Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas
It happens to the best of us. The holidays sneak up, the to-do list is a mile long, and suddenly you realize you still need a gift for the teacher, the neighbor, the coworker and the in-laws.
Take a deep breath, because you’ve got this. The good news is that a thoughtful gift doesn’t need a big budget or a week of prep. A cozy gift basket, filled with a few sweet treats and wrapped up with a pretty bow, says “I was thinking of you” just as well as anything pricey.
Below you’ll find four easy categories of festive gifts you can pull together in an evening: cozy gift baskets, gift jars, decorated candy bars and reindeer and snowman goodie bags. Everything uses supplies you can grab at the dollar store or the grocery aisle on your way home. Pick your favorite, or make a few and mix and match. Let’s get gifting!
Cozy Christmas Gift Basket Ideas
1. The Baker’s Gift Set (Festive Oven Mitt Bundle)
For the friend who always brings the cookies, this one is a winner. A pair of cheerful holiday oven mitts doubles as the “wrapping,” so there’s no basket needed. Tuck in a rolling pin, a couple of wooden spoons or a whisk and a Christmas cookie cutter, wrap it all in clear cellophane and finish with a big striped ribbon bow.
Why it works:
- Useful and pretty, so it gets used year after year
- Candy-cane stripes, snowmen and plaid make it instantly festive
- Almost everything can be found at the dollar store
Make it extra sweet: Add a favorite cookie recipe card or a small bag of sprinkles.
2. DIY Hot Cocoa Kit in a Box
This is the showstopper, and it’s simpler than it looks. Fill clear, fillable ornament balls with the good stuff: mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, festive sprinkles and crushed peppermint. Nestle them in a small box lined with red shredded paper, then add candy canes, striped paper straws and a sweet “most wonderful time of the year” tag. A little toy car with a mini tree on top and a smiling snowman face on the lid are the finishing touches.
What to pack:
- 4 to 5 clear fillable ornaments (marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles, peppermint bits, cocoa mix)
- Candy canes for stirring
- Striped straws or small spoons
- Red or white shredded paper filler
- A tag with simple directions: “Fill your mug with hot milk, add a scoop of cocoa, then top with your favorites.”
Why it works: It is playful, photogenic and doubles as a keepsake. The ornaments can hang on the tree after the cocoa is gone.
3. Hot Cocoa in a Jar Gift Basket
Line a basket or gift box with reindeer-print tissue paper for instant holiday charm, then fill it with all things warm and sweet. Start with a Hot Cocoa in a Jar (a mason jar of cocoa mix with a pretty label and layering instructions), then add a cone bag of mini marshmallows, candy canes tucked into reindeer paper cups and a few Lindor chocolates for a little luxury. Top it all off with a big red bow.
What to pack:
- 1 jar of homemade or store-bought hot cocoa mix with a label
- A cone bag (or cellophane bag) of mini marshmallows
- Candy canes
- Festive paper cups
- A few chocolate truffles or peppermints
- Tissue paper and a bow
Why it works: It looks generous and gift-shop worthy, but every piece is easy to find, and you can scale it up or down to fit any budget. A single jar with a tag and a ribbon makes a lovely small gift for coworkers or classmates.
4. The S’mores Kit
Campfire cozy, with no campfire required. Stack clear gift boxes with graham crackers, fluffy marshmallows and chocolate bars, then tie the whole tower together with red-and-white baker’s twine. It looks sleek, takes about 10 minutes and works with a fireplace, firepit or even the microwave.
What to pack:
- Graham crackers
- Large marshmallows
- Chocolate bars (milk, dark or peppermint)
- Clear boxes or cellophane bags
- Red-and-white twine and a tag: “S’more love for you this Christmas.”
Why it works: It is a big crowd pleaser for families, kids and anyone who loves a sweet treat. Plus, it’s an easy way to make one gift for a whole household.
Christmas Gift Jars
Mason jars and old jam jars are the secret weapon of last minute gifting. Layer, decorate, add a ribbon, and you’re done. Here are four ways to do it.
1. Layered Cookie Mix Jar
Layer flour, sugars and chocolate chips in a wide-mouth jar so each stripe shows through the glass. Top it with a square of red-and-white striped fabric, secure it with a bright red ribbon bow, and attach a tag with the “just add butter and eggs” directions. It looks like a boutique gift and takes about 15 minutes.
2. Hot Cocoa and Mint Cocoa Jars
Fill a mason jar with cocoa mix, top with mini marshmallows (or crushed peppermint for a mint version), and finish with a gingham ribbon and a little “hot cocoa” or “mint cocoa” tag. Make a pair so the recipient can try both flavors.
