To find the perfect gift for each person is a difficult and at times stressful task. But there is one thing that anyone would appreciate: a homemade gift, made with affection and the best ingredients and materials will show how much you care for the recipient. After all, you will have spent the most valuable of all things one possesses, especially in today’s hectic lives: your free time! Here are some ideas for easy to prepare homemade Christmas gifts.

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Great Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

Create Beautiful Décor

Using natural items like pinecones, branches, greenary, and moss, arrange them in rustic buckets, baskets or vases. Add a beautiful matching tray and wooden decorations ornaments, together with some candleholders and candles. To complete the arrangement, add some easy DIY decoration items that can be kept and used every year. Another idea is to create a natural wreath and place it in a stunning frame, which can be used after the holidays in another way. It will for sure make a wonderful gift.

Prepare a Treat

Who doesn’t love treats to accompany a warm cup of cocoa or tea? Prepare some easy sweets which you’ll wrap up nicely and you’ll have a perfect homemade gift. Make some easy hanging marshmallows rice crispie peppermint treats or a few mini gingerbread houses which you can decorate to look festive and yummy. If you think the recipient would value a savory gift, prepare a sampler with various cheese crackers, arranged carefully in a divided wooden box.

Try these 75 creative Christmas stocking stuffer ideas!

Dress Up a Cup

If you can knit or have a child’s sweater you no longer need, you can create a sweet cup warmer to add to a beautiful cup. Make a few simple chocolate spoons which can be decorated with edible Christmassy décor. Getting some beautiful spoons to match the cup will add style to the gift. Add some mini marshmallows for cuteness. If you want, you can use a mason jar where you will have prepared your favorite hot cocoa mix. A few ribbons, maybe a tray and wrapping and you have the best homemade gift. In case you want to give such a present to a coffee lover, replace the spoons with some mochafrosted cake or marshmallow pops and the cocoa mix with a special coffee blend.

Homemade gifts shine through the care you put into preparing them. They don’t need to be costly to make a lasting impression; they just need to be made with genuine loving feelings!

For more Christmas ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Halloween Dessert: Candy Corn Parfait Recipe

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Halloween Desserts Parfait Ingredients:

(for about 6 servings)

10 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

10 oz. lightly thawed Cool Whip

yellow and orange food color

candy corn for decoration

Halloween Party Desserts Directions:

1. In a large glass bowl, beat the cream cheese with a mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar little by little while continuing beating. Continue beating and add the cream and then the vanilla. Beat another one minute on medium high speed. Now carefully fold in the Cool Whip and stir the mixture to combine all ingredients.

2. Divide the mixture in even parts into three bowls. Leave the cream mixture in one bowl white. In the second bowl, add the orange food color and stir carefully to get the desired color. Add the yellow food color to the third bowl and mix to get the desired color. Pour the mixture of each bowl into a separate piping bag.

3. Choose the serving glasses or plastic cups and squeeze a layer of the yellow mousse into the glasses. Continue by squeezing a layer of orange mousse into the glasses and finish with a layer of the white mousse, so you will have your final candy corn inspired dessert.

4. Place the glasses into the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving. Use candy corn to add the finishing touch!

Check out these Halloween Party Ideas for your Halloween Desserts Ideas

See our 35 best Halloween Desserts here for your fun party!

For More Halloween party ideas, take a look at these Halloween cupcakes.

35 of Our Best Halloween Desserts Recipes

1. Halloween Desserts: Spooky Ghost Cupcakes

Undoubtedly, these Halloween Ghost Cupcakes is a perfect way to wrap up a Halloween party.  They not only look great but they are also very delicious. Your little ones will go crazy for these cute, adorable treats. And of course, you will be happy too, when you will see how easy they are to make.

2. Worm Cupcake Recipe

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Create these gruesome Halloween worm cupcakes for your kids this season. Decorated with crushed cookies and gummy worms to make a creepy festive treat, they are sure to make you crave for more than one. The best part? The recipe is so easy to put together that you can involve young ones and make it a fun family activity.

3. Halloween Themed Cookies

In lieu of store-bought treats, why not whip up a batch of these homemade Halloween themed cookies this year? While they are made of flavorful seasonal ingredients on one hand, they are scary and spooky on the other. So go ahead, show off your creativity and get ready to turn some heads!

