12 (Days of) Christmas gift ideas - part 1 (with gift tags!)

2023/2025 UPDATE:  The platform used to create these cute items was retired in 2023, so I have redesigned them, along with making them much easier to just click & order.  Next, I'll update part 2 of this post.  You may also enjoy the Click & Give (or Click, Craft, & Give) ideas at this Christmas in July post.

I have always wanted to do a really cool Twelve Days of Christmas for someone, but I usually think about it on December 15.  So today I have 12 gift ideas for you that you can use as Twelve Days of Christmas gifts, or just choose your favorites as December 25th Christmas gifts.  

2025 NOTE:  I'll keep the original design photos below followed by the Refresh I've created and a link to order directly (which is definitely a convenient improvement!)  Just keep in mind that these need to be submitted for professional printing by Forever Print and then shipped to you, so allow 10-14 days for order and delivery. 

DAY 1:  Countdown to Christmas

Original Product & Design:  These 11x14 metal prints have a finish that allows you to use a dry erase marker on them!  Some clever person came up with this cute idea to countdown to Christmas, and I think they're darling.

Refresh 2025:  I wanted to stay with the Santa & Nativity options, but I wanted to make it a little smaller and easier to display so I chose a 5x7 tabletop panel.  Tabletop panels have a built-in stand and look something like this--you can see the stand behind it.

There are a lot of different designs that are great for displaying photos on a desktop like this example, but I used Artisan software to just design my own since I wanted to create a Christmas Countdown.  And, yes, you can use a dry erase marker on the tabletop panel, too, because it has a glossy surface.

This 5x7 Santa Christmas Countdown can be ordered here
following the directions you'll see at the right.

I think the Nativity one is my favorite. 

This 5x7 Nativity Christmas Countdown can be ordered here 
following the directions you'll see at the right.

NOTE:  I am a Forever affiliate, called an Ambassador, because I love Forever so much!  This means I make a commission from any purchases at my website, and as your Ambassador I'm here to help you, too.  And if you are a new Forever user, be sure you validate your email so you'll receive the $20 coupon to use on whatever you're going to order!  It's good for 60 days.

A Christmas Countdown should obviously be gifted December 1, but I think it might make a fun "Thanksgiving present," too!

Day 2:  Let Us Take Care of the Dishes

Original Product & Design:  This is a simple 2-sided business card with a "Merry Christmas" greeting on the back.  They come in a pack of 50, so there are plenty to go around--think neighbors, friends, and co-workers.

I think this would make a fantastic gift at busy Christmastime.  You just attach this card to a package of paper plates!

Refresh 2025:  To be honest, I actually didn't love the original design--it's pretty, yes, but it just says "Merry Christmas" on the back, so there's not a place to include who it's to or from--so I was super excited to be able to design this myself!  I'm really excited to gift this now!  Again, I used Artisan software to design these cards.

I switched it up a little, too, with a cuter message that rhymes.  Above is one side of the little 3x2 card, and below is the other side, ready to write on.  The "Let Us Take Care of the Dishes" cards can be ordered here following the directions you'll see at the right.

Just wrap up paper plates, cups, and utensils, tie with a bow, and attach this card!  I'm going to buy some on clearance this year and have my gifts ready to go next year!

Day 3:  Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Original Product & Design:  This 4x8 card is for a gift with a bottle neck!  Just cut out the circle and place the card around the neck of a bottle of juice, sparkling beverage, soda, etc.

Refresh 2025:  I love this simple but kind of fancy idea!  When I made this card on my own, I decided to make a set of 8.  This is a cheaper option than individual 4x8 cards (and doesn't come with the extra, unneeded envelope).  I am all about doing something beautiful and top-quality but at the best price.  I created these on a 12x12 scrap page, so it's a cardstock-like print with beautiful colors and finish.  If you hit the 50% off sale (which is typically some time once a month), this print is $3.00, so that's only 37 cents each!

