Gluten Free Gifts

Finding gluten free gifts for foodies — and by foodies, I mean anyone eating gluten free! — shouldn’t be any harder than for anyone else, and it’s that time of year again, so I’m here to help! 

The beginning of this post covers homemade gifts; the second part of this post is store-bought gifts ranging in cost from just a few dollars to much more expensive kitchen appliances; the third part is gluten-free food! Keep in mind that these ideas are just as applicable for to me, love me, kinds of gifts, as well! {Oh, and for you last minute shoppers, check the last section for on-line purchases that are super thoughtful, but provide instant downloads!}

I hope you find this comprehensive list useful not just for the winter holidays, but all year long. Please add any ideas or brands you particularly love in the comments; I’d love to hear about other great companies and gifting ideas!

 

Homemade Gluten Free Gifts

I don’t know about you, but the holidays have really snuck up on me this year – I’m woefully behind on my shopping already, and I know I’ll blink and it will be too late for me to find the perfect gluten free gifts for everyone on my list.

If you’re close enough to hand deliver, it’s times like these that I like to remind myself that homemade is from the heart, and always appreciated. Homemade gluten free gifts take time, yes, but they are thoughtful and show that you really care.

It’s kind of like sending a real card in the mail with a real stamp that was delivered by a real postal worker — it’s really thoughtful. And especially this year, when the USPS seems to be super over-taxed, it’s really nice to ring and run, if you know what I mean.

Here are some of my favorite homemade gluten free gifts. What are some of yours? Please share your ideas in the comments!

 

Gluten Free Cookie Mix in a Jar

If your Santa list is like mine, it has lots of folks on it with various dietary restrictions: celiac, gluten sensitivity, vegan, soy-free, nut-free … but one thing they all have in common: everyone loves cookies!

Hop to my Gluten Free Cookie Mix in a Jar recipe post to see how to make these adorable Gluten Free Cookie Mixes in a Jar! There, you can also grab my free printable tags with directions to make it super easy to be super thoughtful!

Gluten Free Cookie Tree

An edible Cookie Tree is never not the right answer. Am I right?

And it couldn’t be easier. Choose your recipe: either gluten free gingerbread cookies or gluten free sugar cookies and just build this yummy tree out of stars of gradually smaller size, “glued” together with either frosting or royal icing. All of which can be made vegan, as well.

There are also kits that come with the pre-sized cookie cutters to make it easier.

Gluten Free Gingerbread House

Who doesn’t love a gingerbread house? The making, the giving, the eating … the whole thing is just joyous. Especially if the house is gluten-free, vegan and totally Top 8 allergen-free.

Gingerbread houses don’t have to be huge, either. They can be, of course — check out my post on making them with the printable templates off my site or with the gingerbread house cookie cutters available at gfJules.com. 

But they can also be super small and super cute!!! These are actually even more suitable for gifting.

But they all start with the base allergen-free gingerbread which is so simple to make from my gfJules Gluten Free Gingerbread Mix.

Gluten Free Candy Tree

Another gift that’s a fun craft for the younger kids to help make (think teacher gifts!) is a candy tree. These are easily made with $2.99 floral tree forms you can find at any craft shop or order on line, some colorful pushpins and colorful candies.

Here’s a list of some individually wrapped candies that would suit most on your Christmas list:

• GoOrganic® Hard Candies – Organic, gluten free, no artificial flavors or colors.
• McCreas Handcrafted Caramels – Connoisseurs of caramel will taste the difference with these premium gluten-free caramels in flavors ranging from Black Lava Sea Salt to Rosemary Truffle Sea Salt and all the “normal” flavors in between. (contains dairy)
• GoLightly® Sugar Free Assorted Toffees – Gluten free, sweetened with Splenda®. Kosher, dairy-free, contains artificial flavors and colors; some contain peanut.
• JJ’s Sweets® Cocomels® – Caramels made from coconut milk. Organic, vegan, gluten free and kosher.
• Lovely Candy Company® Sea Salt Caramels — kosher, gluten free, no high fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients or colors, soy-free, does contain dairy.

