One of the necessary things on our holiday To Do list is gifts. That one item is the hardest to check off. We have no idea what anyone wants, much less what to give. That’s when having ideas for your Christmas Gift List comes in handy.
We all want a Merry Christmas. But too often, the holidays get hectic with all the added things we need to do. Shopping. Baking. Cleaning. Each year, we long for more than just a Merry Christmas – we also want it to be Simple.
Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links; if you click on a link and make a purchase I might make a small commission, but it does not affect the price you pay!
How to Start a Christmas Gift List Now
One way to make it as simple and easy as possible is to start making a Christmas Gift list now. It is a simple matter of making a list of each person you plan on giving a gift to and jotting down ideas of things they might like.
Of course, the easiest thing to do is just ask them. However, too many times they respond with ‘Nothing, really,’ or ‘Surprise me!’, or even the dreaded, ‘I don’t really know.’ That’s when making a Christmas Gift List can get complicated.
When you aren’t sure what to do, see if this Christmas Gift List will help. This list is created in sections. There are ideas for handmade gifts you still have time to make. If you still want as close to handmade as possible, consider the Etsy section.
And then there is the Skills and Personality section. This is designed to give you ideas that are specific to each recipient.
Stockings and Gift Baskets as a Christmas Gift List Idea
Each section also has a notation beside several of the items. This will indicate if the gift is also good to use as a stocking stuffer or gift baskets.
We often think of stockings as an added gift bonus for small children. But adults love getting them, too! Last year, I gave my adult children and their spouses stockings. These were filled with small items for the kitchen, crafting, and gardening.
In addition, I added a bit of fun, such as hot chocolate mixes, trail mixes, and other ‘trinkets’ suited to each one.
This year I will take the same approach, only instead of stockings, it will be gift baskets. Each container used will be part of the gift, such as vintage wooden bowl for the bread baker.
Stockings and gift baskets are ideal as these are multiple gifts within a gift. Everyone loves getting stockings and gift baskets for this very reason!
Are you ready to get started on your Christmas Gift List? Then get your paper and pencil ready!
Ideas for your Christmas Gift List
Handmade Christmas Gift List Ideas
Crochet Coasters (stocking/basket)
Purse-size Sewing Kits (stocking/basket)
Spoon Butter (stocking/basket)
Homemade Vanilla (stocking/basket)
‘Pound’ Them with Gifts
With the economy situation making it difficult to make ends meet, we all need a little help from time to time.
If you have someone on your gift list that is struggling, consider ‘pounding’ them with a gift basket. In most cases, we think of being ‘pounded’ as an idea for a wedding or housewarming shower. But this same principle can easily be adjusted as a Christmas gift.
Consider giving a basket filled with basic kitchen supplies. This can range from flour, sugar, and cornmeal to baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
You can also make your own seasoning mixes and add them to the basket. This basket not only acts as a gift but can also be ‘couched’ as a Cookie Basket, Bread basket, or just a Baking basket.
Christmas Gift List Ideas from Etsy
Although we would all love to make 100% of our gifts each year, there are some things we just cannot create ourselves. When that is the case, I turn to the next best thing – another artisan. One of the best places to get ideas for your Christmas Gift List is Etsy.
Many items I have purchased for personal use and as gifts come from there. Several items on this I have ordered, and highly recommend. Keep in mind – many of the shop owners on Etsy create their items by hand. On occasion, there may only be a few offered at a time.
If that is the case, then it is best to buy them when they are available. If they aren’t, then contact the shop owner to see when they will be available again. It may be possible to get on a waiting list. If not, do a search for the item and check out the other shop owners who create a similar product.
One of my favorite products is this soap. It is created by Tessa at Sprouted Leaf Home on Etsy. This soap is absolutely amazing! It is lovingly created, beautifully packaged, and is going to be the perfect addition to a few gift baskets I am creating this year.
These are just a few other items you may want to add to your Christmas Gift list. If you have other ideas, just simply type the item in the search bar. There you will find multiple shop owners who can help you with your gift idea!
For the Baker:
Beginner Sourdough Bread Starter Kit
For the Weaver:
Pin Looms (make it even more fun with a Subscription to Little Looms Magazine!)
Drop Spindle Starter Kit (for spinning)
Skills and Personality
Cooking/Baking
Gardener
Crafter
Yarn, Roving, Gifts and Other Supplies
Other Possibilities for Your Christmas Gift List Ideas
Books
Whether they prefer fiction, non-fiction, or How To’s, books are always a great item to add to your Christmas Gift List ideas. Books can be a single gift or added to a gift basket.
The Farm Wife – Living a Simple Life on The Farm
Organic Gardening for Beginners
One thing we may not think about is that several great books are eBooks, or digital products. One way these can be used as gifts is to purchase a thumb drive and download the product onto it. From there, you can either wrap up the thumb drive or add it to a stocking or gift basket.
Here are a few of the eBooks I have available through my PayHip shop:
The Ultimate Guide to the Art of Homemaking
Have a Merry, Simple Christmas
Bread Baking as a Relationship
Enchantment of Afternoon Tea (a perfect addition to a Tea Basket!)
Hand-Me-Downs
We may be at a point in life where we want to start scaling back. However, there are a few family items we don’t just want to throw away or donate to a gift shop.
If you have a family member who has been hoping from Grandmother’s China, consider giving it as a gift. A man in the family may want Grandpa’s carving set.
Too often we have many precious items stored away in boxes or cabinets. Christmas is a great time to do a bit more cleaning and give these gifts to family members who will continue to cherish them.
With each gift, be sure to write down who it originally belonged to, and any stories behind it. These recorded pieces will often be as precious, or more so, to the person to whom it is gifted.
It’s Time to Start Shopping!
Now that you have a few Christmas Gift List ideas for what to create or buy, it’s time to start shopping. If you didn’t find what you wanted here, the websites also have other items that would be perfect as gifts.
Just so you know, you can click on any item on the list, and search for other items. When you do, I will still make a small commission on any item purchased – but you won’t pay extra. However, these affiliate links are in part what helps me to continue bringing you fun posts to help you move forward on your Simple Life journey!
Are you ready to get ‘Buy Christmas Gifts’ checked off your holiday To Do List? Then go ahead and get started. And then pat yourself on the back and celebrate with a relaxing Afternoon Tea for a job well done!
