Christmas Gifts in a Mug: 16 Cozy Ideas That Cost Less Than 10 Dollars Each
Christmas Gifts in a Mug are the sweetest little presents you can make, and every one of them costs less than 10 dollars. A plain mug from the dollar store or the back of your cupboard becomes the gift and the wrapping at the same time. Fill it with cocoa, cookies, tea, seeds or tiny treasures, tie on a ribbon and a kraft tag, and suddenly it looks like something from a cute boutique. These are perfect for neighbors, teachers, coworkers, grandparents and anyone on your list who loves a cozy night in. Below are 16 easy ideas, each with a short list of what you need and simple steps. Grab a stack of mugs, put on some holiday music and let the filling begin..
Christmas Gifts in a Mug That Cost Less Than 10 Dollars
Christmas Gifts in a Mug work because the mug is a gift that keeps on giving long after the treats are gone. Start with mugs that cost one to three dollars at the dollar store, a thrift shop or a discount aisle. Pick one color family, like red and white, so a whole batch looks like a matching set. Then fill each one with a theme, tie it with ribbon and add a blank kraft tag you can write on yourself. Ready to see sixteen fillings that make people smile..
You will need: Plain ceramic mugs, cellophane treat bags, ribbon, kraft paper tags and fillings. Budget: about 5 to 10 dollars per mug.
How to make it: 1. Wash and dry each mug and remove any stickers. 2. Choose a theme for each one. 3. Fill, wrap and tag them in one evening, assembly line style.
Christmas Gifts in a Mug Start With Hot Cocoa
Christmas Gifts in a Mug almost always begin with hot cocoa, and for good reason: everyone loves it. Spoon about half a cup of cocoa mix into a small cellophane bag and twist it shut. Set it in the mug, then add a second little bag of mini marshmallows on top. Two candy canes tucked in the side double as stirrers and make the whole thing look festive. Tie baker’s twine around the handle and attach a tag with the mixing directions. Who on your list would curl up with this first?
You will need: A red mug, cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, two cellophane bags, candy canes, baker’s twine and a tag.
How to make it: 1. Fill one bag with cocoa mix and one with marshmallows. 2. Stack them in the mug and add the candy canes. 3. Tie twine around the handle and add a tag that says to mix with one cup of hot milk.
A Mug Cake Kit With a Recipe Tag
A mug cake kit is a gift that turns into dessert in about two minutes. Mix four tablespoons of flour, three of sugar, two of cocoa and a pinch of baking powder, then pour it into a small bag. Add a tiny bag of chocolate chips and a wooden spoon. On the recipe tag, write that they only need to add three tablespoons each of milk and oil, stir, and microwave for about a minute. It is the perfect gift for a college student or a busy friend. Would you make chocolate or vanilla?
You will need: A mug, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, chocolate chips, small bags, a wooden spoon and a recipe card.
How to make it: 1. Measure the dry ingredients into one bag and seal it. 2. Add a small bag of chips and the spoon. 3. Tie on the recipe card with the wet ingredients and microwave time.
A Coffee Lover Mug With Biscotti
For the friend who cannot start the day without coffee, this one is a winner. Buy a small bag of good beans or ground coffee and split it into kraft pouches, so one bag fills two or three mugs. Stand two biscotti upright in cellophane for height, then add a few loose beans on top for that coffee shop look. Homemade biscotti are easy and keep for weeks, but store bought works too. A cream ribbon keeps the colors calm and grown up. Do you know someone who would love this on a Monday morning?
You will need: A tall mug, coffee beans or ground coffee, kraft pouches, biscotti, cellophane and cream ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Fill a kraft pouch with coffee and fold the top. 2. Wrap the biscotti and stand them behind the pouch. 3. Sprinkle a few beans on top and tie the ribbon.
A Tea Time Mug With a Honey Stick
Tea lovers are easy to please and this mug proves it. Choose five or six different tea bags, like peppermint, chamomile and chai, and stand them upright so the flavors show. Add a few honey straws, a cinnamon stick and a little metal infuser for loose tea. A white mug with a gold rim makes it feel elegant without costing more. Finish with a soft green velvet ribbon for a calm, wintry look. Which tea would you tuck in first?
