With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s almost time for family gatherings, office parties and, of course, lots of presents. But before you run off to buy pricey gifts at the mall, consider getting creative and putting together festive gift baskets for your loved ones. You can pack them up with inexpensive candles, a bottle of wine and a tasty snack or two.

Not sure of where to begin? Here are five tasty homemade snack ideas to get you started.

Christmas Package Cheese Snack

Cheese is a wonderful snack that goes with a variety of foods, including breads, crackers, vegetables and fruits. This Christmas Package Cheese Snack from Spoonful.com makes a savory addition to your holiday gift baskets.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 8 ounces of cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Scallion
• Red bell pepper

First, mix up the garlic powder, dry dill and salt into the cream cheese. Next, pack your mixture into a rectangular container lined with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least three hours. Once it’s cool enough, remove wrapped block and decorate it with a scallion bow and red pepper polka dots. Pair it with a bottle of wine and you’ll have yourself a simple and elegant holiday basket.

Crunchy the Snowman

Nothing says the holiday season quite like snowmen. This Crunchy the Snowman recipe from Spoonful.com creatively pairs salty pretzels with sweet chocolate and candy. “Dressed in colorful candy scarves and top hats, these stylish, easy-to-make snowmen are sure to liven up any holiday gathering,” says the website.

Start with these ingredients:

• A bag of 8-inch pretzel rods
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• mini chocolate chips
• orange decorators’ gel
• fruit leather (various colors)
• gummy rings
• gumdrops

Make a batch by melting one cup of white chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler. One by one, dip one end of a pretzel rod into the chocolate, using a knife to spread the chocolate two-thirds of the way down the rod. Set the dipped pretzels on a sheet of wax paper. Use the candy to create the top hat, eyes, scarves and a carrot nose.

Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn tins are a staple holiday gift. Instead of buying traditional tins this year, why not make your own delicious popcorn at home? This Caramel Popcorn recipe from FoodNetwork.com is sure to delight your friends with the perfect combination of salty and sweet. It’s also super quick and easy to make.

Start by melting 1/3 cup butter with 1 tablespoon honey and a pinch of salt. Toss with 12 cups popcorn and 1 cup pecans. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 15 minutes at 325 degrees F, tossing. Cool and pack in festive holiday tins before adding to your gift baskets.

Spiced Nuts

Besides being packed with protein, nuts are very versatile, making them a perfect snack. Add some flair to boring old nuts with this recipe for Spiced Nuts from MarthaStewart.com.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 large egg white
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 3/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 1/2 cups pecan halves, or assorted nuts, such as cashews, walnuts, or almonds

Start by whisking egg whites until soft and foamy. Combine all other ingredients until well coated in egg whites. Then spread mixture until ungreased pan. Toss into a preheated 300-degree oven, baking for about 10 minutes. Once nuts are golden, remove and let cool.

Sugar Cookies

Who doesn’t love holiday cookies? According to Delish.com, “Sugar cookies are the ideal holiday cookie — they can be frosted and dressed up in countless ways to suit any occasion.” This Sugar Cookie recipe is sweet, festive and easy to make.

Start with these ingredients:

• 1 cup(s) (2 sticks) butter (no substitutions), softened
• 1/2 cup(s) sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon(s) vanilla extract
• 3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• Oatmeal frosting (optional)
• Coarse sugar crystals, silver dragées, holiday decors (optional decorations)

In a large bowl, mix butter and sugar until well blended. Beat in egg, flour, vanilla, baking powder and salt. Once your dough is formed, divide it into four equal parts and refrigerate for about an hour. When you dough cools, roll out your dough and cut out cookies using festive cookie cutters. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes.

Sugared Cranberries

For an extra creative snack option for your holiday baskets, try this Sugar Cranberry recipe from MyRecipes.com. According to the website, “Because of the contrast between the tart cranberries and sugary coating, the flavor of this snack pops in your mouth. The berries are steeped in hot sugar syrup to tame their tangy bite.”

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar

Start by combining water and sugar in a saucepan.Mix over low heat until sugar dissolves. Next, stir in cranberries (don’t boil as cranberries may pop). Once done, pour mixture into bowl and refrigerate overnight.

‘Tis the Season

Whether you fancy sweet, crunchy, savory or something in between, these snacks make great additions to any holiday basket. All it takes is a little time and the right ingredients, and your friends and family will be talking about your delicious gift far beyond the holiday season. What’s your favorite holiday season treat?