White elephant gift exchange just hours away and panicked because you still don’t have a contribution? No worries! Read on for a selection of wallet friendly last minute Christmas gag gifts you can put together in minutes.
Idea #1: Take a small handful of Cheerios or the generic equivalent and slide them inside a plastic sandwich bag. Secure the bag with a piece of festive green or red ribbon, and attach a note that reads ‘Donut Seeds’. Get it? Ha ha. Since donuts come in many colors, if you don’t have Cheerios on hand, Froot Loops or just about any round cereal will work. As yet another alternative, Cocoa Puffs or Kix can be ‘Donut Hole Seeds.’
Idea #2: It may be totally gross, but poop in all forms is gag gift gold. To make an age-old classic, empty a small box of raisins or a handful chocolate chips –whichever you have handy will work– into a plastic sandwich bag and secure with your choice of ribbon. Then add a note that reads ‘Reindeer Droppings’. If snowmen are more your style, replace the raisins or chocolate chips with shredded coconut or white mini marshmallows.
Idea #3: While we’re on the topic of frosty friends, why not put together a make-your-own-mini-snowman kit? Collect three large marshmallows, two toothpicks (on to hold the body together, one to break in two for use as arms), two raisins or chocolate chips, a baby carrot and a small strip of dot candies. Drop all pieces into a plastic baggie and attach a note explaining that it’s a snowman that requires assembly.
Idea #4: Raid your kitchen utility drawer until you find a pair of batteries; any size or brand will do as long as both are the same. Place them inside a small box or bag along with a note that reads ‘gift not included’.
Idea #5: Fill a zipper bag with water. Toss in a baby carrot, two small black stones –or if desperate, chocolate chips– and some raisins, and seal the bag. Attach a note that reads ‘smowman soup fixins’. Poor, poor Frosty.
Idea #6: If you have extra, unused holiday hand towels hanging around, this one’s super quick and easy. Simply wrap them in a box together, and you’ve created the world’s most low-tech washer and dryer.
Idea #7: Pop open a can of your favorite pizza dough and pinch off just enough to fill the palm of your hand. Roll into a ball and place inside a plastic bag. Tie it off with a festive ribbon, and you’ve just prepared “a little dough” for your lucky gift recipient. A different spin: If you want your gift to be useful, you can always empty a tube of your favorite cookie dough into a plastic container, seal and use that instead.
Idea #8: Make a festive car air freshener! Take a pine cone and spray aggressively with whatever seasonally-scented air freshener you have on hand; think of something in the cinnamon or pine families. Tie a ribbon around the end to make a loop for hanging, and you’re done. If you have extra time, use a glue stick to moisten some edges and sprinkle glitter for a sparkly touch.
The possibilities for last minute homemade Christmas gag gift creation are just about limitless, so get your creative juices pumping and get to work! A memorable present is just moments –and maybe a few pennies– away.
More from this contributor:
The Best Inexpensive Christmas Gag Gifts