It is better to give than to receive, and if you're looking for unique, inexpensive Christmas gifts you can make at home, we have 12 homemade Christmas gift ideas just for you (no sewing or baking required!).

While some DIY Christmas gifts may cause people to shudder and mumble "Oh ... thanks ... you made that!" with a stunned look on their face, these homemade gifts are sure to be a real hit with your family and friends.  (And scroll down to the end to see where to find free printable gift tags for your packages, as well!)

So, let's get started with these unique Christmas gift ideas:

1. Cranberry, Almond and Vanilla Granola  - This one is perfect for the holiday giving season since it can make a delicious quick breakfast or a simple, healthy snack to have on hand for last minute guests or famished children during their days home from school.

2. Play Dough - Mix up a few different colors of this recipe and package them in small air-tight containers for a whole family, stacked together for a colorful display; perfect for keeping kids (and creative adults) occupied during the holiday break.

3. Rosemary Lemon Salt Hand Scrub (by Mommie Again) -- mix some of this up to set out for guests during holiday events at the house and package up the extra to give as hostess gifts, or the perfect non-food gift for a friend. Four simple ingredients make up this blend: coarse sea salt, oil, rosemary essential oil and lemon essential oil.

4. Hot Chocolate Mix - put together this homemade dry mix (3 simple ingredients), place in a decorative jar or container, and attach a small label with simple directions for whipping the mix up into a nice glass of hot cocoa.

5. Sweet Roasted Pecans - Roast some pecans with some sweet seasoning and tie them up with pretty ribbon in a clear gift bag for small personal treats, or a large bag for a hostess or family gift.

6. Hot Chocolate or Coffee Stirrers - make caramels or peppermint candies into delicious coffee or tea stirrers for a festive Christmas gift that's perfect for teachers and friends.

7. Seasoning Mixes for Cooking (including Italian, Taco, or Fajita -- Taco Seasoning shown below) - mix up a batch of a cooking seasoning mix that you know your family and friends will enjoy, store it in a fun air-tight container with a label suggesting how much to use for common recipes.  Eat healthier, cooking with seasonings that contain no additives!

8. Holiday Cookie Mix in a Jar - layer all the dry ingredients for these cookies (including some holiday M&M's) in a tall jar and label with instructions for adding the wet ingredients when ready to mix up a fresh batch of cookies.  Who wouldn't enjoy that, right?

9. Pumpkin Spice Popcorn Trail Mix from Project Motherhood - because who couldn't use a healthy snack mix that's easy to have on hand for extra guests or unexpected visitors?  Fresh popped popcorn tossed with chocolate chips, almonds, and seasoned with a sprinkling of pumpkin spice latte mix.

10. Chocolate Pretzels - Use large pretzel sticks and dip into white or dark chocolate (or both) and then drizzle with some of both as well for a festive salty sweet snack or treat for the holidays.

11. Superfood Chocolate Bark - Dark chocolate with almonds and goji berries makes a healthy and delicious treat, a delightful Christmas gift for friends and family alike.

12. Vanilla Extract (including printable label for bottle) - make your own vanilla extract (it does take some time to cure completely) and make enough for friends, too, with this easy recipe!

No matter which homemade Christmas gift you choose to make, stop over at Homemade Gifts Made Easy and print out their free printable gift tags for your gifts!

Please leave us a comment below or on our Facebook or Twitter pages with your favorite homemade Christmas gift ideas or suggestions; we love hearing from you.

Be sure to grab your free Printable CheckList for Stocking the Pantry for Easy Meals (be ready at a moment's notice to whip up your next easy dinner with these simple ingredients on hand).

Lastly, remember to take a peek in the store and see if our Bamboo Cutting Board, Gift Subscription for a Dish Dish Pro account, or Digital Recipe Album could be the perfect gift for one of your loved ones this year!