24 Easy DIY Holiday Gift Ideas to Start Now and Gift Later

Apple and Cranberry Cobbler

This egg-free Apple Cranberry Cobbler recipe is infused with vanilla, star anise, and optional bourbon, and served well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! (via Vanilla and Bean)

White Christmas Truffle Cake

Turn this fluffy sponge cake with white chocolate truffle topping into a stunning dessert centerpiece with edible pearls and a sweet pine decoration.(via Vikalinka)

Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies

These homemade slice and bake Christmas cookies are surprisingly easy to make, taste better than the ones in the tube, and are customizable so you can choose your favorite holiday shapes! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Chocolate Beet Cake

For a healthier spin on Christmas dessert, try this unique Chocolate Beet Cake. It's so moist and delicious, your guests won’t even know you used beets! (via Give Recipe)

Skinny Peppermint Mocha

Try a low-calorie version of this Starbucks favorite you can make at home! (via The Girl on Bloor)

Spiced Mascarpone Cranberry Cake

In charge of dessert this year? This stunning spiced cake will wow your guests in terms of taste and looks. It makes a delicious breakfast too! (via The Original Dish)

Christmas Frosting Board

What a fun idea! Swap your charcuterie for a dessert board where guests can pick and dip! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Vegan Chocolate Orange Cheesecake

This no-bake cheesecake, made with cashew and coconut, is so delicious and stunning they won't believe there's actually no cheese. (via The First Mess)

Vegan Mini Chocolate Pies with Pecan Caramel

Mini pies are the perfect Christmas dessert because they're hand-held and bite-sized, plus these feature chocolate, pecan, and caramel flavors! They're also vegan, which just makes us love them even more. (via Brit + Co)

The Best Sugar Cookies

These sugar cookies are so good, they don't really need any embellishments, but would it really be a Christmas party without reindeer cookies?! Save a few to leave out for Santa, too. (via Brit + Co)

Peppermint Macarons with White Chocolate Ganache

Find a new way to enjoy the minty flavor of peppermint with this macarons recipe. Covered in white chocolate, it's a nod to the traditional French pastry. (via Brit + Co)

Chocolate Pumpkin Tart with Gingersnap Crust

Move over white chocolate ganache, because this pumpkintart is ready for its turn in the spotlight. We love that the gingersnap crust helps balance the rich taste of dark chocolate. (via Brit + Co)

Puff Pastry Apple Roses

These roses look good enough to eat – because they are indeed edible! It's the one time you'll enjoy stopping to smell the roses. (via Brit + Co)

Sweet Chai Latte Cupcakes

Turn your favorite morning beverage into a sweet treat with these cupcakes. The flavors and spices make for the perfect holiday season dessert. (via Brit + Co)

Paleo Christmas Cookies

Cookies will never be totally healthy, but there are definitely ways that you can make them healthier. Check out this easy Christmas dessert that's paleo-friendly. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Apple Cake

If puff pastry apple roses feel like too much of a lite dessert, you'll want to keep this vegan apple cake recipe handy. (via Brit + Co)

Baked Hot Chocolate Doughnuts

We have a *major* sweet tooth for anything that involves gooey chocolate, so combining our love of doughnuts and hot chocolate sounds like a dream come true. (via Brit + Co)

Eggnog with Sugared Rosemary

Who says desserts have to be food? This sweet drink is a classic Christmas dessert, whether you're decorating the tree or curling up for a movie night. Our favorite detail is definitely the sugared rosemary. (via Brit + Co)

Oreo Red Velvet Cheesecake

If you love red velvet cake and you love cheesecake, then this is the dessert for you. The crust, cheesecake filling, and whipped cream come together beautifully so that every bite you take is better than the last! Plus, the Oreos on top are the perfect finishing touch. (via Brit + Co)

Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Cups

Take a break from traditional Christmas desserts and make candy recipes instead! Who knows, someone may request that you make frozen chocolate peanut butter yogurt cups for their birthday next year. (via Brit + Co)

Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes

If regular slices of cheesecake are too rich for you, try these mini bite-sized options for your next get-together. They're a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet, and just the right amount of creamy. (via Brit + Co)

Even Santa Will Want A Bite Of These Christmas Desserts!

