DIY Holiday Gift Ideas
Shopping in bulk saves money and reduces waste. Our bulk department offers pantry staples like beans, grains and flours; as well as herbs and spices; coffee, granola, and more. Purchasing bulk foods reduces packaging waste and you can buy as little or as much as you need. The bulk department is also the hidden gem of DIY holiday gifts. Scroll through the recipes below to find inspiration and visit our bulk department to get your fill of bulk foods!
GOLDEN MILK MIX
TO MAKE THE GIFT YOU’LL NEED:
1 cup Dry Milk
1/4 cup Cornstarch
1/3 cup Cane Sugar
2 teaspoons Ground Turmeric
1 whole Cinnamon Stick
1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/8 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1 Pint Jar with Lid
TO MAKE THE GIFT:
Layer the powdered milk, cornstarch, sugar, and spices in jar.
If using, tuck cinnamon stick into middle of jar.
Top with lid and seal tightly. Decorate as desired, and include recipe directions.
DIRECTIONS FOR GIFT RECEIVER
YOU’LL NEED:
1/2 gallon Milk
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
RECIPE DIRECTIONS:
Add milk to a 3-quart pot. Set heat to medium-low.
Slowly whisk in the ingredients from the jar. Mix until thoroughly combined.
Add cinnamon stick to the pot, and warm until steaming. Do NOT boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
Remove cinnamon stick.
Enjoy hot or chill in refrigerator until cool, and enjoy cold.
Makes 16 servings.
Recipe adapted from: https://www.frontiercoop.com/diy-gift-making-with-bulk
CHOCOLATE RAISIN OATMEAL COOKIE MIX
TO MAKE THE GIFT YOU’LL NEED:
1 cup Rolled Oats
3/4 cup All-Purpose Wheat Flour
1/2 cup Packed Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Cane Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/8 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice or Ground Cinnamon
1 cup Dark Chocolate-Covered Raisins
1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts or Pecans
1 Quart Jar with Lid
TO MAKE THE GIFT:
Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spice and put in jar.
Layer the chocolate-covered raisins, nuts, and oats over the flour mixture. Layer the sugars last to ensure they stay on top of the jar.
Top with lid and seal tightly. Decorate as desired, and include recipe directions.
DIRECTIONS FOR GIFT RECEIVER
YOU’LL NEED:
1/3 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
RECIPE DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Using a stand mixer, beat softened butter until smooth.
Add sugars from the jar and mix until well blended.
Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix well.
Slowly add remaining ingredients from the jar, mixing until thoroughly combined.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough 2-inches apart on a prepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are brown. Cool on a cookie sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool.
Cookie mix can be stored for up to 1 month in a cool, dry place. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
Recipe adapted from: https://www.bhg.com/recipe/cookies/chocolate-raisin-and-oatmeal-cookie-mix/
OVERNIGHT OATS WITH CHIA & ALMONDS
TO MAKE THE GIFT YOU’LL NEED:
1 cup Rolled Oats
2 tablespoons Chia Seeds
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Sliced Almonds
1 teaspoon Cane Sugar
Pinch of Salt
1 Pint Jar with Lid
TO MAKE THE GIFT:
Layer oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, cocoa powder, almonds, sugar, and salt in jar.
Top with lid and seal tightly. Decorate as desired, and include recipe directions.
DIRECTIONS FOR GIFT RECEIVER
YOU’LL NEED:
1/2 cup milk or water
RECIPE DIRECTIONS:
Add milk or water to the jar containing the oat mixture and stir well.
Seal jar with lid and place in refrigerator overnight.
Open, stir, and enjoy cold.
Make 1 serving.
Recipe adapted from: https://www.frontiercoop.com/diy-gift-making-with-bulk
SALT AND PEPPER SAMPLER
TO MAKE THE GIFT YOU’LL NEED:
Whole Pink Peppercorns
Whole Three Blend Peppercorns
Whole White Peppercorns
Whole Black Peppercorns
Himalayan Salt
Celtic Sea Salt
Coarse Sea Salt
Applewood Smoked Sea Salt
Eight (8) Spice Jars with Cap
TO MAKE THE GIFT:
Fill one container with pink peppercorns, one with three blend, etc. to make eight containers of individual ingredients.
Place all 8 jars into the box of your choice and decorate as desired. Include recipe directions.
DIRECTIONS FOR GIFT RECEIVER
Use whole peppercorns and salts in any salt or pepper grinder.
Recipe adapted from: https://www.frontiercoop.com/diy-gift-making-with-bulk
RED LENTIL SOUP MIX
TO MAKE THE GIFT YOU’LL NEED:
1 cup Red Lentils
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Flakes
1 tsp Curry Powder
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1 Bouillon Cube (Chicken or Vegetable)
One 8 oz mason jar.
TO MAKE THE GIFT:
Add 1/2 lentils to jar.
Layer all the spices.
Add the remaining 1/2 cup lentils
Top with lid and seal tightly. Decorate as desired, and include recipe directions.
DIRECTIONS FOR GIFT RECEIVER
YOU’LL NEED:
1 tablespoon Butter or Margarine
2 Chopped Carrots
2 Chopped Celery Stalks
2 cups Boiling Water
1 can Coconut Milk
1 cup Chopped Baby Spinach
RECIPE DIRECTIONS:
Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add carrots and celery and sauté for 7-8 minutes until veggies are soft.
Mix bouillon cube with boiling water and stir until dissolved.
Add broth and coconut milk to the pot, and bring to a boil.
Add lentil soup mix and stir to combine. Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are fully cooked.
Remove from heat and stir in spinach. Serve and enjoy.
One jar makes 4 servings.
Recipe adapted from: https://thegirlonbloor.com/mason-jar-christmas-gifts/