Gourmet Gifts makes homemade giving easy

Although many of the gifts I usually give for Christmas are handmade, packaging often isn't considered until the very end. Which is a shame, really, because presentation is half the appeal. If it doesn't look good, why give it?

In her book Gourmet Gifts: 100 Delicious Recipes for Every Occasion to Make Yourself and Wrap With Style, author Dinah Corley seems to have taken this message to heart, as each and every recipe is accompanied by a wrapping and presentation suggestion. The recipes are divided into sections like "small tokens" (small size or small quantity), "big batches" (designed for a large yield), "pennywise" (for those on a budget), "feel better" (for those who are ill), "pound foolish" (for those with expensive tastes), and "special delivery" (designed to ship well).

Each recipe comes with a clear set of ingredients, a detailed series of step-by-step instructions, prep-time estimates, quantity/serving estimates, shelf-life estimates, and a list of things to know (tips like do not freeze, ships well, and can be doubled). Recipes themselves range from roasted nuts, cakes, syrups, cookies, pastries, and fruit leather to the intimidating-sounding cake made in an eggshell. Yes, it is a real recipe (it's the picture on the bottom-right corner of the book cover), and I will try it the moment eggs go on sale at the grocery store.

Gourmet Gifts retails for $23.95, and can be found at local bookstores. Which is actually pretty good timing, 'cause it'll leave you with just enough time to make some treats for the upcoming holiday season.

You can follow the walking stomach known as Jennie Ramstad on Twitter at twitter.com/jennieramstad.