  

• Tootsie® Frooties® – Watermelon flavored is nut free, gluten free, peanut free. Contains soy and milk.
• Yummy Earth® Organic Candy Drops – organic, made without corn syrup or artificial dyes. Gluten free, free of the Top 8 food allergens and corn free. Kosher and contains the daily requirement for vitamin C.
• Dum Dums® Lollipops – Gluten free and free of the top common allergens, kosher but does contain artificial colors and corn syrup. Perfect tree toppers!
• Jolly Rancher® Hard Candies – free of the Top 8 food allergens as ingredients and no gluten ingredients, but does contain artificial color and corn syrup. “While JOLLY RANCHER candies have not been fully evaluated to qualify as gluten-free by FDA standards, they do not include any gluten-containing ingredients.”
• Atomic Fireballs® – Gluten free, kosher and corn syrup free. Ingredients: Sugar, modified corn starch, artificial flavor, carnauba wax, gum arabic, titanium dioxide, red 40 lake.

Herb-Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The how-to couldn’t be easier:

Pick your favorite herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme …) and place several sprigs in a jar. Cover with high quality extra virgin olive oil, seal the bottle, and set aside in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks.

Wrap a bow around the bottle and gift with herbs still inside for extra flair.

Another great infused gift is Homemade Gluten Free Vanilla Extract! Check my friend Shirley from Gluten Free Easily’s post!

 

Homemade Vegan Chocolate Bark

Chocolate bark is an opportunity to get creative! If you like it with chocolate, it will be great made into bark!

I have recipes for white chocolate (even dairy-free!) with peppermint sticks, chocolate with gluten free pretzels and pecans, and chocolate with dried fruit and pistachios, but don’t let that stop you from making your own version. Hop here for my how-tos and video tutorial.

 

Mini Gluten Free Loaves, Cakes & Cookies

When I was a child, my mother used to bake her famous Rum Cake and divide it into fourths (or halves, if you were really lucky!), wrap and deliver to friends and neighbors. It became a highly coveted gift, anticipated for weeks but enjoyed for mere minutes, I’m sure!

It was one of the recipes I most wanted to convert to gluten free after my diagnosis with celiac disease so many years ago. It took quite a lot of experimentation, but I finally created the perfect gluten free copy of this delicious holiday rum cake treat. I share the recipe with you so you can pass the tradition on, gluten free!

Of course, gluten free banana bread, pumpkin bread, gingerbread, cinnamon swirl bread, cranberry bread … all of these make super cute and compact from-the-heart homemade gifts, too!

Find festive single-use paper loaf pans and your wrapping has been done for you!

Even your favorite homemade gluten free cookies or muffins make super thoughtful gifts. It doesn’t have to be fancy to be delicious and appreciated!

Store-Bought, Non-Food Gifts for Foodies

Of course, there are also loads of gifts of the non-edible variety.  Big or small, they don’t have to break the budget, either. Here are a few ideas of all sizes & prices to get your gifting juices flowing.

Gluten Free Books

Just a few of my gluten-free favorites!

Gluten is My Bitch, April Peveteaux

From Crappy to Happy: The Naked Truth About Living With Celiac Disease, Gluten Dude

Celiac and the Beast: A Love Story Between a Gluten-Free Girl, Her Genes, and a Broken Digestive Tract, Erica Ann Dermer

In Memory of Bread, Paul Graham

The Intolerant Gourmet: Glorious Food without Gluten and Lactose, Barbara Kafka

Free for All Cooking, 150 Easy Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly Recipes The Whole Family Can Enjoy, Jules E. Dowler Shepard (also on Amazon)

Nearly Normal Cooking for Gluten Free Eating, Jules E. D. Shepard (also on Amazon)

Brassicas: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables: Kale, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and More [A Cookbook], Laura B. Russell 

Air Fyer Eats – e-cookbooks from Vegetarian Mama

YUM: Plant-Based Recipes For A Gluten-Free Diet: SIMPLE RECIPES THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL ENJOY, Theresa Nicassio

Gluten Freedom: The Nation’s Leading Expert Offers the Essential Guide to a Healthy, Gluten-Free Lifestyle, Dr. Alessio Fasano

The First Year, Celiac Disease and Living Gluten Free, Jules E. Dowler Shepard (also on Amazon)

