The holiday season is upon us, sweet friends! This is the time to slow down, savor the joy of giving, and gather around the table with loved ones. In today’s video, my husband Ted and I share ideas for stress-free shopping and heartfelt gifting, from easy homemade treats—including a homemade hot chocolate mix—to our favorite family board games. These ideas will help you create a thoughtful and meaningful holiday season, all while keeping things simple and fun!
Thoughtful Holiday Gifts Video
Watch my Thoughtful Holiday Gifts video, where Ted and I chat with you about some of our favorite homemade food gifts and our top board game picks for playing around the holiday table with family and friends. But don’t stop there!
Scroll down for extra tips, detailed instructions, and all my favorite ideas for making homemade edible gifts. You won’t want to miss what I’ve written just for you! And be sure to check out the links to the curated playlist for all the videos and printable recipes so you can treat your family and friends to some delicious goodies.
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Table of Contents
- Thoughtful Holiday Gifts Video
- Easy Homemade Food Gifts
- Additional Easy Homemade Gift Ideas
- For Even More Homemade Gift Ideas
- Best Board Games for Family Fun
- A Special Time of Year
- The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
- Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List
- Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy
- Kitchen Academy Videos
- Shop for items used in this blog post or video
Easy Homemade Food Gifts
Homemade gifts are my favorite way to show love during the holidays. They’re thoughtful, personal, and made with care—perfect for spreading joy to friends, neighbors, and family. Here are some of my favorite ideas that are easy to make, non-perishable pantry friendly, and guaranteed to delight!
- Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar – Layer simple ingredients in a small mason jar for an individual giftable treat. Tie it up with a ribbon and a little tag with instructions for making a cozy cup of cocoa.
- Homemade Coffee Creamers – For the coffee lover in your life, gift them a homemade creamer! You can make a healthy version with natural sweeteners and wholesome ingredients, or try a keto-friendly version that’s sugar-free and rich in flavor. Pack the creamer into small bottles or jars, and they’ll think of you with every delicious sip.
- Meals-in-Bags – This is a gift of convenience and comfort! Layer dried beans, lentils, or rice in a bag, add seasonings, and include a recipe card for preparing a hearty soup or stew. These are great gifts for busy families or anyone who appreciates a warm, nourishing meal during the winter months.
Additional Easy Homemade Gift Ideas
What I have shared above are some of my favorite homemade gifts that friends and family have always been delighted to receive, but if you are looking for a few more ideas, I’ve got you covered:
- Homemade Vanilla Extract – With just two ingredients—vanilla beans and vodka—you can create a gift that will almost perpetually give flavor to baked goods and treats. Pour it into small glass bottles and let the rich aroma of vanilla wow your gift recipients. And if you are highly motivated, I also show you how to make an assorted variety of flavored extracts!
- Seasoned Nuts – Toss pecans, almonds, or your favorite nuts with a mix of spices like cinnamon and cayenne or rosemary and sea salt and just a touch of olive oil and roast them at 350°F (177°C) for about 5 minutes to create a savory snack that everyone will love.
- Herbal Tea Blends – Combine dried herbs and flowers to create soothing or invigorating tea blends. Pack them in small tins or sachets for a cozy gift that’s perfect for chilly winter evenings. And if you are short of time and would prefer to send a premade tea gift, be sure to check out Farmhouse Teas and use my discount coupon code!
- Homemade Jams or Jellies – Capture the flavors of the season with homemade jam. Pair it with a fresh loaf of bread or crackers for a gift that’s as delicious as it is thoughtful.
For Even More Homemade Gift Ideas
For my delicious ideas for how to make a whole host of homemade gifts, be sure to check out my blog post with 10 Best Homemade Christmas Gifts and More.
Best Board Games for Family Fun
Now, let’s talk about what Ted shared in my Thoughtful Holiday Homemade Gifts and Best Board Games for Families video: the best board games for bringing families together. Whether you’re planning family fun gaming during the holidays, hosting a game night for your best buddies, or simply looking for a unique gift, these games promise hours of fun and laughter!
- Fromage – This cheese-themed game is perfect for foodies. It combines strategy with creativity as players compete to craft the finest cheeses and impress their customers. (Read my Fromage board game review.)
- Charcuterie – A delightful pairing with Fromage, this game lets you design the ultimate charcuterie board while navigating fun challenges. It’s a feast for the imagination! (Read my Charcuterie board game review.)
- 7 Wonders – A classic game of strategy and resource-building, 7 Wonders is excellent for older kids and adults. It’s fast-paced, easy to learn, and has endless replayability. Plus, there are a whole host of expansions for this award-winning board game!