You can order these pretty cards here, following the instructions you'll see at the right.

And, I added a place for personalization, too!  (And, not being an alcohol drinker, I don't think of gifting wine, so you'll have to think of that on your own.  ha ha)  Just cut out the cards when they come, and you're done!

Day 4:  A Little Extra Dough

Original Product & Design:  One of my favorite Christmas neighbor gifts is frozen cookie dough.  As the recipient, it's nice to not be getting so many treats at once and be able to have some in January instead if I want!  This original design was for a label to stick on the outside of a Ziploc bag or plastic container with frozen dough inside--cookies, bread, rolls, etc.

 

Refresh 2025:  So cute, isn't it?  When I redesigned this gift project, I went with a card instead of a sticker since putting a sticker on something frozen and having it stick is hit and miss.  I created a two-per-card design on a 4x6 double-sided greeting card so you can write on the back.  I hope you love it because I kind of do.  :)

Here's the front of the card.  You can order it here,
following the directions you see at the right.

And the back of the card where you can write
your name.  You'll cut the cards in half.

Cards come in a set of 10, so with 20 total you'll have plenty for your gift-giving.

And be sure to write the baking directions on your Ziploc bag if you're gifting homemade cookie dough or rolls!  

Day 5:  We WASH You a Merry Christmas

Original Product & Design:  This gift idea is so easy and fun--just cut out the circles, punch a hole, and tie to a yummy-smelling hand soap. 

 

Refresh 2023:  I love how practical this gift is, both for the recipient (literally everyone needs soap!) but also for me as the giver.  I don't have to worry about delivering something fresh like cookies, and if I prep it today but get busy and don't gift it until next week, nobody even knows.  I used Artisan software to design these, and I think they turned out so cute.  

Here's the link to order the soap gift tags.  (They aren't personalized with a name like they are in my photo above, though, so don't worry.  They'll look like these below.)  After you click the link to order, just follow the directions on the right once the project opens.  They are a lovely glossy cardstock.  And one page is enough for 7 gifts.

Day 6:  Holiday Time Potpourri

Original Product & Design:  I love the smells of Christmas!  Potpourri is such a fun gift--easy to give, and lovely to receive.  To gift, just place dry potpourri in a 3-inch wide resealable plastic bag (like these), then cut apart the tags shown!  From there, fold each card below in half and staple it to the top of your potpourri-filled plastic bag.  

If you don't already have a favorite Christmastime simmer pot recipe, Diana at Aromatherapy Anywhere has 10 Natural Festive Christmas Potpourri Recipes here, and she's included a wonderful variety of options! 

Refresh 2025:  I've been gifted potpourri before, and it really is lovely to receive.  I just put the ingredients in a pot and let it simmer away while it fills the house with scents.  If you're looking to make this a more substantial gift, you can always include a simmer pot or a small crock pot!  I think the simmer pot is pretty, but I sure like the crock pot idea, too. 

I initially decided to make each bag topper different like the original design above, but as I explored my Artisan digital art collections, it ended up going a different direction and I decided I really liked just the one design.  I love it when I get to see where creativity takes me.  :)

I know the screen shot is a bit blurry here, so be sure to go to the potpourri bag topper order page so you can see it more clearly.  (There, you'll place the order following the directions you'll see at the right, too.)  

Since you fold these in half to go on top of your bag of potpourri, I did decide to place some one direction and some the other direction so it's easier to see what they look like on both sides.  I also included directions right on the scrapbook page, so when you have it printed, you have not only the bag toppers but the directions (and even a basic potpourri recipe, too). 

Days 7 - 12:  More Easy-to-Order Ideas Coming!

We're only halfway through our 12 ideas!  Did you already find something you loved?  Whether or not you are looking for 12 gifts or 1, I hope you found something unique and fun.  I'd love to know in the comments below which one is your favorite. 

Next week I'll show six more clever gift ideas for Christmas gift-giving.  See you there!

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