Gluten Free: The Definitive Resource Guide, Shelley Case

Student’s Gluten Free Cookbook for Dummies, Nancy McEachern (technical editor: Jules Shepard)

Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism, Nadine Grzeskowiak

Allergen Awareness: A Chef’s Perspective, Myron Keith Norman

2022 Gluten Free Buyers Guide: Stop asking “which foods are gluten free?” This gluten free grocery shopping guide connects you to only the best so you can be gluten free for good. (Gluten Free Awards)

 

Other Gluten Free Gifts

Gluten Free Spoons & Food Markers

Your favorite gluten free friend or family member would SO appreciate a gluten free serving spoon to help keep their potluck dishes gluten-free. This stainless serving spoon is embossed with gluten free on the handle to prevent any tragic mi-ups!

 

Another fantastic way to keep gluten-free foods gluten-free is with these reusable wooden markers! Made in the USA, a pack of 10 markers from Words With Boards come in packs for Gluten-Free, Vegan, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free ….

A super clear, super classy, super unique way to proudly announce to everyone who thinks your gluten-free food looks “normal,” that it is! AND that it’s gluten free. 

Personalized Name Cookie Cutter –

Made to order, this Etsy shop puts your favorite cookie lover’s name all over their cookies.

And really, who wouldn’t want that? All. Year. Long.

Face Cookie Cutters –

Why stop with just names? Personalize cookie cutters with FACES! How fun are these!? People faces or even pets — there’s no end to the fun that could be had with cookies! Use with my easy gfJules Cut Out Cookie Mix!

 

Kidecals

Custom Printed Stickers for Any Purpose or Occasion – these stickers stick to anything, and survive dishwashers, washing machines, microwaves and anything your kids can throw at them.

Keyboard stickers to water bottle name stickers to my personal favorite: “No Soliciting unless you’re dropping off a bottle of wine and would like to do my laundry”. Who wouldn’t want to receive that sticker as a gift?

 

Herb Garden Indoor Set –

Herbs make everything better, so grow your own in an urban indoor garden sort of way! Four packets of heirloom, non-GMO seeds for indoor plants, gardening shears, 4 burlap grow bags, 4 potting soil disks, 4 bamboo plant markers, and a wood box that doubles as a planter.

I love the name of this set, too: “Herbs in the Burbs.” What a great name for a gift for urban friends!

 

Words with Boards® Personalized Gluten Free Cutting Board –

You need a separate cutting board for gluten free foods if you’re living in a “mixed with gluten” household, and you’ll need to replace your old gluten-y cutting boards, even if not.

So why not treat yourself or a gluten free someone you love to a gorgeous gluten free cutting board? This Baltimore husband & wife team makes cut each board to your specifications and price range.

There’s a line of gluten free cutting boards like this one (and the one with the knives, pictured), as well as less costly ones with laser engraving in their “Seriously Gluten Free” line.

Vegan and other food allergies are also available. These are the perfect gift or “to me, love me” present because they’re needed and they’re wanted!

Wax Cabin Candle Co. Candles

Candles are always the right answer. And when it comes to candles, the Wax Cabin Candle Company is one of my new favorites! These candles have lovely, strong scents that don’t dissipate with time — I’ve put them to the test! And each soy candle is hand-poured in rural New Jersey.

I love that it’s a small business run by real people making thoughtful products. Why thoughtful? Well, for starters, they’re made with delicious aromas like “Pumpkin Horchata” and they’re made from 100% soy grown in America, not  from paraffin.

Soy is a sustainable, renewable resource that burns much cleaner and much longer in a candle  – good for you, for the environment and for your wallet. 

Ok, so there’s one more thing. They also make something so cool called the “MANDLE“. That’s right, a candle for MEN. No fruity or floral scents, just masculine stuff like bourbon, and when it’s burned itself out, the glass itself becomes a rocks glass; coaster included (which may or may not be on my desk — hey, girls can like bourbon, too).

Measuring Spoons & Muffin Pan Necklace –

For the baker in all of us … for any girl who likes her jewelry!

