Last Minute Homemade Gift Ideas

’tis the “season”

Make a list and Make a list and check it twice? Who has the time!?  ‘Tis the season alright.  The season of hustle and bustle.  There never seems to be enough time and our days are growing shorter (literally, does the sun even come up anymore?).  But you have no need to sweat when it comes to those meaningful homemade gifts you intended to make for everyone.  I’ve got you covered with this list of quite easy last minute homemade gift ideas.  You may even have many of the supplies you’ll need already in your kitchen!check it twice? Who has the time!?

Are you a busy mom feeling guilty about always having work to do and not interacting or playing with your children enough?  They will love if you let them help you with these projects!  My children love to help me “scoop and dump”!!  Just make sure that you’re the one choosing the scoop 😉

If you’re so frazzled that you can even fathom letting them help, then take a quick moment to read my post “It’s OK to Let Kids be Bored”.  Really momma, make sure they know you love them and are there when they need you…they will be ok. 

finding homemade gift inspiration

When you’re short on time, it can be tempting to run into the nearest grocery store and grab whatever convenience gift items they may have on display but I want to urge you to resist that urge!  Instead, head into the spice aisle.

Here is where your thoughtful gifts will come from.  Afterall, everyone on your list eats food right?  They will appreciate you for having helped them with their meal prep and reducing their toxic load. 

Have you guessed yet?  You are going to wow your gift recipients with your homemade seasoning blends that are free of MSG and other nasty fillers but full of awesome flavor and that same convenience they love from those easy grab foil packs at the store.

Give this a thought.  Each time you make a meal, especially one that could be completed with a packet from the store, you have the ability to have that ready-made seasoning mix on hand all the time.  You won’t even need to put that packet in the trash.  I call that a real winner.

I was first introduced to this concept a few years ago when I read somewhere that someone made their own taco seasoning….my mind was blown.  It seemed so obvious and yet it never occurred to me that I could create my own seasoning blends.  Those packets are just so darn convenient and seemingly inexpensive, I guess it didn’t feel like much of a pain point to grab my attention.  Even though I knew they had MSG and the dreaded “other spices” on the ingredient list, the convenience kept me buying.

Let me tell you though, once I tried a homemade blend of taco mix, I was HOOKED.  I haven’t purchased a pack of taco seasoning ever since.  Now, every time I plan to make something, I look to see if I can make a blend ahead of time that I can keep on hand making it even easier to prepare that meal the next time.  Suddenly, homemade seasoning mixes became even more convenient that the store-bought seasoning packets.  Not to mention, look how much prettier they are!

let’s make some homemade gifts

Here is a list of all the seasoning mixes I have tried and that I generally always keep on hand now.  The ingredients for each are just a little farther down in the post.

Taco Seasoning

Chili Seasoning

Italian Seasoning

BBQ Spice Rub Mix

Ranch Mix

Italian Dressing Mix

Cajun Seasoning

Homestyle Porkchop Seasoning

Montreal Steak Seasoning

Fajita Seasoning

Poultry Seasoning

All-around Spice Rub

All Purpose Seasoned Salt

Homemade Adobo All-Purpose Seasoning

Dry Ranch Mix Dry Onion Soup Mix

what else can be mixed ahead of time?

All these seasoning mixes got me thinking, what else could be mixed ahead of time for convenience?  What about the dry ingredients for pancakes, waffles, biscuits, pie, or literally just about anything!  If you want some of those recipes, leave me a comment below or send me an email at brandi@throughthekitchen.com so I can get it over to you!

Some of these things can be made ahead in bulk, others are probably best done in batches.  Or, if you don’t have a ton of storage space, just make one extra batch for next time when you’re making that meal.  You’ll thank yourself later!

taco seasoning

¼ C chili powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp paprika

2 Tbsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp sea salt

1 Tbsp black pepper

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Use 1 – 2 Tbsp of seasoning mix per each pound of meat or to taste.

chili seasoning

¼ C all-purpose flour

4 tsp chili powder

1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 Tbsp dried minced onion

1 Tbsp dried minced garlic

2 tsp white sugar

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp dried parsley

2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp dried basil

¼ tsp ground black pepper

Use 1-2 Tbsp of seasoning mix per each pound of meat.

italian seasoning

¼ C dried basil

¼ C dried oregano

¼ C dried thyme

¼ C dried marjoram

2 Tbsp dried rosemary

2 Tbsp dried sage

italian dressing mix

¼ C garlic salt

¼ C onion powder

¼ C white sugar

½ C dried oregano

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp dried thyme

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp dried basil

¼ C dried parsley

1 tsp celery salt

½ C sea salt

To prepare dressing: whisk together ¼ C white vinegar, 2/3 C extra virgin olive oil, 2 Tbsp water, and 2 Tbsp of dry mix.

