Learn how to make a sourdough starter gift set for the aspiring baker in your life. This guide will show you everything you need and how to package it. Don’t forget to grab the free printable gift tags, instructions, and starter feeding chart! This handmade gift is so cute and thoughtful!

Table of Contents

As we head into the holiday season, I’ve been thinking about the best way to exchange gifts, especially as I have been working toward embracing a simple life at home.

In a world where practically everything is just a click away, I want what I give to others to have some heart and soul—not just some item that will get thrown away or forgotten about by the new year.

So, this year, for the aspiring bakers in my life, I decided to give them a handmade sourdough starter gift set. It turned out so cute that I want to share it with you!

This DIY sourdough starter kit is the perfect gift for your friends or loved ones who want to embark on a sourdough journey but don’t know where to begin (we all know at least one of those people).

To make things easy, this guide will walk you through all of the steps you need to create a one-of-a-kind gift set. I’ve even included the cutest little printable gift tags, instruction card, and feeding chart.

With this thoughtful gift, you aren’t just giving ingredients but encouraging a meaningful and rewarding hobby and skill.

If you are lucky, you might get a fresh loaf of homemade bread in return, haha! It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Ps. I totally recommend asking to be a taste tester for sourdough cinnamon rolls and donuts.

Sourdough starter gift set in front of Christmas tree

How It Works

Don’t worry, you aren’t making the starter. This gift set includes everything needed to make sourdough starter.

All of the instructions are laid out in this post, but here is the quick version:

Get the printables: Download and print the free gift set printables. This includes a giftable instruction card with a QR code that links to an eBook with instructions for making a sourdough starter. The download also includes tags for the flour, a gift tag, and a feeding schedule chart.
Grab the supplies: Your future sourdough baker will need whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, a kitchen scale, and spurtle to get started. Check out the full supply list for more details. You can also shop the supplies I used (or comparable ones) below.
Decorate and fill the basket: Follow the step-by-step instructions below for how to create the gift set.
Include the tags: Use the gift tags for the jars, and stick the instructions and feeding chart in the basket. Don’t forget to affix the To/From tag because everyone will want to snag this gift without it.

Why You’ll Love Making a Sourdough Starter Gift Set

Handmade Gifts are Meaningful

Taking the time and effort to make a handmade gift is much more meaningful than buying one. It shows that you’ve put thought and love into the gift. Not only will it feel special for the recipient, but it will also feel special when you make it.

Inspires a New Hobby

I love giving gifts that keep on giving. A sourdough starter kit might seem like just a few jars of flour and a couple of kitchen tools, but it’s the starting point of a new and fulfilling hobby and skill.

Pass Along an Heirloom Skill

Heirloom skills are traditional skills or crafts that can be shared with others and passed through generations. Making sourdough bread is a simple (and delicious) way to foster connectedness and creativity with others.

Rebecca holding free printables for a sourdough starter gift set

Download the FREE Printables

This free sourdough starter gift set download includes:

Tags for whole wheat and all-purpose flour
To/From gift tag
Giftable instruction card for downloading the Making and Using Sourdough Starter eBook. This includes a QR code so the recipient can scan and download it.
Giftable sourdough starter feeding chart

Tips for Printing

Paper – Use high-quality printer paper to ensure your printable looks great. I used cardstock.
Size – This printable is designed for a regular 8.5″x11″ sheet of paper. Be sure your printer is set to the correct size.
Quality – Most printers have a “best” quality setting. Make sure you select this option for the best resolution.
Color – This printable is ink-friendly and in simple black and white.

Sourdough starter gift set with items labeled

What You’ll Need

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Jars: Quart-sized mason jars work well for making sourdough starter. Use lids to prevent the flour from spilling.
Whole wheat flour: Any brand of whole wheat flour will work. I usually use Pillsbury or King Arthur.
All-purpose flour: Use unbleached all-purpose flour. My favorites are Costco’s organic all-purpose and King Arthur.
Kitchen scale: Weighing the ingredients is the easiest way to make sourdough starter. I recommend a digital waterproof kitchen scale.
Spurtle: Fitting a large spoon inside a jar for stirring can be tricky, but a spurtle makes it easy.
Scissors: Grab a pair of scissors to cut the gift tags, instructions, and feeding chart.
Hole punch: Use a regular hole punch for the gift tags. For the To/From tag, I double-punched it to fit the ribbon through it.
Gift basket or packaging: This is where you can get creative! Use anything that fits the occasion and the personality of the recipient.
Free printable gift tags: Don’t forget to download the gift set printables.

Shop Gift Set Supplies

Here is everything I used to make the holiday sourdough starter gift set in the pictures. I always encourage using what you have or thrifting cute baskets, for example.

But if you need a few items to complete the set, here is what I used (or comparable items).

Farmhouse Holiday Ribbon

Buy Now →

Wicker Baskets (set of 2)

Buy Now →

Holiday Baker’s Twine

Buy Now →

Wood Spurtle

Buy Now →

Quart Mason Jars

Buy Now →

Waterproof Kitchen Scale

Buy Now →

How To Make a Sourdough Starter Gift Set

Download and print the free sourdough starter gift set printables. I used cardstock for printing mine.

