10 Creative DIY Christmas Gift Food Packaging Ideas

10 Creative DIY Christmas Gift Food Packaging Ideas

The season of giving is upon us. If you’re trying to pick out the perfect gift for a friend or family member, remember that homemade gifts given at Christmas speak straight to the heart. Nothing says “I love you” like a homemade treat – and we have 100s of ideas for you to make and share. After spending your afternoon in the kitchen, be sure to give your sweet gift the presentation it deserves. We’ve gathered some of our favorite, easy-to-make, and original gift food packaging ideas below.

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So Cute You’ll Barely Contain Yourself

Try this trick for a pretty package that is reusable for the recipient. Inexpensive clear canisters and mason jars can be found at your local craft store, dollar store, or even resale shop. Look for jars with wide mouth openings so that you can easily reach in and out. For cookies, cut colored wax paper or tissue paper into squares and then alternate cookie and paper. This is also the ideal way to package our Apple Spice Muffin Mix and our Peppermint Sugar Scrub. Dress the jar with a bow, raffia or ribbon.

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A Window to the Heart

Start with plain gift bags to make these cellophane holiday shaped window gift bags. Punch out the center of your bag with a large holiday-themed punch or trace a stencil or cookie cutter and then cut it out. With a clear tape runner or double-sided clear tape, tape around the cut-out image on the inside of the bag. Cut out a piece of cellophane large enough to cover the image and carefully slip it inside the bag and place it over the tape and cut out image. Press down to adhere. Fill the bag with homemade cookies or other treats such as our Cherry Cordials and then fold over the top of the bag a couple times, then punch two holes with a hole punch and tie together with ribbon.

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Brown Paper Packages Tied up with String

You know the saying, “the simpler, the better?” It’s true! We like to use simple brown butcher block paper as wrapping paper. Tie it up with some natural raffia, twine, or burlap ribbon then place a homemade label on the front such as one of the cute tags we’ve prepared for you to download and print for free. Attach a baking utensil such as a spatula or cookie cutter to the top. Just be sure to wrap your goodies like our Gingerdoodle Cookies, in a Ziplock bag, tin foil, or plastic wrap to keep them airtight and fresh in the package.

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You’ve Been Framed

Looking for a unique tray to present Frontier Pecan Cake or German Pound Cake to a hostess at a Christmas party? Picture this! Use a frame as the base. You can insert a piece of Christmas themed paper with a personal message inside the frame. After the sweet treat is long gone, the recipient can remember the sweet gesture by putting a picture taken at the party inside the frame. Even better…take a picture while you’re there and mail it to her after the event.

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A Work of Art

Create a keepsake along with a memory when you customize a plain tin with a child's artwork using water slide decal paper or full-page labels. Visit our Cookie Tin page for instructions on how to create your own work of art. Another quick and easy idea is to use your child’s thumbprints to decorate white gift bags. See the Finger Painted Christmas Treat Bags for some inspiration. A perfect way to package our Caramel Pecan Chocolate Cups.

 

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Pretty Party Favors

If you want a pretty way to pass out your favorite, homemade candy to friends at a holiday book club, bunko or homeroom party, try using doilies. Just adhere two small or medium size doilies together with a glue stick or use a piece of yarn to weave the two together around the edges, leaving a small bit open at the top and fold down the front doily a bit so guests can get a sneak peek of the goodness inside.The lace on the doily creates a fancy presentation for our Sour Orange Drops. You can even take it one step further and tie with a tag or ribbon to finish it off.

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A Star is Born

Make the sweet treat the star by placing it in a clear cellophane bag and tying with a piece of big, colorful, festive ribbon. A perfect way to give our Stained Glass Nutmeg Rounds to someone you love. You can buy cellophane bags of all sizes and Christmas ribbon by the roll at your local craft store.

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Sweet Treats to Go

Most craft stores carry cute Chinese food take-out box shaped containers. Just fill with colorful tissue paper, tinsel, colored foil or shred and place your home baked treats on top. A great package for our cookie and candy recipes, but especially cute for our homemade customizable fortune cookies.

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Oh Fudge!

Make a batch of our Creamy Chocolate Peppermint Fudge or Gingerbread Fudge recipe and cut a brick the exact length and width of a butter dish. You can find cute, clear, or white ones at your local dollar store or look for butter dishes decorated with a Christmas theme. Tie with a ribbon and attach a butter or cheese knife for slicing.

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Chalk it Up to Good Taste

Start with an inexpensive and appropriately sized paper or cardboard craft box. Take a can of chalkboard spray paint and completely cover all sides. Apply in light, sweeping coats. Let dry for 24 hours. Next, take either chalk or chalk markers and write your holiday message. The best part is that because it is chalk, you can erase and start again if you change your mind on the design. Line the box with wax paper and place your homemade treats like our Cookies and Cream Blossoms inside.

Check out our video as well as our free printable gift tags and labels and gift mix ideas.

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