Master List
Starter! Master List of Ideas
Gourmet and Grocery Goods
Chocolate candy, Truffles
Chewing gum, Tic Tacs, Pez, Mints
Cellas chocolate-covered cherries
Candy canes
Gourmet jelly beans
Hot tea sets
Hot chocolate (gourmet)
Sparkling juice
Olives
Hot peppers, Hot sauce
Relishes, Chow chow
Sardines
Salmon steaks
Smoked oysters
Canned nuts, Chex mix, Trail mix
Crackers, Cookies, Pretzels
Rum balls
Doughnuts
Beef jerky, Slim Jims, Beef sticks
Fruit basket
Cheese tray, Cheeseball
Fruit preserves
Restaurant gift cards
Pizza gift cards
(great to give for "the whole family")
Art Supplies
Paintbrush Sets
Pens and Sharpies
Pencil sets
Conte crayons, Crayons, Oil Pastel, Pastels
Blank books, Sketchbooks
Scrapbooks
Scrapbook embellishments
Die cut embellishments
Origami paper
Sketch pads
Paper and small notebooks
Elmer's glue, Super glue, Gorilla glue
Scalloped scissors
Big envelopes, mini envelopes
Decorative envelopes
Ziploc bags, mini Ziploc bags
Paperclay
Air-dry clay
Polymer clay
Calligraphy sets
Paper clips, Cute clips
Metal embellishments, Steampunk charms
Fancy memo pads
Paper weights
Beginner kits
Art caddies
Magnifying glasses
Bead kits
Charms
Eyelet kits, Die-cut tools
Rubber stamps and inkpads
Paper fasteners (especially decorative ones)
Thin brass washers
Sewology nailhead studs with brads
Eye pins, Ball pens
Necklace chain
Necklace ropes and strings
Lobster clasps
Split rings
Activity Sets
Scrapbooks
Diaries, Journals
Puzzles, Puzzle books
Puzzle balls
Pocket puzzles, Car games
Board games
Table games
Books, book lights
Reading glasses
Magnifying glasses
Memo pads (fancy ones)
Gimmick ink pens
(4-color, fortune click, odd shaped)
Toys
Fidget toys
Puzzles
Pocket games
Little dolls and accessories
Plush toys
Plush toys with sound
Tea sets
Hot Wheels, Matchbox cars
Fire engines
Magnets
Keychains
Gimmick ink pens
(4-color, fortune click, odd shaped)
Home Decor and Kitchen
Mugs
Thermos
Chip clips
Tea caddies
Seashells and Polished pebbles
Glass marbles
Bud vases
Picture frames
Flower pots
Candles
Hurricane lamps
Potpourri
Skeleton keys
Ornaments
Decorative boxes, Hatboxes
Teapots
Artificial candles, Tealights
Mini trashcan, Silent Butler
Bath and Body
Hair accessories
Lip gloss, Chapstick
Fancy soap sets
Fun shampoo
Bubble bath
Bath gel
Body butter
Bath powder
Essential oil
Lume deodorant
Manicure kits
Nail polish, Nail kits
Pocket mirrors, compacts
Hand sanitizer
Clothing Accessories
Cabin socks
House shoes
Gloves
Scarves
Tote bags
Wallets
Good hangers
Sunglasses
Costume jewelry
Basic Tools
Hammers
Pliers
Needle-nosed pliers
Wire cutters
Hole punches
Scissors
Tape measures
Screwdrivers
Gadgets
Flashlights
Battery lanterns
Book lights
Booklet clips
Sharpies
Gorilla glue
Carwash kits, Squeegees
Shoeshine kits
Chamois, Micro cloth
Fun Tools and Odd Collectibles
Keychain flashlights
Keychain tape measures
Keychain folded scissors
Keychain multi-tool
Pocket multi tools
Eyeglass maintenance kits
Eyeglass micro cloths
Sewing kits
Eyelet punches
Sealing wax kits
Skeleton keys
Good luck charms, medallions
Old coins, weird tokens, oddities
(fun even if not a collector)
Fortune fish
Eight ball
Scratch-off cards (naughty or nice)
Custom scratch-off cards with prizes
(These are good for party day;
you have to be available to
give them the prizes)
For Granny
Boxed cards for all occasions
Jewelry, charms, pendants
Handmade cards, Calligraphy art
Postage stamps
Memo pads, Pens
Scarves, Gloves, Toboggans
Body warmers, Hand warmers
Earmuffs
Rice packs (to microwave, for warmth)
Back and leg massagers
Foot soak
Lume deodorant
Bedside caddy
Magnifying glasses
Reading glasses
Jewelry
Picture frames
Print photos (including snapshots!)
Custom photo books
Books
Tote bags
Groceries
Grocery store gift cards
Prepaid Visa cards
Restaurant gift cards
Lottery tickets
Your time (clean her house, shop for her)
HOLIDAY PREPARATION
Soft Drinks
Bottled water
Juice boxes
Powerade, Gatorade
Cokes, Sodas
Sweet tea
Orange juice
Coffee and Cream
Hard candy, Candy dish
Cookie jar
Gift Wrap and Shipping
Wrapping paper, ribbon
Card tags, String, Labels
Gift bags
Scissors
Scotch-brand tape, Two-sided tape
Packing tape
Mailing labels
Shipping boxes
Bubble wrap, Styrofoam wrapping sheets
Zip-Loc bags, sandwich bags, treat bags
Waxed paper, parchment paper
Foil wrap
Flat ornaments
Embellishments, Decorations
Christmas cards
Party Supplies
Paper plates
Napkins
Paper towels
Paper cups
Coffee cups (portable)
Plastic utensils
Slotted spoons, Tongs, Relish forks
Bowls, Trays)
Helium balloons
Flowers
Bathroom Supplies
Toilet paper
Wet wipes, Facial tissue
Cotton rounds, Cotton swabs
Air freshener (spray, potpourri, etc.)
Band-Aids
Neosporin
Hand lotion
Hand sanitizer
Soft soap
Peroxide
Alcohol
Cleaning Supplies
Microfiber cloths
Dusting mitts
Goo Gone
Swiffer pads
Feather dusters
Swiffer dusters
I never buy candy and nuts until maybe a month or a couple of weeks before Christmas. Even though they store pretty well, they do eventually get stale or suffer shelf wear; same with toys or gadgets that already have the batteries installed, markers, pens, lotions, chapstick, anything with liquid, ink, glue, oil, or paint; those things are useless if they dry up or go rancid!
It is great to have a variety of things: that can be bought well ahead, such as scarves, books, journals, dry goods, cards, stamps, pencils, paintbrushes, totes, wallets, eyeglass kits, manicure kits, bead kits, and clothes; things to buy in November or December, such as canned snacks, closed-battery gadgets; and last, perishables that must be bought Christmas week.
