July is my birthday month, and I’m super excited to celebrate! My birthday isn’t actually until the 17th, but I’m starting the party early today with 101+ Birthday Gift Ideas for your Friends, including my Blueberry Apricot Jam Recipe + Printable. I am joining forces with Kristen Duke (it’s her birthday, too!) for her Birthday Celebration Week along with over 100 talented bloggers who are all sharing lots of great inexpensive gift ideas for your friends, family, or even that gal that you’d like to get to know better. The gifts are all aimed at birthdays, but many of them can be adapted to other holidays as well! Even more fabulous–most gifts are under $5 and have coordinating printables to make it super simple for you! All week long, Kristen will be sharing birthday tips and giveaways so be sure to check out her party!
I recently made a batch of blueberry apricot jam, fresh from our garden, and I thought it would make a perfect inexpensive birthday gift for friends and neighbors. It’s definitely one of those good old fashioned homemade gifts that you’d love to come home and discover waiting on your front porch for you!
What You’ll Need:
- 2 cups quartered apricots, pits removed
- 2 cups blueberries
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2/3 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons low sugar pectin
- 1 teaspoon butter
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in large saucepan and place a small plate in the freezer to chill.
- Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and continue to boil vigorously for about 20-25 minutes.
- Jam will set when mixture reaches 220 degrees - you can use a candy thermometer to check the temperature, but I always use the "cold plate test" for my jam.
- Remove the plate from the freezer and place a small dollop of jam on the plate. Return to the freezer for 1 minute. Remove from freezer. Run your finger through the blob of jam to make a line through the center - if the jam stays separated and appears to be the right consistency, it is ready. If the jam is too thin and the line runs back together, continue to boil for another 5 minutes before testing again.
- Ladle the warm jam into hot canning jars, and follow proper canning methods to preserve.
You can also make an all-apricot version of the jam by using 4 cups of quartered and pitted apricots and omitting the blueberries. Either way, it’s delicious!
I thought that this jam would make a great birthday gift for friends and neighbors, so I created a cute little “Happy Birthday” tag to include with the jam. I made a few different options in different colors to match different flavors of jam – take your pick!
{Blog Hop Birthday designs by C {dot} love}
Are you ready for some inspiration? Join in on the BLOG HOP! Click on each of links below each collage to see the gift idea and printable closer, along with instructions on how to make them, like mine above. I like to open a bunch of new tabs, and Pin my favorites for later. Don’t forget to follow the Birthday Gift Ideas Pinterest Board as well, to save future great ideas.
>>>>>>>Important info! Blog Hops often have glitches the first day. If the link has an ERROR, simply click on the HOME button for each site, or google the blog name next to the link, and you should see their gift post there. Links will be updated as soon as possible.<<<<<<<<<<<<
1. Birthday Balloon Gift + matching free Print by Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke
2. Stamped Cocktail Napkin + Printable by Delineate Your Dwelling
3. Buckets of Fun gift idea+Free Printable by Craftiness is Not Optional
4. 7 Candy Bar Love Notes to say “Happy Birthday” by The Dating Divas
5. Have a Flippin’ Awesome Birthday by Dessert Now Dinner Later
6. Fishtail Loom Bracelet by I Should Be Mopping the Floor
7. Lemonade Lip Balm by Pretty Handy Girl
8. Hair Tie Birthday Gift & Printable Tag by Wait Til Your Father Gets Home
9. Gift of Sunshine Idea + Free Printable by Sweet Charli
10. I hope your birthday is a whole “lotto” fun by C.R.A.F.T.
11. Chicken Spice Rub w/ Printable Tags by Over the Big Moon
12. Birthday in a Bag Gift Idea by Seven Thirty Three
13. Quick Note for your Birthday Printable by Liz on Call
14. Otter Pop Gift with Printable Gift Tag by Somewhat Simple
15. {you} Series Magnets Printable by Ruffles and Rain Boots
16. Tea Cup Succulent by Your Homebased Mom
17. Pretty Pincushion + Printable by Let’s Eat Grandpa
18. Lemon Bath Salts & Free Printable by See Vanessa Craft
19. Diet Coke Birthday Kit by Pink Peppermint Prints
20. Chocolate Filled Insulated Tumbler Gift by The Girl Who Ate Everything
21. Easy Funfetti Cake Balls with Printable by Salt and Pepper Moms
22. Hands Down Best Friend Around by Eighteen25
23. Berry Happy Birthday Printable by Stuffed Suitcase
24. Whisk Birthday Gift with Free Printable by Cupcake Diaries
25. Paper Plate Gift Idea by Crafting in the Rain
26. Popcorn Gift Printable by Breezy Bakes
27. Life Saver: Birthday Gift in a Jar by Here Comes the Sun
28. Decoupage Wooden Pendant by Twin Dragonfly Designs
