It may be the last weekend before Christmas but there is still time to spread the Christmas spirit and delight colleagues, friends and family with a Christmas gift you've baked yourself or prepared in the kitchen.

PECAN NUT SHORTBREAD

Honestly, would I steer you wrong? These are easy to make and loved by all. Make them for your  colleagues. You'll be considered a rock star.

GINGERBREAD MEN

These require slightly more effort than Pecan Nut Balls, but again, rock star status can be expected. I never decorate my gingerbread men. Who has time for that? Rather, using the end of a straw, punch a couple of holes where waistcoat buttons might go. Stack three biscuits together and thread a ribbon through them, tying the ribbon off in a bow at the top. This makes a sweet, individual gift.

JAM SLICE

It doesn't scream Christmas, but it does scream "I love you so much I baked for you". Again, tell them you spent hours in the kitchen. You didn't, but they're not to know.

MANGO BUTTER

If you do want to claim points for extra effort, this mango butter is like lemon butter, but much better because it's made with a mango puree. I recommend giving it away as quickly as possible - it's too much of a temptation to keep in the house.

ROCKET PESTO

This is easy, peasy to make. Just bung all the ingredients in a blender and spoon into jars. Bundle it up with a nice packet of deli-bought pasta or gnocchi. Who doesn't want to know there's a simple, fail-safe made-ahead meal at home during the silly season? Bam! Christmas giving done.

TOMATO SAUCE

Make up a bottle or two of this and offer it up with a recipe card on ideas on how to use it. Eggplant parmigiana, lasagne, spaghetti sauce, pizza base, over barbecued meat... so many uses.

RED CURRY PASTE

This is soooo much better than a store-bought paste, and, you know, there's no harm dropping a hint you're free any time they'd like to host dinner and try it out.

BANANA CHUTNEY

Bananas are plentiful and this is an all-purpose, easy-to-make chutney. It's great with barbecued meat, with cheese and biscuits or as an accompaniment to an Indian curry.

CHERRIES

I know what you're thinking. This is too, too easy. Should that stop you? No. In fact, if you're looking for a gift for me, this is it.

Happy Christmas cooking.