100 Christmas Gift Suggestions

1. Make up small loaves of quick breads. Wrap them in plastic wrap for freshness and place in a festive bag or wrapping. Include a recipe card.

2. Select a cookbook and choose a recipe from the book. Attach a card to the front that includes the recipe name and page number. Place the cookbook and dry ingredients for the recipe in a decorative basket.

3. Make your own felt stockings. Make them large enough to hold a bottle of wine or homemade salad dressings, etc. Personalize the stocking to fit the personality of the receiver.

4. Candles are the rage this holiday season! Tie them in bundles with holiday ribbon or stack them in a festive box. Include an appropriate candleholder.

5. Make a wreath that expresses the interest of the receiver.

6. Crosstitch a holiday ornament and include the year it was given in the design.

7. Fill an attractive cup or dish with a friend's favorite chocolates or other treats. Wrap attractively with holiday ribbons and plastic wrap to hold it in place. Place in a festive bag for delivery.

8. Make a special ornament for the tree with glue-on beads and faux jewels.

9. For the coffee lover, fill a coffee cup with packets of different flavor coffees or cocoas and chocolate covered spoons.

10. Make theme or hobby baskets. Fill a decorative basket with goodies that the receiver uses for his or her hobby (i.e. for the golf lover fill with golf balls, tees, and club covers; for the needlework lover, place different types of flosses, patterns, and needles).

11. If you are a baker, bake your finest pound cake or rum cake, etc. Wrap securely and place it in a decorative tin for friends or relatives.

12. Select various packets of flower seeds. Place in a planting pot with gardening tools and gloves. Make a raffia bow to hold items in place.

13. Holiday pillows abound! Select one or two pillows, place them in a decorative hat box (which can later be used for storage). Give this treasure to a friend.

14. Put the computer to use! Make a set of thank you notes or stationery; tie with a festive ribbon and place in an attractive tin for that one of a kind gift. Don't forget to include a colorful pen and envelopes!

15. Homemade gifts from the kitchen will impress your friends and relatives. Use jars in various shapes and sizes and fill them with your homemade pickled vegetables, fruits, jams and jellies (especially if that person really enjoyed them or loves your cooking). Add a square of holiday fabric with gold ribbon and the gifts are ready to go.

16. Photos make great gifts. Try taking pictures of events throughout the year or of one special activity. Place them in an attractive album with comments. A single picture framed is also nifty.

17. For the creative writer a journal for recording thoughts, poems, etc., is always a treasure.

18. Give a gift that comes all year long. Give a favorite magazine subscription.

19. Cookies (homemade) with the recipe(s) and a neat cookie cutter make a tasty and useful gift.

20. Everybody's gone Tex-Mex. Go Tex-Mex Christmas with several jars of salsa and a large bag of nacho chips all bundled up in a fiesta-serving dish. Feliz Navidad!

21. Oh yeah! Tex-Mex needs margaritas. Give four or six margarita glasses and margarita mix. If you have your own margarita recipe, that's even better.

22. Make a simple coaster set using bath wall tiles and tile paint (use the one that doesn't require heat). Paint a simple holiday design on six or eight tiles. Glue felt on the back to protect surfaces from scratches. Tie them with a holiday ribbon and voila!

23. Fill a basket with bath items – soaps, oils, bubbles, lotions, natural sponge and a loofah pad. A special person will love his or her favorites.

24. Holiday music for the music lover who plays an instrument. Purchase the sheet music of a favorite holiday song and include a CD or tape with it.

25. Holiday flowers include amaryllis, paperwhites, poinsettias and English ivy. Placed in an attractive decorative container, they make a great holiday gift.

26. Aromatherapy is quite popular. Select one or two aromatic oils and candles noted for their soothing effects and package them with a neck rest pillow. The receiver will love you.

27. Stretch that relaxing moment with a small in-door waterfall kit. The main ingredient is the pump (not expensive). Get a bowl or dish to hold it, some small decorative rocks and an eye-catching small figurine. Don't forget directions or a diagram. Put everything in holiday packaging and you're good to go.

28. Make sachets. Purchase potpourri, fine tulle and 1/8 inch satin ribbon. Cut the tulle into saucer size circles (can be bought already cut into circles). Place two or three tablespoons of potpourri in each circle. Gather sides and tie tightly with the ribbon. Place several of these in a holiday box and keep the idea in mind for later in the year. Also great for wedding favors.

29. Don't forget the feet. For that friend or relative who is on their feet a lot, nothing would feel better than soothing foot salts, a soft pumice or clay stone and peppermint foot lotion. Package them inside a cute pair of slippers. Sleep socks and a small jar of petroleum jelly will round out winter foot blues.

