I have been through many a holiday season where I have locked my kids outside for an entire day while I am slaving away in the kitchen making a huge array of holiday treats. By the end of the day, I'm in a sugar coma, the kids are tired of having food thrown at them through a crack in the window and the kitchen is 100% trashed.
You may not be willing to give up this holiday tradition. For many of you it brings great joy. However, if you are ready to perhaps start some wholesome traditions, here are some suggestions for passing on slightly healthier holiday cheer to your friend and neighbors:
Food items:
Almonds
Walnuts
Dried fruit
Apples
Whole wheat bread
Whole wheat rolls
Soup mix
Veggies and healthy dip
Dry mix and recipe for whole wheat waffles
Dry mix and recipe for healthy muffins
Dry mix and recipe for healthy breads
Whole wheat pizza dough and fixings
Homemade hummus and whole wheat pita bread
Goat cheese (if someone gave this to me, I’d buy them a BFF charm)
Have a garden? Kudos to you, now share!
Non-food gifts:
Plant
Poinsettia
Games
Potpourri
Movie tickets
Fresh flowers
Favorite family game
Christmas/Hanukkah Bingo
Gardening tools/seeds
Journal and nice pen
Inspirational photo, framed
Inspirational quote/poem, framed
CD of your favorite holiday tunes
Jump rope and book of jump rope rhymes for the whole family
Bulb flowers (here's a cute idea that maybe even I could pull off)
Restaurant gift cards (hopefully they will order wisely!)
Gift certificate for raking their leaves, hanging shelves, or any other type of service
Donate toys or food on behalf of your neighbors
Homemade ornaments (thanks, Jen!)
Homemade crafts (I'll leave this up to you guys...)
Candles (these are my favorite!)
Kitchen supplies (whisk, pot holders, etc.)
Favorite family recipe
An invitation to dinner at your house
A kind note letting your friend know how much they mean to you and your family
I am sure there are many more ideas out there. What have you done to let your friends and neighbors know you love them, without expanding their waistlines?
5 comments:
You know what I love to give out? mandarin oranges and pomegranates They are so yummy!
Send some pomegranates my way ASAP. That is an awesome idea!
We do a favorite children's book. I know you would love that idea (PEEF!)
PEEF is my all time favorite children's book for Christmas! I love that idea, Crystal... I will have to do that one next year.
I found an idea on another blog that I used this year. Buy a cute notepad like the ones that have a magnet on the back that you hang on the fridge, and then put a note on it that says "Happy Holidays from our "pad" to yours!" Love it! That's what we did. No sugar and useful!
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