Let's face it, not everyone enjoys treats like peppermint bark [1] and chocolate crinkle cookies [2], so for the loved one who doesn't have a sweet tooth, make beef jerky! This savory snack is great to give to people who live far away because it will keep for up to six weeks.

There's not a lot of work to the recipe, but it requires time for marinating and cooking, so don't wait till the last minute. With a salt and pepper crust and rich beef flavor, the resulting jerky is better than any store-bought jerky I've tasted. It would definitely please the special man in your life.