The Best

DIY Food Gifts

to Make on Christmas Morning (Chai Masala, Sweet Nimki)

Chai Masala: The Warmest Gift You Can Make in 10 Minutes

If you're looking for a gift that is guaranteed to win over everyone on your list, chai masala should be at the top of your list. It smells comforting, travels very well and lets you be 'that guy/girl' in the group who thought of everyone. Chai masala can be made from the following spices: green cardamom, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, ginger powder and a tiny sprinkle of nutmeg. Simply grind/spice to your liking, add to the jar, and tie with ribbon (if you want to go all out). Chai masala is a great, inexpensive and universally appreciated gift for anyone who drinks milky tea during the winter months, and is ready to go before your cup of coffee even finishes brewing.

Sweet Nimki: A Crispy, Festive Bite That Feels Like Home

Another classic Indian nostalgic gift is sweet nimki. It is incredibly easy to make with only four ingredients: flour, ghee, salt and sugar syrup. Sweet nimki is crispy for days, making it the perfect gift for neighbours, co-workers, or anyone else you know who has a fondness for homemade items without being too sweet. Package in either a mason jar or a parchment-lined box, and you'll have created an edible, sweet, thoughtful gift that looks ultra-professional (even if done last-minute).

Ready-to-Use Hot Chocolate Mix for the Last-Minute Saver

The perfect gift if you're down to 20 per cent energy in the kitchen is a hot chocolate mix. Simply combine cocoa powder, drinking chocolate, sugar and a small amount of cornstarch to create a creamy texture. For an extra "cute" touch, add mini marshmallows. Hot chocolate mix will instantly give anyone holiday cheer. You can easily prepare multiple jars of hot chocolate mix with minimal effort, making it an excellent option for bulk gifting when your guest list unexpectedly increases.

Flavoured Sugar or Salt: Minimal Effort, Maximum ‘Wow’

If you want gifts that look fancy without much work, consider making infused sugars or salts, such as vanilla sugar, cinnamon sugar, chilli-lime salt, or masala salt. The possibilities are limitless. Creating these infused sugars and salts is a matter of mixing, bottling, or jar/jarring, and labelling; they are all beneficial for those who cook or bake and are shelf-stable. You will also not need to refrigerate or rush to deliver; they appear premium even though it truly only takes about two minutes to make them.

Quick Dry Fruit Mix for Gifting (No Soaking Required)

If you are a fan of either fruitcake, granola (or if you snack a lot), an unsweetened or unsoaked dry fruit mixture can be a very classy gift! For example, you could use chopped almonds, pistachios, figs and/or raisins, then lightly sprinkle cinnamon on top of the mixture. Pack the mixture in an airtight jar (like those used for spices), and it will be very appealing.

Instant Coffee Mix for the Friend Who Lives on Caffeine

Creating your own instant coffee mix may not seem like a big deal, but it’s so very thought-provoking and fun! It consists of instant coffee crystals, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and sugar, which together create a drink mixture that behaves just like a DIY café mocha. The mixture dissolves instantly, yet retains all the flavour of a speciality coffee shop drink without the expense of a coffee shop. Take the mix and place it in a small jar with a spoon for an instant "wow" gift.

Simple Packaging Tricks to Make It Look Like You Tried

If simple brown paper, twine, and a handwritten tag sound exciting for your gift presentation, then that is all that you will need. You do not have to be as creative as you see on Pinterest; simply use your own charm. Utilise old jars, tins, or even clean candle containers to package your gift. You may want to wrap any crispy items in parchment paper to achieve that authentic bakery-style look. Just remember, people appreciate handwritten notes more than the gift itself.