Over 36 Neighbor Gift Ideas…and Counting!
Who doesn’t want to give a great gift that brings a smile to their face! Stuck on what to give as Neighbor Gifts this year?
Look no further…we have listed some of our very favorite gifts we’ve given and received. Surely you’re bound to find at least one or two or ten new ideas to give to your loved ones! 🙂
{and counting meaning….PLEASE SHARE your favorite neighbor gifts you given or received or the best gifts of your life in the comments below. We would love to get as many gift ideas on this list as we possibly can!} 😉
#1 Caroling for Charity
That’s right our #1 Neighbor gift idea is No Gifts {well, at least not for each other}. As fun as it is to give and receive Christmas Gifts from Neighbors,…we wanted our #1 idea to be one that truly encompasses the true meaning of the Christmas spirit. This idea could take a little planning on your part, but the rewards could be the greatest. Start to build your Christmas lists!
#2 Melt in Your Mouth Cookies
Start with some sweet treets. Deliver a package of Mint Cookies & can of Hot Chocolate {Stephens is my favorite}
Attach Tag: “Good neighbors, gather your family for a special Treat! Be prepared to get a little messy! Take one mint cookie and take a small bite off of each end. Use the cookie as a straw to sip hot cocoa. Pop the cookie in your mouth and enjoy a Minty Melting Delight! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!”
#3 Snuggle
Who doesn’t love Snuggle? Sometimes practical items are a nice alternative to sweets- it’s an easy way to give a great gift. I know this would a welcome gift on my doorstep! Tag idea: “Snuggle UP! It’s cold out there! May your home be filled with Warmth and Love this Special Season”.
#4 Creamer for a Steamer
I am in love with Coffee Mate. Yes, that is right,…I don’t even drink Coffee, but I could sip this stuff straight from the bottle. It is the best addition to smoothies, fresh berries, or to make french toast with. But my VERY favorite way to use Coffee Mate is in a delicious homemade steamer. It’s easy to find in your nearest grocery store, so buy one extra for your neighbor next door. {drool}
Deliver Creamer with tag attached, “Warm Up with a Holiday Steamer! Add 1-2 T of Creamer to 8 oz of milk. Heat until warm. Froth (or stir really fast). Top with sprinkled cinnamon. Merry Christmas!”
#5 Cookie Dough
Give a roll of cookie dough with the tag “We could all use a little extra DOUGH this time of Year” . This one makes me smile. Hopefully it will your neighbors too! You can also take them a plate of cookies and appreciate how they care for you! 🙂
#6 True Delights
Have you tasted these?! They are divine. True Delight Granola Bars are NOT your average granola bar. Your neighbors will thank you after tasting this treat! Attach Tag “It is a True Delight being your Neighbor”. {I know, I know,… kinda ‘cheesy’, but neighbor gifts just sometimes are}.
#7 Paper Plates
Doing the dishes for your neighbor?! What could be a better gift than that?! Deliver paper plates with tag “Don’t let your dishes pile up this busy holiday season. Let our family ‘do the dishes’ this week! Merry Christmas!”
#8 Batteries
Batteries are essentials on Christmas morning, your neighbors will appreciate this practical gift! Tag idea: “Giving you some ENERGY to make it through the Holidays! Merry Christmas!”
#9 Therapy Sacs
These are so great for cold toes after sledding or just being out in the cold. You just pop them in the mirco for a couple minutes, put on your cold toes or hands, AAHH instant warmth. They are also great for sore muscles.
Tag idea: Stay warm and toasty this Holiday Season, Merry Christmas!
To make: You just sew a pouch, fill with wheat or rice, sew the pouch closed – DONE! So Easy! I used a washcloth for my material and added a ribbon embellishment, but you could use any fabric. (Be sure not to use ribbon with wire in it – for obvious reasons)
{If you want a more detailed tutorial, click here.}
#10 Bread
Okay, so I know this isn’t very original – but it is one of my VERY FAVORITE things to receive from neighbors (hint, hint to my neighbors). I don’t care what kind, sweet bread, wheat bread, white bread, rolls, breadsticks – whatever – I just LOVE bread, and I am sure your neighbors will as well! Sharing this awesome bread recipe HERE!
