Compiled by Ruth of Makey-Cakey

Homemade edible Christmas gifts are always a joy to receive, and knowing that someone has taken the time and care to make you something beautiful and delicious can be a welcome antidote to the over-commercialisation of Christmas that seems to be all around us.

However my enthusiasm for them conceptually is often outweighed by my lack of forward planning – I’m sure I’m not alone! Instead of busily preserving the best of the summer’s bounty so that come Christmas, I have a stash of nicely matured chutneys and jams to give, I generally find myself in late November with nothing more to show for my plans than a bookmarks folder on my laptop full of interesting pickles and a packet or two of labels and lids bought in optimism in August that this year would be different.

Written by Jenny of Purple House Dirt.

The holidays are here, and that means it's time to bake for friends and family. But how about changing it up this year? Take the month of December as a Daring Bakers challenge of your own, and set aside your go-to holiday recipes and stretch a bit. Maybe you want to try something other than iced cookies or gingerbread or even your granny's fudge? Here are 20 recipes that I found on 20 very talented Daring Kitchen members sites that I think would make interesting and unexpected gifts, while also giving you a chance to try some new techniques. There's something in here for everyone - sweet, salty, savory, sour, crunchy, creamy - let's take a look!

Our 2nd holiday gift guide was once again created by Michele of Veggie Num Nums. Michele spent months researching these items, contacting vendors for special Daring Kitchen members only discounts and putting it all together beautifully. Please show her some love in comments for an AWESOME job! xoxo

Well it's that time of year again! Regardless of which direction you're looking in, you're bound to see advertisements for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. It's the shopping season and if any of you are like us, we'd rather eat live bees than come within 10 feet of a mall this time of year. Especially at the crack of dawn. So we've worked tirelessly in putting together a brand spankin' new Holiday Gift Guide for the Daring Kitchen - and for YOU! Our faithful readers.

Download the complete gift guide HERE!!

Written by Josalyn McAllister of Deliciously Domestic.

When I was growing up my mother would make candy to give to our friends and family during the Holiday season. It started out simple: Caramel, Toffee. Chocolate covered nuts. Gradually she added chocolate truffles, peanut butter balls, dipped caramels. Since I’ve moved out she makes even more. Homemade marshmallows, vanilla bean creams, toasted coconuts, all kinds of fruit creams. Walking into my mom’s kitchen at Christmas is like walking into a high end chocolate shop.

When I began teaching school, I was shocked by the competitive gift giving I was barraged with during the Holidays. I taught in an upscale neighborhood and it seemed that the whole point of the last days of school before break was to see who could bring me the most impressive, elaborate, thoughtful gift. It was massively entertaining.

As is inevitable in these schools, there were a few kids who didn’t have the money to compete with the ostentatious spending that was going on. It was one of these boys who brought me a small box on the day before break. He was almost embarrassed to hand it to me and timed his approach when the other students would be paying the least attention. I gave him a huge smile and thanked him sincerely.