10 Homemade Christmas Treats and Gifts Everyone Actually Wants

The Easiest Christmas Treats and Gifts You Can Make at Home

Make thoughtful Christmas Treats and Gifts with these 10 easy edible recipes—cookies, fudge, bark, cocoa mixes, and more. Perfect for gifting!

DIY Edible Christmas Gifts: 10 Sweet Recipes to Wrap & Share

If you’re looking for Christmas Treats and Gifts that feel thoughtful without spending hours in the kitchen, you’re in the right place. These homemade edible gifts are delicious, budget-friendly, and incredibly easy to package beautifully. Today, I’m sharing 10 full recipes that you can make ahead, wrap, and gift to neighbors, teachers, coworkers, friends, and holiday party hosts.

This guide includes no-bake desserts, cookies, candies, hot cocoa projects, and jar gifts—so you’ll find something for every skill level.

Let’s make your holiday gifting simple, sweet, and stress-free.

1. Peppermint Chocolate Fudge (No-Bake & 10 Minutes)

Why it’s a great gift:

Rich, smooth, peppermint-kissed fudge that feels festive and packs beautifully.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ½ tsp peppermint extract
  • ½ cup crushed candy canes
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Line an 8×8 dish with parchment paper.
  2. In a saucepan, melt chocolate, condensed milk, butter, and salt on low heat.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract.
  4. Spread into the prepared dish and top with crushed candy canes.
  5. Chill 2 hours, slice, and package into treat boxes.

Gifting Tip:

Wrap pieces in parchment squares and pack in a tin for a classic holiday look.


2. Snowball Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Extra powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy.
  3. Add vanilla and mix in flour + pecans.
  4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
  5. Bake 12–14 minutes, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
  6. Cool and roll again for a snowy finish.

Gifting Tip:

Fill a clear bag, tie with ribbon, and add a small “Let it Snow!” tag.


3. Hot Cocoa Mix Jars (Gift-in-a-Jar)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup powdered milk
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ cup mini marshmallows
  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips
  • Crushed candy canes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Layer ingredients inside a mason jar.
  2. Seal tightly and add a recipe tag:
    “Mix 3 tbsp with 1 cup hot milk.”

Gifting Tip:

Tie a mini candy cane around the jar for instant holiday charm.


4. Gingerbread Biscotti

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Optional: dip ends in white chocolate

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven 350°F.
  2. Mix dry ingredients, then add eggs, molasses & vanilla.
  3. Shape into 2 logs and bake 25 minutes.
  4. Slice into biscotti and bake 10 more minutes per side.
  5. Cool completely and dip in melted white chocolate.

Gifting Tip:

Package in a tall treat bag labeled “Perfect for Dunking!”


5. Christmas Rocky Road Bars

Ingredients

  • 3 cups mini marshmallows
  • 2 cups crushed biscuits or graham crackers
  • 2 cups melted chocolate
  • ½ cup chopped nuts
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Mix marshmallows, nuts & cranberries in a bowl.
  2. Pour melted chocolate over the mixture and combine.
  3. Press into a lined tray and chill 2 hours.
  4. Slice and wrap individually.

Gifting Tip:

Use festive foil wrappers for a colorful holiday look.


6. Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Almonds

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole almonds
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tbsp water
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven 250°F (120°C).
  2. Whisk egg white + water until frothy.
  3. Toss almonds in egg mixture.
  4. Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt and coat almonds.
  5. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Gifting Tip:

Fill mini jars and label them “Warm Roasted Holiday Almonds.”


7. White Chocolate Cranberry Bark

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white chocolate chips
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup pistachios
  • 1 tsp orange zest

Instructions

  1. Melt chocolate and spread onto a lined baking sheet.
  2. Sprinkle cranberries, pistachios, and orange zest.
  3. Chill 30 minutes and break into shards.

Gifting Tip:

Place shards in a cookie tin layered with parchment.


8. Classic Toffee Crunch

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup chopped almonds

Instructions

  1. Heat butter and sugar to 300°F (hard crack stage).
  2. Pour onto a lined tray.
  3. Sprinkle chocolate chips; let melt and spread.
  4. Add almonds and cool completely.
  5. Break into pieces.

Gifting Tip:

Wrap in clear bags with gold ribbon for a premium look.


9. No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 cups melted dark chocolate

Instructions

  1. Mix peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar.
  2. Roll into balls and freeze 15 minutes.
  3. Dip into melted chocolate.
  4. Chill until firm.

Gifting Tip:

Add gold sprinkles before the chocolate sets.


10. Homemade Vanilla Sugar (A Simple Luxe Gift)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 vanilla beans, split

Instructions

  1. Fill a jar with sugar.
  2. Bury vanilla beans inside.
  3. Let sit 7 days before gifting.

Gifting Tip:

Add a tag: “Use in coffee, cookies, or oatmeal!”


FAQs About Gifting Christmas Treats

1. How long do homemade Christmas treats last?
Most cookies last 5–7 days, candies last 2–3 weeks, and fudge lasts up to 2 weeks refrigerated.

2. What’s the cheapest edible gift to make?
Hot cocoa mix jars, sugar cookies, and candied nuts are budget-friendly and easy to scale.

3. Can I ship edible Christmas gifts?
Yes—choose sturdy items like biscotti, fudge, or toffee. Avoid anything soft or melty.

4. How do I package edible gifts safely?
Use airtight bags, tins, or jars. Add parchment layers between items to keep them fresh.

5. What’s a good edible gift for teachers?
Hot cocoa jars, biscotti, or peanut butter balls are always well-loved.

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