The holidays bring out the best memories: cozy mugs of hot cocoa, twinkling lights, festive decor, and the warm feeling of giving. As magical as the season is, it can also be expensive. Between crafts, decor, and gifts for family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and mail carriers, the costs can pile up fast.
This year, save your bacon with creative, thoughtful, and budget-friendly gift ideas that make a big impact without breaking the bank. From homemade treats to upcycled wrapping paper, these DIY gifts are packed with heart and flavor, especially for bacon lovers.
Day 1: Let’s Stick Together
Weaver’s Snack Sticks make the perfect stocking stuffer. Bundle a couple of different flavors together, sweet & spicy mixed with traditional flavors, a homemade tag that says “Happy Holidays”, then wrap them in old newspaper or magazine pages for a fun, eco-friendly twist.
Day 2: You’re Bacon Me Smile
During the holidays, there is nothing better than giving a unique gift to your friends that they can use multiple times. Use any mason jar you have on hand and fill it with homemade turkey bacon jam. For a rustic touch, cut a square from an old tablecloth or fabric scrap to cover over the lid and tie it off with a bow. Full recipe for our turkey bacon jam can be found here.
Day 3: Sweet as a Cookie
Give the gift of baking! Fill a mason jar with the dry ingredients for beef bacon lemon shortbread cookies, and attach a note with baking instructions. It’s simple, personal, and absolutely delicious. Find this recipe here.
Day 4: The Great Bacon Escape
Everyone wants a warm cup of something good on a cold day. Mix up a homemade hot cocoa blend or custom tea mix and include a list of your favorite holiday activities to suggest to your loved ones.
Day 5: Night In
Package up a “movie night” bundle including popcorn, candles, and fuzzy socks tied together with a festive bow. Simple, comforting, and always a hit.
Day 6: Breakfast in Bed
Assemble a breakfast basket with pancake mix, chocolate chips, a spatula, and seasonal paper plates. Have Godshall’s bacon ready to go in the fridge to cook up with this yummy breakfast basket. Wrap it all in cellophane with a bow for a thoughtful morning treat.
Day 7: Merry Mug Swap
Thrift a few festive or funny mugs and create a mug basket. Fill a thrifted basket with colorful paper confetti and cleaned-up mugs. This is perfect for co-workers or friends.
Day 8: Bacon Candy
Have some Godshall’s Beef Bacon on hand, coat it in brown sugar, and bake until crispy. Once cooled, chop it up and store it in a small jar in the fridge. It’s great for snacking and sprinkling over desserts and salads.
Day 9: Chocolate-Covered Bacon Pretzels
Yes, this is as amazing as it sounds. Dip pretzel rods in melted chocolate, then wrap a piece of cooked bacon around each one. Let them set, then package them up in a tin or jar for a sweet and salty surprise. You can keep these in the fridge and take one out whenever you’re ready for a treat.
Day 10: Bacon Dip Mix
A pantry gift your friends will crave all year. In a jar, combine:
• 2/3 cup chopped bacon bits
• 6 Tbsp minced onion
• 2 Tbsp beef bouillon
• 4 tsp garlic powder
Attach a tag with directions: Mix 3 Tbsp of the blend with ½ cup shredded cheese and 1 cup sour cream. Chill before serving.
Recipe from https://whiskeyandwhit.com/christmasfoodgifts
Day 11: Cookbook & Bow
Sometimes, simple is best. Pick out your favorite cookbook, whether it’s holiday-themed or an all-year staple, and wrap it with a ribbon and bow.
Day 12: Recycled Christmas Decor
Turn leftover newspaper or wrapping scraps into mini Christmas trees. Roll them into cones, decorate with paint or glitter, and give them as handmade holiday decor.
With a little creativity and heart, you can make gifts that are personal, affordable, and full of joy. Share your favorite holiday gifts and goodies with us on social media @Godshalls!
