We live in a pretty social neighborhood, like a community setting. So I was thinking, since we have several photo greeting cards left, I thought I could give a treat with a Christmas card to be neighborly for the holiday. I was originally thinking a small box of chocolates (like 10 in a box), but then I know the price can add up on something like that when you are distributing to 10 or so homes. I'm going to check around for deals on that, but maybe I could/should do a goody bag to be more cost effective? Have you ever done this? What do think I should do or include in a goody bag? I wanted to stay away from baked goods since I'll be leaving this on the porch or in the door and it's cold in MI. this time of year.
Thanks!
I ended up going with a small box of chocolates decorated in holiday style. They were only $0.89/box. I will probably do baked goods another year, but am tight on time this month.
Homemade cookies in a jar? You could leave that out in the cold. You can buy a pack of mason jars to pack the ingredients in pretty inexpensively at Walmart. Make a nice tag to go along with it.
I make my share of cookies and such, and they're always a good idea, especially if your neighbors are giving Christmas parties, too.
However, some years ago we bought several boxes of fruit (it was a fundraiser for a great organization), divvied everything up, and took it to our neighbors! They loved it! Since then, my husband buys up boxes of apples, oranges, and grapefruit at the produce market, puts them in Christmas bags, and takes them around. It's cold here, too, and we can't leave the bags on a doorstep if the fruit is likely to freeze, so sometimes it takes an extra trip. But everybody's within walking distance so it's not a great hardship.
Your photo greeting card and:
a sm tin of chocolate kisses (who doesn't like those)
homemade fudge (easy & cheap)
a tiny pk of coffee grounds (Cost Plus) & a bag of cookies (you can buy
cute ones)
The big boxes of chocolates can add up & get pricey.
I've left fudge & a note (I like your idea of the photo greeting card)
How nice of you!
Happy Holidays!
What about a box of hot chocolate mix wrapped up like a present? You can get a box for like $2 and there is usually 10 packs in a box =-)
For neighbors, I like quick bread mixes...easy to make and under $2.50 each. You can add extra goodies in them like walnuts, extra cranberries, etc. to "jazz" them up a bit. Wrap in nice foil with a bow.
And if they have a lot of goodies right now, they can easily pop the whole loaf in the freezer for another day.
there's nothing wrong with baked goods....anything you leave on the porch is at the mercy of the weather!
That said, it doesn't have to be a social call....we just ring the doorbell & hand over the goodies! A quick "Merry Christmas" & we're on our way.
Been doing it this way for my entire life....seriously, as children, my sis & I made gifts for all of our elderly neighbors. Loved gift-giving...then & now!
I'm putting a little of this and a little of that in metal and platic containers I bought at the dollar store. I plan to hand deliver as many as I can, but for those neighbors that aren't home, I feel safe leaving them onthe porch. I was more concerned with animals tearing into the packaging that temperature. The snack canisters I bought will be safe from pups. You could make a batch of white trash or puppy chow to give neighbors. One batch makes a buttload and is cheap to make.
Lady:
Our neighborhood is like yours!!
I typically bake small pumpkin bread or banana nut bread and some cookies...but them in a tin and deliver it.
Last night our neighbor dropped off her stuff!! YUMMY!!! Banana bread, Starbucks whole bean coffee and turtles!!
Two envelopes of hot chocalate per address. Buy a few big boxes and you can go a long way with those.
I have only ever done or received homemade cookies from neighbors. It's okay if cookies get cold, in fact, usually you can store them in the freezer for later use if you make a double batch. :)
Whip up a batch of your favorites, stuff a few in one of those clear goody bag type bags, and tie a "gift tag" with ribbon around the neck of the bag. That should be sufficient to spread the holiday cheer. :))
I agree with others - a mini loaf of homemade pumpkin bread. Even if it's cold or they have too much already, it can be frozen and thawed for later use. I LOVE looking forward to friends/neighbors baked goods at this time of year.