4. Halloween Recipes: Spooky Caramel Apples

These caramel apples are a delicious way to enjoy a serving of fruits and are ideal as Halloween treats
when they are garnished in a creepy way. The best thing about this recipe is that it is very easy to make and can be prepared with items on hand. Just make sure to prepare plenty of them as they are sure to vanish in minutes.

For those, searching for the perfect Halloween desserts, your search ends here. These spooky but sweet recipes are just perfect for your holiday party. So,  use these ideas and be sure to get into the fun of the season.

30 of our Blogger Friends’ Best Halloween Dessert Recipes

1. Halloween Popcorn Balls
2. Halloween Monster Popcorn Candy Corn Recipe
3. 10 Minute Eye of Newt Halloween Donuts
4. Slime Monster Halloween Donuts
5. Chocolate Pumpkin Trifle with Sweetworks Candy
6. Halloween Kitty S’more Trifle
7. Brownie Brittle Graveyard Eclair
8. Witch’s Broom Snacks
9. Black Widow Spider Bites
10. Easy Oreo Pumpkin Whip Dessert
11. Spider Halloween Brownies
12. Kid’s Dirt Dessert Snack Pack
13. Haunted House Cupcake Cake
14. Jack Skellington Chocolate Covered Apples
15. No Bake Twix Roll with Caramel
16. Zombie Dirt Dessert
17. Eye Popping Spooky Halloween Bundt Cake
18. Candy Corn Poke Cake
19. Dipped Marshmallow Pops for Halloween
20. Bloody Zombie Brain Cupcakes
21. Halloween Orange Cream Mini Cone Cupcakes
22. Easy Twinkie Mummies Halloween Treats for kids
23. Easy Halloween Treat: Pretzel Bones
24. Spider Donuts
25. Candy Cornbread Muffins Halloween Desserts
26. Halloween Cheesecake Cones
27. Halloween No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert
28. Undead Are Rising Cupcakes Halloween Desserts
29. Butterscotch Candy Apples
30. Candy Corn Shot Glasses

31. Check out all of these yummy Halloween Dessert Ideas at All Recipes

For more Halloween desserts on Stagetecture, click here.

St. Patrick’s Day Dessert: Irish Cream Chocolate Cheesecake

Total Time: Preparation 20 minutes + Cooking 1 hour 20 minutes + Chilling

Yields: one 9 inch springform pan

Chocolate Cheesecake Ingredients:

1 and half cups chocolate cookie crumbs

1/3 cup powdered/confectioners’ sugar

1/3 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened

¼ cup butter

8 ounces softened cream cheese

1 ¼ cups white sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 eggs

Half cup sour cream

¼ cup Irish cream liqueur

Chocolate Cheesecake Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees F).
2. In a large bowl, mix together powdered sugar, cookie crumbs, and 1/3 cup cocoa. Add melted butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of a nine-inch springform pan. Bake in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes and set aside. Increase the oven temperature to 230 degrees Celsius (450 degrees F).
3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, ¼ cup cocoa, white sugar, and all purpose flour. In a blender beat at a medium speed until well blended and smooth. Add eggs one at a time, and mix well after each addition. Mix in the sour cream and Irish cream liqueur. Blend on low speed. Pour the filling over baked crust.
4. Bake at 230 degrees Celsius (450 degrees F) for 8-10 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 120 degrees Celsius (250 degrees F), and continue baking for 1 hour.
5. Loosen the cake from the rim of the pan using a knife. Let it cool then remove the rim of the pan. Chill for few hours before serving.

Tip: If the cake cracks, dampen a spatula and smooth the top. Then sprinkle with some chocolate wafer crumbs.

Do you love Cheesecake Recipes?

Try these Oreo Cheesecake Bites recipe.

Perfect as St. Patrick’s Day Dessert, this rich, creamy cheesecake is nice to look at, wonderful to taste, and festive for the holiday. And you can even make it a day ahead!