This necklace is so cute and fun. There are tons of iterations of this concept out there, made by people far craftier than I. Some have monograms, whisks, colored beads … find one that suits your best baking girlfriend!

Or me — I’m your best baking girlfriend, right???

Nordicware Bundt Pan

Baking girlfriends also love baking pans in full size. Like my favorite Nordicware bundt pan is a show-stopper! I use it for all kinds of gluten free cakes with great success and always receive rave compliments.

Wouldn’t that make a nice gift for the gluten free baker in your life?

Here’s my gluten-free Chocolate Beer Cake baked in this pan:

 

Emile Henry Bakeware

And speaking of pans, everyone I know LOVES my Emile Henry bakeware.

Pie dish, square baker, bread pan … you name it. It’s all gorgeous, high quality, colorful bakeware. You can’t go wrong with one of these pieces!

And if you know someone into gluten free sourdough baking, one of these Emile Henry bakers is the perfect thing!

 

Proofing Basket

Speaking of gluten free bread baking, a proofing basket is the perfect gift for the artisan gluten free bread baker in your life!

It makes those gorgeous lines in breads while they rise and helps to support the breads during proofing, but you definitely need a new one, not one that’s been used for rising gluten/wheat loaves in the past. Good thing they’re not pricey, so it’s easy to make the investment.

This set even comes with removable design inserts!

Verve Culture Tortilla Press

If you’ve never made homemade gluten free flour tortillas, you’re missing out. First off, they’re super easy to make. But perhaps most importantly, they are delicious. Soft, pliable and oh-so tasty, they wrap around anything and make it better. 

And what makes gluten free flour tortillas even better? A fancy red tortilla press! While not necessary to make these tortillas at all, it sure does make them more fun to make and this press is just gorgeous. 

While you’re at it, round out the experience with an authentic molcajete (mortar and pestle) for making homemade guacamole and a tortilla basket. A molcajete bowl is a truly awesome gift that can be passed down for generations; like cast iron, it can go into the oven, retain heat for an hour, and it absorbs flavors over time, continuing to enrich your foods with layers of seasoning. Perfect for salsa, guacamole, queso, mole, and more.

 

Nakano Knives

These classic chef’s knives are wonderful. Maybe you’ve seen me using them in some of my cooking videos?

Light, thin, versatile, exceptionally sharp … grab some for gifts or for yourself!

Use this affiliate link for periodic discounts on the site!

 

Stackable, space-saving mixing bowls

Set of 5 stackable, space-saving mixing bowls: made of stainless steel with silicone bottoms (in fun colors!) these stackable bowls won’t take up a lot of space in your cabinets or drawers, but are multi-functional for lots of baking.

From whipping meringues to making pancakes, these bowls cover all the bases, plus they have handy measurements on the sides!

1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5 and 7 quart bowls made of rust-proof stainless steel.

Pizzelle Iron

A pizzelle iron is a not very expensive appliance that makes holiday baking so much fun! (Check out my easy gluten free pizzelle recipe)

They don’t take up much room, and in the summer when it’s not “pizzelle season,” it’s perfect for making homemade gluten free waffle cones! Jump to my gluten free waffle cone recipe here!

Bamboo Bread Slicer –

Baking homemade gluten free bread is a must if you want really great gluten free bread, but what if you want evenly sliced pieces? That’s where having a bread slicer comes in! A bread slicer like this one is great — it has 3 different thickness settings — so you can select Texas Toast or super thin slices, and it even comes with a serrated knife and a crumb catcher that doubles as a serving tray! 

 Cake Box –

This wooden cake and cupcake carrier is almost as fun as it is functional. Totally unique – any food lover would appreciate how stylish this cake box actually is.

 

 

Pastry Mat

If you’ve ever watched my gluten free pie crust making videos, you know that the two tools I recommend most are either a pastry mat or a pie bag. Either one is an essential tool for any pie baker. Lekue is the mat I recommend most often: it’s sturdy and sticky enough to grip the counter and just the right size for transferring a pie crust, plus it’s very reasonably priced.

Here’s the Pie Bag I like for another option  — bonus: it helps you keep your rolled crusts in a circular shape!

