Canning Gifts

Canning a great way to bulk batch homemade gifts that can be given out over time. This saves you a lot of hassle over the course of the year coming up with hostess gifts, Christmas gifts to acquaintances, etc.

If you’ve done any amount of canning, you know how fun it is to share your goods with friends. When I was a kid, we rarely used half pint jars, and only sometimes used pints. There were 10 of us in the family, so pickles, jams, and jellies didn’t last long once they were opened.

But lately, I’ve been enjoying canning jams and jellies in 4oz. jars, and using them to make gift bags or boxes. You know those little sampler sets with the tiny jars of jam you see in stores during the holidays? It’s like that, but better! This way I can give friends several different types of jam at one time, and be sure they’re getting something they like.

Homemade jam, jelly, and pickles, make perfect hostess gifts, and small gifts for casual occasions, and you can make so many at one time to have throughout the year to choose from. It’s really a load off your mind to not have to think about!

It’s nice to have some on hand for gift giving that are out of the ordinary. Here are a few favorites:

Apple Pie Jam

This jam is unique, because it actually contains chunks of apples, rather than apple purée. This is achieved by macerating the apple pieces before boiling the jam – this dehydrates them somewhat, so that they hold their texture during the cooking process.

Apple jam is a universal favorite, because most people enjoy the flavors of apples and cinnamon. This is especially good in the fall when we all love the warm flavors of apple pie.

Strawberry rhubarb jam

This is a twist on the classic strawberry jam, and lovers of the tart flavor of rhubarb adore it! I find this goes over as a gift particularly well with middle aged men.

Cinnamon pear jam

This is one I make often, since our pear trees produce fruit pretty reliably. The warm flavor of cinnamon, and mild flavor of pears make it a comforting topping for biscuits and toast.

This is a really nice one to pair with a batch of homemade sourdough biscuits.

Sugar-Free Strawberry Jam

I have several relatives who don’t consume refined sugar, so I like to keep some of this on hand for them. It’s really delicious, and has a slightly different texture than traditional jam. I also make pear butter, but omit the sugar for my sugar-free friends and family. I usually use a Truvia knockoff (store brand) to sweetened my sugar-free jams, and feel like it pairs really nicely with strawberry.

Caramel apple butter

This is a twist on traditional apple butter that adds a bit of richness to the flavor. If your friends love caramel apples, chances are, they’ll love this too. This is a great gift, because it might not be something your friends can pick up at the store.

Pumpkin butter

This is great one for fall, and pumpkin spice lovers! It’s great on warm toast on a chili morning. Like so many of these, it’s perfect gifted with a loaf of homemade sourdough bread.

Watermelon Jelly

This is a unique jelly that probably not everyone has had the opportunity to try. It has an intense watermelon flavor that goes great with toast!

Pineapple jam

This a great jam to make if you want to avoid pectin, or incorporate some tropical goodness into your gift basket. Your gift recipient might like to know that it is a great compliment to baked chicken, or used as a charcuterie board condiment to spread on crusty bread.

Jalapeno Jelly

While it’s called jelly, it’s really a jam, using pureed peppers. This is great for the spice lovers in  your life. I recommend giving it out with serving suggestions such as cream cheese and crackers. Or even with a kit to serve with.

Pickled Celery

This is a great charcuterie-themed gift. Given with crackers, cheese, perhaps homemade summer sausage, and dried fruit, it’s a unique, and truly thoughtful gift.

Pickled Okra

This is another type of pickled that perhaps not everyone has tried, and a great way to introduce your friends to a little southern food culture. I’ve seen a lot of people not familiar with okra wrinkle their nose at okra pickles, but once they try it, chances are, they’ll be hooked.

Canning soups and stews

This is a bit of a departure from putting together fun little gift baskets, and more a practical gift.

Canning soup and stew is a great way to deliver a healthy, homemade meal to a friend, and give them the convenience of being able to use it when it best suits them, which is a luxury a fresh meal doesn’t give them.

These are especially great for new moms, or friends and family recovering from injury or sickness. I know that I love having some canned meals on hand for busy days when I run out of time, and don’t have any added stress of sickness or injury, so I love to be able to pass that convenience on.

Pro tip: Can some big batches of soup to have on hand. That way when it’s your turn on the meal train for a new mom, you can take her the fresh meal, plus a second that she can use at her convenience with no extra work from you!

Here are a few that work really well:

Canned vegetable soup

You can customize this to your preference to make it a gift that’s uniquely yours. I like to serve this one with sourdough discard crackers.

Canned Beef Stew

Similar to the vegetable soup, but simpler, and more universally enjoyed by picky easter. I like to send this one with the same sourdough crackers, or a loaf of bread.

Canned Tomato Soup Base

This one isn’t as much of an instant meal, since it needs the addition of cream before serving, but it’s one of my favorites, because you just can’t get that home-grown tomato flavor any other way than in homemade goods. This one is especially good because it also nicely captures the flavor of fresh basil.

Honestly, the sky is the limit for home canning gifts. Use this as a springboard, and go where your imagination takes you!