Peppermint Bark Cannoli

You just can’t get through the snowy season without indulging in some sweet and cool peppermint bark. No surprise, it's amazing in cannolis. (via Sugar and Cloth)

Mott's Gingerbread Cups

These lil cups are a fun, festive, and fabulous treat to make with and for your little ones — or for anyone else, frankly! Just look how cute they are! (via Mott's)

Rum and Eggnog Bundt Cake

We like big bundts and we cannot lie; a slice of this, we can't deny! Flavored with rum and eggnog, this luscious cake is slathered with a generous coating of eggnog cream cheese icing that will make your tastebuds sing. (via Liv for Cake)

Vegan Christmas Cookies Recipe

Packed with nutty almonds and made without butter, eggs or oil, these gluten-free cookies are actually delicious and easy to make. Powdered sugar for the win! (via Veggie Society)

Chocolate Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Serve up a plate of melt-in-your-mouth crinkle cookies with a rich chocolate flavor.(via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Black Forest Trifle Cake

Get creative with this trifle cake made with Black Forest layers. (via Woman Scribbles)

Coconut Balls

Make it snow with these easy and delicious coconut balls! (via The Fast Recipe)

Eggnog Cheesecake Brownies

With creamy eggnog cheesecake swirling into fudgy goodness, these brownies will make even eggnog naysayers fall in love with the soft and chewy bites. (via A Cookie Named Desire)

Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

We know you’re thinking it because we’re thinking it — be still, my heart! This rich, minty, and chocolatey cake is dripping with glaze and topped with crushed candy canes. Can you say flavor bomb? (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Champagne Donuts With White Chocolate Glaze

One of the best things about donuts is they can be enjoyed as both a dessert *and* as a sweet breakfast option. The Champagne-infused dough and white chocolate glaze create the ultimate holiday treat. (via Sugar and Cloth)

Apple and Mincemeat Filo Wreath

This swoon-worthy recipe stuffs crisp apples and mincemeat into a flaky filo pastry, resulting in complete dessert heaven. Adorned with cranberries and drizzled with custard, this treat is guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday party. (via Domestic Gothess)

Mexican Wedding Cookies

These tiny snowballs are slightly salty, nutty, buttery, and downright delish. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Cranberry Dark Chocolate Biscotti

We hope you’re ready for additional caffeine, because you’ll be brewing an extra cup a day just for an excuse to dip and devour these beauties. Totally addicting, these munchies are packed with nuts and cranberries and drizzled with chocolate. (via Pinch of Yum)

Homemade Marshmallows

Storebought marshmallows will never taste the same after you make these. Dip them in chocolate or add them to your hot cocoa for a truly decadent treat. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Eggnog Panna Cotta with Spiked Cranberry Sauce

Silky smooth panna cotta may seem like a summery dessert, but when made with eggnog and topped with orange liqueur-spiked cranberry sauce, it's completely festive. (via Sprinkle Bakes)

You Won't Want To Share These Delicious Christmas Desserts

White Christmas Sparkle Cake

If you prefer snowflakes and twinkly lights to bright red and green decorations, you'll love this fluffy vanilla almond cake with cream cheese frosting. (via How Sweet Eats)

You Won't Believe How Tasty These Christmas Desserts Are

Meringue Christmas Wreath Cake

But if you do love colorful decorations, opt for this wreath cake, decked out with nonpareils and candy canes. (via Sprinkle Bakes)

Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Instead of rolling out dough to make individual cookies, bake up these bars, and have fun making your own sprinkle design on top. (via Averie Cooks)

Marmalade Thumbprint Cookies

It truly isn’t the holidays without some jam-filled thumbprint cookies to munch on. Though a berry jam is most commonly used, the choice of this orange jam is brilliant. (via The View From Great Island)

Christmas Tree Mousse Cups

You don't have to be an artist to make an adorable tree-shaped dollop of mousse in these chocolate cups. (via My Life Cookbook)

Peppermint Cream Puffs

Bite-size cream puffs are the ideal treat, and with a light peppermint ganache and festive sprinkles, they're holiday-ready. (via Best Friends for Frosting)

Chocolate Peppermint Mousse

We love how fluffy mousse is, and this Christmas dessert (which only needs four ingredients, FYI!!) mixes in peppermint extract for the perfect seasonal flavor. Add some crushed candy canes on top for an extra cute detail. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Funfetti Christmas Cake Roll

Don't be intimidated by the cylindrical shape; this colorful cake is both easy to bake and easy to roll up while hot. (via Passion for Savings)

Italian Pear Cranberry Tart

If the cranberry sauce at your Thanksgiving dinner didn’t satisfy your cranberry needs, this festive tart will. Fresh cranberries are piled into a shortbread crust over a luscious layer of almond cream, and it’s kind of the best thing ever. (via Just a Little Bit of Bacon)

Viennese Crescent Cookies

Popular in Austria, these melt-in-your-mouth Christmas cookies are a simple blend of hazelnuts, butter, and powdered sugar. (via Leite's Culinaria)

We'd Recommend These Christmas Desserts To Everyone

Mincemeat, Marzipan, and Apple Bread Wreath

Filled with mincemeat, marzipan, and apricot jam, this impressive buttery wreath is packed with flavor. And since it's fruity, you can get away with eating it for breakfast. (via Domestic Gothess)

