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 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.

Researched and Written by Kelsey of The Naptime Chef.

I love Christmas cookies of all shapes and sizes. At this special time of year people around the world pull out all the stops baking holiday cookies, delving into special files of personal recipes to serve to family and friends. Below you will find a few of my favorites, as well as round up of some of the best from my fellow bloggers. Enjoy!

Tis the Season for Sweets researched and written by Kim LeCompte of Assaporando la Vita. Fill Your Stocking with Vegan Cookies recipes and written by Kris Holechek of nom! nom! nom! blog.

Growing up, my mother would bake every year. I have fond memories of helping her out in the kitchen. Mixing and rolling dough, baking and freezing the cookies that were to be given as gifts. Now that I’m grown and have moved thousands of miles away, I hardly get to spend time with family around the Holidays. So my Christmas season is spent keeping my family traditions close and keeping my rolling pin out, my oven on, and my cookies neatly stored in the freezer until it’s gift giving time. Well, let’s just say that I keep baking every year because I’m terrible at buying presents for people. And who doesn’t like a good cookie around Christmas time?