Christmas Table Favors: 14 Tiny Handmade Gifts That Make Every Guest Feel Special

Christmas table favors are the little touch your guests remember long after the plates are cleared. Think back to the last holiday dinner where you found something small waiting just for you at your seat. A tiny box, a ribbon, a sweet treat. It said someone thought about you before you even walked in the door. That feeling is the whole magic, and it does not take money to make it. Most of these ideas use kitchen staples, scraps of ribbon and paper you already have in a drawer. You can make a dozen in one cozy evening with a mug of cocoa and a holiday movie on. Below are 14 tiny handmade gifts, each one simple, cheap and pretty enough to make every guest at your table feel truly special..

Christmas Table Favors: Chocolate Truffle Bundles With a Pine Sprig

This is the favor that started a craze on Facebook, with one short video of mini gift bundles passing 800,000 reactions. A handful of homemade truffles in a clear bag, a fat red bow and a real pine sprig. That is it. It looks like it came from a fancy shop, yet it costs pennies per guest. Set one on every plate and watch faces light up as people sit down. Kids love them too, so make a few extra for the little ones at the end of the table..

You will need: clear cellophane treat bags, homemade chocolate truffles or plain foil chocolates, wide red ribbon, small pine sprigs from the yard.

How to make it: 1. Fill each bag with four or five truffles. 2. Gather the top and tie a big bow. 3. Tuck a pine sprig under the knot and place one on each plate.

Mini Kraft Box Place Cards

Why choose between a place card and a gift when one tiny box can do both jobs? Write each guest’s name on a small tag, tie it to a little kraft box with red twine and slip a sprig of rosemary under the knot. Inside you can hide a chocolate, a pair of earrings for your sister or a handwritten note. Guests find their seat and get a surprise at the same time. Which little treasure would you tuck inside for your favorite aunt?

You will need: small kraft gift boxes, red and white twine, plain paper tags, a fine marker, fresh rosemary.

How to make it: 1. Fold or assemble the boxes and add a small treat. 2. Write each name on a tag. 3. Tie the tag on with twine and tuck in the rosemary.

Christmas Table Favors in a Jar: Homemade Cocoa Mix

Christmas table favors that guests can enjoy the next morning are always a hit, and nothing beats a jar of cocoa. Layer cocoa powder, sugar, mini marshmallows and crushed peppermint in small jars so the stripes show through the glass. Top each lid with a circle of red gingham fabric and a tiny wooden spoon. It feels like you are sending everyone home with a cozy winter morning. Who at your table would love a sweet start to Boxing Day?

You will need: small glass jars with lids, cocoa powder, sugar, mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint candy, gingham fabric squares, twine, mini wooden spoons.

How to make it: 1. Mix cocoa and sugar and spoon it into the bottom of each jar. 2. Add marshmallows and peppermint on top. 3. Cover the lid with fabric, tie with twine and add a spoon.

Paper Cones of Spiced Nuts

Old fashioned sugared pecans smell like Christmas the minute they come out of the oven. Roll squares of white parchment into cones, fill them with warm spiced nuts and close each one with a red ribbon and a pine sprig. Stand them in a rustic wooden tray as a centerpiece, then let guests take one home at the end of the night. Have you ever tried adding a pinch of orange zest to the spice mix? It is a small change guests always ask about.

You will need: pecans or almonds, egg white, sugar, cinnamon, a pinch of salt, white parchment squares, red ribbon, pine sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Toss nuts in whisked egg white, sugar and cinnamon and bake until glossy. 2. Roll parchment into cones and tape the seam. 3. Fill, fold the top and tie with ribbon.

Christmas Table Favors: Matchbox Wish Boxes

Some of the sweetest Christmas table favors hold no candy at all, just words. Cover empty matchbox sized craft boxes in leftover wrapping paper and tuck a tiny rolled scroll inside each one. On every scroll, write a wish for the year ahead or a happy memory you share with that guest. People keep these for years, tucked in a jewelry box or a wallet. What wish would you write for the person who sits next to you every year?