30. What does the future hold? You decide. Use a fortune cookie recipe to make your own fortune cookies. Make the cookies extra special by writing the fortunes yourself, tailor-made to the person receiving them. Package them in Chinese food take-out boxes. Be sure to first the wrap the cookies in plastic wrap to maintain freshness.

31. Specialty guest soaps come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Place several in an attractive soap dish or basket and include some decorative paper hand towels. Color coordinate if you know the bathroom they're going in or stick to a holiday theme.

32. How's your fudge recipe? Excellent! Homemade fudge is always a treat during the holidays. Whip up several batches- some with nuts, some without. Cut it into squares. Wrap first in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to maintain freshness. Place it in a holiday tin. (Do you really want to give away your secret recipe by including a recipe card?)

33. Herbal teas, a teapot, a teacup and saucer. What could be more charming?

34. A hardy holiday breakfast would really start the day off right. Give a package of specialty pancake mix (maybe you have your own recipe) and a bottle of fine maple syrup. Put them in a neat mixing bowl. Yummy, Yummy!

35. Make large gingerbread men and women (they should be the length of the cookie sheet). Decorate them. Package a man and a woman together with a little note that says "We" Wish You A Merry Christmas!

36. Wine connoisseurs will enjoy a set of quirky wine stoppers.

37. Picture frames are in. No longer are they thin metal rectangles with glass. They are works of art within themselves. A great variety is out there to choose from. If you don't see any you really like, design your own. Just choose a plain frame, some polymer clay, and acrylic paints. "Deck the frames …Fa la la la la!"

38. Holiday centerpieces and topiaries add so much to the season. It you are the king or queen of green, make your own gifts. Make some for yourself. If not, the prices range from lean to extreme. But they do make nice gifts and can be live or artificial.

39. Potpourri is easy to make and you can create a scent just for the holidays. Mix together broken cinnamon sticks, dried orange peel, whole cloves, evergreen clippings and dried lemon peel. Half fill cellophane florists' bags and tie with a holiday ribbon.

40. A simple but useful gift for the reader friend or relative is the bookmark. Use your computer to design a pattern. You can usually get four to a standard sheet of card stock. Once printed, separate them, punch a hole near the top and tie on a small tassel. Crocheted or crosstitched bookmarks are always treasured too.

41. Apartment dwellers that love gardening will love the little herb gardens that come with everything. Attach mini-garden tools, watering can and gloves if they aren't already there.

42. For the person who has everything try a personalized rubber-stamp. You can design it yourself to reflect the person's hobby, profession or whatever. Do this early enough to get your design to a business-supply store or rubber-stamp maker. There may be some ready-mades that you only need to have your person's name added to at stationery stores, business-supply centers or rubber-stamp stores.

43. An embosser is trendy too. It can be used to personalize paper napkins, stationery, books, etc. An embosser with the initials of the receiver looks really snazzy on the above items and may be purchased at the same places as rubber-stamps.

44. Inexpensive cloth napkins are everywhere. Make a set an extra special gift by adding your personal touch. Add a monogram to each one with Crosstitch, embroidery, needlepoint or stencil. Stencil a seasonal design or applique on each napkin. If you're crafty, the sky's the limit. Include a set of napkin rings.

45. Remember the fun you had with snow globes. Boy was it easy to get lost in that little scene with snow falling. Well make some of these as gifts (great for the kids). You need jars- olive jars, pimento jars, and baby food jars are good ones. Little plastic figurines (they don't rust), some artificial greenery for trees, clear-drying epoxy, distilled water, glitter, glycerin, and oil paints in holiday colors in case the lids need painting. Roughen the inside of the lid with sandpaper then glue the figurines down with the epoxy. Fill the jar almost to the top with the water and add a pinch of glitter (not too much) and a dash of glycerin. The glycerin thickens the water and keeps it from "snowing" too fast. Screw the lid on tightly. Then shake, shake, shake. Some crafters have put some of the epoxy around the lid of the jar after screwing it on to avoid possible leaks.

46. Make a friend the "apple" of your Christmas. Select a large tart dish, fill it with the number of apples called for in an apple tart recipe along with the other ingredients and there you have it! A great gift that can be filled over and over.

47. Loose tea is so English. Fill an exotic box with it and include a whimsical tea infuser. There are so many on the market to choose from these days. Tuck in a recipe for scones to make the gift simply ducky!

48. The smell of lavender soothes the spirit. Stretch its calming affects when you give it as a candle or incense along with a CD that is equally as soothing. Color coordinate the holiday wrapping to set mood.

