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Step 1
Fill a decorated basket with twelve wrapped packages. Put one item in the first package and label it "On the first day of Christmas . . . ." Put two items in the second package and label it "On the second day of Christmas . . .," and so forth. The presents can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. Each day the anticipation mounts. This is an especially fun gift for someone who lives alone or is away from family for Christmas. It is also fun to do anonymously.
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Step 2
For another twist on the above idea, give an advent basket with 25 separately wrapped packages. One item per package will do. Children love this idea and it gives them something to look forward to each day leading up to Christmas.
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Step 3
Assemble a holiday activity box to occupy children while parents prepare for holiday parties, shop, or wrap presents. Be sure activities are age-appropriate and can be completed without supervision. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Christmas coloring books and crayons, sticker books, stencils, ornament kits, safety scissors, construction paper, glue sticks, glitter, buttons, string, beads, and tape.
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Step 4
Give a Christmas-morning breakfast basket to your holiday host or hostess. Fill with an assortment of muffin and pancake mixes, syrups and jellies, gourmet cocoa mixes, fresh fruits, and napkins with holiday motifs.
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Step 5
For friends that stop by during the holidays, fill a basket with Christmas crackers (small exploding cylinders filled with favors), ornaments, or small wrapped gifts. Choose generic gifts—candy, puzzles, mugs, note pads, picture frames—or wrap gifts in different papers to indicate which ones are for women (compacts, scarves, potpourri sachets), men (holiday tie tacks, sports magazines, car fresheners), or children (marbles, Silly Putty, washable markers). Let each guest choose a present as he or she leaves.
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Step 6
Decorate a storage box with holiday wrap and fill it with Christmas lights, ornaments, candles, wrapping paper, ribbon, greeting cards, and traditional holiday recipes for a couple's first Christmas.
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Step 7
Give tickets to The Messiah, A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, or other Christmas entertainment.
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Step 8
A present for the family pet would endear you all the more to the recipients. Fill a cute Christmas stocking with treats and toys for Phelix or Phideaux.
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Step 9
Christmas-theme gifts are great for giving to hostesses of pre-holiday parties or others with whom you exchange gifts before Christmas. Here are just a few suggestions:
• Christmas table linens—cloths, runners, placemats, napkins
• A welcome mat with a holiday greeting
• Tableware—plates, glasses, serving pieces, centerpieces
• Holiday decorations—tree ornaments, crèches, stocking holders, wreaths, bells, Yule logs, candles, tree skirts, tree angels, imported wood carousels, snow globes, or music boxes
• An assortment of mugs with wassail spices and cinnamon sticks
• Compact discs of Christmas music
• A book or collection of treasured Christmas poems or stories
• A ceramic cookie platter or jar filled with holiday cookies
• Fashion accessories with a holiday motif—earrings, ties, socks, scarves, hats, mittens
• Flowers and greens—poinsettia, Christmas cactus, mistletoe, pine boughs, a garland
• A lap quilt, sweater, or painted sweatshirt of your own design
• An advent calendar
• A basket of peppermint candy
• DVDs—It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, A Christmas Story, The Santa Clause
