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Giving the Gift of Homemade Vanilla Extract
As the days grow shorter and my gardens settle in for their winter rest, I find myself shifting focus to more creative pursuits. This is the time of year when I start to think about handmade crafts and thoughtful holiday gift-giving. Now that our children are grown, we aim to keep holiday gifts intentional—useful items they’ll genuinely enjoy and use throughout the year. For friends and family, my heart always leans towards handmade gifts that bring a bit of warmth and personal touch.
Over the years, I’ve gifted all sorts of homemade treasures: warming mulling spices paired with a bottle of wine or apple cider, fresh wreaths, herbal soaps, nourishing balms and salves, gifts-in-a-jar, homemade ornaments, and soothing tea blends. These are the gifts I love most—thoughtful, consumable, and hand-crafted with care. I want to encourage a holiday season that feels less about overconsumption and more about sharing homemade treasures, saved seeds, jars of preserved goodness, and locally-sourced goods.
When I do purchase gifts, I’m mindful to support local businesses in our community. Not only does this help our neighbors thrive, but it’s better for the environment too, reducing the need for shipping and the carbon footprint that comes with it.
Homemade vanilla extract is one of my favorite gifts to make, especially around the holidays. It’s a simple process, yet the results are so rich and delightful, perfect for anyone who enjoys baking or adding a touch of vanilla warmth to their favorite recipes.
I’ve made my own homemade vanilla extract for years, and I love using organic ingredients for the best quality. Organic vanilla beans and a clean, quality vodka are all you really need, along with a few jars, a sharp knife, and a bit of patience.
Ingredients
For this recipe, we’ll be working with Ball half-pint jars (you’ll need 6), which make perfect gift sizes.
- 30 organic vanilla beans
- 48 oz of good quality vodka (I’m using Absolut)
- Optional – amber bottles
This recipe uses 5 vanilla beans per half pint jar.
Directions
Prepare the Vanilla Beans: Start by slicing each vanilla bean lengthwise with a sharp knife, exposing the seeds. You don’t need to cut the bean completely open; just make a slit down the middle. Scrape out some of the tiny seeds inside and add them to your jar to intensify the flavor. If your beans are too long to fit, feel free to cut them into smaller pieces.
Combine with Vodka: Place the vanilla beans in each jar, and pour the vodka over them, making sure the beans are fully submerged. Stir the mixture, and then cover with a lid.
Infuse and Store: Store your jars in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. For the first few months, give your vanilla a shake about once a week. While the extract will be usable in as little as eight weeks, I recommend letting it infuse for at least 3 months for a deeper, richer flavor. If you can wait a full year, you’ll have an even more exquisite vanilla extract that’s worth the patience.
Bottling Your Extract: When your homemade vanilla extract is ready, you can keep it in the half-pint jars or transfer it into dark amber bottles to protect the rich flavor and preserve its potency. Amber bottles are perfect for storage, blocking light that can degrade the extract over time. Use a funnel for an easy, spill-free transfer, and don’t forget to label each bottle with the infusion date!
Topping Up: Leave the vanilla beans in the bottle, and as you start using your extract, simply top it off with a bit more vodka to keep it replenished. Give the bottle a shake each time you refill and again before each use to keep the flavors well blended and vibrant.
Gift Ideas and Packaging
Once your homemade vanilla extract is ready to give, consider adding a personal touch to your jars. I’m including a free downloadable label you can use to mark each jar with the date it was started, as well as a “ready to use” date for those friends who like to plan their holiday baking.
To package your vanilla extract, try these ideas:
- Add a Ribbon: Tie a simple ribbon or twine around the jar for a festive touch.
- Include a Recipe: Print or write out a recipe card for a classic vanilla-infused treat—think cookies, homemade vanilla syrup, or pancakes.
- Gift Sets: Pair your vanilla extract with other homemade goods, like herbal teas, jam, or spiced cider mix, for a full homemade gift basket.
Simple Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies
These vanilla bean sugar cookies are a classic, and they’re perfect for gifting, especially with your homemade vanilla extract. Their soft, buttery texture and rich vanilla flavor make them a delightful holiday treat. Here’s how to make them:
Embracing Slow Living with Homemade Gifts
In a world that often emphasizes more, faster, and newer, taking the time to create a homemade gift like this reminds us to slow down, savor the simple pleasures, and connect with our loved ones in a heartfelt way. Whether you’re giving this homemade vanilla extract as a holiday hostess gift, or as a treat for your family and friends, I hope it brings warmth to your home and joy to your heart this season.
Happy gifting!
More to Explore
If you’re inspired to dive deeper into handmade holiday gifting, I’ve shared a few other ideas on the blog that you might enjoy. Here are some favorites to explore:
- DIY Autumn Spice Sugar Body Scrub: A warm, exfoliating scrub that’s perfect for fall and winter skincare gifts.
- Homemade Waxed Leaves: Create preserved leaves to use in seasonal decorations and gift wrapping.
- Wild Black Raspberry Jam: A simple recipe for a delicious, homemade jam that makes a lovely gift.
- DIY Mulling Spices for Cider and Wine: Hand-blend cozy spices for festive drinks—great for pairing with a favorite bottle.
- DIY Fire Starters: Create rustic, eco-friendly fire starters for a cozy, practical gift that’s perfect for winter.
- Salt Dough Ornaments: Make homemade ornaments that add a rustic charm to any tree and make a lovely keepsake.
- Homemade Soap: Craft nourishing, all-natural soaps that bring a luxurious, homemade touch to gift-giving.
- Winter Spice Tea Blend: Capture the warm spices of the season with this blend, perfect for gifting with a teapot or mug.
- Gifts in a Jar: From soup mixes to cookie ingredients, these jarred gifts are as practical as they are beautiful.