I didn't now if I should add this to the Christmas post already started or start a new one.
Every year I give gift to our neighbors and the ladies I do playgroup with. I like giving cute inexpessive, and usable gifts.

Here are some things that I have used or that I have got.

Have given
Light bulbs - card saying "May your days be merry and bright"
Joy dish soap- "Joy to the World"
Cookie Dough - Thought you could use some extra "dough" this holiday season

I have got
A cookie cutter with a cute poem about eating all the cookies so here's a cookie cutter so you can make your own. I"ll look for it if anyone wants it.

A dust pan with cookies in it. It came with a cute poem about dropping the cookies and scooping them up to bring to you. I think I still have it if anyone wants it.

I was thinking this year about doing a seasoning and just saying "Seasons Greetings"

Does anyone have some homemade seasoning recipes? Or any other ideas for cheap neighbor gifts?

Gifts in a Jar are great!
-bulk amt of baking goods (warehouse club or discount store)
-quart-size canning jars (discount stores such as Big Lots)
-fabric remants (cheap remnant section at Walmart or your craft store)
-print off recipe cards/labels off your computer
There are a TON of recipes for these online, but you can do it with any recipe you have for cookies, or bread, etc. Just layer all the dry ingredients, and give the recipe so they know what wet ingredients to add on their own.

You could also put this in a small basket with a few coffee/tea/hot cocoa samples or tie a spatula around the jar (that you got from the $1 store).

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A great meat seasoning is to mix equal parts of garlic salt, lawry's season salt, and onion salt. Don't tell my mom I gave this recipe out! My mom also has a good vegetable seasoning, but I'd have to ask her exactly what's in it. If you're brave you could just try it--I believe it's basil, oregano, parsley, and garlic salt. I sprinkle these on our veggies all the time, I just don't know what the exact amounts are for a big batch. PM me if you want me to get the recipe from her.

I got a whole bunch of Christmas mugs at an early white elephant christmas party, so for the neighbors I filled the mugs with homemade fudge and other chocolate treats. The year before that I gave out homemade hot chocolate.

My kids and I always do a weekend of baking cookies...and then we distribute plates of them to the neighbors. Some of the neighbors are elderly, and some don't have children. They all get a kick out of getting cookies decorated by my little ones...and my little ones get the memories of baking with mommy during the holidays!

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This is what I made 8 of my neighbors one year. The neighbors really like them. So did we....yummy!

We bake like 8 different kind of cookies each year and make fudge.Some I give away.

Last year I gave out to a few friends a mini stocking with a little baggie of mini marshmallows in it with a little note attached that I printed off the computer that read:
Santa looked over his list and even checked it twice and found you haven't been very nice.
Since coal is so expensive, here's the scoop.... Santa's filling your stocking with snowman poop!! Happy Holidays!!

They got a kick out of it.

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

Magic Reindeer Food
I was looking on the internet and i found something so cute for a gift jar! It's called magic reindeer food. Can be used for a great decoration!

You need:

* oatmeal
* sugar
* red or green sugar crystals (used on cakes)
* christmas cloth (for the top of the jar)
* and a sparkle ribbion (for around the jar)

Then layer them. Makes a great holiday gift!

Here's the poem that goes with it:
Sprinkle on the lawn at night
the moon will make it sparkle bright
as Santa's reindeer fly and roam
this will guild them to your home!

ENJOY

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

Meat Seasoning:
Mix equal parts of
Garlic Salt
Onion salt
Lawry's salt

Vegetable seasoning: (Also good on eggs and mayo based salads)
Mix equal parts:
Dried oregano
Dried basil
Garlic salt
*I use a little less garlic salt.

I get $5 gc to Blockbuster, 1 bag of mircowave popcorn and some movie type candies and stick them in a gift bag so they can have Movie night with their families.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)