With the economy what it is, I'm growing a big garden this year. Even if you only have a small apartment balcony or landing, you can probably grow some things in pots. Or, you may have a good farmer's market or cheap produce stand near-by.

Anyway, getting started with canning can be an expensive deal, with buting jars, a canner, and a book with recipes and just to help you understand how to get started. But then you have those things to re-use almost forever. Canning can be a great way to make homemade gifts. Jams and preserves, a whole variety of pickles, etc., can be much appreciated, personal gifts. If you eat watermelon, making watermelon pickles from the rinds is a very cheap way to go, and they're delicious: just the right balance of sweet and sour.

I plan to can lots of gifts this year. I am fortunate to live in the country, where I have lots of fruit trees and room for a large garden. But, as I said, there are always ways to get inexpensive stuff to can. Anyway, just a thought. If you do have room for a garden, many things are perrenial, such as strawberries. They just continue to multiply. Other things you can save seeds from easily, for replanting next year, so those are some inexpensive ways to keep the produce coming.

Anyway, just a thought. Does anyone else have any good ideas for homemade food gifts?