5 Healthy Christmas Treats for Gifts That You Can Do With Your Kids

Homemade gifts come from the heart; someone took their time to make something for you with their own hands.

Little hands particularly like to get creative, especially if there is a mess involved! 

This year for Christmas gifts, show your loved ones how much you care with these 5 healthy Christmas treats for gifts.

The kiddos can certainly help you with each recipe.

Here at THT, we only recommend recipes that are nutritious, dairy-free, gluten-free, and that pass our nutritionist’s seal of approval.

Not only are these treats delicious, but they are also good for you, too!

Healthy Christmas Treats for Gifts

Why Are Homemade Gifts Better?

I always love receiving gifts from friends and family that are homemade.

Someone took time out of their day to make you something from the heart, and I think that speaks louder than buying something from a store end-cap.

Of course, thoughtful purchased gifts are lovely too – I’m not a grinch like that!

Homemade gifts feel special, and I like to make people feel special at the most wonderful time of the year.

Healthy Christmas Treats for Gifts

Can You Make These Treats for Santa?

Yes!

There is no better way of getting your kids involved in baking and treat-making during the holidays.

Make any of our 5 recipes below and leave them out on a festive plate the night of Christmas Eve, out of reach from any pets or hungry family members.

In the morning, be sure to tell the kids that Santa loved his treats, as the treats will mysteriously be gone overnight.

At THT, we love to keep the Christmas magic alive!

Healthy Christmas Treats for Gifts

What Are the Best Homemade Treat Gifts?

Over the years, I have given and received a ton of homemade treats as gifts around Christmas time.

I like to give homemade gifts such as crafts, healthy candy, healthy cookies, preserves, salsa, or any other sterilized canned food.

Homemade treats are particularly great if you have an abundance of something.

For example, if you grow lemons in your backyard, perhaps using your harvest for homemade jarred lemon curd would be an easy and yummy gift idea for friends and family.

If you have a wild blueberry tree, make some healthy gluten-free muffins or gluten-free muffin mix.

Maybe you have a huge tomato garden, make your harvest into a salsa or marinara recipe, can and sterilize into jars for a gift.

Knowing that you used your hands and heart to make something special makes the gift all the more exceptional.

Healthy Christmas Treats for Gifts

What Are Some Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes?

Christmas cookies are quite possibly the best holiday treat of all.

Kids know that when Santa shows up to give presents, he appreciates having a plate of cookies and plant milk to snack on before moving onto the next house.

Many families make cookie baking a tradition closer to Christmas Eve for this reason.

We have featured 2 healthy Christmas cookies below; our Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies and our Gluten-Free Candy Cane Cookies.

Both are good for you, with less sugar than traditional cookies, all while being gluten-free for those with sensitivities.

Healthy Christmas Treats for Gifts

Can You Make Christmas Candy Healthy?

Yes, and that’s exactly what we have done!

Homemade candy is usually filled with refined sugar, sugar syrup, cream, and all kinds of unhealthy ingredients.

Instead, we used ingredients such as gluten-free flour, fruits, dried fruits, dark chocolate, nuts, and dates.

Our homemade candies have so much flavor and texture and perfectly satisfy any sweet tooth.

Our recipes include Espresso Candied Pecans, Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters, and Date-Nut Peppermint Bites.

Let’s get baking!

Healthy Christmas Treats for Gifts

The Recipes

Onto the best part – how to make these treats! We put a lot of TLC into these recipes because everyone deserves a holly, jolly Christmas treat.

Espresso Candied Pecans
One of the easiest DIY gifts for the holidays. It only calls for 7 ingredients, which you all might already have in your pantry, and it’s so easy to make. A great way to bond with your kids during the Christmas season!
Check out this recipe
Espresso Candied Pecans

If cookies appeal to your taste buds more, why not try a gluten-free gingerbread option?

