23 Food Gift Ideas for All Occasions
These 23 food gift ideas come in handy at a variety of times when you need a present. For example, they make great holiday gifts for a family. You can also bring them as a host or hostess gift when going to someone’s house. It’s nice to welcome someone to the neighborhood with a homemade food gift in hand.

When coming up with food gift ideas, there are several things you need to consider.
First of all, determine how the food needs to be kept. Should it be refrigerated, or is it okay at room temperature?
If you’re going to a person’s home, it doesn’t matter. You can stick it in the fridge right away.
However, that’s different if you’re bringing it to a friend who won’t be going home for a while. In that case, you should probably avoid bringing something that needs refrigeration.
One of the nice things about offering a food gift is that everyone in the person’s family can enjoy it.
Another good thing is that anything homemade is more special than store-bought. After all, when you’re the creator, producer, and giver, you’ve covered all aspects of the gift.
23 Food Gift Ideas
When an occasion to bring a gift comes up, make one or more of these delicious treats. Put it in a pretty gift basket or on a serving tray to make it even more special.
Easy Chocolate Fudge Anyone Can Make
This easy chocolate fudge recipe is one of my favorite go-to candy recipes. Not only is it super easy to make but also it’s delicious. One of the things I like most is you can’t mess it up. As I was growing up, my grandmother used to make all kinds of candy. She basically set…
Candied Pecans Recipe
These candied pecans are quick and easy. All you have to do is wrap them in cellophane and add a pretty bow. The recipient will think you went to a lot of trouble.
Praline Pecans
These delicious pecan pralines from Back to My Southern Roots will make any sweets lover happy!
Surprisingly Delicious Velveeta Fudge Recipe (Impossible Fudge)
Also known as "impossible fudge," this Velveeta fudge is creamy in all of its chocolate glory. It's up to you whether or not to tell the recipient your secret ingredient.
Roasted Pecans - Easy and Delicious
These roasted pecans are not only easy to make and delicious, but they are also a nutritious snack. You can make them in a matter of minutes and have a wonderful treat that you can feel good about feeding your family. You can either purchase pecans in the shell, or you can get a bag…
Pumpkin Butter Recipe - Good Any Time of Year
Pumpkin butter brings me back to a time and place that evokes warmth and comfort. Fortunately, it’s easy to make, and you can have it any time of year. I’ve had pumpkin butter for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, my great-grandmother made it especially for me during the fall….
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
The classic oatmeal raisin cookies from Julia's Simply Southern are sure to please even the pickiest eater!
Pecan Brownie Cookies - Easy Dessert
These pecan brownie cookies are a real crowd pleaser. Not only do they have the yummy chocolate flavor of brownies, they also have plenty of satisfying crunch. One thing I don’t like to do is figure out complicated recipes. However, I love baking when it is easy to figure out and I have the finished…
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge You Need to Try
This easy peanut butter fudge recipe is a fun variation of the irresistible American standard party candy. Whether you like this chocolate fudge or this white chocolate fudge, you really need to try this one. It’s delicious and super simple to make. I’ve always enjoyed the flavor of peanut butter. In fact, one of my…
Southern Jezebel Sauce and Cream Cheese Appetizer
This southern Jezebel sauce and cream cheese appetizer adds the perfect touch to any holiday table, snack area, or buffet.
Butterscotch Pecan Cookies
These butterscotch pecan cookies are a delicious addition to any dessert or snack table. Or you can make them for the kids’ lunchboxes or after-school treat. They’re super easy because you start with a cake mix. They’re better than any cookie you can buy at the store. Although you simplify the recipe with a cake…
Easy White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
This easy white chocolate fudge recipe only has two necessary ingredients. However, if you want to add color or extra flavor, it’s no big deal. You can add whatever you want, and it’s still just as easy. In fact, you can use a variety of sprinkles to make “funfetti fudge.” Essential Ingredients The only essential…
Spicy Butternut Bread
This spicy butternut bread from Miz Helen's Country Cottage is delicious with a glass of milk or cup of coffee.
Easy Pumpkin Bars Recipe
This easy pumpkin bars recipe is fun to make and even more fun to eat. I’ve always thought it was silly to wait until fall to have pumpkin because it’s available year-round. And it is so delicious. I mean, why wait when you can have it now? After I made these, I did what I…
Peanut Butter Cookies Without Flour
These peanut butter cookies knocked my socks off at the first bite. They are so delicious, and I couldn’t believe how they turned out without flour. At first, I tried to follow a recipe that wasn’t great. So I tweaked it a few times, and it finally became perfection–at least to me. Whether you have…
Christmas Wreath Cookies
Bring on the holiday spirit with these yummy Christmas wreath cookies from Back to My Southern Roots!
Peanut Butter Cocoa Krispie Treats
Peanut butter Cocoa Krispie treats satisfy two cravings I often have. Not only do I like chocolate, but also peanut butter makes me very happy. There’s just something about it that reminds me of simpler times. I’m not really much of a sweets eater. But since my husband is, I like to make treats every…
Chex Party Mix - Gluten-Free and Spicy
One of my all-time favorite snacks for home TV viewing and parties is the Chex party mix. This Chex mix recipe is super easy and something you can get your kids to help you make. I’ve enjoyed Chex party mix since the very first time I ever ate it. The only problem is that so…
Cranberry Jelly
Make every day a special occasion with this cranberry jelly from Miz Helen's Country Cottage!
Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars
These chocolate caramel pecan bars are the perfect treat when you want something sweet and delicious. In fact, they’re actually quite addictive. I’m not as much of a sugar junkie as my husband is, but I can’t get enough of these. There’s just something about the blend of chocolate, caramel, and nuts that sends me…
Chewy Chocolate Cookie Recipe
These chewy chocolate cookies from Back to My Southern Roots will bring a boatload of cheer to anyone who receives them!
Coconut Macaroon Cookie Recipe - Easy to Make
A coconut macaroon is not only among my favorite types of cookies, but it can also be made gluten-free. In fact, leaving out the flour allows the flavor of the coconut to be more pronounced. However, if you want to make them more dense, you may use traditional white flour or almond flour. Before you…
Sugar Cookie Recipe Without Baking Powder
These easy sugar cookies are made without baking powder, and they're absolutely delicious. Be sure to make enough for the family and to give to family and friends!
Beyond the 23 Food Gift Ideas
When you’re giving a gift of food, make the presentation special. Whether you wrap it in a special kind of paper or craft a unique bow, show creativity.

Here are some ideas for wrapping a food gift:
Use plastic wrap that you bunch up at the top. Afterward, add an abundance of curling ribbon that cascades over the gift.
Instead of using boxes and wrapping paper, put together a themed gift basket. For example, you can include a couple of jars of homemade jam, a spreading knife, and some crackers. Or you can add some coffees and teas to a basket of homemade cookies.
If you’re giving someone a variety of foods, include a handmade display such as this 3-tiered platter. They can use it later when they have parties.
I always thought that bringing homemade food gifts was a southern mama thing. But I’ve since learned that people everywhere do it.
This is a awesome post full of great ideas for food gifts. Thanks so much for including my Spicy Butternut Bread and my Cranberry Jelly, I really appreciate it! Hope you are having a great weekend!
Miz Helen