How to Make Apple Brandy Cheesecake Recipe

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Total time: Preparation 40 minutes + Baking 1 hour +Chilling

Yields: 12 servings

Cheesecake Ingredients:

1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup ground walnuts

1/3 cup butter, melted

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cheesecake Recipe Filling:

3 packages cream cheese, softened

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup thick applesauce

3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

¼ cup brandy or apple brandy

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 large lightly beaten eggs

Cheesecake Topping:

¾ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup melted butter

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cheesecake Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, butter, walnuts, and cinnamon. Press onto the bottom and 1 and half inch up the sides of a greased 9 inch springform pan. Place the pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
2. In a large bowl, beat sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the applesauce, brandy, cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Now add eggs, beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into the crust. Return the pan to the baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes.
3. In another small bowl, combine topping ingredients until crumbly. Carefully sprinkle over hot cheesecake. Bake for 25-30 minutes longer or until the center is just set.
4. Cool on a wire rack for 10-12 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Let it cool for 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.

This apple brandy cheesecake recipe is a delightful combination of fall ingredients that comes together so well. Try it and we promise you will not let the season pass by without making it another time. Which other fall desserts are you trying this time?

Looking for more Homemade Cheesecake Recipes?

Country Living has 19 homemade cheesecake recipes you’ll love.

In case 19 isn’t enough, Delish has 50 cheesecake recipe ideas to make your mouth water.

For more fall desserts on Stagetecture, click here.

Winter Dessert: Pressed Crust Pear Tart

Image via: Martha Stewart

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Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter and a little more for the pan at room temperature

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon baking powder

3/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

2 to 3 pears peeled, halved, and cored

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

¼ cup apricot jam

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Whipped cream to taste

Procedure

Image via: Beautiful Mess

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Properly butter a 14 inch rectangular tart pan and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl combine the all-purpose flour and baking powder and set aside.
4. Use an electric mixer to cream the butter and ½ cup sugar at high speed in a large bowl. Lower the speed to medium, add the egg, and beat until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture until fully blended. The dough should be very soft.
5. Push the dough into the pan with floured fingers to form an even crust. Arrange the pear halves, top to bottom, cut side down. Sprinkle the cinnamon and the leftover sugar. Bake the crust until golden brown, about 45 minutes, and then let it cool.
6. In a small saucepan, heat the apricot jam over medium to low heat, mixing until combined. Remove from the heat and brush gently over the entire tart. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Don’t have a rectangular tart pan? No worries, the regular 9 inch pie pan does the job just fine. And you can always use the jam flavor of your choice. So, would you be trying this winter dessert tonight?

Recipe Round Up: Our Favorite Winter Desserts

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Image via: Betty Crocker

These peanut butter cup cookies are simply delicious. Each cookie has a mini peanut butter cup pressed into the center that makes it a wonderful treat. Due to the ease of preparation you will be able to make them in no time. Literally divine and comforting, they make for a perfect winter dessert.

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Walnut Honey Cake Recipe  

Image via: Lui Cucina

For those who don’t like it to be too sweet, this walnut honey cake recipe is for you. Moist and soft, you can enjoy it with a cup of coffee or take it after the meals. The best part? You will enjoy making it as it only requires a few basic ingredients. Serve it sour cream for added flavor.

Tangy Apple and Rhubarb Crumble Recipe

Image via: Williams-Sonoma

Unlike the usual, apple and rhubarb crumble, this delectable winter dessert is given a tangy touch with crystallized ginger and ginger nut biscuits. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s perfect for self indulgence and can be fearlessly tried with friends and family during gatherings. Did we say it makes for an affordable holiday favor too?

Almond Cherry Cake Recipe

Image via: Womans Day

What can be more comforting than enjoying scrumptious bites from a warm, tender cake on a chilly evening or noon? That’s what makes this almond and cherry cake recipe one of our favorites. You can use berries of your choice such as blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries or a combination of any to suit your taste.

Keep the cool weather at bay and indulge in these rich, comforting dessert recipes. Just make sure to whip up an extra batch because these delicious treats won’t last long. And of course don’t forget to let us know which ones did you try?