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
A yummy, gluten-free alternative to the staple Christmas gingerbread cookies! In fact, you may use the same recipe to make a gingerbread house. This recipe is so versatile, easy to make, and can be done ahead of time. It can also easily be turned into vegan and dairy-free. Perfect for gifts and bonding with the kids!
Check out this recipe
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

Cookies can be tedious to make, so this next recipe is simple and only requires 2 ingredients.

Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters
Perhaps, the easiest dessert and gift-giving treat for the holidays! These clusters are appetizingly colorful and delicious, yet they’re super easy to make. The acidity and tang of pomegranate arils perfectly complements the sweetness and richness of chocolates, not to mention the amazing balance of crunchiness and smoothness they bring together.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters

Peppermint is synonymous with Christmastime, so we wanted to include an amazing mint candy recipe.

Date-Nut Peppermint Bites
A simple and easy dessert recipe for the holidays! It’s made with simple ingredients, and it’s gluten-free and sugar-free as well. Thanks to the natural sweetness of dates! Plus, if you wanted to add color and crunch, feel free to roll them in crushed candies or coconut shreds. Perfect as a healthy and yummy Christmas gift!
Check out this recipe
Date-Nut Peppermint Bites

What is more holiday-like than candy canes? Candy Cane Cookies, of course!

Gluten-Free Candy Cane Cookies
These candy cane cookies are just as delightful as the regular candy canes, but they don’t provide the guilt feeling. It’s gluten-free and can be easily turned into a vegan version. Perfect to be served or given as a gift during the holidays!
Check out this recipe
Gluten-free candy cane cookies

Related Helpful Information 

The Christmas season calls for amazing and scrumptious treats

However, due to having limited time and resources, we sometimes can’t help but opt for the store-bought ones. 

Not to mention it can sometimes be a challenge to get your kids to eat healthily. 

Thus, we’ve shared these easy, gluten-free, and healthy Christmas treat recipes not only to craft easy and healthy desserts, but it’s also a great opportunity for us parents to bond with our kids

Plus, these recipes make wonderful and healthy gifts, too. 

Thanks to this simple health guide that helped us in choosing the best ingredients.

On top of that, we’ve also gathered and tested some tools and equipment that can take a little bit of the stress out during your preparation. 

We found that these 16 Pieces Christmas Cookie Cutters and Gifbera Mini Muffin Liners are not only essential in making these treats, but they also add fun and creativity.

And, since fun and creativity may mean a messy bonding moment, this Holiday Baking Set and Dishtowel Set will surely keep things tidy

Food processors also come in handy even in making desserts. 

Thus, we’ve gathered the Best Blender Food Processor Combo to help you not only for the holidays but also in the next years to come. 

Nonetheless, if you can spare these treats and save them as gifts, these Christmas Cookie Boxes make amazing gift packages.

Healthy Christmas Treats for Gifts

Sweet Silver Bells

Giving homemade gifts for Christmas is always delicious, and always appreciated.

There is no better way to bond with your kids than to get messy in the kitchen while making a sweet healthy treat to enjoy after.

Kiddos can see the fruits of your labor by tasting an amazingly healthy treat at the end of the day.

Friends and family will also thank you for providing a Christmas treat that you and the kids made from the heart.

Get your kids into the kitchen and start making a mess today – they will thank you for it!

gluten-free Christmas recipes

Recommended products

AmazonBasics Silicone, Non-Stick, Food Safe Baking Mat, Macaron - Pack of 2

5/5

Silicone Baking Mat, Set Of 2 Half Sheets

5/5

Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Processor

4.5/5

Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor

4.5/5

Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove

5/5

Taylor Digital Cooking Probe Thermometer and Timer

4.5/5

Mike

Mike

Hi! I’m Mike. I’m happily married and have a young daughter. I’ve lived all over the world and have learned a lot from seeing others’ perspectives. I’ve also had many life altering health challenges. Fortunately, my lovely and brilliant wife helped save me by finding a new and better way for us to live. We started The Healthy Treehouse to share what we’ve learned and to learn from others, too.