It’s day 9 of The Budget Diet’s Festive and Frugal Christmas Ideas, and today’s gift ideas are perfect for hostess gifts, teacher gifts or neighbor gifts.
Don’t get me wrong, a bottle of wine is a great hostess gift, but sometimes we want to give something more unique. The Budget Diet girl has come up with some unique and budget friendly hostess gifts for every type of party. Why don’t you give one a try this holiday season!
Hostess Gifts – Think breakfast!
The party was wonderful, your hosts had a blast, but a late night of cleaning made the morning come way too fast! Wouldn’t it be nice to leave them a breakfast hostess gift!
Muffins or Homemade Pumpkin Bread
try my recipe for Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Filling
Fresh Bagels and Gourmet Coffee
French Bread with Homemade Strawberry Jam
Homemade Granola
- Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup nuts – suggestions: chopped pecans or walnuts or sliced almonds.
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
- 1/2 cup dried fruit – craisins and golden raisins are yummy!
- 1/2 cup coconut (optional)
- Homemade Granola Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325.
- Mix together all ingredients except coconut.
- Spread on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Bake 20 minutes, stirring once.
- Add dried fruit and coconut, bake 5 more minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool completely.
- Give in an airtight container.
Hostess Gifts – No Cooking Required!
Look no further than your local T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Ross or Homegoods for inexpensive hostess gift ideas! The rosemary plant will have to be purchased from a garden center.
Rosemary Plant
smell great, looks great & it’s useful!
Cocktail Napkins
seasonal or silly!
Candles
Christmas Ornament
Gourmet Foods
Pasta with sauce or soup mixes will make dinner the next day nice and easy!
Hostess Gifts Ideal for a Family Party
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup non-fat powdered milk
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
- 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix Directions:
- Mix together all ingredients, put in a cellophane bag or glass jar and tie with a festive ribbon.
- Add a gift tag that says: To make 1 cup of peppermint hot chocolate – add 1 cup boiling water to 1/3 cup of peppermint hot chocolate mix.
Orange Spice Tea Mix
- Orange Spice Tea Mix Recipe:
- Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant iced tea powder
- 2 cups Tang
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Orange Spice Tea Mix Directions:
- Mix together all ingredients, put in a cellophane bag or glass jar and tie with a festive ribbon.
- Add a gift tag that says: To make 1 cup of orange spice tea – add 1 cup of boiling water to 2 teaspoons of orange spice tea mix.
Make a CD of your favorite Christmas music!
Hostess Gifts for an Girly Gathering
Your homemade hostess gift will help your girlfriend relax after the party!
Homemade Sugar Scrub
At a fraction of the cost! Did you know that sugar scrubs at Target are $10 – $15?
- Homemade Sugar Scrub recipe:
- Equal parts sugar and oil (olive oil, almond oil or coconut oil)
- Optional: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (like lavender) for fragrance. Essential oils are available at most natural food stores.
- Mix together and put in a glass jar. Use a ribbon to attach a Homemade Lavender Sugar Scrub tag with instructions.
- Instructions: rub on in the tub or shower to moisturize, exfoliate and smooth your skin! Your feet will love it!
This holiday season, think outside the wine bottle! Please leave a comment to share your favorite festive and frugal hostess gifts!
Remember…
Be festive, be frugal!
