Christmas is the spirit of giving, and a time to show love and appreciation to those who are special to us. However, it can get very expensive if you have a large list to fill. One of my most favorite traditions every year is to make a unique and creative gift for friends and neighbors. Handmade gifts are such a kind touch and sweet sentiment and they don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. If you need a last-minute gift to give several people, here are a few fun and simple ideas.

In the past I have given so many different items. I love to package my gifts into unique containers and wrap them in an unexpected way. I wish I had photos to share all the fun ideas from the past, but here is a list of some simple gifts you can give.

• Paper white bulbs in a ball jar, clay pot or mini brown sack with river rock and a little card with instructions & a saying like “Grow love this Christmas”.  I tucked these into a little basket and gave a small bag of river rock with it.

 

 

• Homemade bath salts or bath bombs in little clear bags nestled in a small berry basket
• Hot cocoa mix or mulling spices in a clear fillable ornament, glass jar, or a clear bag and set in a gingerbread shaped box or other fun box (the baking aisles in craft stores have so many fun options) you can also decorate the top of the jar lid.

• Mini cranberry bread loaves or pretty cookies (homemade or store bought) placed in a small wooden crate, berry basket or fun shaped box. Here is a label you can use christmas morning cranberry bread

 

• A pretty nail color, and foot creme in a clear bag, tied with festive ribbon with a tag saying “For your mistle Toes”.

 

• Beautiful cookie cutters tied to a spatula with a tag saying “cookies can lift your spirit”
• Order (or bake) fancy decorated cookies and place in a clear bag with a tag “there are no calories in Christmas”

 

 

This year for neighbors, I purchased inexpensive fleece blankets ($5 from Walmart) You can also purchase some from IKEA for about the same price. I rolled them up, wrapped some brown paper around them and made a label that said “Sleep in heavenly peace”. Embellish with a little greenery or ribbon and a little Merry Christmas label. Easy Peasy! Here’s a label for the blankets sleep in heavenly peace

 

 

For friends and co workers, I made a homemade peppermint soap. It was so easy! I purchased all the products at Michaels.

Supplies:

Shea butter soap base

Soap molds

Soap colorant

Peppermint oil

Melt the soap base in the microwave 30 seconds at a time until melted ( I melted 1 pound at a time) Add 20-25 drops of oil and mix well. Pour into your mold (I used a silicone mold wiped with coconut oil) then drop your colorant in the mold and sir with a toothpick to the shade you want. For my soap I filled the mold 2/3 full with the colored soap. Set in refrigerator then melted some clear soap and poured on top to get the 2 tone look.

 

I packed them 2 different ways.

First, I used a “french fry” type container, filled it with shredded paper and set the soap on top. Then tucked in little cards with a description. 

Another fun way to package any small gift is a small brown bag, fold a small doilie over the top, punch holes through it and thread a small ribbon or twine to tie it together. Finish off with a small embellishment or piece of greenery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you were able to find a little last minute gift help . Bottom line, it doesn’t matter what you spend. When you put love and effort into the presentation,add a touching or sentimental saying,  it adds an extra fun & unique touch to the gift and makes the receiver feel special. The craft stores are filled with all kinds of fun containers, and packaging. All you have to do is think outside the box(pun intended) a little and a little dollar store trinket or handmade item can look like a million bucks!

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season filled with love, joy and peace. I appreciate you all and that you take the time to visit my blog and share your comments. I love hearing from readers and would love your input at any time

Merry Christmas my friends

xoxo