Holidays and special occasions are the perfect time to strengthen your relationship with friends, families, colleagues, and clients. Everyone loves edible gift – and they are fun, easy to make, and a handmade gift that is truly from the heart. Best of all, you can tailor them to fit a budget of any size. All you need is a popcorn machine, an oven, or just a trip to the grocery store.

Popcorn Machine Magic

Though popcorn can be made on the stove or in the microwave, nothing beats the full, rich flavor of popcorn made in an authentic popcorn machine. Popcorn treats are healthy and making them is fun! First, decide if you will color or flavor the treats. You can make several different flavors for a colorful treat, make each person their flavor of choice, or go with a favorite color to coordinate with the rest of the package. Depending on the popcorn machine you have, you may be able to add it in when you make it.

The packaging can be just as important as the snack itself. Tins keep the kernels fresh and make a pretty display item. Baskets add a delicate touch to the space. For this idea, line the inside with wax paper before pouring in the treats. Consider giving a set of containers instead of just one. Small plastic pails are the ideal medium for creating a set of countertop canisters. Simply add ribbons, pictures, and colored cellophane after removing the label for a personalized set.

Grocery Store Gifts

Another healthy treat are fruit trays or baskets. In one trip to the grocery store and a stop at the craft store, you have the makings of a memorable gift. Hatboxes, wooden crates, or large seagrass baskets are ideal for holding everything together. When it comes to selecting fruit, look for flawless fruit in a mix of colors, shapes, and sizes, such as bananas, oranges, purple grapes, kiwis, and pomegranates.

Add padding to the bottom of the container to prevent the goodies from bruising. Next, have fun arranging the fruit in a pleasing way. You may want to use a decorative material as the padding so that you can pull a bit of it up and between the fruit as well. You can add tiny trinkets or a few personal notes written on cardstock. When you're done, cover it in plastic and tie it shut with a ribbon.

Oven Delights

Cookies are a fun and delicious way to express your appreciation of others and a great way to include your kids in the gift-making process. For a quick and easy solution, select cookie mixes and premade dough, bake it, and allow it to cool. For a truly personalized gift, make a series of your favorite recipes. Cut them in a specific theme, decorate them with icing, or add your favorite candies. When you place them into a container, make sure you seal it airtight or arrange the cookies in a bag to keep them fresh.

With just a popcorn machine, an oven, and a trip to the craft store and grocery store, you can make a variety of wonderful edible gifts. You can mix these delicious treats together, add different flavors, or get creative with the packaging. To personalize your gifts even more, add different variations such as small toys and trinkets, personal notes, office supplies, or other items that you would like to give. The gift giving ideas are endless!