28 Easy DIY Gift Ideas for Neighbors They’ll Actually Love

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Want to be everyone’s favorite neighbor this year? These 28 easy DIY gift ideas for neighbors look so impressive, but most of them take less than an hour to put together.

Every year my neighborhood makes little gifts for each other. Some people bake sweets, others make salty snacks, and a few put together the cutest homemade household gifts. It’s one of my favorite holiday traditions, and it makes you feel so much more connected to the people on your street.

That’s why I rounded up the best DIY gift ideas for neighbors, from fresh baked treats and cozy drink kits to simmer pots and hand-poured candles. Every idea comes with the exact supplies you need, so you can copy it in no time. And if you’re shopping for more than just the neighbors this year, my ultimate gift guide has ideas for literally everyone on your list.

Quick Answer

The best DIY gift ideas for neighbors are easy homemade treats and small handmade gifts, like a cinnamon roll baking kit, rosemary roasted cashews, simmer pot packs or hot cocoa mix in a jar. Most of these cost just a few dollars each to make, so you can cover the whole block without blowing your budget.

The Top Picks:

Best Overall: Cinnamon Roll Baking Kit

“Warm, gooey cinnamon rolls are the ultimate holiday treat, and prepping a kit lets your neighbors bake them whenever they want.”

Best Under $50: Rosemary Roasted Cashew Bags

“A big batch of rosemary cashews fills a whole stack of bags for less than the cost of one store bought gift.”

Best Under $100: Hand-Poured Soy Candles

“One bag of soy wax makes enough candles for the whole street, and they look like they came from a boutique.”

Best Luxury Gift: Special Occasion Champagne

“Dress up a bottle of bubbly with greenery and a glittery bow, and it instantly feels like a splurge.”

Most Popular: Gingerbread Christmas Cookies

“You can never go wrong with a plate of chewy gingerbread cookies. Everyone loves them.”

Best Value: Reindeer Chow Treat Bags

“One batch of reindeer chow costs just a few dollars and fills enough bags for every house on the block.”

Mable’s Favorite: Simmer Pot Packs

“Simmer pots make the whole house smell like Christmas, and they’re such a nice break from all the sweets.”

The Best DIY Gift Ideas for Neighbors:

1. Cinnamon Roll Baking Kit

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Fresh baked cinnamon rolls are easily one of the most delicious holiday treats! I have yet to meet a person who does not love a warm gooey cinnamon roll. Your neighbors will obsess over this gift – it’s a guaranteed win!

You could pre-bake the cinnamon rolls, but it’s fun to prep everything for them and let them choose when they want to indulge in their special treat.

You can of course buy pre-made cinnamon roll dough from the store (no shame in your game!), or if you’re feeling a little inspired, you can make your neighbors cinnamon rolls from scratch. Either way this is such a cute, and original idea!

Click here for a good cinnamon roll recipe.

2. Chocolate Wreaths

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If you’re looking for a super easy gift that you can throw together for your neighbors, that still looks like you spent a lot of time on it, these chocolate wreaths are the perfect Christmas gift for the neighbors.

It’s easiest if you’re working with round chocolates for this one. I’ve found that Ferrero Rocher chocolates work really well (and everyone loves these chocolates!).

This is also a good one if you have a lot of neighbors and are trying to keep your gifts within budget.

3. Salted Caramel Sauce Jars

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A little jar of homemade salted caramel sauce is such a cozy gift. It’s perfect drizzled over ice cream, stirred into coffee or spooned over apple slices.

It only takes about 15 minutes on the stove, and a round label tied on with baker’s twine makes the jars look like they came from a cute little shop.

Easy Salted Caramel Sauce:

• 1 cup sugar
• 6 tbsp butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp flaky sea salt

Keep it refrigerated for up to 2 weeks (add that to the tag so your neighbors know).

4. Rosemary Roasted Cashew Bags

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When everyone else is going sweet, you can go salty! Rosemary roasted cashews are such an underrated snack, and you’ll get bonus points for thinking outside of the box.

This is another one that is super easy to put together and is budget friendly (while keeping the homemade component).

Fair warning, these are super addicting! Don’t be surprised if your neighbors ask for the recipe. 🙂

Click here for a good rosemary roasted cashew recipe.

5. Seasonal Soap + Festive Hand Towel

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A lot of people go the food route when it comes to making gifts for the neighbors. And there is nothing wrong with that – everyone loves a good holiday treat or salty snack.

