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Hello friends!
Mary and I are feeling all the Christmas vibes and beginning to prep for everything cozy — cinnamon anything, Hallmark movies (maybe not Mary), warm fires, and twinkling lights. 
And believe it or not… there are only seven weekends until Christmas!
That means now is the perfect time to start preparing your homemade gifts.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite handmade gift ideas — simple to make, budget-friendly, and so rewarding to give.
Our first one is a recipe I got from my dear friend Cindy:
Spicy Pickles!
I made these last year as Christmas gifts and was amazed by the response — people loved them! I’m already making another batch this week so they’ll be packed and ready just in time for gifting.
Mary has also created editable labels you can download and customize for your own jars!
What You’ll Need
- 1 gallon jar dill pickles
- 5 pounds white sugar
- 5 tablespoons minced garlic
- 5 ounces Tabasco
Instructions
- Drain the pickles — Strain the pickles and discard all of the original pickle juice.
2. Slice — Cut the pickles into slices about ¾ inch thick.
3. Drain again — Line a colander with paper towels and place the sliced pickles inside. Let them sit for 30–60 minutes to remove as much liquid as possible.
4. Combine ingredients — Return the sliced pickles to the gallon jar and add the sugar, minced garlic, and Tabasco. It is better to layer the ingredients so they’re easier to mix. (These photos do not show the ingredients layered, so learn from my mistake.)
5. Shake it up — Tightly seal the jar and gently shake it, turning it upside down a few times to mix everything together.
6. Let them marinate — Leave the jar on your counter for 40 days to develop flavor. (Be sure they marinate with the lid on!)
Packaging and Gifting
Once your pickles have finished marinating:
- Transfer them into individual jars — I use Ball Wide-Mouth Pint (16 oz) jars.
- Sterilize the jars and lids by boiling them before filling.
- For longer storage, seal them using a water-bath method.
If you skip the water bath, keep them refrigerated for freshness. - To finish, dress up each jar with a label and bow!
Mary designed these adorable editable labels that you can personalize and print.
[DOWNLOAD THE EDITABLE PICKLE LABELS HERE]
Tips and Tricks
Adjust the sweetness: Cindy originally told me to use 5 cups of sugar — but I heard “5 pounds” and went with it. 😅 The result was amazing but very sweet! Feel free to tweak the sugar to your liking.
Timing: They taste best after the full 40-day marinating period but are still delicious if you need them sooner.
Storage: If sealed properly in a water bath, these can be stored at room temperature. Otherwise, keep refrigerated.
🎁 Perfect Homemade Gift Idea
These Spicy Pickles are a wonderful homemade gift idea for:
- Neighbors and teachers
- Holiday hostess gifts
- Family and friends who love a little kick
- Gift baskets and Christmas exchanges
They’re simple, beautiful, and filled with flavor — the perfect combination of heat and sweet in one bite!
Confession: I have been eating these pickles while writing this post, and I assure you that they are extremely delicious! I personally do not like hot/spicy foods, but there is the perfect amount of heat combined with the sweetness to make these crave-worthy!
Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me and Mary today!
