Orange you glad for the little gifts?

By Valerie Phillips
Deseret Morning News

They're already appearing on a doorstep or desk near you — the little treats, goodies and gadgets that lift the spirits but don't cost a lot of money.

Some of these so-called "neighbor gifts" have touching messages, and others will at least give you a good chuckle.
If you're stumped on what to give this year, here are some ideas culled from a Utah State University Extension Service booklet, the Web site 20ishparents.com and some of the gifts that have come my way.

You don't even have to turn on the stove to make most of these. And while getting a box of pasta or a potato peeler may not have that festive cachet, at least it's something practical that can be used after the holidays. And it's the thought that counts (as when your neighbors wonder, "What were they thinking???").

• A mug, a packet of instant soup and a card saying, "For a souper friend."
• A box of muffin mix with the saying, "You're getting muffin for Christmas!"
• A two-liter bottle of soda pop with a tag, "Pop, pop, fizz, fizz, oh what a great neighbor you is," or "The rest of the neighbors love you, and soda we," or "May your Christmas be merry and Sprite," or "We're soda-lighted to have you as neighbors."
• Flavored popcorn with the saying, "Just poppin' in to say Merry Christmas," or "It may sound corny, but we wish you a Merry Christmas!"
• A vegetable peeler with the tag, "Here's hoping your Christmas is appealing."
• A box of Ho-Ho cupcakes with the card, "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas."
• A box of Ding Dongs with the tag, "Merry Christmas from the Ding Dongs next door!"
• A can of nuts with the card, "From the nuts next door" or "From your nutty neighbors."
• Homemade spice blends, such as cajun, Italian, Tex-Mex, cinnamon-sugar, etc. with a card, "Seasonings Greetings" and suggestions or recipes for using it.
• A bag of potpourri with the saying, "Scenting you holiday greetings!"
• Scented soap and a washcloth in holiday motif with the greeting, "We wash you a Merry Christmas!"
• Ice cream with a note, "Have a cool yule!"
• Candle and book of matches, "To a matchless friend, may your Christmas be bright."
• Bubble gum or bubble bath, "May your holidays bubble over with fun!"
• Mints, "We 'mint' to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
• Snickers candy bar, "Don't snicker — just be glad you got something!"
• Cookie dough, "Here's a little extra dough for Christmas."
• A jar of jam, "Hoping your Christmas is jam-packed with cheer."
• Veggies and dip, "Dip into the holidays and a healthy New Year!"
• A bag of dried pasta, "Have a pasta-tively happy holiday!"
• A hunk of cheese and grater, "To a grate neighbor from your cheesy friends next door."
• A basket with cocoa mixes or bath items, with a poem, "When you feel like a basket case, take a break . . . and slow your pace."
• Hershey's Kisses, "Merry Kiss-mas."
• Oven mitt filled with treats, "We have to ad-mitt you're a great neighbor!"
• Frozen cookie dough with cookie cutters, "We've done the mixing, now you can cut up in the kitchen."
• Bag or box of Whoppers, "Have a "whopper" of a Christmas."
• Jolly Ranchers candies, "Have a holly jolly Christmas."
• Chex Party Mix, "Santa always Chex his list."
• Joy brand dishwashing soap, "Here's wishing joy to someone who really sparkles."
• Juice pitcher filled with candy canes, "We pitcher you raising a little cane during the holidays."
• Measuring cup or spoons, "Wishing you a joy beyond measure!"
• Oranges (or a chocolate orange), "Orange you glad we're friends."
• Homemade divinity, "May your holiday be divine."
• Homemade fudge, "Let's fudge a little on the calories and enjoy the holiday season!"
• Cinnamon rolls, "Here's a sweet treat rolled up with warm holiday wishes! Merry Christmas!"
• Cheese ball and crackers, "We don't mean to sound cheesy, we just hope you have a ball this season!"
• A candle, "May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year bright!!! "

E-MAIL: vphillips@desnews.com