DIY Holiday Gift - Infused Olive Oils

12/16/2016

DIY Holiday Gift - Infused Olive Oils

Are you ready for the easiest holiday gift ever? This one will only cost you a few bucks and takes just a couple minutes to make. Isn't there something extra special about receiving a homemade gift? It's one of my favorite things because it feels extra thoughtful and unique. I decided to make some homemade holiday gifts for friends this year, and I wanted to do something festive, practical, and if possible, healthy. We're surrounded by enough indulgences during the holiday season, so as tempting as it was to whip up some peppermint bark, I decided to go another route - infused olive oils! That's something that every cook and hostess definitely needs, and when you get some cute bottles and festive ribbon and gift tags, it's pretty darn cute too.

So let me just give you the cost breakdown on this DIY gift because let's be honest, we could all use to save some money during the holidays, right? I bought everything from Home Goods (except the herbs). The little bottles were $2.99 each. I bought a one-liter bottle of extra virgin olive oil for $12.99 (Home Goods had great options!), and that filled about 5 bottles. Fresh rosemary and thyme came to about $6. Ribbon was $2.99 and the festive tags were $3.99. So by the time I filled each bottle, tied on a bow, and added a little tag, they came out to about $8 bucks each! Not bad! And don't they look like fancy gifts?!

Ingredients / Supplies
Good-quality extra virgin olive oil
Fresh sprigs of rosemary and thyme
Glass bottles
Ribbon
Gift tags

1. Thoroughly wash and dry your herbs. 
2. In a saucepan, combine extra virgin olive oil and several sprigs of fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary over low heat. Note: I used about 3/4 cup of olive oil per bottle, but it will depend on the size of the bottles you're using. Warm the oil and herbs for about 5 minutes (or until olive oil reaches 180° F). 
3. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. 
4. Transfer the herbs to your glass bottles, then add the cooled olive oil. 
5. Store infused oil in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes prior to use.

Don't forget to make a little note on your gift tag with storage instructions. When refrigerated, the infused oil will last about a month!

I went with thyme and rosemary because those are some of my favorite herbs and were really easy to work with, but there's tons of different options when it comes to infusing olive oil! Check out this article from The Kitchn for more ideas and tips! 

Happy holidays, friends! Wishing you so much love, health, and happiness this holiday season and always! 

And get excited because I have a healthy hot chocolate recipe coming at ya next, just in time for Christmas & Hanukkah!

Photography by Kristen Schellenberg