You will need: A white or gold rim mug, assorted tea bags, honey straws, a cinnamon stick, a tea infuser and velvet ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Stand the tea bags upright around the inside of the mug. 2. Slide in the honey straws, cinnamon and infuser. 3. Tie the ribbon around the handle.
Christmas Gifts in a Mug Filled With Peppermint Bark
Christmas Gifts in a Mug get extra sweet with homemade peppermint bark. Melt dark chocolate, spread it on a lined tray, then swirl white chocolate on top and sprinkle crushed candy canes. Chill it until firm, break it into rough pieces and pile them into a cellophane bag inside a white mug. One tray of bark fills four or five mugs, so the cost per gift stays tiny. Ask an adult to handle the melting, and let the kids crush the candy canes in a zip bag. Would your family eat it before it is wrapped?
You will need: Dark and white chocolate, candy canes, a lined tray, cellophane bags, white mugs and red ribbon (adult help to melt).
How to make it: 1. Melt the dark chocolate and spread it thin on a lined tray. 2. Swirl melted white chocolate on top and sprinkle crushed candy canes. 3. Chill, break into pieces and bag them in the mugs.
Christmas Gifts in a Mug for Cold Hands
Christmas Gifts in a Mug can keep fingers warm as well as tummies. Roll a pair of mittens or stretchy gloves and tuck them into a chunky mug, letting the cuffs peek out over the rim. Add two plain hand warmer packets and, if there is room, a small knit hat or a pair of cozy socks. This one is great for the mail carrier, a bus driver or anyone who spends winter mornings outside. Most dollar stores sell mittens and hand warmers for a dollar or two. Who do you know with always cold hands?
You will need: A chunky mug, mittens or gloves, hand warmer packets, a small knit hat or socks and plaid ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Roll the mittens and stand them in the mug. 2. Tuck the hand warmers and hat around them. 3. Tie plaid ribbon around the handle with a tag.
A Mini Succulent Planted in a Mug
A living gift lasts long after the holidays, and a mini succulent is almost impossible to kill. Put a layer of small pebbles in the bottom of the mug for drainage, add cactus soil and gently press in a little succulent. Top it with white pebbles so it looks finished and tidy. Tell your friend to water it only when the soil is dry, about every two weeks. Small succulents cost two to four dollars at garden centers. Would you pick a rosette, a jade or a tiny cactus?
You will need: A small mug, pebbles, cactus soil, a mini succulent, white decorative stones and a small bow.
How to make it: 1. Add a layer of pebbles for drainage. 2. Fill with cactus soil and plant the succulent. 3. Top with white stones and tie a bow on the handle.
Christmas Gifts in a Mug for the Crafty Friend
Christmas Gifts in a Mug make a perfect starter kit for a friend who wants a new hobby. Choose three small balls of soft yarn in colors that look pretty together and nestle them in the mug. Stand a crochet hook and a pair of short knitting needles upright, then add small scissors. Write the name of a simple first project on the tag, like a dishcloth or a scarf. Yarn is often on sale in December, so this stays well under ten dollars. Would you make one for a beginner or a seasoned knitter?
You will need: A mug, three small balls of yarn, a crochet hook or knitting needles, small scissors and ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Place the yarn balls in the mug. 2. Stand the hook and needles upright behind them. 3. Tie a ribbon and a tag with a first project idea.
Cookie Mix Layered in a Clear Glass Mug
A clear glass mug shows off pretty layers of cookie mix. Spoon in flour, then brown sugar, white sugar, chocolate chips and red and green candies, tapping gently after each layer so the lines stay crisp. Cover the top with a circle of gingham fabric and tie it with twine. The tag tells them to add one egg and a little butter, then bake. A single mug makes about six cookies, just right for a cozy night. Which layer would you put on top?
You will need: A clear glass mug, flour, brown and white sugar, chocolate chips, candy coated chocolates, gingham fabric and twine.
How to make it: 1. Layer the dry ingredients one by one, tapping after each. 2. Cover with a fabric circle and tie with twine. 3. Add a tag with the egg, butter and baking time.
