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. 






Oo those look amazing! I haven’t been to your website in awhile. I love the new look! I actually said Mmmmmm out loud as I clicked on the link. LOL
beantownbaker — January 8th, 2013 @ 12:14 pm
Welcome back! Glad you enjoy the new look. These cookies are definitely MMMmmm! In fact, I brought one in my lunch today 🙂
I just subscribed by email. I use your recipes all of the time!
beantownbaker — January 8th, 2013 @ 8:43 pm
What a great idea. I always forget about that feature 🙂
I can’t get enough peppermint, even after the holidays! I make a similar cookie, but love that you added white chocolate in for these 🙂
beantownbaker — January 8th, 2013 @ 8:44 pm
Peppermint is definitely one of my favorite flavors. I loved the candy pieces that were on the edges of these cookies and got all crispy!
I didn’t get to decorate the house or get a tree… I have a feeling I may go overboard next Christmas. Hope you guys are settling in!
beantownbaker — January 8th, 2013 @ 8:44 pm
I already got Hubby agree to two trees next year! hope the new house is going well for you guys.
Kind of sad that I have to wait another 9-10 months before it becomes socially acceptable to make these….
beantownbaker — January 8th, 2013 @ 8:45 pm
It’s still winter, so it’s definitely still acceptable in my book!
great tip on the candy canes! what a fabulous way to break in the new oven 🙂
These cookies look so yummy, what a great idea with candy canes