The holidays are a time for giving, and nothing says “thoughtful” like customized gift bags. These unique Christmas gifts can be tailored to suit the tastes and interests of your loved ones, making the gesture extra special and memorable.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating fun holiday gift baskets and bags that are sure to be a hit with everyone on your list.
Select the Right Holiday Bag
The gift bag itself sets the tone for what’s inside. Choose a bag that reflects your theme and the personality of the recipient so it can double as a gift. Some ideas:
- An eco-friendly and practical reusable tote bag
- A festive paper gift bag decorated with seasonal prints
- A DIY gift bag decorated with stencils, glitter, stick-on gems, or stamps—perfect if you’re giving DIY holiday gifts!
- A drawstring bag that can function for carrying gym clothes or school items
- Non-bag options like wicker baskets, a hat box, a wooden crate, a bucket, and so on
Pick a Holiday Gift Theme
Themes help guide your choices and make your holiday gift baskets feel cohesive. Pick a theme that meshes with the recipient’s interests to ensure it feels truly personal. Here are some ideas:
Cozy Winter Vibes
For the bag, go for a reusable tote in a fuzzy or plush material. Then include indoor holiday presents and goodies like:
- Fuzzy socks with a cute design
- A scented candle in a warm, seasonal scent like cinnamon, pine, or vanilla
- A hot chocolate kit with marshmallows
- A seasonal mug
- A paperback from their favorite book genre (mysteries are a great choice!)
Spa Day
Everyone knows a lover of self-care. What is the most common holiday gift selection in this category? Try these ideas:
- Sheet masks
- Scented lotion
- Bath salts
- Eye mask
- A cozy headband
Movie Night
Grab an oversized popcorn bucket and include movie-themed holiday gift ideas, such as:
- Microwave popcorn
- Different flavors of sprinkle-on popcorn seasoning
- Fun movie snacks, including candy, chips, and Welch’s® Fruit Snacks
- Slippers
- Movie memorabilia
Gourmet Foods
Have a foodie in your life? Take a large bread basket and fill it with must have gifts and gourmet items like:
- Artisanal winter snacks like crispy parmesan breadsticks or mixed nuts
- Spices, seasonings and rubs
- Infused olive oil
- A kitchen utensil
- A small cookbook
Kids’ Fun Pack
Keeping kids busy is always a must. Make a play-themed bag or backpack with holiday gift ideas like:
- Crayons
- Coloring book
- Toy cars
- Molding clay
- Rubber ball
- Small storybook
- On-the-go snacks like Welch’s® Fruit Snacks. Made with real fruit, these allergy-friendly snacks are a kid-friendly choice—featuring an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, & E
Office Supply Box
One of our favorite staff holiday gift ideas for colleagues is a box with desk supplies. Not just any desk supplies, but fun, colorful versions to add flair to any workday. This is also one of the best teacher gifts for the holidays! Consider including:
- Sticky notes
- Binder clips
- Pens and pencils
- Pencil sharpener
- Rubber stamps and ink pads
- Snacks for work, such as granola bars, nuts, pretzels, and delicious Welch’s® Fruit ’n Yogurt Snacks.
DIY holiday gifts
Create a basket filled entirely themed around meaningful DIY holiday gifts, such as:
- Knitted scarves, blankets, or hats
- Homemade cookies
- Handmade ornament
- Painted pottery bowl
- Hand-poured candles
- A vinyl-printed cosmetic case
Or Choose Items Based on the Recipient’s Hobbies and Interests
Creating customized gift bags isn’t just about the gifts—it’s about the thought and love you put into curating something special for the people who matter most.
By giving a hobby-based holiday gift for her/him, it shows that you pay attention to your recipient’s interests. Here are some of the best Christmas gift ideas based on various hobbies and passions:
For the Gamer
- A headset stand
- Headphones or earbuds
- Thumb grips for controllers
- Batteries
- Snacks for gaming
- Gift cards for a gaming store or their favorite platform
For the Baker
- Oven mitt
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Sifting cup
- Sourdough starter
- Recipe cards
For the Artist
- Sketch pad
- Fine-tip markers
- Colored pencils
- Pencil sharpener
- Patterned washi tape
For the Beachgoer
- A towel
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- A handheld fan
- Flip flops
For the Gardener
- Gardening gloves
- Sun visor
- Seed packets
- Small shovel
- Small trowel
For the Knitter
- Spools of yarn
- Knitting needles
- Spare cables
- Knitting patterns
- Stitch markers
For the Golfer
- Golf balls
- Tees
- Golf gloves
- Golf wipes
- Sun visor
For the Reader
- A new book
- Book light
- Bookmark
- Journal
- Highlighter or pen
For the Dog Lover
- Treats
- A chew toy
- A new collar
- A new leash
- Harness or coat
Wrap It Up
Now it’s time to get your customized gift bags ready for giving! Here are a few tips:
- Deliver with Style: Presentation is everything! Arrange holiday presents neatly, making sure taller items are at the back and smaller ones are easily visible in the front
- Keep it Balanced: While it’s tempting to pack the bag with as many goodies as possible, aim for a balance of thoughtful and practical. Go with a few well-chosen, unique Christmas gifts that fit your theme
- Get Creative: Don’t be afraid to mix store-bought items and handmade holiday gift ideas for a unique touch
- Add a Gift Tag or Personalized Note. This can be a handwritten card with a warm holiday message; a small “inside joke” note that relates to a shared memory or a funny moment; or activity-based ideas, such as a holiday music playlist or clues for a holiday scavenger hunt
- Add Some Festivity: Use tissue paper, ribbon, or twine to secure items, and add mini pinecones, faux snow, or a sprig of holly. You can even tuck in a cinnamon stick or a small sachet of potpourri for a surprise seasonal scent
Don’t Forget the Snacks!
No personalized gift bag is complete without holiday snacks—so toss in goodies like chocolates, candy canes, caramel popcorn, cookies, peppermint bark, and more.
Be sure to include Welch’s® Fruit Snacks Holiday! Made with real fruit, these festive snacks come shaped like snowmen, snowflakes, and ornaments. Featuring a Good Source of Vitamins A, C, & E, they’re gluten-free and are made with Whole Fruit. Available Nationwide this holiday season. Happy gift giving!
