There’s always a need for a last-minute gift at the holidays. You might find yourself needing a last-minute gift when you receive an unexpected invite, see someone you forgot to add to your list, or a friend or neighbor unexpectedly gifts you something. Even after the actual holidays are through you aren’t immune to the unexpected gifter, so instead of feeling unprepared be ready with some homemade DIY gifts.
Yahoo! DIY features all kinds of amazing last minute gift ideas including:
- Homemade fruit leather-perfect for kids and adults alike this fruit leather recipe is simple and a welcome change from cookies and sugary treats.
- Kids can get in on the gift giving with these 10 kid-friendly craft ideas. While some are more suited for a playdate or kid party such as making fake snow, others are perfect for gifting like snowman pretzel snacks!
- Host gifts can go beyond a bottle of wine-check out these 10 unique host gifts including some awesome ideas like homemade hard cider, spiced nuts, and more.
- Fruit is a great gift but you can make it even more special with these 15 ways to make fruit a gift worth giving this holiday season including DIY chocolate strawberries, fruit-infused spirits, and caramel apples in a jar!
- DIY extract is a great gift idea! You can use this mint extract tutorial for all kinds of other extracts. While it needs 6 weeks to be ready you can still gift it now-just include a note that it needs some time to be ready to use. Be sure to include some recipes or even a bottle of booze with a cocktail recipe.
- I love this simple tutorial for DIYing luxury bath products. It’s simple and such a unique gift idea!
I came up with my own special DIY gift for the holidays perfect for nearly everyone on your list. Homemade chocolate hazelnut spread (AKA DIY Nutella) is a perfect hostess gift, a thoughtful present for friends, teachers, or neighbors, and it’s the perfect excuse to create some for yourself.
Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread Recipe
What you need:
Materials:
- Glass container with lid (purchase at Amazon, Target, or kitchen store)
- Food processor or Vitamix (read my review here)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups hazelnuts (raw)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 bag milk chocolate chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Alternatives:
- For a non-dairy version but non-dairy chocolate chips or see below.
- For a sugar-free replace the chocolate chips with 12 ounces of bittersweet chocolate and add 1/4 cup (or less to taste) of the sweetener of your choice. Raw honey would be amazing!
Recipe:
1. Roast hazelnuts in oven at 350º for about 10-14 minutes until skin peels off easily. Test one by rolling it inside a dishtowel to see if the skin comes off, if it does remove and roll all hazelnuts to remove as much skin as possible.
2. Add roasted, skinned hazelnuts to your food processor or Vitamix. Pulse or process on low to medium to create hazelnut meal.
3. Add coconut oil. Pulse or blend until paste-like.
4. Add cocoa powder, sea salt, and chocolate chips and blend/process until smooth and creamy.*
5. Pour into glass containers and store at room temperature for one to two weeks. Or eat it all right away. 😉
If gifting you can add a label to make it even more special. I’m planning to gift this to someone special with a fresh loaf of bread and some fruit, too.
Happy holidays!
*Note: I made this using the Vitamix so opted not to melt the chocolate chips, in a food processor I would recommend using melted chocolate chips.
Kelly
Disclosure: Thank you Yahoo! for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Yahoo!, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.
ginabad says
December 24, 2014 at 9:50 amHave to try this! Thanks, nice thing to find this morning. Happy holidays!