The best Christmas gifts to give or receive are the ones that come from the heart. Food gifts are gifts that take time, care and preparation and the best gifts to show someone just how much they mean to you.

There are a few rules when it comes to giving a food gift. Safety tops the list. Most food gifts are desserts such as cookies, candy and cakes. Dry mixes also have found their way into our heartfelt gifts. It is not often that we give meats as a gift but there have been times when a ham or turkey cooked to perfection is the perfect gift. Condiments such as herbed vinegars and delectable sauces can also make great food gifts.

If you are baking be sure that your goodies have cooled completely. They also need to be dry before being wrapped. This will help keep bacteria from growing and making anyone sick. Also remember to let them know if the food needs to be refrigerated.

Meats need to be thawed at the proper temperature. Be sure to use a thermometer when cooking to ensure the meat is fully cooked. Allow the meat to cool completely before wrapping it. This will keep down condensation and running your gift of love.

Dry mixes in decorative jars have always been a hit for Christmas gift giving. Cookies, cakes, brownies and even soups make great ideas for the perfect gift.

When putting together mixes for those delicious baked treats be sure the jar is very dry before adding the ingredients. Measure the dry ingredients in layers. Place labels on the jar with the name of recipe, what ingredients are included in the jar, ingredients that still need to be added, baking times and serving sizes.

Dried soups also make great Christmas gifts. When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing better than making a hot bowl of delicious soup. Dry soup mixes prepared with your own hands make it even more special.

Layer the ingredients into jars. Freeze dried vegetables are great when making dried soup mixes. Label the jar with the name of the soup, ingredients in the jar, ingredients that still need to be added, cooking times and serving sizes.

If the person loves soup, give them a gift basket filled with delicious dry soup mixes that you prepared yourself. Since it is winter, no soup gift basket would be complete without chicken noodle. Include some of their favorites like potato soup, vegetable soup or bean soup.

Condiments are gifts that can be used all year long. Herbed vinegars, seasoning mixes and dry rubs make great holiday gifts. Canned vegetables, fruits and juices make tasty gifts keep well when placed in vacuum sealed jars. Homemade jellies and jams are also great for gift giving. If you grow your own herbs, dry them and package them in pretty containers to give to all those cooks on your Christmas list.

When it comes to giving a gift from the heart food really does top the list. This year take the time to make a few gifts of food for those special people on your Christmas list.