A Sprinkle of Kindness - The Gift That Keeps on Giving

The holidays tend to have a way of sneaking up on me. Why does it feel like every year I end up in a frenzy trying to find the perfect gifts, resorting to overspending at the last minute in a whirlwind of stress? No, not this year.

This year, things are different. A small, but unforgettable, encounter with the mother of a dear friend has sparked a new gift-giving tradition for me. One that my children adore being part of that doesn’t break the bank and that truly comes from the heart.

The gift? Salt. But not just any salt — seasoned salt infused with love, care and creativity.

It all started toward the end of summer when my friend’s mother reached out to me. Her herb garden had grown beyond her ability to keep up with it, and rather than letting the abundance go to waste, she asked if I could use some. I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough. People like her, those who give without expecting anything in return simply because it’s in their nature, are my kind of people.

When I arrived at her garden, she greeted me warmly and handed me a bag. Together, we walked among rows of rosemary, oregano, sage and thyme, plucking handfuls of the fragrant herbs. She spoke about how much joy her garden brings her and how she makes herb salt for her family; these simple jars of seasoning sit on the counter, always within reach, ready to sprinkle on just about anything.

Her kitchen smelled like heaven that day, with a batch of herb salt drying on her cutting board. She gave me the bag of fresh herbs and two jars of her family’s “grandma salt,” as we now affectionately call it. I didn’t realize it then, but those jars were a revelation. In less than two weeks, we had emptied them, sprinkling the magical mixture on eggs, steak, chicken, buttered toast, everything.

Now, faced with empty jars and an insatiable craving, instead of resorting to begging for another jar of salt, I attempted to make my own. It was easier than I imagined. While they still don’t compare to the original, our “house salt” sits proudly by the stove, a staple of our meals and a constant reminder of the generosity that inspired it.

I decided to pass along that generosity this holiday season by sharing the gift of homemade seasoned salt with friends and family. With a little effort and creativity, it turned into the perfect holiday gift. Affordable, heartfelt and delightfully practical. I purchased bulk salt from Costco, jars from Michael’s, and a few rolls of ribbon and tissue paper to dress them up. For about $150, I created two dozen beautifully packaged jars of herb salt. My kids even joined in, helping to mix the herbs and decorate the jars, making it a fun family project.

Our house salt is a fragrant blend of garlic cloves, rosemary, sage and dried onion. We like to add whole dried peppers and toasted cumin seeds for a spicy kick. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s entirely customizable for your taste. I always recommend using fresh herbs because the natural oils and juices infuse into the salt when you chop everything together, creating a depth of flavor that dried herbs alone can’t achieve.

Here’s how I make it:

1. Blend it up — In a food processor, combine about 1/2 salt to whatever else you’re using (herbs, garlic, spices). Pulse until everything is finely chopped.

2. Dry the mixture — Spread the herb salt evenly on a large sheet tray. (My friend’s mother hand chops everything and lets her mixture air-dry on the counter in a large pan, stirring it a few times a day until it’s dry.) I’m less patient and speed up the process by placing the tray in the oven at 185° F with convection for a few hours.

3. Break up the clumps — Once the mixture is thoroughly dried, return it to the food processor and pulse again to break up any clumps.

4. Package and share — Spoon the finished salt into jars and seal them tightly. I like to decorate the jars with a festive ribbon.

Hand-crafted gift-giving has brought unexpected joy to my holiday. It’s a gift that reflects the kindness and generosity that inspired it. A reminder of the small, thoughtful gestures that make this season so special. It’s a way to pass along a bit of comfort, flavor and love to the people I care about. So, as you prepare for the holidays, remember that the best gifts don’t come from a store. They come from the heart.