The holidays are fast approaching, which means it’s time to go gift shopping! But in these tough financial times, it’s reassuring to remember that homemade gifts can often be just as valuable as store-bought ones.
Here are a few ideas for using fresh herbs to make gifts for your friends and family:
1.) Make infused olive oil. See our recipes for chive oil, basil oil, and mint oil. Once you’ve made some, bottle it up in nice glass bottles decorated with a ribbon tied with a sprig or two of fresh herbs. See Mark Bittman’s column on infused oils in the New York Times for more details.
2.) Try your hand at wreath making. Williams-Sonoma sells a lovely fresh herb wreath for $50.00, but why spend that kind of money when you can make your own? Find directions on how to get started at marthastewart.com.
3.) Got cheap vodka on hand? Turn it into something special by infusing it with fresh herbs like dill, cilantro, or thyme. Find out more about infusing vodka here.
4.) Make some potpourri filled sachets. Perfect for making closets and drawers smell like spring, a sachet filled with lavender, rosemary, and thyme is a fragrant gift. See Martha Stewart’s website for directions on how to get started.
