The holidays provide great ways to forge a sense of community with your neighbors. If you know them, invite them over for holiday dessert and games. If you don’t know them, dropping by with a cute holiday gift is a good way to be introduced.
Wondering what you should get your neighbors for the holidays? With those final people on your list to buy gifts for, It can feel daunting to try to match their preferences with gifts, especially if you’ve only met them a few times — or not at all.
[Read: How to Get on Your Neighbor’s Good Side When You Move In.]
Stress no more. Gifting to neighbors in a way that’s convenient for you — with minimal work or wrapping — and not a strain on the budget is actually pretty simple. It only takes a minute or two to create a nice, memorable gift.
Here are 10 of the easiest ways to wish your neighbors a happy holiday.
Popcorn
Because it’s warm and inviting, popcorn is a great winter season gift. People can eat it sitting around a fire or enjoying a holiday movie streaming on the video screen. If you know your neighbors have a popper, you can put some popcorn kernels in a mason jar and tie a festive bow around it. If they don’t have one, microwavable popcorn works with a bow as well.
Holiday-Themed Paper Plates
You know how it is about the holidays — time is short and life gets crazy. Housework and chores tend to suffer, because there’s just so much else to do. Giving your neighbors a stack of paper plates is the perfect solution. They can skip dishes and loading the dishwasher. Plus, holiday-themed paper plates are festive and handy for late-night snacking.
Potpourri
The holidays are associated with wonderful smells: baking cookies, evergreens, cedar logs on the fire and cinnamon-laden drinks. Add one more scent — or a few more — with potpourri in a glass jar. These can be used to keep rooms smelling wonderful. If you prefer, you can place potpourri in sachets so they can be placed in drawers.
Chocolate Kisses
The holidays are full of festive food. Small pieces of chocolate always come in handy to set out for family and guests. It’s not too much, and it’s a perfect ending to dinner before the main holiday event. Chocolate kisses work perfectly as a gift. Simply wrap in a basket or bag and use a bright green or red bow. A green or red holiday basket also works nicely as a carrier.
[Read: 5 Ways to Turn Your Home Into a Holiday Hosting Oasis.]
Christmas Music
Almost every singer, band, choir or group has at one point recorded a Christmas CD, from Justin Bieber to Christmas Tubas. As a result, every type of Christmas music is available. Who doesn’t like to drop in some Christmas music to decorate by? Extra points for putting together a CD of your favorite songs to share.
Soda
Many families swig 2-liter soda bottles like they’re going out of style during the holidays. It’s easy to run out of soda, and it’s a pain to go out in the cold to get more. So a 2-liter bottle of your neighbor’s favorite soda will never go wrong. Plus, many sodas can be combined with holiday cheer of the alcoholic variety. Get those festive bows out again for decoration.
Bag of Sugar
This is a witty play on the common custom of dropping by the neighbors to borrow a cup of sugar. This is an especially thoughtful gift if you have a neighbor who is likely to be baking during the holidays, as sugar is also an ingredient that’s easy to run out of. Plus, extra sugar in coffee might be needed as holiday caffeine fuel.
Hot Chocolate Mix
No beverage says holidays like hot chocolate. Buy individually wrapped packets so your neighbor has to open only one and mix it with milk or hot water. It’s convenient, quick and comforting. Nicely enough, there are plenty of hot chocolate mixes with cinnamon, pumpkin spice or white chocolate for variety. Add some cinnamon sticks to garnish it with and you’re all set for a memorable gift.
Extension Cord
Buy this for the neighborhood’s outdoor holiday lights winner and earn their eternal gratitude. Few things are more frustrating than putting up an outdoor display and running out of extension cords. This is also a great gift for do-it-yourselfers who like to work in their garages or on workbenches in basements.
[Read: 7 Holiday Side Hustles to Pay Off Your Mortgage.]
Muffins
Muffins are a wonderful breakfast during the holiday season because they’re festive and out of the ordinary, yet also warm and comforting. Try some seasonal flavors, like cranberry. An assortment is good for a family, so everyone from blueberry-loving dad to corn muffin-loving cousin Toby can have their favorite. Wrap in a red-and-white checked cloth and place in a basket for maximum holiday cheer.
Giving holiday gifts is a great way to keep in touch with neighbors or introduce yourself to those you haven’t yet met. If you’re worrying about time and expense involved, don’t. These 10 ideas are all simple, convenient and only cost a few bucks. Enjoy the gifts of the season.
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10 Easy Ways to Wish Your Neighbors a Happy Holiday originally appeared on usnews.com
