I’m sure it comes as a surprise to no one that one of the things I most look forward to about the holiday season is baking.  Baking for our family, baking for our annual holiday party, but most of all, baking edible gifts for our friends and family.  I enjoy both the baking marathon itself, and even more so the evenings when we drop by our friends’ homes and deliver goodies to all the local recipients.

I remember the first few years that I baked treats for friends and family, I was blown away by the cost of packaging items sold in craft stores.  If I’m baking for 20ish recipients, expensive tins and such are just not feasible.  Not to mention, it’s tough to find designs that really mesh with my own sense of style.  Thankfully, I discovered Garnish and it has been my go-to packaging resource ever since.  I love the variety of products and the simplicity of the styles, because they are a perfect blank canvas to further dress up however you like.  I also love that it is all recyclable.  (Take note, recipients!)

Since the majority of the people who receive my treat bags read the blog regularly, I won’t specify exactly which things I am making this year, but above are the items I’m using to package my goodies this year.  I am especially excited about the little burlap bags.  AYKM with that cuteness?!  Let me also just add that I think a few cute stamps and embossing supplies are one of the best tools you can have around to add a little decoration to nearly anything.  Plain bag + embossed snowflake = instant holiday cheer.  If you like what you see, you are in luck!  The good people at Garnish generously offered to provide a couple of gift certificates to share with my readers.  Head on over to the giveaway page to enter!

For those of you who enjoy preparing edible gifts for friends and family, here are several options that I think are ideal for holiday gifting.

Cookies are of course the most popular holiday treat, and for good reason.  They’re cookies!  Here are several of my favorites for giving away to family and friends.

Peppermint Bark Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Raspberry Almond Rugelach

Candy Cane Macarons

French Butter Cookies

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies

Espresso Dark Chocolate Coconut Cookies

Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies

I think fudge is a crucial component of holiday treating.  Here are a few of my favorites:
Peanut Butter Fudge

Cappuccino Fudge

Cherry Hazelnut Fudge

Of course, there are definitely a few other candies that are also very worthy.

Homemade Marshmallows

Vanilla Bean Caramels – I will say these are the one thing that I definitely am including this year.  They were so popular the last couple of years, there could be a revolt if I did not!

Blackberry Truffles

And, a couple of other miscellaneous items that are major crowd pleasers year after year.

Peppermint Brownies

Hot Cocoa Mix

Happy holiday baking!

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