#11 Caramel Dip
Believe me when I tell you, this dip is perfect for giving. It is easy to make and everyone I have ever given it to LOVES it! Pair it with something to dip in it or give it alone…just share it – you will be thanked! For the recipe and tutorial, click here.
#12 Soap
I love giving this gift {just ask my neighbors} 
Heck, I’d love to receive this! 
This no calorie gift is practical and fun to receive. Attach tag “We wash you a Merry Christmas, We Wash you a Merry Christmas, We Wash you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” Use any type of soap {hand soap, dish washing soap, bar soap, WHATEVER!}
#13 Holiday Treat Countdown
You might say I am a little obsessed over Christmas countdowns, and you’d be right. I love this one because you can customize everything to the recipient. You just put the same amount of treats as there are people in the family so everyone gets one each day. You can put any kind of treat in this and the result is the same, one treat each day until Christmas! They can hang it on their tree, or just hang it from a hook or door knob. Your neighbors will love it!
#14 Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Pretzels and chocolate – you just can’t go wrong with this combo! I would prefer dark chocolate to white, but the white is so much prettier with the sprinkles! Here is a tutorial on how to make chocolate dipped pretzels. I think neighbors would LOVE receiving this gift!
#15 M&M’s in a Box
A lot more fun than just a plain old bag of m&ms, right? Place M&M’s in a box with a big ribbon and when they open it up they’ll have to eat the goodies to read the message! I got this fun idea here.
#16 Inexpensive Games
Share a fun game with your neighbor this holiday season. Tag idea: Hope you have a FUN holiday season! Don’t like pick up sticks? Give UNO, a deck of cards, memory, bingo, any simple game would be fun to share.
#17 Pistachios
This creative gift is a hit for just about anyone {this box was made especially for my dad}. See the full tutorial and how to make a personalized pistachio gift box, with an area ‘TO EAT” and and area “TO TOSS”.
#18 The 12 Days of Christmas Story – Countdown
I love Christmas Countdowns! This would be a fun way to share your favorite Christmas stories with your neighbors, and bonus: you wouldn’t have to bake anything! Just find your favorite stories, make copies, bind, and deliver! You could make this more elaborate with binders, sheet protectors, etc. You could also add songs, scriptures, recipes – whatever!
I designed this simple cover in photoshop using clip art that I downloaded for free from shabby princess (one of my favorite on-line scrapbooking sites). Click here if you want to download the shabby princess clip art. If you need some help finding some Christmas stories, I found some HERE.
#19 Bucket ‘o Chalk
Can’t go wrong with a bucket and chalk…as soon as the snow melts to find the sidewalk! 😉 Unless you live where there is no snow…you can go outside and spend time as a family right now!
#20 Pancakes
Add a little pancake batter in the bowl and a Christmas love note and you’ve got a great cute gift for cheap. For more info on making your own labeled bowl..click HERE.
#21 Wood Candy
Create a scrap 2×4 into a little home decor! Hint: finish both sides to fit in with both Christmas and winter decor!
#22 Ice Cream
‘I Scream’ for Christmas (Bowls Optional) Just think, there will be no cooking with this idea! Make sure you give them spoons so as they dig in they can think of how wonderful you are that you gave them ICE CREAM!
#23 Oreo Cookie Suckers
If you can’t guess, we really love Oreo Cookie Suckers around here. They are easy, adorable, and oh so tasty. This easy step by step oreo-cookie-sucker-tutorial is fun for the whole family. Let the kids do the sprinkles.
#24 Syrup
We’re “pouring out” Christmas wishes and hoping you have a Christmas to “flip over!”
#25 Lasagna
Dinner time is crazy and then add the holidays to that! Relieve your neighbors one night by ‘making’ them dinner. A frozen meal. If you have enough time you can make a day of it and pop out a lot of frozen dinners…or just buy some. Either way you can feel good knowing you’ve helped out your neighbor for one night. — “What’s for dinner?” During the holidays we hear this a lot, just heat this (lasagna) until it is hot!
