If you’re anything like me, you love giving away the meals and treats you make. I’m a weird food blogger in that if I’m not cooking at least partially for others, I’m extremely lazy and will usually just end up eating cereal for dinner or heating up a microwavable meal since I don’t feel any urge to get creative in the kitchen just for myself. Thinking about it now, I guess it could stem partially from cooking narcissism in that it’s fun to show off to others what you make, but I think the majority of comes from being raised in a family where food is a way of showing love.
When I was growing up, every Friday night was set aside for dinner at my obachan’s house (Japanese grandma). I’m lucky in that I lived smack dab in the middle between my extended family, with my cousins and grandparents living less than a five minute drive up or down the road. Friday nights were the best and some of my favorite childhood memories come from those Friday night dinners: using chalk to draw imaginary roads and peddling our kiddy bikes around for hours, climbing trees, running away from the skunk that lived in the bushes (terrifying, but exhilarating), trying to make a campfire by rubbing sticks together, but most of all, the food. I come from a line of women who are amazing cooks and my obachan is no exception. Fresh sashimi arranged beautifully on a plate and hot and crunchy shrimp tempura were two of my favorites, but there was no end to the goodness of her slow-roasted lamb or homemade sweet sushi rice. Those Friday nights were the best.
Now that I’m all grown-up and off at college, I don’t get the opportunity to head over to her house every Friday night, but whenever I’m back in my hometown I find myself asking “Is there obachan’s house tonight?” and most of the time the answer is a happy yes.
Anyways, I lost myself in that big paragraph when the initial point I’m trying to make is that food=love to me. Here are some creative ways to package all that love!
Retro Oven Cupcake Box via Claudine Hellmuth
Is this not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? Claudine offers a printable version in her etsy store and all you need is a printer, cardstock paper, and some basic office tools like scissors and a glue stick to put them together. Also, she includes 6 different color choices for the oven. OMG NEED.
Paper-Plate Goodie Holder
Such a simple concept, but I love how the final product turns out. Just take an ordinary paper plate, fold, and dress it up with an adorable ribbon.
Simple DIY Cupcake Holder via Bird on a Cake
A little plastic wrapping from your local craft/grocery store, a small desposable cup, and a ribbon! Instant cuteness.
Jam and Baguette Gift Package via Martha Stewart
Being a self-declared baguette babe, this is a total must.
Accented Brown Treat Bag via The Party Studio
Brown paper bags don’t just need to be a vehicle for school-time lunches anymore! Use craft scissors to make a scalloped fold-over top and attach a few fun labels.
{Free Printable} Brown Treat Bag via The Pretty Blog
Soo apparently you can print on brown paper bags?! WHAT?! Why am I just learning about this now?
DIY Cake Pop Bags via Cakeinkevents
A little more of that craft-store plastic wrap, some twine, and a printable label and you got yourself a wedding-favor worthy gift!
Pimped-Out Cookie Box
I love how beautiful and rustic this cookie box is. Just take an old brown box and fill up different paper containers with some delicious treats!
Homemade Baking Mix Jar
Okay, okay. This is just way too freakin’ cute 😯 . Layer in the dry ingredients for your favorite cookie/cake recipe, stick on a label, and PA-ZAMMMM! You are everyone’s favorite secret santa.
Sweet and Savory Breakfast Set via Country Living
I died when I saw how lovely this is. Then, I looked into mini cast-iron skillets and apaprently you can get them for under $6 each at online stores like this. Guess where all my money is going?
So there you have it!
Question of the Day: What is your favorite way to package food gifts?
I’ll take a pimped out cookie box, please. Actually, better make that two — it is the weekend after all 😉 But I totally know what you mean about not wanting to put a lot of effort into your own meals, but being more than willing to put in a lot of work for someone else. Totally the story of my life. And tonight looks like it’s going to be another cereal for dinner kind of night 😉
These are all so cute! I totally agree with you – I like cooking for people, not just myself. Although I’m not too fancy when giving stuff away… usually it’s on a paper plate or in plastic wrap!
I looooove giving foodie presents away, especially that Ive made myself, but yes, I seriously lack in the presentation department! These ideas are totally cute and really simple! My go to is typically just a tin, or clear wrap with a ribbon…..
These are really awesome ideas! 😀
I share your philosophy 100 percent – food equals love!! I love showing people love through food and my cooking
I have always wanted to make a homemade bake mix jar but LOVE all the homemade gifties on this list!
I love this, Christine. One of my favourite things is giving food gifts, too (especially chocolate ones!). I have a few simple ideas for packaging them myself, but these are fabulous, too. So simple and yet they look great. Saving this post for later!
I love the paper plate idea! It seems so easy and doable! I will have to try it out.
Packaged food gifts are seriously one of my favs. I’ve actually used the paper plate idea, and it blew my mind. While I love giving homemade food gifts/receiving them, I’ve always wanted to get an edible arrangement. Those things look like the bomb.