‘Tis the Season(ing) :: Budget-Friendly Spice-y Holiday Gifts

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‘Tis the Season(ing) :: Budget-Friendly Spice-y Holiday Gifts

If you made it through that punny title, thank you. Glad you’re here!

We are approaching that time of year when thinking of my list of people I need to buy Christmas gifts for immediately shifts my anxiety into high gear. It seems like the list gets longer and the budget gets tighter with each passing year.

Enter: the homemade gift.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: homemade gifts often feel a little ho-hum to give. But I’m about to change that. Let’s give a gift that stretches your dollar AND looks great while doing it. And, even better, is something your recipient will actually use. (And if you’re looking for an alcoholic gift option, this Apple Pie in a Glass is great!)

Here’s our formula: homemade spice blend + complementary kitchen tool + recipe tag for using the spice blend = budget-friendly gift

• Taco Seasoning with taco holders (get a 24-pack like these and split up as needed)
• Chili mix with meat chopper (Amazon has this 2-pack, but Dollar Tree is even cheaper if you can find them!)
• Burger blend with hamburger patty maker (I got a few from Dollar Tree, but here’s an Amazon version as well)
• BBQ blend with sauce basting mops or brushes (here’s a 5-pack of various sizes on Amazon)
• Garlic mix with dip spreaders (like these from Amazon

I buy my spices in bulk at Sam’s Club, but if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, head to Dollar Tree. While you’re there, be sure to pick up some mini jars to hold your blends, oven mitts to go along with your gift, and tissue paper and ribbon. You can also order spice jars like these from Amazon or use 4-ounce Mason jars that are readily available at most grocery stores.

Pro Tip: A standard coffee scoop is 2 tablespoons. Using a coffee scoop makes filling your containers quicker. (I used 6 tablespoons of seasoning blend in my 4-ounce Mason jars.)

Spice Blends

These are the basic recipes for each blend, which is usually about 2-3 servings. Scale up to the number of servings you need accordingly.

Taco Seasoning Blend

Taco Recipe: 3 tablespoons seasoning blend + 1/2 cup water

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano

Chili Seasoning Blend

Chili Recipe: 2 tablespoons seasoning blend + 1 pound ground beef or turkey + 1 can Rotel + 1 8-oz can tomato sauce + 1 can drained & rinsed beans of choice

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Burger Seasoning Blend

From Allrecipes.com. Burger Recipe: Measure with your heart! Use on both sides of a burger patty.

• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon celery salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Garlicky Dip Mix

Dip Recipe: ½ cup sour cream + ½ cup mayo + 2 tablespoons seasoning blend

• 4 tablespoons dried minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried chives
• ½ teaspoon dried dill
• ½ teaspoon dried basil

Seasoning’s Greetings!