neighbors hugging after getting christmas gift

Inexpensive Christmas Gifts for Your Neighbors

You see each other in passing and exchange pleasantries. You may get a bit too loud one weekend with friends and have that awkward conversation where you get asked to quiet down. No matter what the dynamic is between you and your neighbors, the holidays are a great time to spread a little joy.

These more affordable, but thoughtful gift ideas will certainly put a smile on anyone’s face.

1. A homemade treat

christmas cookies

Photo courtesy of Kari Shea via Unsplash

Baking or creating a homemade treat is a great way to prepare gifts in bulk, keeping costs down. When making something from scratch, Christmas gift ideas for neighbors are never-ending. From holiday cookies, to a “snow-dusted” snack mix or peppermint bark, there many options for homemade treats to delight any palette.

Cookies

The most versatile cookie for the holidays is the sugar cookie. You can cut it to any shape or keep it round. You can ice them or sprinkle them red and green. They’re easy to make and don’t need a lot of preparation.

Snack mix

While most people envision Chex cereal making their way into a Christmas snack mix, you can really include any ingredients. Mom on Timeout shares a recipe for a snow day snack mix.

This combines popcorn, pretzels, M&Ms (get the red and green ones,) marshmallows and sprinkles. These are all ingredients easy to buy in larger quantities for making up a big batch of snacks to portion out to your neighbors.

Candy

Two flavors synonymous with Christmas are chocolate and peppermint. Making your own homemade treat using these two ingredients will go over as a big win. Peppermint bark is one of the best holiday recipes.

All you need is semisweet chocolate, white chocolate, peppermint extract and candy canes. With only minimal prep time, about 10 minutes according to delish, you’ll have a batch of bark chilling in the fridge. Cut it up into perfect squares or break into more organic shapes and it’s ready to share.

Wrap it up

Once you’ve prepared you edible holiday gifts, place them in pretty holiday bags or on a festive paper plate covered with plastic wrap and distribute them to your neighbors all at once.

If nobody is home, leave a note on their door inviting them to come pick up their special treat from your apartment.

2. Sweets for a sweet year

christmas chocolates

If homemade isn’t your thing, you can still keep it sweet with an edible, pre-packaged treat. You can even buy sweets in bulk and distribute them in small tins to add a personalized touch. Chocolate-covered pretzels, holiday truffles or even red-and-green packaged candy will have mouths watering.

Another option is to go for treat boxes. Already packaged and usually decorative, these sets of snacks take all the guesswork out of Christmas gifts for the neighbors. You can go small and get a set of a few chocolates wrapped up like an ornament, or opt for a few small boxes of goodies stacked together. Stores like Target often have affordable options in more than one size.

3. Mugs and stuff

Woman’s hand holding a Merry Christmas mug in front of a holiday wreath

Photo courtesy of Roman Koval via Pexels

It’s becoming a fun trend in holiday gift-giving to prepare mugs or mason jars with an edible treat that requires a little DIY work. A decorative holiday mug complete with a packet of hot chocolate and a peppermint stick not only gives your neighbor a reusable gift, but also all the ingredients they need to enjoy it the first time.

If you can’t find the right mug, grab a mason jar and layer in the ingredients for a perfect hot cocoa. According to Melissa from The Farm Girl Gabs, “hot cocoa in a jar is a perfect warm-up gift to make this holiday season.” You can add in any ingredients in addition to the cocoa mix, but favorites include mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and peppermint pieces.

If you think your neighbor might want something a little stronger than cocoa, consider swapping in coffee. A festively tied bag of coffee beans inside a mug or mason jar lets you stretch a whole bag of coffee further. If coffee may not be their thing, use loose-leaf tea and add in a diffuser instead. You can even do a mix of coffee and tea in a small basket to give your neighbors options.

4. Scents of the season

Close-up of White Pine scented candle in a jar

Photo courtesy of Malcolm Garrett via Pexels

A pretty holiday-scented candle or reed diffuser is a great gift for neighbors. It’s one you can enjoy, as well, as the pleasant scents waft through closed apartment doors. There are outdoorsy scents or those that belong in the kitchen, so you can customize each candle for what you think your neighbor will like best. For ideas, these are some of the best candle scents for Christmas, according to Candlejunkies:

  • Chestnut
  • Frasier Fir
  • Cinnamon
  • Peppermint
  • Sugar Plums
  • Winter White

In a nice glass container, tied with a thick, Christmas-themed ribbon, you’ll have a perfect neighbor gift that will last until the holidays are over.

5. Pet-friendly presents

Fluffy puppy sitting on a blanket with a Santa hat on

Photo courtesy of Rahul V. Alva via Unsplash

If your neighbor has a furry friend that he or she adores, your gift-giving options increase. Show that you’re an animal-lover, too, by treating their pet to a Christmas gift.

Buy some pet treats, a cute holiday leash or collar and a small toy. If you live somewhere particularly cold, consider a pet sweater or bandana. For the human, a nice pair of convertible mittens will come in handy when they’re out walking the dog during the winter.

6. Kid-friendly gifts

Two kids, up-close using markers and colored pencils to color a page of patterns

The dollar store is your best friend when it comes to grabbing a few gifts for children. Having them on-hand means no frantic rush when you remember your neighbor across the hall has their niece and nephew visiting for the holidays.

Coloring books and a small set of crayons, markers or colored pencils never fails for kids of almost any age. Holiday Mad Libs are a great way to get everyone involved and laughing during the holidays, and family card games like Uno make for a thoughtful and affordable gift.

7. Adult libations

Bottle of wine, laying on its side, tied with a gold ribbon and some burlap

A bottle of wine is an almost universally-loved gift. Although most people get a lot of bottles around the holidays, especially if they’re hosting a meal, don’t shy away. The more the merrier, and it doesn’t spoil.

According to Forbes, “A bottle of wine can be the perfect gift for any occasion….there are many stunning wines in the $20-$30 range that look and taste far more expensive.” Making your purchase from a liquor store rather than a grocery store gives you access to people who know more about wine.

They can recommend something with lots of flavor and a small price tag. If they have a case discount, you can buy more and save, and be ready with a bottle for all special occasions and gifts during the holiday.

Another good option that’s also inexpensive (and alcoholic) is to visit your local craft beer store and grab a few bottles. See if you can find a winter lager, Christmas ale or even a porter from a local brewery to give away. They’re all great for drinking in the cold weather.

The pressure to give

Before even thinking about what types of gift to give those around you, it’s important to first decide who you want on your list. “When it comes to the unwritten rules of gift-giving, there is only one right answer: the one that is right for you! By taking a long, hard look at the beliefs that underlie your giving decisions, you empower yourself to give consciously, in harmony with your own values,” says Cynthia Ewer from Organized Christmas.

While thinking of others is a major component of the holiday season, you need to know where to cut off the list. If you’re considering more than your closest friends and relatives as gift recipients, your neighbors are a good place to start.

Being friendlier with the other residents in your building can only bring about good things, and a small holiday gift can make a good impression. This holiday season, consider grabbing a few inexpensive Christmas gifts for those people who live around you. Don’t worry about personalizing the present since these aren’t people you know very well.

Remember your neighbors at the holidays

Neighborly gifts don’t have to be very personal and they don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. No matter what, they’re a nice way to spread a little joy to those (physically) closest to you.

Whether you leave them a little gift outside their door or hand them something personally, remembering to pass the happy holidays spirit along can go a long way in building relationships with your neighbors.

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