Sweet & Easy DIY Holiday Gifts with Dried Fruit

Easy DIY gift ideas you can make in a weekend

If you're also easily caught up in the holiday spirit, you know how fun it is to spread a little homemade cheer. In our family, we love making gifts that are thoughtful, personal, and practical - especially when they taste as good as they look.

This year, we’re leaning into dried fruit DIY gifts you can make in a weekend. These edible presents are perfect for teachers, neighbors, coworkers, or guests staying over during the holidays. They’re simple, festive, and full of Mariani dried fruit favorites that bring joy in every bite.

And the best part? These DIY dried fruit gift ideas are easy to customize and even easier to make with kids. So tie on an apron, turn up the holiday tunes, and let’s make some memories (and gifts!) in the kitchen.

Before You Start: A Little DIY Gift Station

A small bit of prep makes the whole process feel fun instead of stressful. Clear a corner of your counter or table and create a mini “gift station” with:

  • A few bags of Mariani dried fruit (think dried cranberries, prunes, raisins, dried apricots, dried mangos, or choose other favorites)

  • Clean jars with lids (mason jars, recycled sauce jars, or any clear containers)

  • Parchment or wax paper sheets

  • Ribbon, twine, or yarn

  • Scissors, tape, and a hole punch

  • Old holiday cards or kraft paper to reuse as tags

With everything in one spot, it’s easy to assemble a bunch of gifts in one afternoon.

1. Layered Snack Mix Jars with Dried Fruit & More

Looking for an edible holiday gift idea that’s colorful, quick, and crowd-pleasing? Try layering dried fruit, crunchy treats, and sweets in a mason jar or any clear jar you have on hand. They look beautiful on the counter and disappear quickly once opened.

Start with a clear jar and add layers of:

Gently tap the jar on the counter as you go so the layers settle neatly. You can also add a surprise layer of Mariani Sweetened Strawberries or chopped Mariani California Pitted Prunes for extra texture and flavor.

When the jar is full, close the lid and decorate:

  • Cut a small circle of fabric or parchment to sit under the lid ring.

  • Tie a ribbon or kitchen twine around the top.

  • Add a tag with a name and a simple “Enjoy as-is or pour into a bowl and share.”

These make perfect teacher gifts, neighbor thank-yous, or little “thinking of you” surprises.

📝 Tip: Turn this into an afternoon project for kids. Let them choose the order of the layers and call it “snack art.” They’ll love being part of the gifting process, and you’ll end up with jars that are as fun to look at as they are to eat.

2. Holiday Morning Breakfast Jars with Dried Fruit

Hosting family over the holidays? Or just want to make those cozy December mornings extra special? Put together a few “holiday breakfast jars” filled with toppings for oatmeal, yogurt, or overnight oats.

In each jar, try this combo:

You can keep things flexible depending on who you’re gifting. For kids, go heavier on granola and raisins. For family members who enjoy a heartier breakfast, include more nuts and a mix of prunes and apricots.

These jars make a sweet little gift for overnight guests or even a cute welcome if you’re hosting a brunch. Add a label with “just add milk or yogurt” instructions, and pop one on each breakfast plate for a thoughtful morning touch.

📝 Tip: You can set up a “breakfast bar” with a big bowl of plain oats and smaller jars of Mariani dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. Invite everyone to scoop their own mix into bowls or jars - instant custom gift and breakfast in one.

3. DIY Cookie Pouches Featuring Mariani Favorites

If you’re baking cookies this season (and we hope you are!), there’s no need to track down fancy tins or gift boxes. You can wrap cookies up in parchment paper or waxed baking sheets, tie with ribbon or twine, and make every bundle feel festive and homemade.

Start with one of these tasty cookie recipes  :

Or, keep it flexible and use any favorite cookie recipe you love - especially ones that already feature Mariani dried fruit in the dough or as a mix-in.

Once cooled, wrap 2–4 cookies per gift and tuck them into your friends’ mailboxes, lunchboxes, or gift bags. These simple, festive cookie gifts bring a personal touch - and they’re great for sharing during cookie swaps or potlucks, too.

4. Stocking Stuffer Snack Packs

If you're stuffing stockings, Mariani Snack Packs were basically made for ideas like this. Each bag comes with 8 individually wrapped mini pouches of your favorite dried fruit, so you can split one bag across several stockings or tuck a few into gift baskets and care packages.

Here are a few stocking-ready snack combos:

  • Snack Pack Sweetened Dried Berries ’n Cherries
     Pair a pack with a wrapped dark chocolate square and a berry or hibiscus herbal tea sachet. It feels like a little “cozy winter treat” moment in one stocking-friendly bundle.

  • Snack Pack Sweetened Dried Mango Bites
     Match a pack with a single-serve tropical or citrus tea packet, or a small packet of lightly salted seeds or pretzels. It’s a bright, fruit-forward combo that brings a bit of sunshine to chilly days.

  • Snack Pack Dried Probiotic Apricots
     Match a pack with a cinnamon or chamomile tea sachet and a pair of soft, rolled-up socks. It turns a simple stocking into a calm, comfort-filled moment (perfect for evenings on the couch).

  • Snack Pack Sweetened Yogurt-Coated Raisins
     Bundle a pack with a single-serve hot cocoa packet or a small holiday mug. It’s an easy, kid-loved combo that still slips neatly into a stocking, backpack, or desk drawer.

These are perfect for grown-ups, teens, and kids alike, and they slip easily into lunchboxes, travel bags, or wherever the holidays take you.

🎁 Bonus tip: Repurpose kraft paper or cut old holiday cards into small tags. Punch a hole, tie with ribbon, and you’ve got an eco-friendly, low-cost way to personalize your gifts.

5. Holiday Appetizers Featuring Mariani Dates

Not technically a gift, but absolutely worth mentioning if you’re hosting this holiday season: stuffed dates make a delicious appetizer and a beautiful addition to any grazing board. 

Start with Mariani Pitted Dates and try these festive, flavorful fillings:

  • Soft goat cheese and chopped dried cranberries

  • Cream cheese and crushed pistachios

  • Nut butter and a few mini chocolate chips

Gently open each pitted date like a little pocket, spoon or pipe in your filling, and arrange on a small platter. Because most of these fillings use fresh cheese or nut butter, keep the stuffed dates chilled and plan to serve them the same day, rather than packaging them as long-lasting holiday gifts.

📝 Tip: Keep a bag of Mariani Pitted Dates in the pantry during the holidays. When last-minute guests are on the way, you can put together a platter of stuffed dates in minutes and still make it feel special. 

Don’t Have Time to DIY This Year?

We get it. Some seasons are full and busy, and the idea of making anything from scratch can feel like a lot. You can still send something sweet and thoughtful.

Our Mariani Variety Packs make fruity, feel-good gifts that ship directly to your loved ones. These are great for family members who live far away, college students, or anyone who loves having quick snacks on hand. Add a note in your order or slip a card in the mail that says something like, “For cozy winter snacking - enjoy a little fruit from our family.”

Make It Meaningful (Without Making It Complicated)

With a few pantry staples, a little dried fruit, and a bit of ribbon, you can create something delicious and personal.

From layered snack mix jars to breakfast toppings, cookie pouches, stocking stuffers, and date appetizers, these ideas are all about sharing what’s already in the kitchen - just dressed up a little for the season. They’re the kind of gifts that show care, spark smiles, and keep everyone fueled through the holidays.

From our family to yours,
Happy holidays and sweet gifting!

 

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