Suggestions for Diabetic-Friendly Edible Holiday Gifts? Good Questions

Q: My parents have been diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. I want to encourage them in their new healthy diet, but I still want to make them yummy homemade gifts. Any ideas for treats I can make them? I am open to low-glycemic desserts as well as savory options like crackers and dips.

Sent by Roxanne

Editor: Readers, what edible gift ideas do you have for Roxanne?

Next question?

Related: Cooking Diabetic-Friendly Meals: 4 Tips and a Recipe from an Expert

(Image: Emma Christensen)

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On Non-Food Gifts That Smell Like Food: Is It a Yea or a Nay?

Cinnamon bun, chai spice, grapefruit ginger. Mmmm, sounds good, doesn't it? But these "flavors" are actually from gifts that aren't food at all: lotions, soaps, candles, lip balms. What do you think about food-flavored gifts?

The phenomenon came to mind when I was shopping through Philosophy products for my tweenybopper niece - so many enticing scents but one big hangup (for me, anyway): I once received such a gift. It was a moisturizer scented like sugary frosting. No matter what the texture or consistency of the product, I could not get over the feeling that the moisturizer was sticky. Ever since then, I've shied away from food-scented gifts like these. (Except my chai latte lip balm, that is!)

What are your impressions when it comes to non-food gifts that feign food scents or flavors? Yea or nay? What are some of the wackiest ones you've come across? And while we're on the subject of Philosophy products, has anyone ever tried the recipes printed on the bottles?

Related: How To Make Soft, Chewy Caramels

(Image: Food For Thought)

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Furoshiki Wrapping for Food Gifts: The Results Are Pretty and Reusable!

How are you packaging your food gifts this year? We've offered a few suggestions to wrap edible gifts, including using wax paper or paper ice cream containers. But for a really pretty (and practical!) presentation, wrap those gifts up Furoshiki-style.

Furoshiki (or the "art of wrapping with fabric") can be done with any square piece of fabrica silk scarf, for example, or a tea towel. Presenting your gift this way is a gift in itself; the recipient can keep the fabric and reuse it.

Read more:
Step-by-step guides to Furoshiki wrapping techniques Furoshiki.com
Furoshiki wraps ($16) and more wrapping tutorials Chewing the Cud
Furoshiki-style wrapping with a vintage square scarf Brooklyn Bride

Related: Wrap Your Gifts in a Dishtowel, Furoshiki-Style

(Images: 1. The Link Collective via Oh Joy! and Ambatalia; 2. Mam for Gave That)

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15 Delicious Gifts from Your Kitchen Recipes from The Kitchn

How to Make Flavored Salts

One blessing in having such an early Thanksgiving this year is that it gets us into the holiday spirit with a little more time to spare for planning and making gifts. Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's a good time to look ahead to those warm little gifts from the kitchen that are so appreciated by friends, coworkers, teachers, and party hosts. If you're looking for some inspiration for these edible gifts, then we've got you covered. Here are 15 of our all-time most popular homemade gifts, from the best chai mix, to homemade doggie treats, to granola, to beer and pretzel marshmallows. (Yes!) There's a simple, delicious liqueur, and homemade flavored salts. Read on for these and more each a tasty, simple gift from the kitchen.

Party Snack Recipe: Sweet and Savory Roasted Cashews

KITCHEN HELPERS
1 How to Make Flavored Salts - Package in a pretty jar with a tag suggesting uses (citrus salt for margaritas, lavender salt for finishing brownies, herbed salt for popcorn...).
2 Homemade Vinaigrette - Ideas here for flavors and packaging. This makes a terrific hostess gift.

PET TREATS
3 Homemade Doggie Treats - The perfect gift for your friends with pups.

HOLIDAY SIPPERS
4 Homemade Cocktail Mixers - Gift a bottle of cranberry-clove syrup with a bottle of Prosecco. Very festive!
5 DIY Cider Mulling Spices - Little sachets of mulling spices are a welcome treat, especially when gifted with a jug of local cider.
6 Malted Cocoa Mix from Alton Brown - A simple gift, dressed up a bit with malt powder.
7 Chai Tea Mix - Dana gave me a little jar of this a couple years ago and it was seriously one of the best chai mixes I've ever had.
8 Homemade Milk Liqueur - Milk liqueur? Sounds strange, but is so tasty and delicious! Also, easy. Also, quick.
9 How to Make Kombucha Tea at Home - A big batch of homemade kombucha is a fun gift for the kombucha-lovers in your life. Maybe tarted up with a cranberry tea?

Salted Pistachio Brittle

TASTY NIBBLES & SWEETS
10 Chocolate-Dipped Beer Marshmallows with Crushed Pretzel Garnish - Beer marshmallows with pretzels. Yeah, they're good.
11 Skillet Toffee - A classic, beloved toffee recipe.
12 Caramel Lollipops - I like making these for an after-dinner holiday treat.
13 Savory Spiced Pecans - A solid recipe to make in huge batches for gifts and appetizers.
14 Homemade Cracker Jacks - A big box of Cracker Jack popcorn in a gold tin would make a fun hostess present.
15 How To Make Great Granola Every Time - Granola is easy to make in big batches and pleases everyone from coworkers to school teachers.

Related: 10 Crafty Cool Ways to Wrap Gifts from The Kitchen

(Images: See linked recipes for full image credits)

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Today's Gifts: Enter Now Holiday Giveaway

Apartment Therapy: Chesterfield Sofa by Canvas ($3800 Value)
The Kitchn: Williams-Sonoma Cookware & Tools ($1059.85 Value)

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