49. Someone taking a trip very soon? Make their holiday gift a travel kit. Fill a nice zipper case with a travel clock and travel size products you know they will need (toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, etc.) The time you used gathering this gift will hopefully give the receiver extra time for packing and getting to the airport!

50. You know someone who would just love to have one. Go ahead and give a gift from the East. Give a bonsai tree complete clippers, gloves and care instructions. While you're at it, get one for yourself.

51. Holidays mean food and reminiscing good times. Give a food basket that will remind the receiver of a favorite place or vacation. Make the wrapping paper using travel brochures or maps to hint at the treasure inside.

52. A mini Zen stone garden will put a taste of Japan in any home. These tiny gardens are inspired by the famous rock garden at Ryoan-ji in Kyoto, Japan. Just another way to bring the East into the receiver's life.

53. Fly your own flag. Very popular are theme flags, hobby flags, seasonal flags, alma mater flags, etc. Just about anything can be put on a flag and they come in a range of sizes. Select one for that special person.

54. For your favorite backyard chef, choose a new set of barbecue tools, an apron and the crowning glory - a chef's hat. King or queen of the ribs will love it!

55. New and old drivers alike need this gift. Give a car safety kit. It's one of those practical items that every vehicle should have.

56. Schedule that tense friend for a full body massage. Inform them of their gift with a card wrapped in a decorative box. After the holiday rush, this will be great.

57. Flavored vinegars offer a delicious way to add zest and excitement to salads, soups, sauces and stews. Give a food lover several different flavors with beautiful edible flowers, fruits or vegetables floating about the bottles.

58. Storage boxes are decorative and useful. Get several different sizes from the craft store, decorate them with paints or decoupage. Stack one inside the other.

59. Your hands are your hardest workers. Give them the pampering they deserve. Give a friend or relative a nice manicure kit and some hand softening lotion. Add a pair of nighttime gloves so that the pampering can continue while sleeping.

60. As the largest organ on our body, our skin deserves some attention. Give a facial at a plush salon or put together a facial kit. Include a standing vanity mirror so that the fantastic results can be seen.

61. The stresses of the holidays can knock out celebrating for many. The common cold slips in no matter how hard we try to keep it at bay. Make a sensible gift by putting together a cold first aid kit. Don't forget the socks, mittens, chicken soup (and recipe), Echinacea, and lozenges. Sooner or later this gift will come in handy.

62. After you read this, make this gift – a customized date/address book from your computer. Have it bound at a copier store or purchase an attractive binder to place the pages in. Design it around the interests of the receiver. Throw in one for yourself..

63. So you're crafty. Make beautiful holiday glass art from liquid lead and window coloring paints. Various name brands are available in crafts stores. Most require 24 hours to dry

64. Surprise a new apartment dweller with a tool chest filled with the basic necessities for hanging, assembly, measuring, hammering, and the like.

65. Give away a gourmet dinner kit to the super chef. Fill a shiny colander with Christmas-tree pasta, herbs, utensils, a recipe for your spaghetti sauce, and other delights to complete the meal.

66. Need that one of a kind gift? Try an address plaque or a house marker. The address plaque is a set of decorative tiles that fit into an attractive frame. The house marker is usually metal and can be attached to the house or mounted to a stand in the yard. Either makes a fine gift.

67. For the sentimental video buff put together a gift package containing a Christmas classic video or other favorite, tasty gourmet popcorn and a six pack of cola. A plastic bowl would make a great container in which to give the gift.

68. Angels. This earthly incarnation is literally everywhere. Best-selling books on angel history and stories of angel sightings to angel greeting cards, posters, sweatshirts, figurines, and jewelry flood the market. Choose one or more that your friend will love. You may start a collection with your gift.

69. The holiday season is a meshing of many cultural symbols. The nativity scene, or crèche, lends its inspirational present as a perfect gift and decoration. For many, it is reminds them of what the holiday season is all about.

70. When is a bamboo steamer not a steamer? When you turn it into a well stocked sewing kit for that friend or relative who is just starting out. Fill it with needles, notions, colorful thread, scissors, tape measure, pins, fabric marking pens, etc. Tie up the gift with lots of ribbon to be used later.

71. Give a gift certificate for a seasonal flower delivery. Friends and relatives would love to receive a spring arrangement of tulips, beautiful summer roses and so on. Gift certificates to specialty shops and favorite stoves always delight the receiver. They can be used right away or held on to until the big sale.

72. Take the chill off of the holiday with an attractive throw. It can be seasonal or plain. Throws make great and useful gifts.