For more dessert recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Homemade Dog Treat Recipe

Image via: Food 52

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Total time: 30 minutes preparation + 30 minutes cooking

Yields: 4 dozens

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup margarine

1 cup boiling water

¾ cup cornmeal

2 teaspoons white sugar

2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules

½ cup milk

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1 beaten egg

3 cups whole wheat flour

Procedure

Image via: Me and the Mountains

1. Preheat oven to 165 degrees Celsius (325 degrees F). In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, margarine, and boiling water. Let it stand for 10 minutes. Properly grease cookie sheets.
2. Thoroughly stir in cornmeal, bouillon granules, sugar, milk, Cheddar cheese, and egg. Add in flour (1 cup at a time), until a stiff dough has formed.
3. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough; mix in additional flour if necessary until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky. Pat or roll out the dough to ½ inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter such as a bone shape, and place 1 inch apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
4. In a pre heated oven bake 35 to 45 minutes until golden brown. Cool before serving. Store in a loosely covered container.

Baking homemade dog treats is a fun way to show that your care for your pet. Follow this simple recipe and be sure about what your furry friend is eating. Do you like making treats for your pets at home? Or do you prefer store bought food?

Image via: Pretty Fit Body

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Carrots

Easter bunny loves carrots. So, why not wrap a few sticks with a ribbon, or fill a few small cellophane bags with baby carrots? Toss an individual hummus container in the basket for a healthy dip.

Hard Boiled Eggs

You have already dyed those eggs. So, why that filling protein go to waste? You might as well slip a few in. However, just make sure to use food grade dyes such as gel, liquid, and paste colors for cake decorating. Decorated eggs are indeed a healthy addition to any Easter basket. And they are fun too!

Image via: MSLiving

Fruit Treats

For a little chocolaty treat with a healthy dose of fruit, dip grapes, whole strawberries or banana slices in melted chocolate. Microwave a little dark or semi-sweet chocolate, or melt in a double boiler and dip fruits of your choice. Freeze to let them set. For some added crunch, roll the fruit in chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans. If you prefer to stay away from sweets all together consider using nut butters such as peanut, almond, sunflower butter instead of chocolate.

Homemade Marshmallow Peeps

Easter without marshmallow peeps is like Christmas without cookies. For a healthier version, ditch the white sugar and corn syrup in favor of honey. We are not saying that these are as healthy as broccoli florets, but they are at least free of any artificial dyes and preservatives.

Plastic Easter Eggs  

Image via: Crazy Little Projects

Those colorful plastic Easter eggs are a great way to pre-portion treats. Fill them up with dehydrated or dried fruits such as dates, apricots, toasted hazelnuts, macadamia nuts or yogurt covered raisins. Apart from being healthy, there is an element of surprise too!

No doubt Easter Bunny is the bearer of delicious, tasty treats. But this does not mean that the holiday turns into a week-long candy spree. Use these ideas and let us know what other items would you like to put in your kids healthier Easter basket?

Winter Dessert: Tangy Apple and Rhubarb Crumble

Image via: Williams-Sonoma

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Total time: 20 minutes preparation + 20 minutes cooking

Yields: 6 servings

Ingredients

500g rhubarb, trimmed and washed, cut into small pieces

4 medium sized apples, peeled, cored, and cut into small pieces

¼ cup (60 ml) water

½ cup (100g) caster sugar

250 g ginger nut biscuits, coarsely broken

¼ cup (60 g) crystallized ginger, finely chopped

50 g melted butter

Vanilla ice cream to serve

Procedure

Image via: Taste

1. Preheat oven to 180 degree Celsius. In a large saucepan, mix rhubarb, apple pieces, and water over medium heat. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook stirring occasionally for 8-10 minutes or until rhubarb softens.
2. Add caster sugar to the pan and stir until completely dissolved. Pour the mixture into 1.5L capacity ovenproof dish.
3. In a medium bowl, mix ginger nut biscuits, crystallized ginger, butter, and brown sugar.
4. Evenly sprinkle the biscuit mixture over rhubarb. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the crumble is crisp and the rhubarb mixture starts bubbling. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

While this winter dessert recipe is perfect for self indulgence, you can fearlessly try this on friends and family for gatherings or present them as an affordable favor. After all, who can resist a warm, scrumptious dessert when it’s cold and dark outside? Remember to let us know how it was?