I remembered this due to Kim's question about what if you can't afford xmas.

When times were tough I got 3 baskets, actually I used their Easter baskets, and filled them with each childs favorite snacks/food. they used the snacks for lunches and afterschool snacks. The food usually was stuff to make their fav foods. I wrote down dates for each child to pick their meals. I actually put two different meal possiblities. for oldest I put baggie of rice and tortillas for Taco dinner. For another child I gave can of tomato sauce and box of pasta for Hamburger hotdish (that's casserole for you non-midwesterners). It was all food we had to buy. My only extra expense was buying their fav candy, but I only brought one piece. for youngest it was a ring pop, which runs about $0.50for one. Their fav candy was the only extravagance.
Forgot to add that the girls loved their baskets. They would even play grocery store with the items.
HTH
allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

You were very creative! I think that with the right kind of attitude and approach, kids can be happy with whatever "special" thing you do for them!

I think I'm going to steal your idea. I have a friend who is struggling financially. I don't want to buy her anything unnecessary. I wanted to make a food box for her, but I've been worried that it will look like I'm pitying her. Your idea with favorite foods and a treat will be a GREAT way for me to help her out!

Marlene

Terrific idea!
Regarding gifts for adults. What I have done in the past so that it doesn't look like a handout is do "theme" food gifts. Like I did one for my brother that was a couple of different kinds of pasta, different kinds of sauce and some biscotti. All bought at Walmart. And the basket was free from a yardsale. My son (2) and his gfs son (5) had the best time playing with all of the stuff. Go figure :-)

Cheryl