Easy & Inexpensive Last-Minute Neighbor Gifts

Are you still in need of a last minute neighbor gift? The clock is ticking, so hurry over to Sam's club (I'm guessing Costco too) and pick up a case of hot chocolate! Slap a sticky bow on top and a "to/from" sticker and you are good to go, easy-peasy... and inexpensive as well! (This is a package of 7 boxes, assorted flavors.)

Another great idea (something a friend brought over last night, as well as one of my kids' teachers gave me as a "thank you for helping in the classroom" gift)... Sparkling Cider!

Or if you've already done all your shopping and the store is the last place you want to be, look in your pantry. Do you have a brownie mix or two in there? Make a little tag that says "Roses are Red, Chocolate is Sweet, We're too stressed out to make your treat!"

Here is what I made for my kids' teacher gifts this year...

These are rice sacks, but you can use dried corn as well. I used some fleece fabric scraps that I already had on hand (which can be fleece, flannel or another strong fabric) and regular white rice from my pantry (which you can buy at Walmart for way cheap). Just fold the material in half and cut a rectangle, any size (mine are all different). Sew a tight zig-zag stitch (I did 6/8") all the way around it, leaving the top open to fill. Don't forget to back-stitch!

Then fill with rice or dried corn, leaving a little room at the top.

Stitch across the top to close, again make sure you back-stitch on both ends!
Now just snip around the sides, being careful not to cut too close to the stitching.

Done! Throw into a gift sack with a handful of chocolates and some tissue and off you go!

Some variations for the sacks: You can throw in pieces of cinnamon stick OR dried lavender for aroma.

Oh, and don't forget to type up a little instruction tag with the rice sack. Here's what mine says...

Warm Sack: Place sack in microwave and nuke on high for 2-3 min (rice) OR 4-5 min (corn). *Sack may be hot to the touch when taking out of micro. Will also feel a little moist. Do not overnuke.

Cold Sack: Place sack in freezer until cold.

Good luck with your last-minute holiday preps, and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!