#26 Carrots
Laugh if you will…to give carrots for Christmas!?! Just think how refreshing it would be to get something healthy for the holidays! Give a bag of mini carrots add some veggie dip too! — We know you are 24 “carrot” neighbors! What a treasure! Have a happy and healthy holiday season!
#27 Cookies in a Can
Cookies in a can could be so much more fun than cookies on a paper plate! Start saving your cans for this adorable idea.
#28 Wrapping Paper
“Wrap” yourself up in a wonderful holiday season.
Practical Christmas gift with NO calories! Attach Christmas tags, bows and you have a easy neighbor Christmas gift. My neighbors get this every year! (Yep…you are getting it again 🙂 I love to give this because I know they can use it.
#29 Brownie Mix
I painted the handle of a wooden spoon red and used a white paint pen to make the dots. Then tied a matching ribbon on it (the ribbon was on sale at Michael’s!). I found some wooden spoons at the dollar store or if you live close to an Ikea they have some cheap ones too! I used a white paint pen to make the polka dots…Attach a wooden spoon to a box of brownies, cake mix, muffins, etc. Then attach a cute Christmas tag…
“Christmas is Jolly, Christmas is sweet. I’m stressed out so make your own dang treat!” 😉 Love it!
#30 7-Up
7-up bottles with a quote that will make your neighbors feel they are loved!
“There’s “seven” reasons why you are “up” on our list of favorites!“
then list 7 reasons why you are glad you’re neighbors. This will make them feel like a million bucks or how about ’7′! Have your kids come up with some reasons they love their neighbors…it will make you smile!
#31 Puzzles
This one’s for all you cheapskates out there (myself included). I’ll give you two options: you can pick up this puzzle with the cute tin at the Dollar Tree for a buck or you can buy a two-pack of the same puzzle (in cardboard boxes instead of tins) for the same price, cutting the cost of each gift in half.
Tag idea: “Piece” on Earth, good will to men. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.
#32 Goldfish
This is something everyone can use… especially if they have kids. My kids are prone to Goldfish withdrawals if the pantry goes too long without them. As a result they try to steal them from kids at the park. So give your neighbors a treat they can enjoy together. Tag idea: We FISH you a Merry Christmas!
#33 Hot Chocolate in a Jar + a Song
How about giving the TWO awesome gifts: Hot Chocolate and Christmas Music! Click HERE to get the tutorial and music download!
#34 Moose Tracks
Give your neighbors something totally unexpected… ice cream. And nothing’s better than America’s most popular flavor. Not into an icy treat in the winter? Moose Munch would also work with this tag idea: “Wishing you a Very Merry ChristMOOSE and a Happy New Year!”
#35 Holiday Heart Attack
You’ve probably seen paper “heart attacks” around Valentine’s Day, but why not show your neighbors some love at Christmas time? You and your family could make a bunch of Christmas coloured hearts and write little notes to your neighbors on them. Then stick them on the front of their door for a fun Holiday Heart Attack surprise!
#36 Peppermint Hot Chocolate
You could deliver a can of hot chocolate mix with a bundle of candy canes or peppermint sticks & instructions, or you could get a little more fancy by dipping spoons in melting chocolate and adding crushed candy cane. Stirring your hot chocolate with one of those will have the same tasty effect!
#37 Cherries
“Don’t let the season get you in a JAM. We hope this helps keep your Christmas CHERRY and bright.”
#38 M&M’s
Click HERE for a beautiful poem to go with these beautiful chocolates!
#39 Tape
Add THIS CUTE POEM and add a magnent so you’ll never lose it again! 🙂
#40 Mini Gingerbread House Kits
Perfect, edible craft to make as a family!! Can’t beat family time! 😉
– – – – – – – – – – –
Hope you’ve found a few new favorites to share this year!
