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Christmas is fast approaching and whether you are in the United States or Europe I am sure that like me you are wondering how you are going to stick to your Christmas budget this year. The economy is looking murky at best but not spending beyond your means need not equate to missing out on the joy of giving! This year more than ever I am going to try and make most of the presents. I started making my own edible Christmas gifts for friends and family a number of years ago, and the feedback I received was phenomenal. Everybody loved the personal touches that you cannot get if buying ready made gifts. I've collated a number of easy recipes over the years that need no particular cooking skills and very few ingredients. If you get organised it needn't take long at all and I guarantee your loved ones will be as pleased as your bank account.

All you need to succeed is a little bit of your time, a pinch of creativity and a big dollop of love. Food is a very thoughtful gift that you can tailor to the recipient, making the present as unique as the person you are giving it to.

Here are a handful of my favorite recipes, some ideas to package them nicely, and a few new ideas that you can try very easily:

1. Brandy Butter: this is a firm family favorite on warm toast over the holidays! All you need is unsalted butter, icing sugar and some brandy. Here's a handy tip: let the butter soften at room temperature for a couple of hours before you start. It makes the work that much easier! The proportions are easy: 4 oz butter, 2 oz sugar, 1 tablespoon brandy.

Cream the butter and sugar together, add the brandy, mix some more. Find a nice looking glass jar, pour it in and place in the fridge to set until needed. Add a nice label (you can print your own on your computer: there are loads of free templates online) and don't forget the use by date: it should be as per the pack of butter you used. Once it's hardened in the fridge, wrap & give to your friends. Have look in your local swap-meets or online auctions for interesting looking glass containers. Two years ago I found a whole case of old-fashioned jam jars that looked absolutely fabulous yet cost next to nothing.

2. Cookies. Yes, cookies! Bake your favorite recipe, let them cool down then line a nice tin with parchment paper to oack them in. All that's left to do is gift-wrapping and giving to your friends. If you can't bake or won't bake, store bought cookies can still be packaged in this way - be creative with the container!

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