3. Snowman Jars
Fill clean jars with a white treat (like white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows or white candy melts), add a gingham fabric topper, and decorate with a marker or stickers for the face and buttons. Stack a few in a pyramid for a cute display on a party table or dessert buffet.
4. Reindeer Jars
Fill jars with chocolate treats (cocoa mix, brownie mix or chocolate spread works well). Glue googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose onto the front, and twist brown pipe cleaners into antlers on top of the lid. Silly, sweet and a hit with kids.
Quick how-to tips:
- Wash and fully dry your jars before filling.
- For layered mixes, use a funnel and a spoon to press each layer down gently so stripes stay neat.
- Use hot glue for pipe cleaners and eyes on lids; use craft glue on glass.
- Always tie on a tag with simple directions and any allergy info (nuts, dairy, gluten).
Supply list:
- Mason jars or clean glass jars with lids
- Cocoa mix, cookie mix ingredients, marshmallows, or white chocolate chips
- Fabric squares (striped or gingham), ribbon and twine
- Googly eyes, red pom-poms, brown pipe cleaners
- Paper tags, markers, hot glue
Decorate Candy Wrappers
Here is the easiest idea in this post: you don’t have to make the candy, you just dress it up. Plain chocolate bars become adorable little characters with a bit of paper and a marker.
1. Santa-Hat Reindeer Bars
Wrap a chocolate bar in kraft paper, then add a reindeer face: paper antlers, big eyes, a glittery red nose and a tiny smile. A red and white Santa hat on top is the finishing touch.
2. Googly-Eyed Reindeer Treat Packs
Take wrapped brownies or candy packs and add paper antlers, googly eyes and a colorful pom-pom nose. They look like they’re lit up with Christmas lights, and kids love them.
3. Rainbow Snowman Bars
Wrap a bar in white paper and draw a snowman face with an orange nose and black dots. Tie a ribbon scarf around it and top it with a bright colored paper hat with a star. Pick a different color for each person on your list.
4. Snowman Gift Boxes
Wrap small boxes (like fruit snack or cereal bar boxes) in white paper, add navy button dots and a paper carrot nose, then tie a blue ribbon around the middle for the scarf. A perfect class party handout.
Quick how-to tips:
- Wrap neatly with tape on the back, then decorate once the wrapper is flat and secure.
- Use a black marker or paint pen for faces, so you don’t need extra supplies.
- Cut antlers, hats and noses from craft paper or craft foam ahead of time to work faster.
- Make an assembly line: wrap them all first, decorate second.
Supply list:
- Chocolate bars, brownies or snack boxes
- Kraft paper and white paper (or plain printer paper)
- Craft paper or foam in red, white, brown and orange
- Googly eyes and small pom-poms
- Ribbon, black marker, glue dots or tape
Reindeer and Snowman Goodie Bags
Perfect for teachers, classrooms, neighbors, coworkers and party favors. Cone bags (the clear kind with a point) and treat bags are cheap, easy to find and fun to fill.
1. Reindeer Hot Cocoa Cones
Fill a clear cone bag with layers of cocoa mix, chocolate chunks and mini marshmallows. Stick on googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose near the point, and add pipe-cleaner antlers at the top. Seal with a ribbon, and attach a tag with the directions.
2. Santa Cocoa Cones
Use the same cone idea but fill the top with red chocolate candies and the middle with pink and white mini marshmallows for a Santa hat and beard. Add eyes and a pom-pom nose. They are the same effort as reindeer cones with a different, jolly look.
3. Candy Cane Cocoa Cones
Top a cocoa-filled cone with a candy cane tucked into the bow so it doubles as a stirrer. Add little reindeer eyes and a nose for extra cuteness.
4. Powdered Donut Snowmen
Stack three mini powdered donuts in a cellophane bag, tie a ribbon scarf and add a paper top hat with a drawn face. Nice for kids and a cozy morning treat.
5. Popcorn Snowman Bags
Fill a treat bag with popcorn, fold and staple the top, and decorate with a paper snowman face, black top hat and orange nose. It’s one of the cheapest options, and it feeds a crowd.
Quick how-to tips:
- Stand a cone bag in a tall cup or glass while you fill it.
- Layer from the bottom: cocoa mix first, chocolate chunks next, marshmallows last.
- Use a hot glue gun or strong craft glue for eyes and noses (stick them on the outside of the bag before filling if you can).
- Attach a mini card with “Add 2 to 3 tablespoons to a mug of hot milk and stir.”
- Make them as close to gifting day as you can so the treats stay fresh.
Supply list:
- Clear cone bags or cellophane treat bags
- Cocoa mix, chocolate chunks or chips, mini marshmallows
- Mini powdered donuts or popcorn
- Googly eyes, red pom-poms, pipe cleaners
- Black and orange craft paper, ribbon, twist ties or tape
- Candy canes and gift tags