Sugar Cookie Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Have more Christmas cookies than you know what to do with? Use them to top these velvety, chocolate-rich crème brûlées. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Gingerbread Bundt Cake

If you want to get real fancy, haul out your bundt cake pan and try this recipe. The patterned cake looks even more impressive when laden with a shiny glaze. (via The View From Great Island)

Slice and Bake Heart Cookies

These heart-shaped cookies are so much easier to make than you'd think. Impress your Christmas guests with a bout of sugar cookies! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Easy Puppy Chow Recipe

You probably already have everything you need for this DIY dessert recipe: peanut butter (or another nut butter), chocolate chips, Chex cereal, butter, and powdered sugar. The red and green candies are just a bonus! (via Brit + Co)

Tahini Brownies

If you can't handle full-on sweetness, try these brownies that mix in some tahini for a nutty flavor addition. The flaky salt on top adds an edge that you do not want to miss out on. (via Forks and Foliage)

Vegan Peanut Butter Blossoms

Is there a better duo than chocolate and peanut butter? These blossoms feature creamy peanut butter and dark chocolate chips for a rich, smooth take on the classic combo. (via Rachel Mansfield)

Olive Oil Orange Cake

This citrusy, just slightly olive-oily cake will brighten up your winter diet, and the touch of Grand Marnier makes it taste extra-elegant. (via Averie Cooks)

Hazelnut Shortbread with Salted Ganache Sandwich Cookies

Okay, regular Oreos. We raise you one with these uniquely delicious (and super festive!) homemade sandwich cookies! (via Vanilla and Bean)

Sugar Dusted Donut Christmas Tree by Chef Genevieve LaMonaca

For this delicious Christmas dessert, roll 60 (3lbs) white donut holes in 2.25oz green sugar sprinkles, then cover a 5.5 x 13.5-inch foam cone in plastic wrap. Insert your toothpicks (you'll need 60) into the foam, then push donut hole on the toothpick. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Add 1/2 cup peanut M&M’s to fill holes to resemble Christmas ornaments. Top with gold star cupcake topper. Cover with saran wrap until ready to use. Make up to 3 days ahead of time!

Cookies and Milk Shot Glass Dessert

Made in a shot glass, you can make this cookie dessert boozy or kid-friendly. It's play on Santa's milk and cookies, and a cute way to share with friends. (via Clean Cuisine)

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Chocolate bark makes the perfect gift for everyone on your list. (via Hello Little Home)

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Try this peppermint twist on the Hershey's Kiss thumbprint cookies. (via This Wife Cooks)

Peppermint & Candy Cane Christmas Candy Recipes

White Cupcakes with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

Don't settle for regular buttercream frosting this year. Spice things up with this peppermint buttercream frosting that'll be perfect for the cupcakes you plan to serve for dessert. (via Amanda Wilens)

Peppermint Bark

Get into those good peppermint mocha feels with this easy holiday bark! (via Sugar Apron)

Peppermint Bark Brownies

If you know your family can't get enough of peppermint bark, consider making this chocolate dessert as a backup. (via The Endless Meal)

Peppermint Macarons with White Chocolate Ganache

This sophisticated twist on one of the most beloved French pastries is genius! (via Barley & Sage)

Peppermint Candy Spoons

These spoons are ready to stir! When you want a fun treat for your hot chocolate or coffee, these spoons hit the spot. (via Princess Pinky Girl)

Candy Cane Oreo Truffles

You’ll love how easy it is to make these little gems. With just four ingredients, they’ll be perfect for any and all parties this time of year. (via Cakescottage)

Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti

Let the warm and sweet smells of chocolate peppermint biscotti fill your home on Christmas Eve. (via Barley & Sage)

Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Skillet Blondie

Did you know you could make a mouth-watering peppermint blondie in a skillet? Well, now you do. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels

Peppermint pretzels you say? Count our taste buds in! (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Recipes

Raw Chocolate Truffles

All they had to say was 'chocolate'. Pop the ingredients in a food processor and watch all the magic happen. (via Chef Bai)

Mini Oreo Cheesecakes

Make this bite-sized Christmas candy recipe as a teaser to the main event after dinner. (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles

Is there anything peanut butter can’t do? PB takes these truffles from great to absolutely decadent. (via Brown Eyed Baker)

Buckeyes (Peanut Butter Balls)

If you’re in Ohio during the holidays, you’ll see these sweet Buckeyes all over the place (the Buckeye is the state tree of Ohio and its nuts look like these treats). This dessert will be delicious, no matter where you are celebrating this season. (via Chocolate With Grace)

Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Trees

These trees are so cute, you’ll want your own little forest of them. Plus, they take minimal prep and you can put them together with the little ones. (via One Little Project)

Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Cups

This is one of those Christmas candy recipes that'll make you wonder if we have an obsession with peanut butter. Hint: the answer is yes! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Swiss Meringue Kisses

Almost better than the real thing, these crumbly, airy and melt-in-your-mouth kisses are something everyone will love. Make a double or triple batch, though, because they’ll go fast. (via Healthy Green Kitchen)

Mallo Cups

Chocolate, marshmallow and coconut couldn’t possibly make a better combo. These little cups are dreamy any time of year, but are especially yummy around the holidays. (via How Sweet Eats)

Green Ombre Christmas Fudge

This stylish fudge will look fab on your dessert table during the holidays. (via Tablespoon)

Almond Rocca

Rocca rocks, for sure! Almonds, chocolate and a toffee-like crunch are ideal for serving or giving as gifts. (via Chef in Training)

Chocolate Bark With Pistachios and Sea Salt

This treat couldn’t be easier to make, and it’s perfect for gift giving. Pro tip: try it with different nuts or crushed candy canes for a twist. (via Grab A Plate)

Christmas Candy Recipes with a Twist

Easy Ginger Candy

These candies bring a spicy yet sweet bite. Try this crystallized ginger recipe to snack on this winter. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Candied Citrus Peels

Fruity and fabulous is how we describe these citrus-based sweets. They’re simple and definitely scrumptious. (via The Cookie Writer)

Cream Cheese Mints

This candy is super easy to make and only needs a few ingredients. That’s totally welcome during this busy time of year, isn’t it? (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Icicle Candy

If all icicles were this sweet and colorful, you might not mind the harsh winter weather. Even if you’re living in a warmer state (lucky you!), you’ll appreciate these pretty candies. (via Tablespoon)

Goodie Goodie Gumpdrops

You’ll really mean it when you say 'goodie' gumdrops. These colorful, chewy treats will take you straight back to Grandma’s house. (via Bakerella)

Christmas Tree Meringues

We are obsessed with these cute bites! Customize this recipe with your fave colors and toppings. (via Amanda Wilens)

Fluffy Divinity

This classic southern treat is an amazing addition to any holiday snack tray. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Springy Fluffy Marshmallows

Can you imagine homemade marshmallows floating in your boozy hot chocolate? Spruce up your regular hot drink and top with these sweet bites. (via Smitten Kitchen)

Caramel Recipes

Homemade Caramels

These sweet candies are ultra-satisfying when you make them at home. (via Salt & Lavender)

Polar Bear Paws

Reminiscent of Payday candies, this easy, cheap version will leave you with more cash for buying gifts. Now that’s something we can get behind. (via Garnish and Glaze)

Keiko Agena has a complicated relationship with 'Gilmore Girls' character Lane Kim.

“I think what [the role] was for people was different than what it was for me,” she tells Juliet Litman on an episode of the Dear Felicity rewatch podcast (via People). “In a weird way, I feel like I want to honor the experience that people had from the show, and what it meant to them, especially young Asian people, because I get that comment a lot, about what it was like for them to see someone like that on screen.”

And it's no surprise that as much as Gilmore Girls viewers love Lane, Keiko "[loves] her too. I can tell, when I meet someone who knows Gilmore Girls or who loves Lane, it's like, I recognize that love. I see that you love that person."

But it's possible to hold two conflicting emotions at the same time, and although Lane Kim was an incredibly special role at the time, there are some things Keiko would do differently today. “The best thing is to have a Korean American writer [and a] Korean American actor,” she says. “I don't think that that role, cast that way, would happen today. But at that time, in 2000, it was such a different time that I definitely know I wouldn't have said no or pulled myself out of that situation at that time...Now it's just a mix of just having gratitude for having gone through that experience and having that experience.”

Keiko Agena also keeps in touch with two very special 'Gilmore Girls' costars!

And one aspect of Gilmore Girls that Keiko Agena is thankful for is her relationship with the Gilmore Girls cast! And there are two costars in particular she frequently keeps in contact with: John Cabrera (who played Brian) and Sean Gunn (who starred as Kirk).

“There is this kind of lovely nostalgia for that time, and yet also we have years since then,” she says. “I [have] gone to both of their weddings. Our friendship is part Gilmore Girls and appreciation for that crazy time, and then part just like a million other things that are just like friends.”

I was totally surprised to learn she keeps in contact with John and Sean (supposedly) more regularly than Alexis Bledel, but it makes sense when you remember Keiko, John, and Sean are all around the same age — and Alexis is 7 years younger. Hopefully we get another Gilmore Girls reunion to see our favorite television BFF's reunite!