It never fails, you think you have everything covered and here come some unexpected gifts from neighbors or co-workers. Or, perhaps you want to treat your hairdresser, mailman or other service worker. Here are 8 Quick Neighbor, Co-Worker or Service Christmas gifts you can make for under $10 in an hour or less.
#1 – Wrap it Up: Grab some cute wrapping paper. Most stores have it on sale right now. Some craft stores have even started their clearance sales. Tie on tape and a note that says Helping you “Wrap-Up” the Holidays.
#2 – Pineapple Goodness: Remember the Pineapple Slicer/Corer we shared with you here (4.78)? You can find them at various stores in the housewares section for around $7-10 too. Tie one to a Pineapple ($2.50) for a cute and creative gift. I added some chocolate ornaments just to spruce up the wrapping.
**On a side note, avoid the plastic Pineapple Slicers if possible. The metal ones (pictured) work much better.
#3 – Stephen's Hot Cocoa & a Cup: This one is one of my personal favorites. Who doesn't LOVE Stephen's Hot Cocoa (or in my case Caramel Apple Cider)?! BTW, did you know Stephen's is a Utah company that does great things in our community.
You know those bags meant for holding a bottle of wine, that always go on clearance for dirt cheap? Turns out they are the perfect size for a container of Cocoa ($3.50) and a Mug on top (under $5). Your card could say “A little something to warm up the Holidays”
#4 – S more's in a Mason Jar: Warning! These are addictive!
1 ½ cups Teddy Grahams cracker cookies ($1/2 coupon)
1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips ($1/2 Hershey's coupon)
½ cup brown sugar ($0.75/1 C&H Sugar coupon)
Layer the ingredients into a 1 quart Mason Jar or other quart sized container.
Your card should have the cooking instructions: “Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray 9” square baking pan with cooking spray. Melt 1/2 Cup Butter (1 stick) and pour into the bottom of the pan. Add the ingredients from the jar and press firmly. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into squares.”
#5 – Cleaning Up: I found a pack of 4 Holiday dish clothes for on sale for $5 at Smith's ($1.25 ea). Wrap up some dish soap and done. Your card could read something like “Hoping you clean-up on the gifts this Christmas”
#6 – Soup in a Mason Jar. Who doesn't love soup on a cold winter day. There is a plethora of these Mason Jar soup recipes on Pinterest. My tried true recipe is to layer 1 package of Lipton Onion Soup and equal parts of Red Kidney, Green Split Peas and White Beans in a pint jar. I actually recycled a Pickle jar for the one in the picture. Your recipe should read:
Add 3 Jars of water and one can of Tomatoes to crock pot. Cook on low until beans are tender (about 8 hours). When you wrap this, you can include a holiday soup bowl and muffin mix if budget allows.
#7 – Apple Spice Cake: These two ingredient cakes are a hit. The combinations are only limited to your imagination. Angel Food Cake with Lemon Pie filling is the latest one I've seen. For my goodie I choose Spice Cake and Caramel Apple Pie Filling (YUM)! Depending on your budget, you could add a Cake Pan, spatula or oven mitt. Your card could read “Spice Up the Holidays”
Directions: Mix the Cake Mix and Pie Filling and bake at 325 until done (about 30-35 minutes).
#8 – Reindeer Chapstick: Last but now least, these cute little reindeer are something the kids would not only enjoy making, but giving as well.
I found the Gingerbread flavored Chapstick at Walmart near the check-out for $0.98. Simply glue (I used GOOP) on your eyes, nose and bow. Add the pipe cleaner antlers and ribbon for hanging and you are DONE!
Happy Gifting!
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