Christmas Gift Packaging: 15 Dollar Store Containers That Make Cheap Gifts Look Fancy

Christmas Gift Packaging can make a plate of cookies feel like a present from a fancy bakery, and it does not have to cost much at all. This year, crafty people online are turning the cheapest containers in the dollar store into gifts that friends talk about for weeks. One short video of a plastic pizza container turned into a cookie gift has been watched almost five million times. The secret is simple: a clear lid shows off the treats, a wide ribbon adds the wow, and a little paint hides the plain plastic. Below are 15 easy ideas, from takeout boxes and party cups to egg cartons and berry baskets, that make even a small gift look special. Grab a basket, fill it with containers and let the wrapping fun begin..

Christmas Gift Packaging Starts With a Clear Pizza Container

Christmas Gift Packaging gets a lot more fun when you start with a clear plastic pizza container. Lay a sheet of parchment or a paper doily inside, arrange your cookies in neat rings and snap the lid shut. The clear top lets everyone see the treats, and a wide velvet ribbon tied in a big bow makes it look like it came from a bakery. This is the idea from the viral short that started the trend. Who on your list would love a whole tray of cookies..

You will need: A clear plastic pizza container with lid, parchment paper or a doily, homemade cookies, wide velvet ribbon and a small pine sprig.

How to make it: 1. Line the base with parchment or a doily. 2. Arrange the cookies in rings from the outside in. 3. Close the lid and tie a wide ribbon around it with a big bow and a pine sprig.

Dome Lid Party Cup Gift With a Bow

Those clear party cups with dome lids are made for gifting. Fill the bottom with wrapped candies, add a layer of marshmallows and tuck a small surprise on top, like rolled socks or a lip balm. The dome lid keeps everything in place and the straw hole makes it look like a fancy drink. Tie a bow around the middle and it is ready in five minutes. They are perfect for coworkers, teachers or the bus driver. How many could you make in one evening?

You will need: Clear plastic cups with dome lids, wrapped candies, mini marshmallows, a small gift such as socks, satin ribbon and paper straws.

How to make it: 1. Layer candies and marshmallows in the cup. 2. Set the small gift on top and snap on the dome lid. 3. Add a straw and tie a ribbon bow around the middle.

Christmas Gift Packaging in a Plain Takeout Box

Plain white takeout boxes come in packs at the dollar store and the craft aisle, and they are some of the cutest Christmas Gift Packaging you can find. Line one with tissue, fill it with gingerbread cookies or fudge and close the flaps. Wrap baker’s twine around it a few times and tuck in a sprig of holly or pine. The wire handle makes it easy to carry, so it is great for cookie swaps and office parties. Which treat would you tuck inside first?

You will need: Plain white paper takeout boxes, tissue paper, cookies or fudge, baker’s twine and a small sprig of greenery.

How to make it: 1. Line the box with a square of tissue paper. 2. Fill it with treats and fold the flaps closed. 3. Wrap twine around the box and tuck a sprig under the knot.

Cupcake Box Ornament Set

A clear cupcake carrier is the perfect home for a set of ornaments. Each round slot holds one bauble so nothing rolls around or breaks, and the clear lid shows off every color. Mix shiny, matte and glitter finishes, or make a set of handmade clay ornaments. Tie a ribbon over the top and you have a gift that looks like a boutique set. It is a lovely idea for a new home owner or a newly married couple. What colors would you pick for your set?

You will need: A clear plastic cupcake container with slots, 12 shatterproof or handmade ornaments and a wide ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the container clean and dry. 2. Set one ornament in each slot, mixing colors. 3. Close the lid and tie a ribbon bow on top.

Christmas Gift Packaging for a Homemade Loaf of Bread

Homemade bread is a gift everyone loves, and the dollar store loaf pans with clear lids make Christmas Gift Packaging easy. Bake right in the pan, let the loaf cool completely, then snap on the lid. Wrap a strip of checked fabric around the sides to hide the foil and tie it with jute and a few cinnamon sticks. Nobody needs to give the pan back, which is the best part. Pumpkin, banana or cranberry bread all work. Which loaf is your family favorite?

You will need: Disposable loaf pans with clear lids, your favorite quick bread, a strip of checked fabric, jute twine, cinnamon sticks and a blank tag.

How to make it: 1. Bake the bread in the pan and cool it completely. 2. Snap on the lid and wrap fabric around the sides. 3. Tie with jute and tuck in cinnamon sticks and a tag.

Painted Egg Carton Truffle Box

A paper egg carton is already shaped like a candy box. Give it two coats of red craft paint, add white dots with the end of a paintbrush and let it dry. Drop a small gold candy cup into each egg spot and fill it with a homemade truffle or a wrapped chocolate. Nobody will guess it held eggs last week. Use a clean carton that never had cracked eggs, and line it well. Who on your list has a sweet tooth?

You will need: A clean paper egg carton, red and white craft paint, a brush, gold candy cups, truffles or chocolates and a ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Paint the outside red and add white dots. 2. Let it dry fully and add a candy cup to each spot. 3. Fill with truffles, close the lid and tie a ribbon.

Ribbon Woven Berry Basket

Save those plastic berry baskets from the produce aisle, or grab a pack at the dollar store. Weave a wide satin ribbon in and out of the holes around the top and they turn into tiny gift baskets. Fill one with a jar of jam and two muffins, or with a few clementines and a tea towel. They are light, sturdy and easy to stack in the car on delivery day. This is a sweet one for neighbors. What would you fill yours with?

You will need: Plastic berry baskets, wide satin ribbon, shredded paper, a jar of jam, muffins wrapped in cellophane and a pine sprig.

How to make it: 1. Weave ribbon through the holes around the top edge. 2. Tie the ends in a bow at one corner. 3. Add shredded paper and arrange the treats inside.

