Christmas is the perfect time to spread cheer and show appreciation to those around you, and what better way to do that than with thoughtful neighbor gifts? I absolutely adore crafting Christmas Neighbor Gifts; it’s a highlight of my holiday season. Brainstorming fun and unique neighbor gift ideas and then bringing them to life for my wonderful friends and neighbors brings me so much joy. Each year, I find myself making a significant number of these gifts, so the ideas must be both easy to execute and budget-friendly. When I say budget-friendly, I’m talking about keeping the cost around $1-2 per gift, because I often create over 50 each year, sometimes even exceeding 100! This annual tradition truly necessitates simple and effortless ideas. Having lived in my current home for a decade now, celebrating our 10th Christmas here, I thought it would be wonderful to share a collection of all the neighbor gifts I’ve lovingly made throughout the years.
Assortment of easy Christmas neighbor gift ideas
I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane, starting with the very first neighbor gifts I created and tracing their evolution over time. You might notice more than ten ideas because, well, let’s just say I get a little enthusiastic and some years I prepared different gifts for different neighbor families! For each gift idea, I’ll include a link to the original detailed post, many of which feature step-by-step tutorials and even video guides. Many also include free printable tags to make your gift-giving even easier.
So, let’s dive into a decade of Christmas neighbor gift inspiration!
A Decade of Christmas Neighbor Gift Ideas
2014: Practical Christmas Soap & Sweet Gummy Bears
My first year in this neighborhood, I opted for practical charm with Christmas Soaps. Inspired by my mom’s love for useful gifts, these festive soaps were a hit! This idea resonated so much that I even revisited it in later years when we lived in a different town. Practical and delightful, these soaps were the perfect inaugural neighbor gift in our current city.
Christmas Soap Tutorial
Handmade Christmas soap neighbor gift with festive packaging
To add a touch of sweetness, I also created a playful Gummy Bear Printable tag to accompany bags of gummy bears. Super simple, super sweet, and a guaranteed smile!
Gummy Bear Printable Tag
Bag of gummy bears with a printable tag for a neighbor gift
2015 & 2017 & 2022: Cookies for Santa Plate – A Recurring Favorite
The Cookies for Santa Plate has made several appearances over the years (2015, 2017, and 2022), and for good reason! It’s a gift that’s both charming and interactive. In 2015, I paired the plate with a recipe card and pre-portioned ingredients, encouraging a fun baking activity.
Cookies for Santa Plate DIY
DIY Cookies for Santa plate neighbor gift idea
In 2017, I revisited the idea, adding a Rudolph Mason Jar filled with cookie ingredients, making it even more festive and visually appealing.
Cookies for Santa with Rudolph Jar
Cookies for Santa plate and Rudolph cookie ingredient jar neighbor gift
By 2022, needing to create over 75 gifts, I simplified the Santa plate, using affordable Dollar Tree plates and adding personalized vinyl designs. Proof that even simple can be special and budget-friendly Christmas neighbor gifts!
Personalized Dollar Tree Santa Plate
Personalized Cookies for Santa plate made with Dollar Tree supplies
2016: Sweet Snowman Treats – Candy Bars & Hot Chocolate
2016 was the year of snowman sweetness! I crafted adorable Snowman Candy Bars using free printables to wrap around regular candy bars. Talk about an easy Christmas neighbor gift that’s sure to delight!
Snowman Candy Bar Wrappers
Snowman candy bar neighbor gift with printable wrapper
Sticking with the snowman theme, I also made Hot Chocolate Mason Jar Snowmen. These were not only cute but also practical, providing a warm and comforting treat during the cold winter months.
Hot Chocolate Snowman Jar Gift
Hot chocolate snowman mason jar neighbor gift idea
2017: Farmhouse Christmas Signs – Decor with Heart
In 2017, I shifted gears to home décor and created Christmas Farmhouse Signs. Inspired by my farmhouse décor obsession that year, these signs were a fun and unique alternative to food gifts. They added a touch of handmade charm to my neighbors’ homes.
DIY Farmhouse Christmas Signs
DIY farmhouse style Christmas sign neighbor gift
2018: Nutella & Pretzels + Embroidery Hoop Ornaments – Double the Fun
2018 was a year of abundance! I couldn’t decide on just one idea, so I made two different Christmas neighbor gifts. First, Nutella Jars with Pretzels. These were incredibly easy to assemble and who can resist the delicious combination of Nutella and pretzels?
Nutella & Pretzel Christmas Gift
Nutella jar with pretzels easy neighbor Christmas gift idea
Then, inspired by some tiny Nutella jars I found, I also made Embroidery Hoop Ornaments. These were a bit more crafty and allowed for personalization with different designs. A truly handmade Christmas neighbor gift!
Embroidery Hoop Christmas Ornaments
Buffalo plaid embroidery hoop Christmas ornament neighbor gift
2019: Personalized Christmas Tea Towels & Baby Jesus Ornaments – Adding a Personal Touch
In 2019, I ventured into personalized gifts with Christmas Tea Towels. These became my all-time favorite neighbor gift! While they required a bit more time, the personalized touch made them extra special and meaningful.
DIY Personalized Christmas Tea Towels
Personalized Christmas tea towel neighbor gift idea
Adding to the handmade charm, I also created Baby Jesus Ornaments. These sweet and simple ornaments were perfect for sharing a heartfelt message during the Christmas season.
Baby Jesus Walnut Ornaments
Baby Jesus walnut ornament easy Christmas handout gift
2020: Christmas Soap Returns – A Timely Gift
2020, the year of COVID, saw the return of Christmas Soap! It felt like a relevant and practical gift given the increased emphasis on handwashing. Plus, many newer neighbors hadn’t seen this classic idea yet.
Christmas Soap Neighbor Gift Idea Revisited
Christmas soap neighbor gift idea for 2020
2021: Monogram Mugs with Hot Chocolate – Personalized Warmth
Expanding my gift-giving, 2021 was the year I started making neighbor gifts for my husband’s coworkers too. Monogram Mugs with Hot Chocolate offered a personal and cozy gift. Personalizing mugs with monograms made each gift feel thoughtful and unique.
Personalized Monogram Mug Gift Set
Personalized monogram mug with hot chocolate neighbor gift idea
2023: Personalized Wooden Ornaments – Craft Room Creations
Finally, we arrive at 2023! With a new full-time job, time was limited. Personalized Wooden Ornaments became the perfect solution. Using supplies I already had in my craft room, these ornaments were quick, easy, and still personalized. Making over 100 of these was a testament to their simplicity!
DIY Personalized Wooden Christmas Ornaments
Personalized wooden Christmas ornament neighbor gift idea
Variety of personalized wooden Christmas ornaments for neighbors
Spreading Christmas Cheer, One Gift at a Time
Do you also enjoy making Christmas neighbor gifts each year? For me, it’s a heartfelt way to express love and gratitude to the wonderful people in my life. It’s more than just a gift; it’s a gesture of connection and community during the festive season.
I’d love to hear – which of these neighbor gift ideas is your favorite? Or perhaps you have a go-to neighbor gift that you make each year? Share in the comments below!