 

Cookie Dough Scoop

These handy scoops come in lots of sizes. I have the extra large size for my gluten-free Pull Apart Dinner Rolls, but perhaps you’d like to gift a set of different sizes to your favorite baker?

Of course you can always use these for ice cream, but they work wonders for everything from cookie dough (extra large size not recommended for that purpose!) to bread dough!

I highly recommend buying quality when it comes to these scoops though. This brand is one that is made to last and it’s the one I use, personally.

Measuring Spoons –

who doesn’t need some? And these are super colorful, unique, long-lasting and easy to read.

Measuring Cups –

while you’re at it, a matching set!

 

Baker’s Pastry Blender –

one of my favorite tools for cutting in butter in scones and pie crusts.

Bench Scraper –

cut scones, pie, ravioli, pierogi … any kind of dough!

 

Internal Baking Thermometer –

The perfect stocking stuffer: an instant read  bread thermometer!

This takes all the guess-work out of baking your own homemade gluten-free bread, as the thermometer tells you exactly when your loaf is cooked all the way through!

The perfect bread should be 205F inside before removed from your oven or bread maker.

 

 

Fun Baking Spatulas –

 

My motto is that one can never have too many rubber spatulas. Ok, I actually have several such mottos. But a bouquet of these would truly make a fun, cheerful gift for any baker! 

Cute when tied with a bow and inexpensive, but thoughtful.

Abbio Kitchen NonStick Cookware

Really Great Non-Stick Cookware – I’ve been loving this set from Abbio Kitchen: top-of-the-line non-stick cookware that’s half the price of brands like All Clad. It’s completely PFOA-free with a textured surface for extra scratch resistance. This line is solid, folks. It’s hefty and quite remarkable in its non-stick performance without any harmful chemicals. Gift the whole set or start with one piece and see how you like it! This brand is built to last!

Gluten Free Bread Machine

A Gluten Free Bread Maker – if you don’t have one, it needs to be on your Santa list.

There are so many reasons to try baking your own gluten free bread at home: it’s not hard to make delicious bread when you use the right ingredients; the results are far better than any frozen loaf you would buy at the grocery store; the slices are sized to make real sandwiches (without holes!); and it is far more cost effective in the long run to bake delicious breads at home (how much money have you already wasted buying GF bread your family wouldn’t eat? I rest my case.) Read about my favorite machines here.

Blendtec Blender*

If you’re in the market for a do-everything blender, this Blendtec Classic 575 is it! We literally use ours EVERY DAY. Smoothies, soups, purees and curry sauces, Key Lime Pie filling, gluten free Apple Bread, Avocado Pesto, vegan nacho cheese sauce, cinnamon roll icing … this is one powerful, versatile machine! My husband actually calls it a beast, but it’s so much more elegant than that.

Bonus: you can add code gfJules at checkout for 20% off your purchase!

*I am a Blendtec Ambassador because I love and believe in the quality of their products. As always, all opinions are my own.  See my disclosure policy for more information. Working with select brands I love allows me to keep bringing you free recipes, and I hope that in the process, you’ll learn about some of the safe gluten free products I choose for my family. Thanks so much for your support! (Enter code GFJULES at for 20% off at https://www.blendtec.com)

Pressure cooker

Not your grandmother’s Pressure Cooker, a MODERN day pressure cooker. These pressure cookers cook up to 70% faster than conventional methods — who doesn’t want to save time when cooking? It makes everything from sweet potatoes to pot roast cook FAST and healthy!

Steam trapped in the pot builds up pressure that creates hotter temperatures, and the pot is so tightly sealed that vitamins and minerals can’t boil away.

Foods stay moist and flavors stay true. Features Browning, Simmering and Sauté functions for perfect roasts, stews, vegetables, cheesecake or custard, and makes soups and chilis not only easy but FAST! I must say, anything that makes dinner FAST is a winner in my book.

Cuisinart Air Fryer

While we’re on the subject of favorite small appliances … an Air Fryer is really one I’m finding I can’t live without. Fries are just the beginning. I use mine to make everything from small meals to hand pies and even gluten free doughnuts! 

