The holidays shouldn’t strain your wallet. From your cozy manufactured home kitchen and craft space, you can create thoughtful, budget-friendly gifts that friends and family will treasure. Here’s your guide to making memorable presents without breaking the bank.
Delicious Edible Gifts From Your Kitchen
1. Mason Jar Hot Chocolate Mix
Create beautiful layered hot chocolate mixes that look as good as they taste. One afternoon of mixing can yield gifts for multiple people!
Recipe (Makes 4 Gift Jars):
- 4 cups powdered milk
- 2 cups cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 4 clean pint-sized mason jars
Layer ingredients in each jar, decorate with fabric tops and ribbon, and attach a hand-written instruction card.
2. Seasoning Blends
Mix custom spice blends in small jars. Try these combinations:
Bonus idea – Make a Gift Basket: Put in a jar of your homemade taco seasoning, some homemade or store bought salsa, some chips and a couple cute pepper themed items from the dollar store!
3. Cookie Mix in a Jar
Layer dry ingredients for cookies in mason jars. Include a recipe tag with needed wet ingredients and baking instructions.
Bonus Idea – Community Fun: Invite a neighbor or two over and make a bunch together. You can split ingredients to purchase so everyone comes together and leaves with gifts to give this season.
Cozy Crafted Holiday Gifts
1. No-Sew Fleece Blankets
Perfect for movie nights and chilly evenings. Choose patterns that match recipients’ interests.
Materials needed:
- 2 yards each of two coordinating fleece pieces
- Sharp scissors
Bonus: This is one you can do sitting in front of a holiday movie and relaxing in the spirit of the season while making a gift for someone special.
Transform dollar store terra cotta pots into personalized planters.
Materials:
- Terra cotta pots
- Acrylic paint
- Clear sealant
- Small succulents or herb seeds
Bonus Idea: These are PERFECT for littles to make for grandparents as well as teachers and daycare providers. You can make thumbprint flowers or handprints of your littles to make an extra special present.
Bathroom and Self-Care Gifts
1. Bath Salt Collections
Mix Epsom salts with essential oils and food coloring to create beautiful, layered bath salts.
Basic Recipe:
- 2 cups Epsom salt
- Baking sofa
- Few drops essential oil
- Food coloring (optional)
- Package in mason jars with decorative labels.
Bonus cost-saving tip: You can also package in baggies tied with festive ribbon.
2. Sugar Scrubs
Make simple sugar scrubs using:
- Granulated sugar
- Coconut oil
- Essential oils
- Food coloring (optional)
Packaging tip: Any glass or plastic jar works well for these – mason jars, jam jars, candle jars with tops.
Creating holiday gifts from your home doesn’t require endless space or a huge budget. The most meaningful presents come from the heart and time you put into making them. Focus on simple, practical items that bring joy to everyday life. Your thoughtfulness in creating these personalized gifts will mean more than any store-bought present.
Remember: Start early, plan your projects, and enjoy the process. The joy of giving is in knowing you’ve created something special with your own hands, right from your cozy home.
Community Spirit at Lasso Communities
At Lasso Communities, we believe that community is at the heart of everything we do. The holiday season is the perfect time to strengthen these bonds with your neighbors with holiday gifts. Why not organize a gift-making party in your home or the community center? Invite neighbors to join you in creating these thoughtful presents – you’ll save money by sharing supplies, learn new skills from each other, and create lasting memories together.
Consider making extra batches of hot chocolate mix or cookie jars for the elderly neighbors in your community, or organize a craft day where everyone can make no-sew blankets together. These activities not only result in beautiful gifts but also help build the warm, supportive community that makes manufactured home living so special.
Looking for a place to call home? Whether you’re interested in renting a home or apartment or purchasing, Lasso Communities offers beautiful manufactured homes in welcoming neighborhoods where community spirit thrives year-round. We currently have homes for sale and for rent in Indiana, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and more. Contact us today to learn how you can become part of our special community.
Contact Lasso Communities to learn more about our available homes and experience the joy of belonging to a community that cares.
