Kitchen design
Gifts From the Kitchen: What Keeps, How to Pack It and When to Make It
Homemade gifts are the ones people remember. Which treats keep long enough to post, how to pack them, and a making timetable.
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A jar of homemade mincemeat or a tin of tablet means more than most shop-bought presents. The trick is choosing things that keep, and making them in the right order so nothing is stale by Christmas.
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What keeps
| Gift | Keeps for about | Make by |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade mincemeat | Several months | Late November |
| Scottish tablet | 2–3 weeks | Early December |
| Treacle toffee | Up to 2 weeks | Mid-December |
| Shortbread | 1–2 weeks | Mid-December |
| Gingerbread biscuits | About 2 weeks | Mid-December |
| Jam and chutney | Months, sealed | Any time |
Packing
- Biscuits and sweets: airtight tins or boxes, layered with baking paper. Keep biscuits and toffee apart.
- Jars: sterilised jam jars, with a fabric or paper cover tied on with string.
- Posting: choose sturdy tins and pack the gaps so nothing rattles.
Label it
Add the name, the date made, a "best eaten by" date and the ingredients, so anyone with an allergy (to nuts, milk, eggs or gluten, for example) can check.
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Frequently asked questions
What homemade food gifts keep longest?
Mincemeat, jams and chutneys keep for months in sealed jars; tablet and toffee keep for a couple of weeks in airtight tins.
How do I pack homemade biscuits as gifts?
In an airtight tin or box, layered with baking paper. Keep different bakes in separate containers so moisture does not transfer.
Should I label homemade food gifts?
Yes: include the date made, a best-before date and the ingredients, so anyone with an allergy can check.