Homemade Seasoning Blends and Extracts are easy to make and perfect for gift giving. They are delicious, affordable to make and have a special personal touch everyone love.
A few weeks ago I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio) and they stated the National Retail Federation who previously expected a bright holiday retail season as of early October, had adjusted their optimistic outlook to expect sales to be depressed this year.
Citing a number of reasons including the government shut-down, the belief is consumers will be hanging on more tightly to their pocketbooks this year.
When I had more ‘free’ time, I loved making gifts for the holidays. More so these days I think homemade gifts are appreciated for the time gifters spend creating them as much as the gift itself.
Last year we found a fantastic Mason jar layered soup mix that we whipped up for all my kids teachers (including every middle school teacher and office staff) and coaches feeling it would be something they genuinely would use.
Several of the recipients looped back to the kids to say how delicious it had been and how much they appreciated such a unique gift.
Easy DIY Spice Blends and Extract recipes
Being a DIY’er at heart, I’m also practical and want to give gifts people really will use and enjoy. This year I have pulled together a series of edible gift ideas that would be fun to make up, won’t break the bank and with some ingenuity could be a perfect present.
A first in the series is Spices, Seasonings and Extracts. Until I was a food blogger I had no idea I could be making my own Vanilla Extract rather than be spending $7 at the store.
Taco Seasoning that we blaze through can be blended in my kitchen. The possibilities are endless.
Grouped together in cute containers or meshed with themed gift items and the perfect gift is quickly and thoughtfully created!
Spice Blend Recipes
Nonya Curry Powder for Chicken or Beef
Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe
Pumpkin Pie Spice {Rachel Cooks}
Greek Seasoning Blend (the Daring Gourmet}
Ranch Seasoning Mix {Gimme Some Oven}
Chinese Five Spice {Foodie with a Family}
14 Spice Dry Rub Mix {The Yummy Life}
Chili and Taco Seasoning {Bake Your Day}
Lemon Pepper Seasoning {Simply Scratch}
Fajita Seasoning {the Slender Kitchen}
Beef Stew Seasoning Mix – All Natural {Rachel Cooks}
Pizza Seasoning {Home in the Finger Lakes}
Homemade Extract Recipes
Vanilla Extract {Tidy Mom}
Mint Extract {Healthy Green Kitchen}
Lemon Extract {Common Sense Homesteading}
Almond Extract {Common Sense Homesteading}
Chile Pepper Salt {In Fine Balance}
Sources for containers
Many affordable containers can be found online. There are many choices for spice containers. Some come with labels and plastic inserts for pouring or sprinkling as you’d find on store purchased spices.
There are lots of choices for extracts bottles too.
Other places to look online or in person would include: Sur La Table, World Market, Target, Williams Sonoma, Hobby Lobby or Michaels Crafts.
Fun Gift Pairing Ideas
These would be fun and affordable gifts for anyone who enjoys cooking, teachers, friends, neighbors, coaches and more!
Pizza Seasoning paired with some tomato sauce, a pizza pan, pizza cutter and pizza stand.
Almond Extract paired with a great Biscotti recipe, baking sheet and a cute pot holder or cooling rack.
Pumpkin Pie spice with a can of organic pumpkin puree, pie pan and pie cutter.
Homemade Mexican Taco Seasoning with a taco holder, taco recipe, homemade salsa and guacamole.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Toni, this is such a fabulous round-up of homemade gift ideas! And thank you so much for including my Greek Seasoning! I often make little gift packets of a variety of seasoning blends (as well as soup, chili and dip mixes) to give to my friends and family. They really make such cute gifts. I’ve been meaning forever to make some flavor extracts and this was just the reminder I needed.
Briana Borten says
This is such a wonderful and thoughtful gift! And you can get creative with the containers, too. Great gift idea 🙂
Debra says
I have been making spiced mixes and rubs, too. I love doing homemade for gifts. Pinning this for next year. Thanks!
Toni Dash says
I love this idea too Debra. It is easy and affordable as well as can be made into some cute gifts quickly.
Trish @infinebalance says
Thanks for adding my link to your list. I’m excited to explore the others… I’m still need a few gifts for those hard to buy for folks! Thanks for putting this together.
Toni Dash says
You are welcome Trish. I’ll admit I’ve done almost no holiday shopping and the ideas still feel out of reach. This list will help me too come up with some fun ideas for those on our gift list; so thank YOU!
Cassie says
I love making homemade gifts! Thanks for sharing my chili & taco seasoning!
Toni Dash says
You are so welcome Cassie! I love that is can be used either for Chili or Tacos, and taco seasoning is something I am constantly replacing so look forward to making it for my own kitchen too!
Rachel Cooks says
Thanks for sharing some of my recipes! This is a great round-up — homemade gifts are the best.
Toni Dash says
Rachel your blog is a treasure trove of DIY spice blends! It was so fun to explore them to find some both for this list but future personal reference. I love homemade gifts too!
Oge @ healthy food delivery says
I love DIY gifts, and these look great! Thanks for the wonderful ideas Toni!
Toni Dash says
You are so welcome Oge! Whether for gifts or just to have to whip up at home, I loved this list of options too.