Christmas is THIS WEEK! It’s my favorite holiday, and I couldn’t be more excited.
When I was a kid, my parents hosted a Christmas Eve open house, and all of our family on my mom’s side, that lived in-state, would come over for dinner, dessert, and presents. We always got to stay up really late, play with cousins, and have a ton of fun!
I remember that my uncles would sometimes bring a date – and my parents never really knew if they should expect someone or not, so they decided to keep some gifts on hand. One year, they decided to go to the Lennox Store after Christmas and buy several Christmas ornaments, which ended up lasting a handful of years thereafter. They were glass trees, sleds, Santa figures, and other holiday symbols. Mom kept them in a closet and would wrap one or two up in case a date was brought – it was important to her as a hostess to have a gift for everyone to open.
As I thought about those Christmas Eve parties, I realized it’s really a very gracious step to take as a hostess to have an extra gift or two on hand. And if you’re going somewhere else for Christmas, it might be good to take a little “thank you” gift to your host as well.
So, whether you just forgot a neighbor or coworker on your shopping list, need a hostess gift for the dinner you’re attending, or want to have an extra gift stashed in case your family member brings a new beau, here are three easy, sweet, & affordable gift ideas! (And yes, all of these can be accomplished at Dollar Tree or Walmart.)
#1: Festive Mug & Cake
It’s easy to grab a festive mug or two at your local dollar store or big-box store. They’re affordable and often have fun holiday sayings or images! If you’re out and about for your last-minute shopping, these can be a great gift to give.
If you add a dessert with it, even better! Dollar Tree has single-serving mug cake packets in various flavors, which makes a fun addition to your gifted mug – and a little different than the typical coffee or cocoa.
#2: Rudolph Candy-Filled Canes
This is a perfect gift for a candy-lover or kid on your Christmas list! All you need is two candy-filled plastic canes, scissors, tape, glue, a marker, and red & brown construction paper.
You’ll want to tape your candy canes together, with the rounded tops pointing out, by wrapping a piece of clear tape around the labels. Then cut a strip of brown craft paper. Fasten the strip of paper on to the labels, too, to hide the nutritional facts (or non-nutritional facts?) and glue it down. Then add on a red circle for Rudolph’s nose, and draw on two eyes! The candy canes should make his antlers, giving you a complete Rudolph treat!
I think these are perfect gifts for the children in your neighborhood, for your kids’ friends at church or school, or for your extended family’s children at any holiday get-together.
#3: Baked Goods in a Festive Container
Of course, there is always old faithful – homemade goodies! If you don’t have a favorite recipe, I have tons of easy dessert recipes here: Rudolph’s Red Noses, Butterscotch Walnut Cookies, M&M Cookies, & Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.
I found this cuter-than-can-be festive mailbox container at Dollar Tree, and I think this makes a neat giftbox for any baked goods you might giveaway! Of course, you can always get seasonal tins, baskets, or bags, too.
Enjoy – and Merry Christmas to you & yours!
Kate with a Twang 