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Christmas is an ideal time to give gifts to loved ones and show them how much you care. Many choose to give store bought gifts but a great choice is to give homemade Christmas gifts. A homemade gift can sometimes be more personal because you made it. It also has that special touch because you can customize it especially for this gift recipient. You can make that gift especially for the gift recipient in mind, not as the store merchandise has been created.

One of the most favorite homemade Christmas gifts are baked treats. Christmas cookies are especially popular. You can literally find thousands of recipes for Christmas cookies. A classic Christmas cookie to make are gingerbread cookies with raisin eyes and decorations. Add white icing to make them look extra special. A plate of homemade Christmas cookies can be a great way to show someone they are dear to you at Christmastime.

Knitted or sewn items are another excellent choice when it comes to homemade Christmas gifts. Even if you aren’t very crafty or haven’t done crafts before, there are quite a few patterns out there you can start with. A beginning knitter can learn to make a scarf or shawl with minimal instruction. Other crafts people may enjoy include making their own Christmas cards or Christmas ornaments. Homemade crafts are considered very special and are often heirlooms,  passed down from generation to generation. Many families have crafts that their great grandparents made and they are proudly displayed in their homes today.

While those are the two most popular homemade gift forms. There are many others to consider. There is a current trend of making fancy no sew fleece blankets ideal for all ages from babies through grandparents. Fleece material is made in lots of fun colors and patterns, making it the perfect material to make your Christmas gifts out of. Gifts in a Jar are also popular as a Christmas homemade gift where you gift someone a cookie or bar mix in a large glass jar. There are other types of mixes that are fun to give, but cookie or bar mixes are the most popular of the choices especially at Christmastime.

If you ask people what their favorite gift is you’ll likely get one very popular answer: the Christmas gift basket! Gift baskets are a very popular gift for Christmas and other holidays. A gift basket can easily be customized to appeal to the recipient and has many special treats for them to enjoy. Best of all, the fun of a gift basket lasts far longer than just the one afternoon of Christmas Day. Most gift baskets are filled with treats people can enjoy for weeks at a time. Let’s talk about some of the most popular gift basket themes.

Chocolate Christmas gift baskets are very popular. Who doesn’t love chocolate? It seems like everyone is tempted by this sweet treat. Best of all, chocolate is available in many forms. Try chocolate sauce, chocolate covered espresso beans and chocolate drink mix for a few temptations for that great chocolate Christmas gift basket. There are quite a few types of chocolate from dark, regular to white chocolate. Adding nuts or dried fruit makes chocolate an even more special treat.

A hobby themed Christmas gift basket is a great gift. Try a yoga gift basket for that yoga enthusiast. Or a weight loss Christmas gift basket for someone who is working hard towards a weight loss goal. Or a book lovers gift basket for the person who loves to read. It seems like everyone has at least one or even several hobbies. A hobby themed Christmas gift basket is an ideal choice. It gives the gift recipient an opportunity to enjoy their hobby. Giving someone the time to relax and have fun is a wonderful treat.

The spa Christmas gift basket is an ideal choice. The Christmas gift basket filled with soothing spa treats is relaxing and restorative. Add a gift certificate for a massage, facial or a manicure and pedicure. Then include some at-home spa treats for the person to give themselves some spa treatments at home. This is a great choice for so many in your life who need to relax and just breathe for a moment. That spa Christmas gift basket can soothe them and give them a much needed break, they’ll have you to thank for it!

If you know a cook then you’ll want to be sure to know about these great classic holiday gift ideas for cooks. Cooks are always on the lookout to add to their kitchens and their supplies of tools.

The biggest “tip” to buying a great holiday gift for a cook is knowing what type of cooking they like to do — and giving them a gift that compliments this type of cooking. If they love to barbecue, then give them a barbecue cookbook or barbecue sauces. Or if they love to bake, some new baking pans could be ideal. There are so many things you can do in the kitchen that knowing exactly what type of cooking they do is very helpful.

Cookbooks are one of the most popular gifts you can give a cook. It seems like new cookbooks come out daily — that’s because they do! You can find wonderful cookbooks on every topic quite easily at your local bookstore. Cooks are addicted to cookbooks and will appreciate the gift of a cookbook. Try the Top Chef Cookbook for something original — or a regionally themed cookbook for popular favorites.

Cooking magazine subscriptions are also a great gift idea and are very reasonably priced. Even if your cook subscribes, this gift could extend their cooking subscription — something they would appreciate. Cooking magazines are a great way to learn new techniques and read interviews with the hottest innovators in cooking.

Cooking tools are an ideal gift for every cook. You can find large cooking tools or tiny tools. Try a classic cast iron frying pan — something cooks simply lust after. Or even a rolling pin and some cookie cutters in fun shapes. Tools last a long time but passionate cooks often wear their favorite tools out much quicker than the typical cook will. New tools are an ideal choice.

The Christmas season is coming upon us quickly.  Of course that means the dreadful Christmas shopping season is also upon us.  In recent years I have become very much an Internet shopper, and the few times I do make it out to the store are generally in October or early-November.  I am absolutely not a black-Friday shopper!

So what do I buy for Christmas gifts? It really crosses the board from jewelry to knick-knacks (for those who already have everything known to man).  A couple years ago though my mom said she would just like a subscription to a couple of her favorite magazines.  They were cooking magazines that she loved having around the house.

To help you with your magazine needs, I’ve rounded up a few good cooking/family magazines that can be had for under $20.

• Cooking Light specialized in including light cuisine recipes.  Their typical magazine is loaded with both recipes and pictures.  Often they will include food and nutrition news, and regular fitness, health and beauty articles.
• Bon Appetit targets hands-on cooks who love spending time in the kitchen, as well as readers who love to travel and dine out.  There are articles to meet the experience level of all cooks including experienced cooks and kitchen newbies.
• Better Homes and Gardens is the old standard.  I distinctly remember my mom reading this magazine when I was in grade school (a long time ago). BHG has everything family/food/cooking related!
• Family Circle is truly a quick and easy read, loaded with easy recipes, health tips, decorating tips and more.  Family Circle is the down home style read that is pleasant to have around the house.
• Southern Living is definitely geared to satisfy southerners.  However, I think that it is actually a good read even for those of outside of the deep south. Southern Living almost always has great articles about travel, homes, gardening, and generally living in the south.
• Country Living does not present itself necessarily as a cooking magazine. It is however a great magazine for those in to the country living motif.  You will find great articles covering topics as diverse as food, decorating, gardening, entertaining, and even travel.
• Gourmet in my opinion, is definitely an upscale Bon Appetit. It is a great read, and upon having to choose between the two, I’d subscribe to both!

You should note that there are food and cooking magazines for nearly every niche you might want to find.  The seven magazines I listed are just my favorite in the sub-$20 price range (most are under $15).