9 edible Christmas gifts anyone can make

Surprise your friends and family with homemade Christmas gifts you've made yourself.

Whether you're looking to save money this Christmas or want to surprise your loved ones with a special treat, these edible gifts are sure to put a smile on anyone's face. These delicious goodies will show care and thoughtfulness – and what more could you want at Christmas than that?

Read more: Our essential Christmas food guide

Mini panettone

An Italian Christmas staple, panettone has found its way to our hearts. The rich, sweet bread is dotted with dried fruit, peel and brandy, and although it needs to prove in the fridge overnight, the rest of the cooking time doesn't take long. Wrap in baking parchment, finish with a festive ribbon and pop in Christmas stockings. 

Spiced pumpkin butter 

This delicious butter is the perfect gift for anyone who loves all things pumpkin spice. With just 30 minutes of cooking time, it’s easy to make and can be used in many dishes – add it to granola or spoon over pancakes. It will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

Gingerbread men and reindeer

These adorable biscuits don't take a lot of time to make and will be a fun activity for the whole family to do together. You'll need gingerbread men cookie cutters and writing icing for decorating as well as a nice box to put them all in. You can make the reindeer by turning the gingerbread men upside down.

READ MORE: 12 great money-saving Christmas tips

Cherry chocolate tiffin

This tiffin ticks all the boxes: dark chocolate, crunchy biscuits, nutty almonds and mouth-puckering dried sour cherries. It's everything a chocolate lover could wish for Christmas. Present in festive wrapping and it'll keep in the fridge for up to a week.

A dozen Christmas shortbreads

This one simple shortbread recipe can be transformed into a dozen different biscuits – you just have to use your imagination and try out different shapes and flavorings. If you want to make the shortbreads ahead of time, you can cut the shapes and freeze them between two sheets of baking paper, then just defrost and bake before arranging in a gift box.

Christmas apple pickle 

A perfect accompaniment to a Christmas cheeseboard and crackers, this Christmas apple pickle has perfectly balanced sweet and bitter flavors. Present in a mason jar with a personalized gift tag and festive ribbon.

Orange, almond and cardamom madeleines

Small enough to enjoy with a tea or a coffee after a big meal, these aromatic madeleines are great for when you need a little something to give as a gift. They're also really quick and easy to make, you'll just need a special madeleine tray.

READ MORE: How to build the perfect Christmas cheeseboard

Salted brown sugar caramel chocolate truffles

A good truffle is a joy to eat. These decadent chocolate truffles are flavored with salted caramel and will just take about an hour to make. They're a brilliant present for someone with a serious sweet tooth.

Chili oil

Chili oil is brilliant for adding a finishing touch with a bit of a kick to many dishes, from pizza to poached eggs. You can easily infuse your own oil at home and present it in a fun bottle with a personalized tag. If you prefer, you can also make garlic oil or infuse the oil with different herbs.