But, if you’re looking to switch things up, this idea is super cute, and something that everyone could use!

And if you’re worried about not having enough time to create cute gifts for the neighbors, not to worry, these gifts take maybe a minute to put together.

6. Gingerbread Christmas Cookies

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Do not feel guilty for taking the classic route and going with a good cookie! Chewy gingerbread cookies are always a fun switch up for the holidays that will get you tons of compliments.

You can find a chewy gingerbread cookie recipe below, and from there, you can ice them and add sprinkles to make fun patterns and keep things interesting. The gingerbread man tag is also a fun add-on to this gift.

Click here for a good gingerbread cookie recipe.

Baking an extra batch? Homemade cookies are one of my favorite gift ideas for teachers too.

7. Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Spoons

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These hot cocoa spoons are so cute and so easy. Just dip wooden spoons in melted chocolate, sprinkle on crushed candy canes and let them set.

Your neighbors stir one into a mug of warm milk and it melts into the creamiest peppermint hot cocoa. Pop each spoon in a treat bag with a mini candy cane and they’re ready to hand out.

What You Need:

• 1 cup chocolate chips, melted
• Crushed mini candy canes
• Mini marshmallows (optional)

Dip each spoon a few times to build up a thick layer of chocolate, then let them set on parchment paper.

These cocoa spoons also make the cutest stocking stuffers. For more little gifts, check out my stocking stuffer ideas.

8. Simmer Pot Packs

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A good simmer pot pack is such an underrated Christmas gift for neighbors! It’s super simple, but when your neighbors’ houses smell better than ever, they will be thanking you.

It’s also a nice change of pace from all of the food going around. And nothing sets the mood like a good holiday simmer pot! You’re going to want to set one aside for yourself too. 😉

Classic Christmas Simmer Pot:

• 2 dried orange wheels
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cloves
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 dried rosemary sprig

9. Homemade Granola Jars

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Homemade granola is one of those gifts that feels so thoughtful but takes barely any time to make. One big sheet pan batch fills a bunch of jars, so it’s perfect when you have a lot of neighbors on your list.

Fill each jar to the top, tie a square of burlap over the lid and tuck in a little sprig of berries and pine. It’s the kind of breakfast treat they’ll keep reaching for long after the holidays.

Easy Holiday Granola:

• 3 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup chopped pecans or almonds
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (stir in after baking)

Bake at 325°F for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, then let it cool completely before filling the jars.

10. Break in Case of Emergency Bark

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Everyone loves some good peppermint bark – especially when the packaging is as creative as this one! The peppermint bark itself is a lot easier to whip up than you might think.

It’s a really good choice for the neighbors because it’s super easy to create big batches of (and you don’t even need an oven).

If your neighborhood is made up of a lot of families, this Christmas gift will be a winner since it’s the perfect treat for kids and adults!

Click here for a good peppermint bark recipe.

11. Hand-Poured Soy Candles

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If you want a gift that isn’t food, hand-poured candles are such a good option. They’re so much easier to make than you’d think, and a holiday fragrance oil makes them feel extra special.

Wooden dough bowls make them look so cozy and rustic, and a little kraft tag with the scent name finishes them off.

How to Make Soy Candles:

• Melt the wax flakes in a double boiler
• Stir in about 1 oz of fragrance oil per pound of wax
• Secure a wick in the center of each bowl
• Pour the wax and let the candles cure for 24 to 48 hours

12. Pancake Making Kit

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This is such a great idea for the neighbors with families! It’s something that takes hardly any work on your part, and they’ll be able to create a fun family breakfast where everyone can get involved in making it.

This one looks like you went to a lot of trouble to craft the perfect pancake making kit, but really, all of the hard work is done for you. No one needs to know that this is one of the easiest Christmas gifts for neighbors to put together. 🤫

13. Homemade Cocktail Infusion Kit

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Now this one – exclusively for the adults in the neighborhood.

But, even for the neighbors with families, one could say the parents would appreciate this gift even more (especially since they’ve probably received enough chocolate and treats to keep their kids on a continuous sugar high).

