The best gifts are homemade from the heart.
For Belinda Smith-Sullivan, a chef, author, and food entrepreneur in Trenton, South Carolina, “if I really want to show someone how important they are to me, I show that in the form of a handmade food gift.” Growing up, her family was “of very modest means, and handmade edible gifts were the most cherished. Giving someone a food gift was the equivalent of an extremely expensive present,” she said.
She shared a recipe for pecan tassies, perfectly giftable—and perfectly poppable—bite-size treats from her cookbook “Southern Sugar,” a love letter to the beloved desserts of the South. She recalled memories of making cookies and candies for neighbors, friends, and parents’ coworkers each year.
“My mother always referred to it as us giving a little bit of Christmas to others,” she said.
“I love making homemade gifts for Christmas, especially jams with in-season produce. I make mini baskets with baked cookies, a bottle of jam, and a pretty spoon to decorate your own Linzer cookies,” she said. “It personalizes the gift and makes it special for the recipient.”
Finally, for those whose tastes lean more savory than sweet, how about a homemade rib rub from a legendary BBQ chef?
Sweet:
Savory:
And to drink:
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