7 Best Neighbor Christmas Gift Ideas: Easy and Fun To Make
7 of the Best Neighbor Christmas Gift Ideas
that are easy and fun to make.
And won’t shrink your wallet to nothing.
More Christmas Gift Ideas:
Monogram Christmas Tea-Towels DIY: Freezer-Paper Stencils
Make a Macramé Christmas Angel and Feather Keychain
Christmas Desk Candy DIY From Upcycled Old Books
7 of the Best Neighbor Christmas Gift Ideas
It’s fun to bring a little something to your neighbors’ doors at Christmas time.
But, most of us are so busy that our good intentions easily turn into “maybe next year.”
Side note: Sometimes I think we look at our “good intentions” as something to do if the stars align and we feel like it when we have the time. But intention actually has a deep meaning. It means you make a decision to do something, then make time for it on your calendar. We should all look at intentions as practically vows. Right next to it, anyway. That way we wouldn’t brush them off as easily.
And in this case, make some memories with our neighbors. Because here in our little city we tend to wave to each other as one drives off to do something other than visit the neighbors. Not a lot of front porch iced tea fellowship here in the desert.
So that makes Christmas gifts important. Let’s get to it.
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Short Cut Christmas Tea Rings.
In my house these days I never know if my yeast is still alive enough to bake up a proper pan of cinnamon rolls. An easy substitute is Rhodes Frozen Rolls. Buy foil cake pans in Christmas prints. Cut each thawed roll into 4 pieces, then stack in foil pans with a layer of caramel on the bottom, then sprinkled with cinnamon roll filling. Let them rise, then bake. Drizzle with cream cheese frosting, and add sprinkles. Cover and add a big Christmas bow.
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Upcycled Basket with Artisan Sourdough Bread, Homemade Jam and a cute Butter Spreader.
If your storage room looks like mine, you have a collection of baskets you couldn’t throw away. Because you knew a day like this would come sometime. A day a basket would be just the thing you needed for a Christmas gift for your neighbors. Buy a loaf of Artisan Sourdough bread (Costco has the best!) and a cute butter spreader. Prep a jar of homemade jam: tie with twine and a tag that says what it is. Line the basket with a Christmas tea towel or tissue paper, and add your ingredients. So cute.
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Notebook or List Booklet with Pen on a hanging Clipboard
Every home needs a cool notebook for writing down all the things. Or a serious shopping list tablet. If it’s attached with a pen to a clipboard that can hang on a nail, you’ve just helped your neighbors on their way to organization. Who wouldn’t love that?
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Inspirational Wall Calendar
Most department and craft stores have loads of beautiful calendars in stock now. Attach a pen, and your neighbors can use a calendar with big squares as a daily planner for the whole household. They can mark down who is going grocery shopping, and who’s driving Annie to her painting class. The next dentist appointment for Johnny and the dreaded April 15.
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A Short Stack of Paperbacks or Magazines.
One book for each person in the household, age appropriate. Stop at your Goodwill and check their supply. You can usually find a lot of good quality late releases or popular authors. Or you can thin your own stash by sharing with your friends.
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A Board Game
Christmas vacation is likely the best chance your neighbors will have to sit down as a family and play board games together. Some time proven favorites that don’t cost too much are Monopoly, Scrabble, or Sorry. A little less known but so worth the investment: Settlers of Cataan, Ticket to Ride, or Qwirkle. The last two in the short lists are appropriate for young children.
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A Sampler Basket of Goodies you made for Christmas.
Some people, which doesn’t include me anymore, bake and bake before Christmas. I used to make turtles, chocolate dipped peanut butter balls, frosted sugar cookies, thumbprint cookies, and mini pecan tarts. And if I got together with a friend, we exchanged what each of us made. It was easy to share when you had a freezer full of treats.
Add a pint jar of Hot Chocolate Mix or Christmas Coffee, and a couple of mugs to your basket of goodies.
Wrap with a big bow, and you have a priceless, friendly gift.
Enjoy intentionally gifting your neighbors!
You can pin this for next year,
in case it’s too late for 2021!