Has being stuck at home been a challenge for you and your family? Think about those who have no choice—the elderly couple next door, the ill neighbor living alone, the single mom down the street who lost her job. The prospect of the coming holidays, whether Thanksgiving or Christmas, is probably pretty bleak for them.
What a heartwarming gesture it would be, then, to surprise them with a holiday care package! Treats they would never dream of buying for themselves. Or carefully chosen gifts and tokens that say someone’s thinking of them, and wishing them "comfort and joy" on these treasured occasions.
Ready-to-Give Baskets and Boxes
Looking for convenience and expert curating? Then, a pre-packaged gift basket or box is the way to go. See our editor’s picks to delight different recipients!
1 – Classic Spa Gift Basket – Luxurious and fragrant bath and pampering products, to be enjoyed with a bottle of rosé wine—stylishly presented in a wooden crate by Gourmet Gift Baskets.
2 – Sunshine in a Box – Give the gift of cheer with this yellow-themed gift box from Made by Mouth. It’s packed with goodies like lemon sugar cookies, ginger tea, sun-popped popcorn, peanut butter puffs, peanut bars, and caramels.
3 – Savory Snacktime Gift Box – Holiday snacking should be extra special. So give this gourmet selection from Hickory Farms—4 types of cheese, 2 kinds of mustard, cranberry pistachio crisps and toasted crackers, plus an elegant cheese spreader.
4 – Get Well Gifts Box – For someone who’s ill or under the weather, send over some love with this box available on Amazon, holding a luxury blanket (in blue or red), sachets of Twining’s tea, a pack of Trader Joe’s chicken soup, and a word find book.
5 – Coffee Lovers Care Package – Treat your neighbors to an array of 6 coffee choices from Simplicity Scents. Just the flavors for this time of year—caramel latte, latte, pumpkin spice latte, banana nut bread, almond biscotti, and vanilla.
6 – Cheddar Broccoli Soup Package – Perfect for a chilly autumn or winter day, this selection from Spoonful of Comfort includes a 64 oz. jar of soup, bacci rolls, cookies (4 choices offered), and a lovely soup ladle.
7 – The Candle Care Package – Send over something calming and soothing, like this lovely self-care set from ROAM Homegrown. It contains a scented soy blend wax candle, bath salts, lip balm, and French clay for facial masks.
Ideas for Personalized DIY Care Packages
Prefer the personal approach to gift giving? Get the whole family in on customizing your care package to suit a chosen theme or a special interest or need of the recipients. It helps you keep within budget, too. Simply choose items from your favorite grocery, pharmacy, farmer’s market or online store.
Here are examples that show the care, concern and holiday cheer you can put into gift packages of your own!
1 – Care Package for Seniors – Like a warm holiday hug for the elderly, this thoughtful package we found on 3 Little Greenwoods contains fresh fruit, sweets in Christmas mugs, body lotion, a pair of bedroom slippers, and a lounging sweatsuit.
2 – Pasta Dinner Gift Basket – Gather the basics for a special meal for a couple, just like Frugal MOMeh! did—pasta noodles, a jar of marinara sauce, a wedge of parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, a potted basil plant, and a bottle of sparkling water or wine.
3 – Gardener Gift Basket – Got a neighbor who loves to garden? Surprise him or her with a bird-themed gift basket.like this one from Our Fairfield Home and Garden that includes a lovely birdhouse and a supply of birdseed.
4 – Warm and Cozy Gift Basket – A lovely snuggle-up present for wintry days, this holiday package from Tatertots & Jello holds a fuzzy throw blanket with a scented candle and some sparkly ornaments.
5 – Pancake Breakfast Gift Basket – Treat a family to a mix of homemade and store-bought items in a charming basketful of gingerbread pancake mix, maple syrup, bacon bits, orange juice, and mimosas! Love this holiday breakfast idea from Curly Q. Paper.
For more homemade care packages, try any of these posts!
Housewarming gift basket ideas
Just imagine the bright eyes and beaming smiles that will greet your holiday care packages at neighbors’ homes. "Comfort and joy" indeed!