Check out my review of the most versatile air fryer in my full article on cooking gluten free in air fryers here.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer

I have been through the mixers! I am asked all the time about my preferred mixers, and I can tell you that I have tried many sizes, models and brands. If you’re in the market for a mixer, I would highly recommend purchasing a stand mixer rather than a hand mixer because they can do just about anything and are just so handy. If you’re into gadgets, you can also add attachments for making pasta and zoodles and lots of other fun sorts of things on the front of the machine, as well.

Most home bakers don’t need more than a 4.5 or 5 quart (like the KitchenAid pictured) and you can probably find a refurbished one that will do the job, but if you’re going to buy a new one, I really like the clear glass bowls and the flex-edge beater is the one that I use daily. Rarely, if ever, will you use a dough hook with gluten free doughs. The wire whisk attachment is super helpful for frostings and meringues.

Gluten Free Food! {& instant downloads!}

gfJules Gift Card

Don’ t overlook the obvious when it comes to gifts for the gluten free folks in your life — a gift card for the #1 voted gluten free Flour and Baking Mixes is a gluten free dream come true!

Set your own amount and they choose what they’d like to order: anything from gfJules Gluten Free All Purpose Flour to Bread Mix, Pizza Mix, Muffin Mix, Cake Mix, Pancake/Waffle Mix, Cornbread Mix, Cut-Out Cookie Mix, Original (Toll House Style) Cookie Mix or Graham Cracker/Gingerbread Mix … or any accessories, cookbooks or ebooks … they can make their own holiday gift!

 

GlutenDude App

The app created BY a celiac FOR celiacs and anyone living gluten free. 

This app was thoughtfully designed and is daily updated by GlutenDude, the uncompromising guy behind GlutenDude on-line. It’s the place to go to find truly safe places to eat (not just “gluten free menus”), shop on-line and save money (there’s even a coupon for gfJules), make connections with others by zip code, get your questions answered by experts, and of course, find naturally gluten free beer!

 

gfJules Starter Pack

Or make it easy and introduce them to gfJules with our gluten free Starter Pack of some of our most popular offerings picked out for them!

 

It’s THE ULTIMATE gluten free gift for someone special. The gfJules Starter Pack has over $100 worth of the #1 voted gluten free flour, mixes, books and recipes for nearly 50% off (and it comes with free shipping!).

my first cookbook, Nearly Normal Cooking ($18.95)
gfJules Original Cookie Mix (Retail Price: $10.99)
gfJules Bread Mix (Retail Price: $11.99)
gfJules Muffin Mix (Retail Price: $7.99)
gfJules Gluten Free Flour – 1.5lbs (Retail Price: $10.99)
Jules’ Cookie Recipes e-book (Retail Price: $9.95)
Jules’ How to Go Gluten Free e-book (Retail Price: $12.95)
Jules’ Dinner-A-Day e-book (Retail Price: $7.95)
Jules’ Gluten Free Bread Baking e-book (Retail Price: $9.95)

Total Value: $102 –> sale price $52.60

gfJules Pizza Lover’s Packs

If there are any pizza lovers on your holiday list, our new Pizza Lover’s Packs make the perfect gifts! 

Check out the different combos at gfJules, but all come with various numbers of my award-winning gfJules Pizza Crust Mix + Pizza Crisper Pans and my Pizza Making ebook instant download!

 

A Few More …

Definitely check out my friend Karen’s gift guide over at Healthy Gluten Free Family! She’s got some great gift ideas, as well!

Also, Sharon at What The Fork blog has other ideas (that don’t involve actual food) for food lovers!

Here’s another great post with 57 gifts (almost all) under $50, categorized by hobby – how cool!

And if you’re all the way in the holiday spirit, hosting a holiday party or get together, you know all too well how stressful planning the perfect meal can be. Be sure to connect with your friends to see their food preferences and dietary restrictions before the party. Also check out my popular article on what alcohols are gluten free so you can feel more relaxed about sharing a toast.

Cheers, Happy Holidays and Stay Well!!

*All opinions are my own and are not influenced by brand relationships. Some links in this post may be referral links; some brands have provided products for me to test and I may receive compensation from some brands I choose to work with. If you do decide to purchase a product at a retailer after following my link, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, which I use to pay for web hosting and services for this blog. Read my disclosure policy here.