BBQ Spice rub

½ C brown sugar

½ C paprika

1 Tbsp ground black pepper

1 Tbsp sea salt

1 Tbsp chilli powder

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 tsp cayenne pepper

ranch mix

1/4 C dried parsley

2 Tbsp + 2 tsp garlic salt

2 Tbsp crushed saltine crackers

2 Tbsp dried minced onion

2 Tbsp onion salt

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 ½ tsp dried dill weed

1 ½ tsp ground black pepper (optional)

Mix with mayo and buttermilk

cajun seasoning

¼ C + 1 Tbsp sea salt

2 Tbsp dried oregano

2 Tbsp paprika

2 Tbsp cayenne pepper

2 Tbsp ground black pepper

creole seasoning

¼ C onion powder

¼ C garlic powder

¼ C dried oregano

¼ C dried basil

2 Tbsp dried thyme

2 Tbsp black pepper

2 Tbsp white pepper

2 Tbsp cayenne pepper

½ C + 2 Tbsp paprika ¼ C + 2 Tbsp sea salt

homestyle porkchop seasoning

¼ C paprika

2 Tbsp thyme leaves

2 Tbsp sea salt

1 Tbsp black pepper

montreal steak seasoning

¼ C paprika

¼ C whole black peppercorns – crushed

¼ C sea salt

¼ C garlic powder

2 Tbsp onion powder

2 Tbsp ground coriander

2 Tbsp dill seed

1 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes

fajita seasoning

¼ C + 2 Tbsp all purpose flour

¼ C chili powder

2 Tbsp sea salt

2 Tbsp paprika

1 Tbsp white sugar

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper 1 Tbsp ground cumin

poultry seasoning

½ C dried parsley

¼ C rubbed sage

2 Tbsp dried rosemary, crushed

2 Tbsp dried marjoram

1 ½ tsp sea salt

¾ tsp ground black pepper

½ tsp onion powder 1/8 tsp ground sage

all-around spice rub

¾ C paprika

¼ C fresh-ground pepper blend (or just black pepper)

¼ C dark brown sugar

2 Tbsp chili powder

2 Tbsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp onion powder

1 Tbsp sea salt

2 tsp cayenne pepper

all-purpose seasoned salt

¼ C sea salt

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp white sugar

1 ½ tsp paprika

½ tsp ground turmeric

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp all purpose flour

homemade adobo all-purpose seasoning

¼ C + 1 tsp garlic powder

3 Tbsp + 2 ¼ tsp sea salt

1 Tbsp ground black pepper

1 ½ tsp dried oregano

¾ tsp ground turmeric

dry onion soup mix

¼ C dried onion flakes

2 Tbsp beef bouillon granules

¼ tsp onion powder

¼ tsp parsley flakes

1/8 tsp celery seed

1/8 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

presentation for your homemade gifts

You could wrap it up any way you like but my personal favorite for gifting seasoning mixes is 4 oz Ball jars with screw on lids.  Add a nice adhesive label and the jars are good to go.  They look nice in a package and in the spice cabinet.

The rest of the presentation can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like it to be.  The jar of spice mix could be placed in a small gift bag topped with tissue paper and a tag or if you’re gift includes multiple spices or other items, perhaps a flat gift box would be better.  Be sure to use plenty of tissue paper so the items still look as pretty when the package is opened as when you placed them in there.

save a bundle, order in bulk

Herbs and spices can cost a bundle at the store, especially if buying large quantities.  So, if you do have some time to spare and can order your spices in bulk online, I highly recommend that option.  Two reputable sources I have used are Mountain Rose Herbs and Frontier Co-op.  You will truly save so much money, you may want to start buying all of your staple herbs and spices from these online sources.  These two have loads of organic options too which I another reason I love them.

other options

Looking for some crafty ideas to go along with these spices?  Maybe you will find something over at the Hello Creative Family blog

Also need a card to go with your gift?  Take a look at some of the ideas on Craftsy or Rosyscription.

Get 100 DIY Christmas card ideas from The Prudent Penny Pincher.  These may not all be quick but some sure are awesome!

If your children are anything like mine, they love to help with just about anything I let them help with. Your children will love helping you “scoop and dump” all of these colorful herbs and spices together! However, I understand that sometimes when stress levels get high in a last minute situation, it’s hard to let them help. In that case It’s OK to Let Kids be Bored.

More from the blog

If you do a lot of baking, you surely use plenty of vanilla extract.  But have you ever considered making your own?  It’s easy and super affordable.  Learn how here: How to Make Homemade Pure Vanilla Extact

Learn more about my best suggestions for kitchen utensils here: Reasons to use wooden spoons and other kitchen utensils

As simple as it sounds, simplifying your life can be hard. I guide you through some of that overwhelm here: Overcoming Overwhelm When Simplifying Your Lifestyle

links in this post

Hello Creative Family – 50 last minute craft gift ideas: https://hellocreativefamily.com/last-minute-gifts-you-can-diy-in-60-minutes-or-less/

Craftsy – DIY Cards in 30 minutes or less: https://www.craftsy.com/post/easy-card-making-ideas-in-30-minutes-or-less/

Rosyscription – Handmade Greeting Card: https://rosyscription.com/2012/05/simple-quick-and-handmade-greeting.html

The Prudent Penny Pincher – 100 DIY Christmas Cards: https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/diy-christmas-cards/