Dip mix ornaments look cute

http://bubblynaturecreations.com/2013/11/dip-mix-ornaments.html

One more vote for spiced nuts. Super easy and you can customize flavors for your friends' preferences. They keep for awhile, but they're also good for your friends to whip out and serve at their own parties in a pinch.

Tapenade. Too many sweets around at the holidays.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/kalamata-olive-tapenade/

With anchovies:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/tapenade-recipe.html

I've done a cranberry dried fruit chutney before that was pretty well received. I included a card with serving suggestions (cheese and crackers, alongside chicken or pork, with ice cream or yogurt).

Anonymous wrote:how about flavored salt? http://www.insockmonkeyslippers.com/homemade-flavored-salts

or spice rubs (we make a moroccan spice combo in bulk for a great chicken dish) Spices are WAY cheaper if you buy them in bulk sections of places like Whole foods or MOM's.

I love candied pecans as well as salted caramels or chocolate truffles (flavored a dozen different ways)

And even way cheaper and fresher if you buy at an ethnic grocer, such as an indian store.

Nuts. I do some savory some sweet and give a bit of each. Something simple.

Nuts. I do some savory some sweet and give a bit of each. Something simple.

how about flavored salt? http://www.insockmonkeyslippers.com/homemade-flavored-salts

or spice rubs (we make a moroccan spice combo in bulk for a great chicken dish) Spices are WAY cheaper if you buy them in bulk sections of places like Whole foods or MOM's.

I love candied pecans as well as salted caramels or chocolate truffles (flavored a dozen different ways)

Pralines seem to be the most popular candy that I make. Do you think other people like buttermints? There's a recipe on the Splendid Table website that I want to try, but maybe buttermints are one of those old lady things that other people aren't into.

(I would also love a ham, or jerky, or bacon, or a cheese plate)

I'm probably in the minority here, but I would be really psyched if someone sent me a Honeybaked ham. Or an artisanal ham (but those are really expensive). Or really good charcuterie.

A good ham is great to have around for quick meals and it freezes well. Obviously, this doesn't work for those who don't eat pork.

Throw in some good bread, overpriced mustards, and a couple of fancy cheeses and I'd be in heaven.

A quick gift is a "cookie in a jar" with a pretty ribbon tied around it. (The kind where all the dry ingredients are already measured/layered, and you just add the eggs & oil or something).

There's a bunch listed here: http://thefrugalgirls.com/gifts-in-jars-recipes

My mom used to mail me my favorite cake this way when I was in college on the opposite side of the country

I second candied and/or spiced nuts.

I've been given herbed vinegars, but have no clue what to do with them (I rarely make my own salad dressings), so if you go that route, include recipes.

I would love a good homemade plum pudding and hard sauce, but that is not a universally loved dessert.

Cranberry chutney? So good with turkey, beef, game....