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Frugal Food Gifts
Cheap and Easy Gifts from the Kitchen

By Erin Huffstetler, About.com Guide

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Food gifts are easy on the budget and the taste buds. Give one or more of these tasty gift ideas a try:

Cookie Dough

Photo © Flickr user Zanasstardust

It's always nice to have cookie dough on hand, so why not make some up to give as a gift? If you roll the dough into a log and wrap it in wax paper, making cookies will be as easy as slicing off some dough and popping it into the oven.

Vanilla Extract

Photo © Flickr user acfou

Wow your friends and family with the gift of homemade vanilla extract packed in pretty glass bottles.

Nuts

Photo © Flickr user Jasmine&Roses

Make up a large batch of boiled peanuts, candied pecans or spicy party nuts. Then, pour the nuts into cellophane bags, and seal them with a bow.

Homemade Wine, Liqueur or Beer

Photo © flickr user Haversack

Learn how to make blackberry wine, coffee liqueur or another tasty alcoholic beverage of your choosing. Then, bottle it up, and give it away to a lucky few.

Wine, Liqueur and Beer Recipes

Ice Cream Toppings

Photo © Flickr user Alipyon

A basket of homemade ice cream toppings is sure to earn shrieks of delight from even the grumpiest of individuals.

Jam or Jelly

Photo © Erin Huffstetler

You can't go wrong with a jar of homemade jam or jelly. Opt for a classic like apple butter or go with something a bit more unexpected, like the honey-sweet flavor of dandelion jelly.

Kettle Corn

Photo © Erin Huffstetler

Kettle corn is another can't-miss sweet and salty treat. Make up a batch to give away, and another to munch on while you work. Yum!

Caramel Popcorn

Photo © Flickr user Randy_Son_Of_Robert

Caramel corn is a classic, and for good reason: it's delicious. Make up a batch (or 20) to give to friends and family, and you're guaranteed rave reviews.

Bread and Flavored Butter

Photo © Erin Huffstetler

As a gift, homemade bread is hard to beat. Make up a simple loaf of wheat bread or try something slightly fancier, like beer cheese bread, peanut butter bread or pumpkin banana bread. Then, finish off the gift with a container of flavored butter.

Jar Mixes

Stock up on mason jars, and use them to package homemade jar mixes. With recipes for desserts, soups, convenience foods and more, you're sure to find something to please even the pickiest person on your gift list.