Parents deserve to indulge in the fun too – and homemade cocktail infusion kits are the perfect way to take the edge off! These are super easy to put together, and will get you tons of compliments on your gift giving abilities. 😉

Easy Cocktail Infusion Kit Recipes:

1. Cranberry Orange Holiday Vodka

Ingredients:

• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 4 to 5 dried orange slices
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 to 2 tsp sugar or 1 sugar cube (optional)

Best Alcohol: Vodka

2. Spiced Apple Bourbon

Ingredients:

• ½ cup dried apple slices
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 small piece dried ginger or ¼ tsp dried ginger

Best Alcohol: Bourbon

3. Blueberry Lemon Gin

Ingredients:

• ½ cup dried blueberries
• 3 dried lemon slices
• 1 sprig dried rosemary or ½ tsp dried thyme

Best Alcohol: Gin

14. Individual Christmas Brownies

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Brownies are a no-brainer! They’re a classic for a reason – because who doesn’t love a good chocolatey fudge brownie? And paired with a cold glass of milk – chef’s kiss!

Instead of making brownie squares for the neighbors, you can go the individual servings route and make little brownie dishes that you decorate to make holiday-themed!

Even if you make the brownies from scratch, this one is still super easy to put together. You’ll get points for making a homemade treat, but you also won’t have to overextend yourself.

Click here for a good classic brownie recipe.

15. Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

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Cinnamon ornaments make the whole house smell like Christmas, and they last for years. They’re a fun one to make with kids too.

Tie a few together with red and white twine, and your neighbors can hang them on the tree or use them as gift toppers.

Cinnamon Ornaments:

• 1 cup ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 1 tbsp school glue (optional, makes them sturdier)

Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick, cut out shapes, poke a hole at the top and bake at 200°F for about 2 1/2 hours.

16. Special Occasion Champagne

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This gift idea is more suited for the adult neighbors. But, you could always give the families in the neighborhood an apple cider version of this gift.

Another super cute, and extremely easy idea that you can put together last minute. This one looks super festive with the extra decorative touches, and all you have to do is spruce up a bottle of champagne or cider – and it’s ready to go!

Need something for the office too? My gift ideas for coworkers are full of easy, budget friendly picks.

17. Reindeer Chow Treat Bags

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Reindeer chow is the most addicting snack, and it’s a hit with kids and adults. It’s crunchy, chocolatey and covered in powdered sugar.

Make one big batch, toss in red and green chocolate candies and scoop it into festive bags. You can make enough for the whole street in under 30 minutes.

Reindeer Chow:

• 9 cups rice cereal squares
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup red and green chocolate candies
• Drizzle of melted white chocolate

18. Holiday Kitchen Staples Kit

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Another great Christmas gift for the neighbors that does not require you to step foot in the kitchen! All of these items are ones that your neighbors will greatly appreciate!

This gift is the perfect combination of cute, practical, and fun. There is not a neighbor on the block that wouldn’t be thrilled to receive this gift!

19. Fresh Baked Banana Bread Loaf

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You can never go wrong with a loaf of banana bread. It might not have all of the sparkles and festivities of some of the other gifts, but none of your neighbors will care when they taste how good it is!

You can dress up the banana bread with some chocolate chips and/or walnuts to switch things up, or simply let the classic loaf speak for itself. Either way, your neighbors are going to be grateful for such a yummy gift!

Click here for a moist banana bread recipe.

20. Christmas Hand Soap Bundle

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A pretty holiday hand soap is one of those little gifts everyone actually uses. Wrap a bottle in a soft kitchen towel, tie it with a velvet bow and it looks like something from a cute boutique.

Pick a cozy holiday scent like peppermint or gingerbread, fold a neutral towel around the bottle and finish it with a handwritten tag. It takes about two minutes per gift, so it’s perfect when you have the whole street to shop for.

21. Star Cookies and Star Dishes

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This is such an adorable idea, especially when you don’t have enough time to make something from scratch. You can get the chocolate covered cookie stars from Trader Joe’s (or find another yummy seasonal item) and pair it with the star dishes.

This star-themed gift might not be homemade necessarily, but it’s still just as cute as the rest, and takes some of the stress off of your shoulders to find the perfect (quick and easy) gift for the neighbors.

22. Movie Night Popcorn Kit

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A movie night popcorn kit is such a fun idea for families. Pop a big batch of popcorn, toss it in cinnamon sugar and layer it into stackable jars tied with a red ribbon.

Tuck in a little note with your favorite holiday movie, and it’s the sweetest way to wish them a Merry Christmas.

Doing a gift exchange this year? Check out my secret santa gifts for more fun ideas.

23. Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar

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Hot cocoa is the perfect holiday drink! So creating ready-to-go hot cocoa jars to help your neighbors make their favorite homemade beverage from scratch – is a gift that never fails to excite.

