Because one of my goals this year is to make or acquire all birthday or Christmas gifts, I’ll be turning to my garden for some help. I already have a bunch of canning jars on hand, and I’ve already planted a garden, so I’ll use the excess for some pretty awesome gifts. Here’s what I have planned:
Jams/Jellies
Meyer Lemon Ginger Marmalade – I love everything Meyer lemon, and this recipe is no exception. The ginger lemon combo is divine. Plus, a Meyer lemon tree means free ingredients! {Pin it for Later}
Cherry Jam – If you have a cherry tree or know someone who does, chances are you’ll be overrun with cherries at their peak. Pick some and make up a few batches of Cherry Jam. {Pin it for Later}
Jalapeno Pepper Jelly – I seem to be able to grow mass quantities of peppers. So much more than we can ever use. Utilizing them in this delicious jelly and then sharing the love seems like a great plan. {Pin it for Later}
Cranberry Orange Marmalade: I love me some orange marmalade, so I thought, why not take it up a notch by adding cranberries. It was a wise choice and turned out so good! {Pin it for Later}
Fast and Easy Peach Freezer Jam – Normally when peach trees produce, they don’t mess around and provide bumper harvests. Make up a couple of batches of peach freezer jam, tie a bow on them and you’ve got yourself a perfectly perfect gift. {Pin it for Later}
Syrups/Sauces
Cranberry Cinnamon Pear Sauce: This recipe was born due to lack of ingredients. I found a recipe I liked but it called for apples. I didn’t have any, so I subbed in cranberries and never looked back! {Pin it for Later}
Strawberry Syrup – This stuff takes pancakes to a whole new level. It’s delightful and I’m sure the recipient would agree. {Pin it for Later}
Apple Butter – I have family members that ask yearly if I’m “gifting” this stuff again. It’s that good. {Pin it for Later}
Homemade Raspberry Applesauce – If your fall crop of raspberries are on, make sure this is on your “to gift” list. It tastes so good they’ll be eating it for dessert. {Pin it for Later}
Canned/Pickled Produce
Canned Dilly Beans – It’s never to early to start planning your canning line-up. Also, I realize how nerdy it sound when I type that. I accept it. {Pin it for Later}
Pickled Corn Relish – Gifting this is rad because it’s dang near impossible to get it at the store, but tastes awesome. This corn relish is like having an invitation to a private and exclusive party. {Pin it for Later}
Easy Refrigerator Pickles – Cucumbers are another thing that seem to grow fairly easily and fairly heartily. And this pickle recipe is simple, so you put it togther with ample ingredients and you’ve got a homemade gift winner! {Pin it for Later}
Dehydrated Treats
How to Dehydrate Strawberries – If your strawberry patch is running wild, share the wealth by dehydrating some, plopping them in a jar and gifting them this year. {Pin it for Later}
Watermelon Candy – Okay, so this is really just dehydrated watermelon, but honest to goodness, it tastes like candy. Your friends will love you for sharing! {Pin it for Later}
How to Dehydrate Tomatoes – I always have more tomatoes than I know what to do with. Drying them and tossing some in Mason jars means my friends and family will have the perfect ingredient to throw on pizzas and into pastas. Yum. {Pin it for Later}
Salsa
Strawberry Basil Salsa – Because I’m growing strawberries AND basil, I’ve gota ll the fresh ingredients I need to whip some of this tasty stuff up and give some of it away. {Pin it for Later}
Rainbow Salsa – This recipe is great if you’re looking for something pretty and colorful to gift. It also happens to taste AMAZING. {Pin it for Later}
Dried Herbs
How to Dry Herbs From the Garden – So many herbs, so little time to eat them all. Drying is the easiest way to preserve them, and gifting those home-grown herbs allows you to share the wealth! {Pin it for Later}
How to Dry Basil – I love fresh basil in so many different recipes, but it sadly doesn’t last all year. Drying fixes that craving and drying and gifting that spreads the basil love! {Pin it for Later}
Seeds
DIY Seed Tin Gifts – It’s the gift that just keeps on giving {growing} for all those gardeners in your life. They’ll thank you, I promise! {Pin it for Later}
Plant Starts
This final idea is really geared more towards the avid gardener in your life. While you can give jam to just about anyone, digging up and gifting some plant starts from your garden might not be that well received by someone who hates gardening! But if you do know some gardeners, dig up and pot some starts and give the gift of growing!
What have you gifted from your garden? Any great ones I’m missing?
Mel says
I’d add dried cayenne pepper flakes, dried herb flower candles, and compound butters.
Mavis Butterfield says
Great ideas Mel!
Em says
Yum. Also carrot cake jam. And peach preserves.
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh yes. The carrot cake jam. That’s a favorite.
Ronnica, Striving Stewardess says
I’ve been thinking about this, too. I hope to grow enough tomatoes to make pizza sauce for me as well as for gifts.
mandy says
Thanks for this list Mavis. Especially nice this time of year. I’ve been making your jalapeno jelly the last couple years and it’s been a hit over the holidays. I also do a habanero jelly with your recipe and just use a bit less peppers (I use the orange ones, they’re so hot), a couple red bells and a tiny bit of dried red pepper flakes. That has been a hit as well. I”m so excited the season is upon us! I’m doing zucchini pickles tomorrow 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Jalapeno jelly makes such a great hostess gift!!!
Donna in VA says
Pestos. You can freeze them.
Mavis Butterfield says
Great on Donna!