Neighbor Gifts & Xmas Treats!

So many fun things to think about this season... including Neighbor Gifts! These are our criteria for giving:

• Has to be something we LOVE (sounds silly but seriously, it has to be GOOD!)
• Has to be something that we can all work together to get ready for giving (I think it's so important that the kids get involved! I LOVED doing neighbor gifts growing up with my fam- its such a fun tradition and a small act of service for those we love and appreciate!)
• Something useful that others will use and appreciate

I love the Bath and Body Works Holiday line... a few years ago we did "Spread Love Not Germs" this Holiday Season. The kids loved helping put kisses and hugs in a cellophane bag with a bottle of soap. So something we love, totally fun to put together as a family, and super practical for anyone!

2 years ago we did something a little different... Kringle Family Cookies! Gerron wrote the most amazing poem/story to go with it. I would share it but it has major publishing potential... Auna will you be the illustrator?!? ha. Wanted to share with others one of our favorite cookie recipes that they could enjoy as a family over the holiday season. YUM!

We love popcorn and soda pop for a treat... You can do the microwave popcorn... but if you've ever tried Popcornopolis you will be hooked. It is amazing. We got some as a Christmas gift one year! People loved getting this fun and yummy gift... and it didn't have to be eaten immediately. Sometimes that's the major drawback with homemade goodies.

I think the tag/wrap makes the gift! Make it fun and bright! This is a great gift for teachers/aides/school office staff/neighbors/friends/whoever...

Ok this gift got squashed before I took a pic (wasn't giving it away- had to present some ideas at a RS Evening and took it to show!)... but anyways, we LOVE granola and this kind from Fresh and Easy is our favorite. Pair it with a cute santa bowl and it makes for a fun gift for a friend!

Journal Jars... You've all seen them... but you can find some great questions online and they make a great gift for your child, your sister, your friend, anyone! I have loved reading my kids answers- totally priceless to read their scrawled handwriting with funny answers...

Bright colored paper makes them even funner. Journals for any age are a great gift...

We totally LOVED Aunt Jemima Wheat Pancake mix. Then no one carried it anymore for some reason, so we had to special order it by the case. Something like that makes for a great gift- something you absolutely love and want to share with others!

You could even tie a spatula from the Dollar Store to go with this gift.

Ok and on to Treats! Here are some fun and easy ideas... that the kids love to help with! Oreos dipped in chocolate... you can drizzle them with Wilton colored melts, sprinkle with sprinkles...

Or make them especially festive with crushed peppermint.

Making gingerbread cookies is a MUST! Colby's favorite book right now is Gingerbread Baby- such a cute book. Read it and then make the cookies as a family. Love craft/baking project that has a book to go with it!

One of the funnest neighbor gifts we got was a Gingerbread Man Kit. Everything was carefully packaged in a takeout box with sections.... homemade gingerbread cookies, royal icing in a ziploc (just cut off a tiny corner to frost cookies), and all the fun yummy treats! The kids LOVED this and it was so fun to do as a family.

Sugar Cookies are also a must around the holidays! That would be a fun gift too- a kit with everything to frost and decorate them with...

LOVE peanut butter balls.

Such a fun and festive holiday treat...

The hearts are a little trickier to make, compared to just rolling balls, but so pretty... The kids actually love helping roll the balls though!

If you need a holiday treat in a hurry... buy white chocolate/yogurt pretzels and drizzle with chocolate or dip top in white chocolate and then in sprinkles... Always a hit and look like a lot more work than they really are!

And! Last but not least, Caramel Chocolate Pretzel Sticks! YUM! This is a favorite at our house... The kids love unwrapping the caramels and helping mix... dip... and sprinkle! So pretty wrapped in cellophane and makes a great gift to anyone.

My kids absolutely love making treats- such a fun holiday tradition to spend time in the kitchen making and baking. Can't wait to give out our neighbor gift this year that has to do with just that!!! Last year with baby Allie and heading to UT for Christmas I didn't get to crafty/creative... So I can't wait to see what we make together next! What's your favorite thing to gift/make for the Holidays?!?