smell that comes from your oven while baking these pecans is worth the effort alone. They’re salty and sweet with enough vanilla to taste it.

I’ll probably bake up some cookies too, but I haven’t decided which ones yet. For other holiday gift ideas, check out my Gift Ideas Tag.
Do you make homemade holiday gifts? What’s on your list this year?






I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 






I definitely look forward to corned beef every year. Yours looks awesome. We actually trekked to CT this year for my mom’s corned beef and cabbage. And I got to take some leftovers home to make corned beef hash!
I have never made corned beef myself, but it always looks so tasty!
Hi! I would like to try this for Saint Patrick’s Day this year and wanted to verify that the liquid ingredients added to the dutch oven are not brought to a simmer on the stovetop before being placed in the oven?
beantownbaker — March 9th, 2014 @ 10:17 am
Yep! Just dump it in and throw it in the oven.
I made it today and it turned out SO GOOD! Thank you so much for the recipe. We all loved it! I linked back to you on my website! http://beautifulmess46.blogspot.com/2014/03/corned-beef-and-cabbage-for-saint.html
beantownbaker — March 18th, 2014 @ 8:05 am
So glad you enjoyed it! What a fun day with your little leprechaun!
Made for fathers day! They love them!
Thank you