If Love Were Food, It Would Look Like This

My love language is food. As a kid, once Thanksgiving weekend wrapped, I would watch as jam filled cookies—each meticulously folded at the table by my grandmother—would begin streaming, tray after tray, from the oven in preparation for holiday gifting. It was a mix of labor and love, and it's absolutely the reason her cookies always tasted the best. So while some of my gifts this year will certainly be store bought, I will be heading to my kitchen to create something special with my own two hands and a whole lot of love for those in my life.

For friends who like to entertain, I know that I can't go wrong with some freshly-pickled veggies, which make the perfect addition to cheese and charcuterie boards for holiday parties. Italian pickled eggplant and spicy Korean cucumber pickles are the perfect foil to sharp or creamy cheeses. Lacto fermented carrots have a delicious snap and are also a snap to whip up, as are these one-day refrigerator pickles.

Speaking of holiday parties, rather than show up with the typical bottle 'o wine, why not mix up a batch of rum-spiked coquito, Irish cream liqueur, or an after-dinner sipper like this DIY amaretto? Bottled up and tied with a ribbon, it's something that can be enjoyed by host and guests alike.

And for anyone in my life who is building out their home bar, gifting them bitters will allow them to play bartender for months to come with one of my homemade creations.

And for those with a sweet tooth, homemade confections like these creamy dulce de leche candies, crunchy honeycomb, decadent champagne truffles, or these festive rum balls, are all wonderfully surprising and thoughtful options.

Many of these DIY treats are also sturdy enough to ship via post, so you can gift to friends or family far and wide. Try sending a little of your love in the form of food or drink to the ones that mean the most to you this holiday season, even if you can't be there in person this year.

What to Make This Week

Italian-Style Pickled Eggplant

Bring out the best of eggplant's flavors and texture.

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Spicy Korean Cucumber Pickles

The perfect side or topping for almost any meal.

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Eastern European Kolache Cookies

Butter cookies made with a pastry-like cream cheese dough.

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Hokey Pokey: Chocolate-Dipped Honeycomb

Deliciously crunchy and rich candy you can easily make at home.

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The Spruce Eats on YouTube

Wow Your Holiday Guests With These 7 Tasty Chocolate Treats

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