I love receiving homemade gifts. Likewise, I love to deliver homemade gifts. In previous years my gifts have hailed from the kitchen in the form of some sort of baked good dripping in calories and sugar! These are the best kids of baked goods, right? Well, there are other wonderful ideas that can be created from your kitchen... Some won't even add pounds to your perfect little figure!

I think homemade speaks from the heart and lets someone know that you have cared enough of them to put time and thought into their gift. A perfect gift needs not damage your bank account any further. With homemade there is truly something for everyone on your list. I've gathered some of my favorite things to make - and I'll be sure to make a little extra for me!

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This lemon scrub is a favorite of mine!

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I'm going to whip up some of this later today!

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It's 5:00 somewhere, right? These delightful fruit-infused vodkas hail from my friend Kelsey Banfield's blog The Naptime Chef. (She's got loads of other ideas and her book is out this Spring!)

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I have never met a Limoncello I didn't ~~like~~ love!

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Easy, elegant, sophistication!

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A different kind of baked good. I adapted this Egg Nog cake recipe from another and it is deliciously decadent!

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These biscotti are soft, crunchy and a lovely alternative to a traditional cookie!

With the exception of the Eggnog cake recipe, these are all perfect gifts for any time of year!

Do you like to give homemade gifts? What sorts of gifts do you like?

XOXO

Jessica

I love finding hostess gifts. I love giving presents, so when I am invited to someone's house for a dinner, cocktail party or other event I'll bring a little something as a token of my appreciation.

A good hostess gift should not have to cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, I generally spend $10 - $20 on a hostess gift, and if the party warrants, I will spend up to $35. Most of the ideas I will list for you are in the $25 and under category.

Sometimes I will give the hostess a bottle of wine, but more often than not I try to be a little more creative. I love to give and receive cocktail napkins. Pair this with a bottle of wine, or matching paper plates and you'll have a lovely gift. Napkins, as basic as they are, are really fun to give and receive.

Are you talented in the kitchen? Baked goods are always wonderful gift. Pair a lovely treat with some festive napkins and here's another great idea. Bake a batch of home made cookies and package them in a lovely, reusable tin. My husband has a recipe for home made Bailey's that we often give over the holidays. We prepare the beverage and pour our gifts in to lovely keepsake bottles, tie it with a pretty ribbon. Simple and sublime.

I love fancy soaps. Exotic soaps can be purchased for under $10. Candles are lovely too. Both of these are inexpensive items that any hostess would love to receive. Bath salts. Fancy Shower Gels.

Do you have a talent? Are you a photographer? Artist? Give something you've created. There is truly no better gift. And treats from the kitchen? You can not go wrong with that!

Ok, so you don't paint, draw, photograph or cook. You still need ideas! Pretty silver frames. These don't have to cost an arm and a leg. You can get your inspiration from Pottery Barn and buy from Marshall's!

Fill an apothecary or large mason jar with pretty candies, tie a bow around it and voila!

Fill a vase with flowers, or nuts, or shells, or pine cones... or something else that might suit your host's personality.

Fill an inexpensive hurricane vase with cranberries, acorns, walnuts, chestnuts... anything you can think of and then place a candle in the middle. When your gift gets used you'll be thought of!

Does your host have any particular likes, hobbies or interests? Perhaps a journal or a pretty pen and paper.

One can never go wrong with fresh flowers.

An inexpensive cocktail or tapas cookbook.

You can never go wrong with a pretty ornament.

What are some things you like to bring your hosts?