- Everdell Collectors Edition – Step into a whimsical woodland world with this beautifully designed 3-D board game. Players build villages and explore a charming storybook setting, making it perfect for young and old alike. (The Everdell Standard Edition is less expensive than the Collectors Edition because it uses standard tokens in place of fancier bits and pieces and doesn’t include the Legends expansion, but the basic gameplay between the two versions is the same.)
- Bang! – Channel your inner sheriff or outlaw in this Old West-themed game. It’s a fast-moving card game with plenty of surprises, making it a hit for larger groups.
- Saboteur – Work together to mine for gold—but watch out for a sneaky saboteur! This card game is all about bluffing and teamwork, and it’s guaranteed to keep everyone laughing.
A Special Time of Year
The Special Ingredient in a Homemade Gift – Love
The holidays are such a special time, sweet friend, when we get to slow down and focus on what truly matters—connection, joy, and the simple pleasures of being with those we love. And what better way to show someone how much you care than with a thoughtful homemade food gift?
Whether it’s a jar of homemade vanilla extract, a festive hot cocoa mix, or a beautifully layered Meal-in-a-Bag, these heartfelt gifts are more than just something to unwrap—they’re little pieces of love that bring warmth and comfort long after the holidays are over.
A Lighthearted Environment to Foster Good Cheer
But giving isn’t just about gifts. Gathering together, sharing a meal, and playing a game around the table can be the highlight of any holiday celebration. That’s why board games have become one of my favorite ways to bring people together! They’re the perfect way to keep things lighthearted and fun, whether you’re playing with family, longtime friends, or even new acquaintances.
And let’s not forget the magic that happens when shy guests join in on the fun. There’s something about a good board game that breaks the ice and gets people talking, laughing, and sharing stories. Even the quietest guest can surprise everyone with their competitive streak or quick wit! And here’s a little secret: board games have a knack for sparking connections—sometimes even romantic ones!
I’ve seen more than one game night turn into a love story, where a little friendly banter over cards or dice leads to a sweet connection between single guests. Who would have thought that a game of Charcuterie or Everdell could be the start of something special? 😉
A Little Spark of Holiday Enchantment!
So as you plan your holiday gatherings, consider adding a homemade gift and a great board game to the mix. Both have a way of creating memories that last long after the season has passed. And who knows? You might just be setting the stage for a little holiday enchantment to unfold!
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The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
Seasonal ingredients, traditional techniques, and nourishing recipes. Over 85 traditional, from-scratch recipes! Discover for yourself how you can use simple ingredients and traditional techniques to cook the modern pioneer way.
Looking for the perfect gift for the traditional foods cook in your family? Then be sure to get them a copy of my bestselling book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook!
Start Your Traditional Foods Journey
Part of my passion for keeping traditional cooking skills alive—in addition to my online cooking school on YouTube—is writing cookbooks. My first book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook published by Penguin Random House (PRH), is full of my traditional foods recipes that show you how to create a traditional foods kitchen.
Be sure to order your copy of my bestselling book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook, to start your traditional foods journey. And stay tuned for my next cookbook that will be published by PRH in 2025!
Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List
For an extensive list of the traditional foods you can make and purchase to stock your pantry, be sure to download my free 36-page Traditional Foods Pantry List. This comprehensive eBook is full of links to recipe videos, helpful articles, and more!
Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy
Are you looking for more traditional foods videos? If so, I invite you to join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy. Members of this optional paid YouTube community get access to exclusive videos and other members-only perks. Plus, your YouTube comments include a special members-only badge.
Kitchen Academy Videos
Baking with Ancient Grains in the Traditional Foods Kitchen
Bake with Einkorn, Emmer, and Spelt—nutritious ancient grains that bring rich flavor and tradition to your favorite recipes.
Discussing the Secrets to Perfect Green Herbal Oils
Let’s talk about the popularity of flavored herbal oils.
Are You Salt Sensitive or Salt Resistant? Get the Latest Salt Intake Research
Learn how your body may react to salt intake differently from others.
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Shop for items used in this blog post or video
Favorite Card and Board Games
- Fromage (Become an artisanal cheese maker.)
- Chacuterie (Create a delightful food mix for your guests)
- Bang! (Step into the old west with a hidden identity card game.)
- 7 Wonders (Award winning board game)
- 7 Wonders Expansions (New civilizations and more)
- Everdell Standard Edition (Step into a whimsical woodland world)
- Everdell Collectors Edition (Upgraded pieces and more)
- Saboteur (One of these dwarves is not who they seem in this hidden identity card game)
Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide
- Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
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