Christmas Gifts in a Mug With a Candy Cane Cocoa Bomb
Christmas Gifts in a Mug turn magical with a cocoa bomb inside. Paint melted chocolate into a round silicone mold, chill it, then fill one half with cocoa mix and mini marshmallows and seal it with the other half. Drizzle with white chocolate and crushed candy cane. When your friend pours hot milk over it, the ball cracks open and the marshmallows pop up. An adult should melt the chocolate, but kids love decorating the tops. Have you ever watched one open in a cup?
You will need: Milk chocolate, a round silicone mold, cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, white chocolate, candy canes and shredded paper (adult help to melt).
How to make it: 1. Coat the mold with melted chocolate and chill. 2. Fill one half with cocoa and marshmallows, then seal with a warmed second half. 3. Drizzle, sprinkle and set it in the mug on shredded paper.
A Gardener Mug With Seed Packets
Gardeners dream about spring all winter, so give them something to plan with. Fill a stoneware mug with a few seed packets, like herbs, sweet peas or zinnias, and add a rolled pair of floral gloves. A small pair of pruners or a few wooden plant markers makes it feel complete. You can even save seeds from your own garden in kraft envelopes and label them by hand. Jute twine keeps the look natural and earthy. What would you plant first when the snow melts?
You will need: A stoneware mug, seed packets or kraft envelopes, gardening gloves, small pruners or plant markers and jute twine.
How to make it: 1. Stand the seed packets around the inside of the mug. 2. Tuck in the rolled gloves and markers. 3. Tie jute twine around the handle.
A Teacher Thank You Mug With Pens and Notes
Teachers use mugs every single day, so this gift never goes to waste. Fill a cheerful red mug with colorful pens, a pad of sticky notes and a couple of new pencils. Tuck in a few foil wrapped chocolates for an afternoon treat between classes. Let your child write a short thank you note on the tag in their own words. Pens and notes come in multipacks, so one pack can fill mugs for several teachers. What would your child write on the tag?
You will need: A red mug, colorful pens, sticky notes, pencils, foil wrapped chocolates and gingham ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Stand the pens and pencils in the mug. 2. Slide the sticky notes in front and add the chocolates on top. 3. Tie the ribbon and let your child write the tag.
A Christmas Morning Oatmeal Mug
Give someone a slow, cozy breakfast on Christmas morning. Mix rolled oats with dried cranberries, chopped pecans and a pinch of cinnamon, then bag it for the mug. Add a cinnamon stick and a tiny bottle of maple syrup on the side. The tag says to stir the mix with hot milk or water and let it sit for a few minutes. It is a thoughtful gift for a new neighbor or a friend who skips breakfast. Would you add chocolate chips or keep it simple?
You will need: A mug, rolled oats, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, cinnamon, a small bottle of maple syrup and ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Mix the oats, fruit, nuts and cinnamon and bag them. 2. Set the bag in the mug with the cinnamon stick and syrup. 3. Tie a ribbon and a tag with the directions.
A Mini Spa Mug for a Quiet Night
Sometimes the best gift is permission to relax. Roll a white washcloth tightly and stand it in a pretty pink mug, then add a bath fizzer, a lip balm and a little jar of sugar scrub. Sugar scrub is easy to make with sugar, coconut oil and a drop of vanilla. A sprig of dried lavender on top makes it smell lovely when opened. This is a sweet thank you for a new mom, a nurse or a busy friend. Who on your list needs a quiet night most?
You will need: A pink mug, a washcloth, a bath fizzer, lip balm, a small jar of homemade sugar scrub, dried lavender and ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Roll the washcloth and stand it in the mug. 2. Tuck the fizzer, balm and scrub around it. 3. Add lavender and tie the ribbon.
Christmas Gifts in a Mug Wrapped in a Tea Towel
Christmas Gifts in a Mug look extra special when the wrapping is a second gift. Set the filled mug in the middle of a cotton tea towel, gather the four corners over the top and tie them in a knot. Slip a pine sprig and a tag into the knot. No tape and no paper to throw away, and your friend gets a useful towel for the kitchen. Like these ideas? Try our Christmas gifts in a jar next, or read a little history of the humble mug. Which filling will you make first?
You will need: A filled mug, a cotton tea towel, a pine sprig and a kraft tag.
How to make it: 1. Lay the tea towel flat and set the mug in the center. 2. Bring the four corners up over the top. 3. Tie them in a knot and tuck in the pine sprig and tag.