29. Have a coffee on me: Funky Coasters by Funky Junk Interiors
30. Swanky Black & Gold Cosmetic Bag by A Prudent Life
31. DIY cocktail napkins by kojodesigns
32. Nail Polish Gift by Southern Hospitality
33. Banana Cake by Whats Cooking with Ruthie
34. Paparazzi – the PERFECT friend gift by Sugar Bee Crafts
35. “latte” fun birthday gift by Our Thrifty Ideas
36. Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes + Printable by Tastes Better from Scratch
37. Pearls are Always Appropriate by Mommy Envy
38. Girls Just Want to Have Fun Birthday Gift by A Little Tipsy
39. Manicure Kit Birthday Gift with Printable by Blooming Homestead
40. Orange you Glad Cup by Artsy Fartsy Mama
41. Donut Gift Tag by Pretty Providence
42. Rainbow Inspired Birthday Gift + Printable by Thirty Handmade Days
43. Drink Topper and Tag by LandeeLu
44. DIY Bath Salts using Essential Oils by Unskinny Boppy
45. Friends are Like Chocolate Chips by Delightful Deets
46. Paint Can Succulent Planters by East Coast Creative
47. A Bundt Cake Gift & Printable by Dukes and Duchesses
48. Jam Birthday Gift & Printable by Happiness is Homemade
49. Jazzed up Frames by House for Five
50. Favorite Things Gift Ideas by inkhappi
51. Toe-tally Cool Nail Polish Gift Idea + Free Printable by Simply Designing with Ashley
52. Quote Book by Reasons to Skip the Housework
53. Iron On T-Shirt Gift by Becoming Martha
54. DIY Humorous Girlfriend Gift by Brassy Apple
55. Tea-riffic Birthday Gift Idea & Printable by Mom Endeavors
56. Turn Today Into A Celebration by Dolen Diaries
57. You’re A Lifesaver Printable by Live Laugh Rowe
58. Happy Birthday Jar {free printable} by Kiki and Company
59. Mason Jar Flower Vase + Printable by R & R Workshop
60. Easy $5 Wooden Charm Bracelet by Craftily Ever After
61. Polka Dot Mason Jar Vase by The Cards We Drew
62. Free Printable Mini Notes by Confetti Sunshine
63. Bath Bomb Easy Birthday Gifts by Tried and True
64. Ball Jar Printable Tags by The Country Chic Cottage
65. Eat More Cake Birthday Gift Idea and Printable by Play. Party. Pin.
66. Have a “berry” happy birthday by The Contractor Chronicles
67. Merci Chocolates + Hey Birthday Girl french girl printable by Handmade in the Heartland
68. Five Minute Leather Necklace Tutorial + Birthday printables by Delia Creates
69. Ah-Mason Birthday Gift Idea by Lolly Jane
70. Simple Dangle Earring Tutorial by Bombshell Bling
71. Symphony Bar Brownies by Among the Young
72. Wishing you an E “straw” diary Birthday by Ginger Snap Crafts
73. DIY Washi Tape Cacti by Fry Sauce and Grits
74. State Pride Cheese Board by Addicted to DIY
75. Reusable Monogrammed Solo Cup by Mom 4 Real
76. go-to gift…EARRINGS! by A Girl and A Glue Gun
77. Embroidered Mixed Media Bookmarkers by The Creative Goddess
78. Beyond Measure Birthday Printable by Like Mother Like Daughter
79. Birthday Facial Kit Gift by The Benson Street
80. DIY Jewelry Bookmark by Design Dazzle
81. Birthday in a Jar – Birthday Printable Tags by A Pumpkin and a Princess
82. Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Party Cookies by Crazy Little Projects
83. You are the Bee’s Knees by Love the Day
84. Birthday Candy Jar by Inside BruCrew Life
85. “Hip Hip Hooray, today is your birthday!” printables by The Crafted Sparrow
86. Treat Yo Self Printable by Girl Loves Glam
87. Chocolate Facial with printable by TidyMom
88. Happy Birthday Sweets by A Night Owl
89. Quick & Easy Hydrangea Cake by Sweet C’s Designs
90. Sweets for the Sweet by Simply Kierste
91. Citrus Whipped Honey Butter Jars by Sand and Sisal
92. Diet Coke Gift for a Friend with Printable by Sweet Treats and More
93. A Latte for Two + printables by One Krieger Chick
94. Cookie Monster Birthday Gift Tag by I’m Topsy Turvy
95. Root Beer Float Cake in a Jar by Giggles Galore
96. Treat Yo’Self Printable Watercoloring Box by Persia Lou
97. Fruity Body Scrub with Printable by Mad in Crafts
98. Magnetic Necklace Charm by Sowdering About
99. Happy Bee Day with Printable by Just Another Day in Paradise
100. Manicure in a Jar by That’s What {Che} Said…
101. UBER lucky to have you in my Life by Maybe I Will
102. Free Happy Birthday Printable by NoBiggie
103. DIY Wine Bag & Charms Gift by Sypsie Designs
104. Crispy Crunch-y Pie with Printable by Just Rhonda
105. “You’re the Silver Lining” Friendship Nail Polish Gift by The Happy Housie
106. Tie One On for Your Birthday (Hair Tie Gift Free Printable) by illistyle
Which gift idea did you love the most? Visit your favorites and let them know you love it!
Follow the Pinterest Gift Board now!
Heidi Kundin has captivated the hearts of millions with her colorful and inspiring approach to crafting, celebrations, and family fun. With over 15 years of experience, Happiness is Homemade has become a must-visit destination for those seeking quick and easy creative ideas and last-minute solutions. Heidi’s warm personality shines through her posts, inviting readers to join her on a creative journey that’s fun, rewarding, and achievable. Heidi is also the author of Homemade Bath Bombs & More and DIY Tie-Dye.