Clear Tube Cozy Sock Gift

Socks are a classic stocking gift, but rolled up in a clear tube they look like a boutique present. Roll each pair tightly, stack them inside and cap the tube. Mix holiday patterns, fuzzy slipper socks and plain warm wool so the stripes of color show through. Tie a plaid bow at the top. These tubes stand up nicely in a stocking and they are easy to ship. You can fill the same tube with rolled scarves or hair ties. Who always has cold feet in your house?

You will need: A clear plastic gift tube with caps, four or five pairs of socks, a plaid ribbon and a small gift tag.

How to make it: 1. Roll each pair of socks tightly. 2. Stack the rolls inside the tube and cap it. 3. Tie a plaid bow around the top.

Christmas Gift Packaging From a Terra Cotta Pot

A plain terra cotta pot and saucer cost about two dollars together, and they make Christmas Gift Packaging that doubles as a keepsake. Paint the pot cream with a candy cane stripe on the rim, then flip the saucer over and glue a wooden knob on top to make a lid. Line the pot with a cellophane bag and fill it with cookies. Later it can hold pens, spoons or a little plant. What color stripe would you paint on yours?

You will need: A small terra cotta pot and matching saucer, cream and red craft paint, a round wooden knob, strong craft glue, a cellophane bag and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Paint the pot and saucer and let them dry. 2. Glue the knob to the upturned saucer to make a lid. 3. Line the pot with cellophane, fill it with cookies and tie a ribbon.

Ice Cream Pint Containers for Homemade Fudge

Plain paper pint containers, the kind ice cream shops use, are sold in packs in the party aisle. They are just the right size for a batch of fudge, toffee or spiced nuts. Layer the fudge with squares of wax paper so it does not stick, press on the lid and wrap a band of striped paper around the middle. Tie a ribbon and add a tag. They stack beautifully in a gift basket too. Which homemade candy would you pack first?

You will need: Plain paper pint containers with lids, wax paper, homemade fudge, striped paper, glue, ribbon and tags.

How to make it: 1. Cut the fudge into squares and layer it with wax paper. 2. Press on the lid. 3. Glue a striped paper band around the middle and tie a ribbon.

Sweater Sleeve Cookie Canister

An old sweater with a worn elbow still has two great sleeves left. Slide one over a dollar store glass canister, fold the cuff at the top and trim the bottom so it sits flat. Suddenly the plain jar looks cozy and knitted. Fill it with cookies, candy or cocoa packets and tie on a pom pom. The sleeve can come off later and the jar is a gift of its own. Do you have an old sweater waiting in a drawer?

You will need: A glass canister with lid, an old knit sweater, scissors, a little fabric glue, yarn and a pom pom.

How to make it: 1. Cut a sleeve to the height of the canister plus a few inches. 2. Slide it on, fold the cuff and glue the bottom edge under. 3. Fill with treats and tie on a pom pom.

Christmas Gift Packaging on a Mini Wooden Crate

Small unfinished wooden crates sit in the craft section of most dollar stores, and they turn a pile of little gifts into Christmas Gift Packaging with real farmhouse charm. Stain the crate with a little brown paint watered down, fill it with shredded paper and nestle in a few small treats. Honey, soap, coffee beans and a wooden spoon make a cozy set. After the holidays, the crate is a handy box for a shelf. Who on your list would love this one?

You will need: A small wooden crate, brown craft paint and water, a rag, shredded paper and small gifts like honey, soap and coffee beans.

How to make it: 1. Brush on watered down paint and wipe it back for a stained look. 2. Let it dry and fill it with shredded paper. 3. Arrange the gifts and tuck in pine sprigs.

Galvanized Pail Snow Day Kit

A shiny galvanized pail from the garden aisle is a fun container for a snow day kit. Pack it with mittens, a warm hat, candy canes and a bag of marshmallows for later. Tie a buffalo check bow on the handle and set it on a neighbor’s porch. Kids especially love this one, and the pail can hold snowballs, sand toys or garden tools later in the year. You could also make a car kit with an ice scraper and gloves. Who would be thrilled to find this on their step?

You will need: A small galvanized pail, mittens, a knit hat, candy canes, mini marshmallows and wide buffalo check ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Roll the mittens and hat and set them in the pail. 2. Add the treats around them. 3. Tie a big bow on the handle.

Clear Pencil Box Art Kit for Kids

Kids love opening a gift they can use right away, and a clear pencil box packed as an art kit keeps them busy for hours. Fill it with new crayons, colored pencils, a small sketchbook and a sheet of stickers. The clear lid shows off all the colors and the snap closure keeps everything together in the car. It is a sweet gift for nieces, nephews or a classroom gift swap. What would your little artist draw first?

You will need: A clear plastic pencil box, crayons, colored pencils, a small blank sketchbook, stickers and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Sort the crayons and pencils into neat rows. 2. Add the sketchbook and stickers on top. 3. Snap the lid shut and tie a ribbon around the box.

Christmas Gift Packaging Finale: A Drink Carrier Sampler

Finish your Christmas Gift Packaging with a clever sampler. A cardboard drink carrier with four slots holds small bottles of homemade caramel, chocolate sauce, raspberry syrup and maple syrup for pancakes. Tie a plaid ribbon around the handle and a blank tag on each bottle so you can write the flavors by hand. It is a gift for the whole family on Christmas morning. For more ways to wrap small gifts, see our DIY Christmas Gift Boxes gallery. Which of these 15 ideas will you try first?

You will need: A four slot cardboard drink carrier, small glass bottles with lids, homemade sauces and syrups, kraft tags, twine and plaid ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Fill the bottles and close them tightly. 2. Tie a tag on each bottle and write the flavor. 3. Set the bottles in the carrier and tie a ribbon on the handle.