Since my birthday is so close to Christmas, I am almost always blessed with friends and family around to celebrate with.  I’m really hoping someone makes me a rainbow cake this year.. just kidding!  (Usually people are afraid to make cake for me.  So sad!)

I love to give and receive simple, homemade things during the holidays (I’m the girl who wants to stuff oranges and pomegranates in her kids’ stockings), so as a birthday gift to you, I’ve put together this round-up of simple Christmas gifts from the kitchen.  You can make many of these with pantry items you have on hand and package them up in jars, tins or cellophane bags; whatever you’ve got.  I promise, you still have time to throw one of these together!  It’s only Wednesday, after all.

First up, the classic gift in a jar.  Most of us have received these over the years from friends and neighbors and they’re still as popular as ever.  Here are a few of my favorites:

via Our Best Bites- Cookie Dough Gift
I mentioned this quickly in my post yesterday, but I think it’s such a great idea that I had to mention it again.  No pressure to eat these right away- how great is that, especially with all the holiday goodies around?  Wouldn’t you love to pull this out of your freezer (post-New Year’s Resolution..)?

  via Giver’s Log- Hot Chocolate on a Stick
These are adorable and a genius idea.  Wrap up a few of these with some marshmallows (see below) and package in a mug for an adorable gift.  I made these for our first annual gingerbread house party and they were easy peasy.