Cut out each printable. I like cutting along the outside of the black border line because it leaves a clean look.

Fill a quart-sized mason jar with whole wheat flour. Screw on the lid and attach the “whole wheat flour” gift tag around the neck of the jar.

Fill a second quart-sized mason jar with unbleached all-purpose flour. Again, screw on the lid and attach the “all-purpose flour” gift tag around the neck of the jar.

Prepare the gift basket. The world is your oyster in this step. You can add ribbon, bows, charms…anything that fits the occasion.

Here is what I did for the gift set in the pictures:

I tied a decorative wired ribbon around a 12″ x 9 “x 6” woven basket. I pulled it tightly and stapled it together in the back. You could also hot glue it.
Then, I stuffed the bottom of the basket with brown kraft paper, filling any extra space.
Next, I added a layer of brown crinkle-cut kraft paper for an aesthetic touch.

Fill out the To/From gift tag and attach it to the basket with ribbon.

Arrange the flour-filled jars, kitchen scale, and spurtle in the basket. Add any extras you wish to include (cloth lid for covering starter jar, greeting card, candy, etc).

And the printed instruction card. This card includes a QR code for an eBook with instructions for making sourdough starter. So don’t forget it!

Add the printed sourdough starter feeding chart.

Add any finishing touches and enjoy the sweetness of giving handmade gifts!

Tips for Making a Sourdough Starter Gift Set

Use what you have: Before you rush out to buy supplies, use what you have first. Check to see if you have an unused basket, jars, ribbon, or other useful trimmings.
Print on quality paper: Printing the gift tags, instructions, and feeding chart on quality paper will elevate your handmade gift without much extra expense.
Get creative: Making a handmade gift is just as fun as receiving one. Get creative with how you decorate it and enjoy the process.

Video – Make a Starter Gift Basket with Me!

Let’s make a sourdough starter gift basket together. Follow along and get a few tips in this video. And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. New videos come out weekly!

FAQs

Will the gift recipient need more flour than what is in the jars?

Yes, but filling a quart jar to the top will get them through the first few days of making their sourdough starter.

Where are the instructions making sourdough starter?

The printable instruction card has a QR code linked to my Guide to Making and Using Sourdough Starter eBook. The eBook contains instructions for making and caring for a sourdough starter, troubleshooting, recipes, and more.

Also, check out my blog post How To Make a Sourdough Starter, for step-by-step directions.

How To Make a Sourdough Starter Gift Set

Yield: 1 gift set

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Learn how to make a sourdough starter gift set for the aspiring baker in your life. This guide will show you everything you need and how to package it. Don't forget to grab the free printable gift tags, instructions, and starter feeding chart! This handmade gift is so cute and thoughful!

Tools

2 Quart-sized mason jars
4 cups, Whole wheat flour
4 cups, All-purpose flour, unbleached
Kitchen scale
Spurtle
Scissors
Hole punch
Gift basket or packaging
Free printable gift tags and instructions

Instructions

Download and print the free sourdough starter gift set printables. I used cardstock for printing mine.

Cut out each printable. I like cutting along the outside of the black border line because it leaves a clean look.

Fill a quart-sized mason jar with whole wheat flour. Screw on the lid and attach the "whole wheat flour" gift tag around the neck of the jar.

Fill a second quart-sized mason jar with unbleached all-purpose flour. Again, screw on the lid and attach the "all-purpose flour" gift tag around the neck of the jar.

Prepare the gift basket. The world is your oyster in this step. You can add ribbon, bows, charms...anything that fits the occasion.

Here is what I did for the gift set in the pictures:

I tied a decorative wired ribbon around a 12" x 9 "x 6" woven basket. I pulled it tightly and stapled it together in the back. You could also hot glue it.
Then, I stuffed the bottom of the basket with brown kraft paper, filling any extra space.
Next, I added a layer of brown crinkle-cut kraft paper for an aesthetic touch.

Fill out the To/From gift tag and attach it to the basket with ribbon.

Arrange the flour-filled jars, kitchen scale, and spurtle in the basket. Add any extras you wish to include (cloth lid for covering starter jar, gift card, candy, etc).

And the printed instruction card. This card includes a QR code for an eBook with instructions for making sourdough starter. So don't forget it!

Add the printed sourdough starter feeding chart.

Add any finishing touches and enjoy the sweetness of giving handmade gifts!

Notes

Tips for Printing

Paper: Use high-quality printer paper to ensure your printable looks great. I used cardstock.

Size: This printable is designed for a regular 8.5″x11″ sheet of paper. Be sure your printer is set to the correct size.
Quality: Most printers have a “best” quality setting. Make sure you select this option for the best resolution.
Color: This printable is ink-friendly and in simple black and white.

Tips for Making the Gift Set

Before you rush out to buy supplies, use what you have first. Check to see if you have an unused basket, jars, ribbon, or other useful supplies lying around.
Printing the gift tags, instructions, and feeding chart on quality paper will elevate your handmade gift without much extra expense.
Making a handmade gift is just as fun as receiving one. Get creative with how you decorate it and enjoy the process.