The holiday season is officially here, and what an exciting time it is! If you’re like many people, you have a to-do list that stretches longer than the amount of time you have to get it all done. Here are some ideas for holiday gifts that will help save time and money so that you’ll be able to actually enjoy the season.
• If you’re crafty, consider knitting a beautiful scarf, sewing a holiday table runner or tablecloth or creating something out of wood (such as these darling photo blocks). Your family and friends will feel lucky to get something so personal.
• Give an ice cream sundae basket. Arrange a basket with a box of waffle cones, sprinkles, hot fudge sauce and other favorite ice cream toppings. Add a cute card with a $5 bill attached so the receivers can purchase the ice cream of their choice.
•Gift a plate of homemade treats. Make your favorite drop cookie dough ahead of time, form the dough into cookie-size balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. When they are firm, put them into a freezer bag and store them in the freezer. When the day comes to bake your treats, pop them straight from the freezer onto a prepared cookie sheet and increase your baking time just a minute or two longer. No extra dishwashing required.
• Gift a service. If you have friends or family with little ones that you love spending time with, offer to babysit for free for an evening. This may seem like a small gesture, but to parents, it’s huge! Are you a grammar stickler? Offer to proofread a student’s next research paper.
• Embellish a mason jar with ribbon and layer it with the dry ingredients for a treat that can be enjoyed after Christmas. Attach a cute card with the remaining ingredients listed and the instructions for baking.
• For the gardener in your life, gather seed packets, gardening gloves and baby herbs and arrange them all in a cute flowerpot.
• Who doesn’t love movie night? Purchase some candy, popcorn or another favorite snack, print a gift certificate to Redbox and tie it all together with rustic twine or holiday ribbon.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of presentation. No matter what the you’re giving, holiday gifts will look amazing in a thrifted vintage basket, a little tissue paper, some ribbon or twine and a sprig of holly.
