For friends with fireplaces or those who like to barbecue, tie together a few branches from the annual pruning of aromatic woods, such as cherry, apple, or hickory. Add a bow for a seasonal touch. Dry your own mix of fragrant flowers and herbs for potpourri. Pack in attractive, recycled, wide-mouth, glass jars, such as those from mustard or jelly. Bouquets garnis for flavoring soups can be mixed up in a jiffy from homegrown or store-bought dried herbs.
Cookbooks carry a variety of recipes, most of which include parsley, thyme, bay, and celery leaves.
Tie closed with colorful string or yarn. Pack several in a dark glass jar, baking powder tin, or other used kitchen container covered with holiday paper. Give them as hostess gifts or to your favorite gourmet. For shiny tree ornaments, punch ornamental patterns into used aluminum pie pans or canning jar lids with a hammer and nail. Trim away the sides of the pie pans, and fold under the sharp edges.