There’s a special joy in giving something homemade. A box of cookies fresh from the oven, a tin of hand-tossed, seasoned popcorn dropped off at their door—simple treats that say, I was thinking of you. And it doesn’t take much! One bag of flour quickly becomes dozens of treats, enough to fill boxes for neighbors, teachers and friends.
For many of us, baking and cooking are a welcome pause in the holiday rush. The kitchen? Your sanctuary, where mixing flour, butter and spices turns into something more meaningful. Pairing those homemade creations with one-of-a-kind thrifted finds adds another layer of care and creativity, making every gift feel as special as the person receiving it.
So give the gift of homemade this holiday season, with quality ingredients and simple recipes that makes gifting easy—but still leaves plenty of room for your own creativity. Read on for our favorite goodies this year, along with thrifting tips to help make your presents truly one-of-a-kind!
Our Popcorn Party Sampler is the ultimate host or hostess gift: who wouldn't love receiving a beautiful tin full of multiple flavors of popcorn? Our premium Yellow Popcorn pops into giant, crispy-yet-tender morsels ready to be flavored with Dill Pickle, Cheddar, Caramel, and Chocolate, Fruit & Nut variations.
One Bag Makes: One 30 oz bag of our Yellow Popcorn will make about seven batches, or (almost) enough to make all four recipes twice! Gift all four together, or share individual flavors in cute holiday bags.
Thrift It & Gift It: Thrift stores are a great resource for colorful tins, then use thick cardstock to create a four-way divider. Measure the inside of the tin and cut two pieces to the width of the diameter and slightly shorter than the tin’s height. Cut a slit halfway up the center of each piece, then slide the slits together to form an “X.” Place the divider inside the tin, and fill it up!
The sweet simplicity of thumbprint cookies always make us smile, and these Almond Thumbprint Cookies have the added benefit of being gluten free! Made with a blend of Almond Flour and Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, these cookies are the perfect choice for small helpers. We filled these with jam and homemade chocolate ganache, but you can pick your favorite preserves or go wild with jalapeno jam!
One Bag Makes: One 16 oz bag Almond Flour plus one 22 oz bag Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour will make about five batches, or 120 cookies.
Thrift It & Gift It: Who brought the cookies in the cookie jar? It could be you! Search for vintage ceramic crocks or cookie jars for an extra special (and useful) gift.
Gingerbread Biscotti are a wonderful make-ahead gift: these crunchy, crispy cookies keep very well in an airtight container, or you can freeze them between the first and second bake. Made with our no-fail Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour and dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles, they’re delightful ‘round the fire with friends, or save a few for yourself with a cup of cocoa by the fire.
One Bag Makes: One 5 lb bag of Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour will make at least six batches, or 150 cookies.
Thrift It & Gift It: Decorative or colored glass mason jars are the perfect keepsake gift container for these cookies. Or, thrift a basket and fill with a jar of cookies and a fun mug for dipping!
I personally love Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies around the holiday season, because it's so convenient to have a few rolls of dough in the freezer to slice and bake for last-minute gifts! Make and freeze your dough when the leaves start to fall, and come December, you'll be rewarded with hundreds of goodies at your fingertips. Even better? These cookies can be made with Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour or Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, so you can share with everyone you love. Plus, we offer three flavor combos in addition to vanilla, so you can combine them to create your own taste sensations (see our suggestions below).
One Bag Makes: One 5 lb bag of Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour will make eight batches, or about 288 cookies. One 22 oz bag Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour will make two batches, or about 78 cookies.
Thrift It & Gift It: Giving out cookie boxes? Wrap them in retro napkins or classic scarves instead of paper: with a simple folds and knots, you can transform your simple gift into a work of art!
Four delicious flavors—Vanilla, Pistachio-Cherry, Chocolate and Orange Cardamom—equal endless possibilities! Enjoy each by itself (roll in sparkling sugar for extra magic), or layer, checkerboard or marble together multiple doughs for your own custom flavors and color combos!
Black-and-White Ribbon Cookies
Cherry Pistachio Checkerboards
Marbled Cocoa Cardamom Cookies
Holiday Harmony Ribbons
Winter Mosaic Cookies
It’s a sustainable way to give. Choosing secondhand tins, baskets, napkins or fabric keeps perfectly good items in use and out of the landfill. It’s an easy, feel-good way to celebrate the season while treading a little lighter on the planet, and it often costs less, too.
It makes every gift feel thoughtful and personal. A vintage tin brimming with popcorn or a patterned scarf wrapped around a box of cookies shows care and creativity in a way store-bought packaging can’t. Thrifting lets you curate gifts that feel like they were made just for the person receiving them, because they were.
It taps into nostalgic holiday charm. The ‘90s holiday aesthetic—think tartan tins, embroidered napkins, colorful ornaments, and mismatched but meaningful tableware—is back in a big way. Pairing homemade treats with these cozy, retro details turns every gift into a keepsake, full of heart and holiday magic.
In the end, it’s not about picture-perfect cookies or fancy wrapping paper. It’s about the imagination, the time, and the love baked into every batch. At Bob's Red Mill, we're proud to help you transform simple ingredients into something that brings people together, and sharing the joy of togetherness that makes the season bright.
