Have you ever smacked your forehead in December, wishing that you had started a DIY food gift earlier? Well, now is the time to do exactly that. Things like homemade vanilla and booze-spiked fruits are best when given several months to steep and mellow - not to mention the infamous fruitcake (which can be really delicious when you make it yourself).
While I'm loathe to introduce the idea of the winter holidays here in the first week of August, there are some homemade edible gifts that need to be started now if you want them to be ready in time for gifting in December. Read on for a list of recipes and ideas and let us know what DIY gifts you're starting on right now.
Of course, many people are already canning and preserving the bounty with an eye to holiday gifts. Receiving a jar of apricot jam in December is a different thing than receiving one now, after all. But there are many other ways to capture a bit of sumer for those cold, dark months. Here are a few projects from The Kitchn that need some lead time before they're ready:
• Baker's Tip: Make Your Own Vanilla Extract
• Improvisational Cherry Vinegar
• DIY Recipe: Boozy Cherries 21/2 Ways
• Recipe Review: Melissa Clark's DIY Maraschino Cherries
• Recipe Report: Quince Ratafia (can be made with any fruit)
• Love Fruitcake? Start Your Fruit Mix Now
• DIY Candied Lemon Peel
What holiday project are you starting on right now?
(Image: Faith Durand)
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I thought I was ahead of the game starting to stock the freezer for Back to School! AAUUGGHH!! I feel myself sailing past a football...
I just started my cinnamon stick scented sugar and vanilla bean scented sugar today! Tomorrow I start with the vanilla extract and after the farmers market this weekend I'm going to make my infusions! It's going to be a homemade Christmas this year!
I know you're right, but you just depressed me a bit at the thought of summer coming to an end.. I've actually just been given a bulk amount of raisins so I probably should start my fruitcake soon, never thought about it until now.
Is that a quince in the picture? Too bad a lot of people are not familiar with this amazing fruit. It is very popular in Eastern Europe. We make kompot (was very excited to find a recipe on this website), my favorite is a mix of apples and quinces. But by far, my favorite, is the quince preserve. It is simply amazing!!