Top Tips From Wilton for Homemade Holiday Food Gifts

WOODRIDGE, Ill., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- How about a holiday season with fewer stressful mall trips and reduced blows to the pocketbook?  Wilton Enterprises, the industry leader in cake decorating, quality bakeware and food crafting for more than 80 years, reveals this year's top tips for homemade holiday gift treats.

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"This holiday season, people are looking to create treats that are fast, frugal and festive," says Nancy Siler, vice president of consumer affairs at Wilton and host of the popular public television series "Bake Decorate Celebrate!"  Her advice:  focus on kits, packaging and family togetherness.

Kit Convenience

"There's no need to create everything from scratch," advises Siler.  Take advantage of the many available kits in craft and hobby stores.  They come with everything needed to create a giftable treat – from pre-baked cookies to decorations, and baking and decorating tools.  There are kits to transform store-bought pretzel rods into candy-coated treats, easily create snowflake-shaped holiday peppermint bark or build a gingerbread cottage, tree or even ornaments.   

Cookie Collections

"If you're an annual cookie baker, honor your collection by packaging it with perfection," says Siler.  Cookie gifts can range from a spectacular tower of treats to a uniquely shaped cookie treat box for family and friends.  Plan your cookie baking selections ahead and order your gift packaging in advance.

Kid Connections

According to Siler, if you have children, creating a holiday food gift is a great project to share.  Older kids can help lessen the workload, and even little ones will catch the spirit of gift-giving from the kitchen.  In a recently released Wilton Kids Baking & Decorating Report, 80 percent of moms say spending time with the kids is the main motivation for baking together, and the holidays provide the time and ambiance to make that time magical.

Siler's final tip:  "Always make twice as much as you think is necessary. This way, if you need a last-minute hostess gift or you discover you've left someone important off your list, you'll be covered."

Find additional inspiration by visiting www.wilton.com.   While there, subscribe to the Ask Nancy podcast for step-by-step videos.

About Wilton Enterprises

Wilton Enterprises, based in Woodridge, Illinois and founded in 1929, is the leading food crafting company in the industry, with the number one position in cake decorating and bakeware. Wilton classes, publications and products help millions of people create impressive party desserts. For the latest information on products and ideas for all occasions, visit www.wilton.com. To locate the closest Wilton® Method Cake Decorating class, call 800-942-8881.

SOURCE Wilton Enterprises