73. Is that special friend talking endlessly about an upcoming concert, show, sports event, dinner, etc.? Make it happen if you can afford it. Give tickets to the event. This holiday will be long remembered.

74. For the newly weds' first Christmas, get them started with first Christmas decorations.

75. For the music lover or movie buff give pertinent literature such as a favorite artist or star. Music or movie magazine subscriptions are just as ideal.
76. Is there a fitness fanatic on your gift list? Maybe a warm-up suit, exercise video, weights, or health club membership is just the thing.

77. Decorate a small Christmas tree with homemade ornaments, miniature toys, cookies, or potpourri bags as a special gift for that shut-in friend who cant' take care of decorations this year. Place a love gift under the tree as well.

78. Almost every holiday list has one college student on it. Make that person the happy recipient of a telephone card.

79. An art lover would love to find a membership to the local or national museum in his or her stocking.

80. That special person or couple will think holidays last all year with a gift weekend to a marvelous bed and breakfast. If possible, allow the receiver(s) to select the dates so it will come at a time best for them to enjoy.

81. A friend or relative who enjoys poetry, famous quotes, or sayings will be able to relish them often if they are calligraphed or hand-painted in a frame or on a plaque.

82. For the person that doesn't cook and enjoys eating out, the coupon book to various restaurants gives them a discount while they savor a wide cuisine.

83. It may sound a little odd but there are those that are concerned. So here is the perfect gift for the Y2K conscience. A sturdy box or bucket filled with flashlights, bottled water, solar powered radio, extra batteries, canned goods (with pop tops or don't forget the manual can opener), blankets, first aid kit, and a deck of regular playing cards. Most importantly, remind the recipient to have enough cash to last through the crisis.

84. Start the holiday for someone right at his or her front door. A holiday doormat is just the thing. There is one for every celebration and the prices are quite reasonable. Can't find what you want? Get a plain one and stencil it yourself.

85. Give someone's shower the four-star hotel treatment. There are a variety of quality showerheads available on the market today. The hand-held styles are really popular and easy to install. Think of all the relaxing moments your holiday gift will give throughout the year.

86. Thinking of giving some lovely stemware as a gift this holiday? Include a good bottle of champagne with them. It's a sparkling way to start any celebration. The receiver doesn't drink alcohol? Use sparkling apple cider or sparkling grape juice instead.
87. Give gold for Christmas. Gold star-shaped candles in a gold star-shaped wire basket, along with gold table napkins and rings, gold ribbon and gold beads. Midas would love this holiday special. Don't forget to package your gift in golden paper and a golden gift bag

88. Did you know you have a friend in 18-gauge wire and needle-nose pliers? Well you do. Shape that wire into a star, a snowman, a tree, a heart, or just a circle and spray it gold. Place it in a pot of ivy or other climbing plant and tie a gold wire ribbon around the pot. Your plant-loving buddy will enjoy training the climber into a full topiary.

89. Don't forget the pets during the holiday. Fill a feeding dish with dog or cat treats and a special toy. A new fashion statement leash and collar for Pouch will make the day. Time for another visit to the boutique. We want all family members to look great for holiday pictures.

90. Time and means are special gifts. Give them as a gift. Volunteer to help prepare and serve a holiday meal at a shelter, church, temple, or synagogue.

91. Buy a toy or two for a needy child. Include a book and a needed item of clothing.

92. Have slightly used clothing? Donate them to organizations that help families in need. Since December is cold in many places, coats are a number one priority.

93. Got a pretty good nice voice? Know some folks who do? Organize them into carolers and visit a hospital or retirement home. Take along some holiday goodies for tokens. For many, you will be the only Christmas spirit they have.

94. College students can sometimes be stranded for Christmas. Invite them to share your holiday dinner and have a little gift for them. You can't imagine the joy (for the both of you.)

95. A shut-in can't get his or her holiday shopping done? Can't you give a few hours to help out? That's the spirit.

96. Address holiday cards for someone who is unable to do it themselves do to illness, handicaps, etc. Make a special trip to the post office to see that they get off.

97. Have lots children about for the holiday? Keep them busy while last minute dinner preparations are being made. Read Christmas and other holiday stories to them. Consider organizing a little play (this calls for a little preparation on your part).

98. If your city or town is noted for its beautiful decorations, take someone, who otherwise would miss the experience, for a day or evening drive so they can enjoy the glow and glitter of the holiday as well.

99. Blankets for the homeless. Gently used or new. Give them out yourself or contact an organization that's doing it.

100. Christmas is about giving. Make a donation in the name of a friend or family member to a needy cause. Present a card to that person detailing the organization and how the donation will be used. Happy Holidays

 

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