This one is also super easy to create different variations of. You can follow the hot cocoa jar recipes below and customize them for a fun take on a classic drink.

What to include in Hot Cocoa Jars:

Base Cocoa Mix (Dry)

Choose one:

Classic Hot Cocoa

• 2 to 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 to 3 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 tbsp dry milk powder (optional but creamier)
• Pinch of salt

Rich Chocolate Mix

• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp dry milk
• 1 tbsp finely chopped chocolate or mini chocolate chips

Instant Hot Cocoa

• 3 to 4 tbsp store-bought hot cocoa mix
• Add toppings in layers

Toppings and Add-Ins:

Mix-and-match depending on the flavor theme.

Candy/Chocolate

• Mini marshmallows (dehydrated or regular)
• Mini chocolate chips
• White chocolate chips
• Andes peppermint pieces
• Crushed candy cane
• Rolos or caramel bits
• Chocolate shavings

Spices (Just Add a Pinch!)

• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Pumpkin spice
• A tiny bit of espresso powder for “mocha”

Fun Extras

• Mini dehydrated marshmallow bits
• Sprinkles (holiday colors look so cute)
• Crushed toffee
• Sea salt flakes
• Cookie crumbs (gingerbread, Oreo, Biscoff, add right before gifting)

24. Fresh Baked Goods

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No one will ever say no to baked goods! A classic sourdough loaf, or some sweet pastry bread is a gift that will immediately make all of your neighbors love you.

Making different breads and pastries from scratch can get tricky and time consuming, so to save yourself the hassle, you might want to visit your local bakery and leave it to the pros.

If the items you get from the bakery don’t already come in individually wrapped bags, you can get a set of them from Amazon so all of the gifts look the same and are wrapped nicely.

25. Rosemary Salt Jars

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Rosemary salt is one of the easiest homemade gifts, but it feels so fancy. It’s just coarse salt and fresh rosemary blended together, and it makes everything from roasted potatoes to steak taste amazing.

Spoon it into little jars with a wooden spoon tucked inside, top each lid with a square of kraft paper and add a simple label.

Easy Rosemary Salt:

• 1 cup coarse sea salt
• 1/4 cup fresh rosemary leaves
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Pulse the salt and rosemary in a food processor until the rosemary is finely chopped, then spread it on a baking sheet and let it dry overnight before filling the jars.

26. Filled Christmas Ornaments

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If you don’t want to get your hands dirty in the kitchen, creating small ornaments filled with hot cocoa bombs and small treats is a gift that everyone will obsess over.

It’s super easy to find small things to go into the actual ornament, and you can add some snow fluff and tiny ornaments if you need some fillers.

This is one of those gifts that looks like it’s a lot more work than it is! Once you have all of the items, putting them together is the easy part.

27. Herb Infused Olive Oil

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Herb infused olive oil looks so pretty with a sprig of rosemary inside, and it’s a gift your neighbors will actually use. It’s great for dipping bread, roasting veggies or drizzling over pasta.

Stick with dried herbs and spices so the oil stays fresh, and add a tag with a quick serving idea.

Rosemary Chili Olive Oil:

• 2 cups olive oil
• 2 sprigs dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried chili flakes
• 1 strip dried lemon peel

Use within one month for the best flavor.

28. Homemade Honey Butter Jars

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Nothing beats warm bread with a big swipe of homemade honey butter on a cozy holiday morning. It only takes a few minutes to whip up, and a little jar of it feels like such a sweet surprise to find on the doorstep.

Spoon it into small jars, top each lid with a scrap of striped fabric and some twine, and add a tag that says to keep it in the fridge. Pair it with a loaf of fresh bread or a bag of dinner rolls for the full gift.

Easy Honey Butter:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• A pinch of flaky sea salt (optional)

Beat the butter until it’s light and fluffy, then mix in the honey and cinnamon until smooth. Spoon it into jars and keep it in the fridge until gift time. It stays good for up to 2 weeks refrigerated.

Final Thoughts

The best DIY gift ideas for neighbors are the ones that feel personal without taking up your whole weekend. Whether you go with a fresh baked treat, a cozy drink kit or a simmer pot pack, your neighbors will love that you took the time to make something just for them.

Which DIY neighbor gift are you making first? Let me know in the comments!

This post was all about the best DIY gift ideas for neighbors.

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