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. 






Thank you so much for making these… I was looking for something to use up 5 ounces of cream cheese, and this looks great. And added bonus- it will also use up one of the many bags of cranberries in my freezer!
beantownbaker — January 8th, 2013 @ 8:48 pm
Great! I hope you enjoy them
omgosh, I loved these. I’m not supposed to have dairy right now, but I snuck a tiny bite. SO. good. I didn’t have any ginger and subbed 1/2 cup of oats for 1/2 cup of the flour. Really delicious and really easy!
beantownbaker — January 13th, 2013 @ 10:26 am
What a great substitution! I’m lactose intolerant so I use the Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese. Have you tried it?
No, I can’t have soy, either. It’s for my daughter – she doesn’t tolerate dairy or soy and I’m still nursing her. It’s been a very boring (culinarily speaking) 8 months!
beantownbaker — January 13th, 2013 @ 10:07 pm
Oh bummer! Not being able to eat dairy or soy must be tough!