Don’t forget these…
{Click HERE or the above images to see them all!}
>> Again, PLEASE SHARE your favorite neighbor gift ideas! We know how brilliant our readers are and are anxious to hear all of your wonderful ideas! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!!
Pearl McLaughlin says
Oh what great fun neighbor gifts! I have recently met my 81 year old neighbor, and since I am disabled, I am home now. So I stopped by to talk to her, I’ve been here for 15 years and never met her. She’s not in my immediate neighborhood…I know it’s no excuse. She used to let our kids stand on her porch in bad weather, so she knew my kids, and I had never met her. I found that she is living frugally on social security, and while I’m now in the same boat, I help her by taking her places and trips to the store. I am going to print up some Free Ride coupons to give her for Christmas … along with a canister or instant coffee and creamer that she loves. I wish I could afford a coffee maker for her. She is so insistent on paying me for gas… and we argue about it! So that would be a blessing to help her with trips to the store and our local food bank. Another idea I had was a get-together with other elderly members of the community who are also alone, and have a pot luck dinner. I can’t believe how many people in my small town are not unable to cook and feed themselves. They have barely enough money to live on. So an extra meal here and there would help immensely! I thought I might get the names of other people from a local charity who can join us or maybe to fix them a plate to take over. I thought I’d share my neighbor gift idea! Our first pot luck is Friday!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
Thanks for reminding me! We used to go caroling to all the homes of the older people we knew that weren’t able to get out much anymore. It was so fun making their day!
Saz says
I love this blog and have gotten quite a few great ideas from here, so I was super excited to find out what your 36 gift ideas were going to be. Not I’m sitting here extremely dissapointed to see that half of them include highly processed junk that I wouldn’t even feed my family, let alone give as a gift to a neighbor or anyone else. Sure, there are a few great ideas in there (homeade bread!), but I would have LOVED to see a lot less junk and a lot more healthy or even non-food options.
teelee says
there were plenty of “non-food” options and the ones provided were a nice variety for those of us who don’t have the high standards you have. Thanks to the blog writers for the neat post.
Laura says
Wow, really?! It sure would be tricky to be your neighbor at Christmas! You are hard to please! Nice to know you would throw these gifts away:)
Saz says
Nope, not hard to please at all. I just think there are a million better ways to say “Merry Christmas” than by giving highly processed junk food.
vdub says
I thought most were great ideas and the “junk food” gifts could easily adjusted. Like apple cider and cinnamon sticks for #36, change cookies out with dried fruit and nuts, exchange the brownie mix for a healthier baked good and all baked goods for a healthier version…..I thought the ideas were a good base and easy to elaborate on in your own way. This isn’t exactly a fitness site so one can’t expect them to give all/most health conscious gift foods.
A.E says
If you are looking for gift ideas then it is obvious you don’t know 100 ways to say Merry Chirstmas. While I don’t buy alot of the processed foods, nor do we eat many of them in our home, I would never post such rude comments on a blog trying to give great ideas to help us out.
Erica says
I was thinking the exact same thing! This is a well thought out list and I fully appreciate the time and creativity it took to put it together….but so much of it is processed junk :/ I had the hardest time with the coffee creamer…”Here friendly neighbor, let me give you a bottle of chemicals manufactured to taste like a milk product”‘…..
Melissa says
Wow. These are IDEAS, not “you have to use these”. You could take these IDEAS and spin them into something more your style. If you are against boxed mixes/processed foods, then substitute something homemade.
Baghy says
While some shy away from ready made processed “junk” food, some others may prefer it, depends on the neighbor, maybe some you don’t know well enough to offer them something you made, as it implies a certain degree of trust. Although I do appreciate home made food, tastes and way of cooking are so different from one household to another that I would much rather prefer “junk food” that is at least regulated to fit most tastes and be made in a clean environment. Bread is nice as it can’t have a weird taste, and would love it as a gift from a neighbor that I trust to cook clean. But besides that… I’d much prefer the packed food, most people (not you obviously, ever), even those that buy only organic, still would, from time to time indulge with a yummy bought cookie or chocolate.
