It’s Monday! And… two (!!!) days away from Christmas Day. Are you ready?
I didn’t think I was either. But, I am excited to say I have finally tied the final bows and addressed the last letters to send out. We’re outta here and on our way overseas tomorrow ya’ll!
If you are out and about scrambling for that perfect gift for that special someone, let me help you out. Here are two incredibly easy, yet thoughtful and homemade looking gifts you can give anyone on your shopping list.
First up, holiday cookies. These are an obvious one. But, before you get intimidated and think you have to make ten dozen cookies with five different recipes, don’t. Stick to one or two easy ones and only make the amount you need.
I needed something thoughtful to add to the three bottles of wine we purchased as gifts for some of Scott’s co-workers. And on a Sunday afternoon, I needed an idea with a quick turnaround to distribute Monday morning. Out of the blue it hit me: homemade holiday cookies in mason jars.
First, pick a cookie recipe you think the recipients will like. We followed this White Chocolate Macaroon Cookie recipe from Betty Crocker to the tee.
They may look involved, but they were really good and incredibly easy. Plus I got to play with sprinkles, so it was a win for everyone!
We made three dozen and the only stress was trying to fit all of them into the mason jars. (I purchased the jars individually at Jo-Ann Fabrics, but you can find them at any craft store and some home and grocery stores.)
I kept the size of the top in mind when shaping the cookies, but still had trouble fitting a few of them. Eventually, they all worked themselves in, and I finished the look off by tying a big sparkly bow around the top.
Easy, peasy.
The next gift is also one I needed in a hurry. Instead of just gifting one big credit towards a store and sticking it into a card, I wanted to make it more personable.
I have done this gift before, but in smaller amounts on each card with more cards. For this one, however, I stuck to three go-to’s I thought the recipient would enjoy a decent amount of credit towards.
To connect them all, I strung a holiday ribbon through the top slots and tied a (sloppy… whoops) knot between each one to hold them in place. I finished it off with a huge sparkly bow at the top, then folded it up and wrapped the entire thing in a gift bag.
Voila!
If you are looking for even more gift ideas, check out this year’s gift guides put together by yours truly.
– Holiday Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers
– Holiday Gift Guide: Fitness Goodies
– 2013 Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide (something for everyone!)
Hope this helps…
Have a great start to your week! 😀
cleaneatingveggiegirl
That gift card idea is fantastic! I’ll have to keep that in mind for next year :).
Heather
It’s also great for birthdays! 🙂
Jess
I want to eat each and everyone of those cookies! They look yummy! Happy Christmas Eve, Eve 😀
Heather
Ha, thanks! Happy (official) Christmas Eve to you!
candies & crunches
Great ideas! I have a couple of last minute gifts to make! Thank God, I got my husband’s gift on my lunch break today, it’s our first Christmas as a married couple and I already feel like I’m failing him haha! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Heather! And thank you once again for all the help and advice you provided me with this year! xoxo Olena
Heather
Hey, that’s what lunch breaks are for! 😉 Merry Christmas to you! xo
Mrs. Murphy's Law of Fitness
Awrsome ideas! The gift cards are perfect the people you are clueless as to what they would enjoy.
Heather
Hehe, exactly. Happy Holidays Heather!
Miranda @ Lovely Wife Lovely Life
I think the best holiday gift is a trip to Paris. 😉 I mentioned this to Christian yesterday and he told me we’ll go in a few years. HA. I love his optimism!
Heather
I know, I know. We are definitely spoiled with how this worked out. 😉 I’ll be sure to take it all in and enjoy it, as it will probably will be our only one overseas! Happy Holidays!