Gifts Bag for Family Looking at Christams Lights

[Tink2000]

I have been reading the thread about making the different baskets for gifts. I want to make a gift bag for a family so they have items to ride and look at christmas lights. I am thinking a christmas CD, travel mugs with hot chocolate. Do you have any other ideas. I am talking about making a large number of these so I need cheap ideas also.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Possibly a small thermos, definately some types of cookies, maybe a disposable camera, Marshmellows, chocolate flakes or sprinkles for on top of the Hot Chocolate. That's all I can think of right now. good luck

 

[CTdiznymom]

Disposable camera maybe?

 

[da-winnie-pooh]

How about candy canes? Maybe a pretty notebook with a Christmas pen, so they can write down their favorites and return next year? That wouldn't work for me. Dh would put it somewhere so we'd remember where it was and forget where he put it, or ds would draw pictures in it. But, it could work for some people!

This is a cute idea, I'll keep reading this thread!

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

Christmas Chocolates and cookies to snack on with the Hot Cocoa.
Love the camera and CD idea,nothing like Disney Christmas Music to get you in the mood for lights!!

 

[Newfie2000]

This may sound really wierd - but I have read somwhere that avid christmas light lookers will make up a postcard type thing and when they see a house that is exceptionally well done they will fill out the card thanking them for the experience and either drop it in their mailbox or put it in the mail. I think it is just a way of showing appreciation, etc. In fact I think I originally saw the idea here on the boards! Someone might be able to tell you a little more about it. I think that would be very economical to include in your baskets. Also are the people that you are making the baskets for all in a similar area? How about including a detailed map(s) of the known "hot spots" to look at lights? You can always photocopy the maps, again making it very reasonable. Good luck with your baskets - this is a really cute idea!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

This may sound really wierd - but I have read somwhere that avid christmas light lookers will make up a postcard type thing and when they see a house that is exceptionally well done they will fill out the card thanking them for the experience and either drop it in their mailbox or put it in the mail. I think it is just a way of showing appreciation, etc. In fact I think I originally saw the idea here on the boards! Someone might be able to tell you a little more about it. I think that would be very economical to include in your baskets. Also are the people that you are making the baskets for all in a similar area? How about including a detailed map(s) of the known "hot spots" to look at lights? You can always photocopy the maps, again making it very reasonable. Good luck with your baskets - this is a really cute idea!

We got one of those cards last year! It was a business card from Santa Clause thanking us for spreading good cheer and making the world a better place. We don't have an elaborate display, but we like it - I guess others did too.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I was going to suggest a map of popular areas also....but I really like the postcard idea - that's really neat.

 

[5 Disney Fans]

How about individual bags of popcorn (Smartfood?). When we drive around looking at Chrismas lights we drink hot chocolate and eat popcorn. Oh and around Christmastime they Keebler makes boxes of cookies with different christmas shapes. Like animal crackers only christmas shapes. They have red and green sprinkles on them. So maybe a few of these in a cellophane bag?

 

[tinkarooni]

I was going to say popcorn too. Get a couple of big bags of different flavors maybe, they are not too expensive and will fill out a basket nicely. Some cookies, the Christmas CD, some christmas paper napkins, hot cocoa, travel mugs and I love the postcard idea. Maybe write a little poem or jingle to attach to each basket explaining what it is for.

If you want to keep it really inexpensive make your own hot cocoa mix in a big batch and package in mason jars and add mini marshmallows to the top of the jar. Top with a scrap of Christmas fabric and some raffia. I have a recipe here somewhere that is using powdered milk. My kids made it one year as their handmade gift to grandmas etc.

I just thought of this and edited to add...if you want to spend a little more how about $5.00 gas gift cards to pay for the trip.

 

[piratemamaof3]

If they have kids maybe some jingle bells so they can ring them when they are at the houses?

Love the postcard idea. Might have to do that w/ my family this yr. There are a lot of houses and even on HGTV the last few yrs there is a show mostly about the houses here in Richmond. Bet they would like the post card thanks. One is even Disney themed. If I remember I will have to take a pict and post it here.

 

[Princess Glenda]

I love your idea!

The gas card idea is a GREAT one--especially with the current gas prices.

This may be too expensive for this year, but you could buy Christmas themed fleece blankets on sale after Christmas and include one for them to use in the car.

I bought insulated cups with lids on clearance at Walmart last year. I was planning to do a "Snow Day" basket for teachers and Sunday School teachers but these would work for you as well and are cheaper than the travel mugs. The ones I bought were Solo brand and were decorated with Christmas ornaments.

Have fun putting your baskets together. Don't forget to check CVS and Walgreens for sales on cookies and hot cocoa etc.

Glenda

 

[Crystal0608]

Oh, I love this idea!

 

[pjtm]

last year Walgreens had those funky glasses(they were like cardboard) that made lights "twinkle" when you had them on. Almost like 3D in a way. I thought they were neat!

 

[Tink2000]

I am loving all of the great ideas. I really love the post card idea. I will be adding this to the baskets for sure. Any other ideas out there.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

last year Walgreens had those funky glasses(they were like cardboard) that made lights "twinkle" when you had them on. Almost like 3D in a way. I thought they were neat!

I was just going to suggest this. We have them and the kids loved them. Actually we found ones for 4th of July fireworks (same thing just stars and stripes!) and they were a big hit!!

What a great idea!

 

[jacobsmom]

Glowsticks! snacks, maybe a fleece blanket.

 

[UCFALUM]

Great idea!! We drive around on Christmas Eve to look at the houses and hopefully get kiddies to sleep so they'll go down easy (ie before we get home!) Disposal camera is ideal, maybe inexpensive small Christmas theme (plastic type) photo album to put the pictures in with notes from the evening. Since most everything would be expendable that could be a lasting memory to refer to every year.

 

[flakypuff]

This is such a GREAT idea. I was thinking that we would not be able to exchange gifts as we hae such a large family but this would be a great family gift!!!! Love It.
There are battery christmas lights...one year I decorated the inside of our van with a few small trees with battery lights.... I got special slippers (xmas socks) for the kids and put them in PJS....it was a ball...they are much older now but always remembers this..

 

[xanman]

You could make printouts of the words to some of the popular but lesser known christmas songs, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer etc
Get Santa Hats from the dollar store and use glitter pens to personalize them