Homemade Christmas gift ideas don't need to be complicated in order to work. They don't have to look sub-standard or tacky either...you know, homemade!

It's best to stick to a theme and give everyone the same type of gift. That way you can buy in all your ingredients or supplies and set up a bit of a production line.

I tend to stick to items I can prepare in my own kitchen as that's where my strengths lie. You may be interested in craft or woodwork. Go with your established hobbies and skills. This isn't a time to be too adventurous or you'll find it hard to enjoy.

My theme this year is gourmet cooking supplies. I love to cook and with the resurgence in home cooking in the past few years, I know I'm not alone.

It can be hard to find really good quality ingredients without going to specialty stores, and who can afford that?

A better option is to make your own. So why not make some for everyone else too? They really are inexpensive Christmas gifts to make.

Here's my top five to make this year:

Flavored olive oil:-
Buy the best quality olive oil you can and infuse it with a variety of herbs and spices. These always make popular Christmas gifts as many people never think to buy themselves a treat like this.

Flavored vinegar:-
Very quick and simple to make. Again, just use a variety of fresh herbs and your favorite spices for a ready made marinade or salad dressing.

Hot Curry Seasoning:-
Take care when you mix this up that you don't get any in your eyes - it's hot!! It can look fantastic presented in a little wooden box if you can find any at your craft shop.

Dried Herb Seasoning:-
This is always the first to run out in my kitchen, I never seem to make up enough. It's excellent to rub into meat before cooking, to sprinkle on and in casseroles, wherever you'd like to add flavor.

Flavored Sugar:-
These make easy homemade Christmas gift ideas and are great sprinkled on pancakes and used in cooking. The sugar adds a subtle fragrance and flavor that is delicious.

All of these have been chosen for their relative simplicity and their keeping properties.

Once you've made them up, take care in how you present them.

Spend some time going through the storage jars on offer in your supermarket or craft supply shop. You're looking for smallish, stylish bottles that you can dress up.

To decorate your bottles and jars use some or all of the following ideas:

• - Labels with your own logo and name.
• - Colored wax seals.
• - Ribbons of raffia, taffeta or silk.
• - Straw lined or padded boxes
• - Add a recipe card.

Always make extra to cover those occasions when you need to come up with last minute gift ideas.

Don't forget to visit my website for the recipes and more homemade Christmas gift ideas.