Missy says
Was eager to see what was on the list this year, however they are the same as last year. Would have loved to see some new ideas.
Shelley says
There are 6 new ideas added this year and more being posted throughout December. 🙂 Keep checking back. 🙂
Caroline says
My moms’ group, plus dads and kids, is going caroling at a nursing home where half the residents are wards of the state and most don’t get visitors very often, if at all. We’re trying to incorporate service into our family’s Christmas traditions, so I’m looking forward to it.
My neighborhood Bunco group does a gift exchange with a $20 limit. I’m giving homemade (though not by me) goat’s milk soap and chocolate-covered pretzels.
Other non-food ideas people on my list are getting (made by me this time): personalized stationery and fridge magnets.
If you aren’t a DIYer or a crafter, you can search etsy for “gifts under $20”, etc. Also try shopdelighted.com. It’s a site like etsy with gift categories already sorted out for you, starting at $5!
rebecca says
what a great collection of ideas… i’m doing cookies or bread/biscoff spread this year!
Karen says
Great list! Thanks for sharing. I’ve seen several of these floating around on Pinterest, but your is my favorite.
Merry Christmas!
Wendy says
EXCELLENT post!!! I am always at a loss on what to give people I care about but can’t spend alot of money.
THANK YOU!! and Merry Christmas!!
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
Such GREAT ideas. I posted my homemade real food pumpkin pie latte mix today, and it would make a great neighbor gift. Just put in a mason jar, tie a ribbon around it and give with a bag of coffee! http://behealthybehappywellness.com/2012/12/homemade-pumpkin-spice-latte/
Saz says
Thanks for this, Pam! This is a terrific, non-junk alternative! I just so happen to have pureed pumpkin this morning for pumpkin bread, so I will save a little to try out this recipe.
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
Enjoy! I’d love to hear if you like it – we all thought it was pretty yummy stuff!
Nancy Carr says
Great ideas. Thank you. Blessings!
Deb Perkins says
We are having our 3rd annual Driveway Holiday Party tomorrow. We bascially keep it simple to hot chocolate and cookies and meet in a driveway and enjoy our neighbors. It was a great way to meet everyone, with new construction and lots of people moving in an out. No one has to clean their house for guests and the kids have a blast running around with each other. It is simple, fun and inexpensive way to share the holiday cheer.
laura says
Perhaps i’m super cheap, but we can’t afford to spend more than one dollar per family, cause we give gifts to at least 20 families, and then there’s the office gifts and teachers gifts. It can get super expensive even changing to $2 per gift!
Rikki says
Giving Hot Chocolate is always on my list! I purchase the canister form and ‘re-cover” the canister in festive (sugar/spice style) scrapbooking paper (remove the lid, measure, cut, tape/glue-dot to the canister) I make a fun print out using the Hot Chocolate song (Here, we’ve only got one rule: Never ever let it cool! Keep it cookin in the pot, You’ve got-Hot choc-o-lat!”) and then another label “Merry Christmas from (family name)” Wrap a bow around it from top to bottom… makes the canister SUPER FESTIVE and a little more special 🙂
2013 Christmas gift ideas says
Thanks for finally writing about >Over 36 Neighbor Gift Ideas and Counting | How
Does She <Loved it!
Nikki Gillette says
Thanks for the wonderful ideas! Fun yet practical, inexpensive but thoughtful. Great inspiration
carole says
thanks for the great ideas! And I think they are great for more than just neighbors 🙂 looking forward to using some of these!!
Laura says
Hello, I also was excited to see this post but like others that commented, I would like to see more non food or healthier food options. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a treat, especially at the holidays) but flavored creamers are really one of the worst things you can ingest (read the labels, it’s a bunch of chemicals). I’m not trying to be rude, just trying to get people to think a little more about what we are eating. Thanks for your ideas though! Your printables are super cute!
www.coolbabygiftsblog.wordpress.com says
Great resource. I just followed you on Facebook.
A says
These were very useful for Ramadan gifts too! Great post, thank you!