You will need: empty craft matchboxes (new, from the craft store), scraps of Christmas wrapping paper, glue stick, thin paper strips, gold thread.

How to make it: 1. Glue wrapping paper around the outer sleeve. 2. Write a wish on a paper strip and roll it up. 3. Tie the scroll with gold thread and slide it into the box.

Shortbread Stars in Glassine Bags

One perfect cookie can feel more special than a whole tin. Bake a batch of buttery shortbread stars, sprinkle them with coarse sugar and slide each one into a small glassine bag. Seal the top with red and white baker’s twine and a mini candy cane. Lay one on each folded napkin so it is the first thing guests see. Want a shortcut? Use a simple three ingredient shortbread and a star cutter you already own.

You will need: butter, flour, sugar, coarse sparkling sugar, a star cookie cutter, glassine bags, baker’s twine, mini candy canes.

How to make it: 1. Mix, roll and cut the shortbread, then bake until pale gold. 2. Sprinkle with sugar while warm. 3. Bag each cookie, tie with twine and add a candy cane.

Christmas Table Favors That Bloom in Spring: Seed Packets

Christmas table favors usually disappear by New Year, but this one grows. Fold small envelopes from kraft paper, stamp them with leaves or flowers and fill them with wildflower or herb seeds. Tie each one with green ribbon and a sprig of eucalyptus. Months later, when your guests plant them, they will think of your table all over again. Gardeners in your family will love this one most. Which flower seeds would you choose?

You will need: kraft paper, a small leaf or flower stamp and ink, glue stick, packets of wildflower or herb seeds, green ribbon, eucalyptus sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Cut and fold kraft paper into small envelopes and glue the sides. 2. Stamp the front and let it dry. 3. Fill with seeds, seal and tie with ribbon.

Hand Stamped Linen Napkins

A gift guests can use at their own table is one they will treasure. Buy plain linen or cotton napkins and stamp a border of tiny trees and stars with fabric paint and a cut eraser or wooden stamp. Roll each napkin, tie it with twine and add a cinnamon stick for a sweet smell. Use them at dinner, then tell everyone to take theirs home. It is a craft you can finish in one afternoon. Will you go red, green or gold?

You will need: plain linen or cotton napkins, fabric paint in red and green, small stamps or carved erasers, a paper plate for paint, twine, cinnamon sticks.

How to make it: 1. Wash and iron the napkins. 2. Dab paint on the stamp and press a pattern along the edges, then let dry and heat set with an iron. 3. Roll, tie and add a cinnamon stick.

Christmas Table Favors That Glow: LED Tealight Jars

Christmas table favors that glow make the whole room feel warm, and battery tealights keep it safe around kids, pets and long sleeves. Frost small jars with spray or a coat of glue and Epsom salt, wrap them with burlap and red ribbon, then add a pine sprig. Drop a flickering LED tealight inside each one and line them down the table. At the end of dinner, every guest carries a little light home. Is there a prettier way to say goodnight?

You will need: small glass jars, frosted glass spray or white glue and Epsom salt, burlap strips, red ribbon, pine sprigs, battery LED tealights.

How to make it: 1. Frost the jars and let them dry fully. 2. Wrap burlap and ribbon around the middle and tuck in a sprig. 3. Switch on an LED tealight and set one at each place.

Felt Mittens With a Treat Inside

These little mittens are the kind of craft grandma made at the kitchen table. Cut two mitten shapes from red felt, stitch around the edge with white thread and leave the cuff open. Add a tiny pom pom, then tuck two peppermints or a chocolate inside. After dinner, guests can hang them on their tree as an ornament. Pick a different felt color for each guest if you want them to tell their mittens apart. Who taught you to sew your first stitch?

You will need: red felt, white embroidery thread, a needle, paper for a mitten template, small white pom poms, fabric glue, wrapped peppermints.

How to make it: 1. Trace and cut two mitten shapes per favor. 2. Blanket stitch around the edges, leaving the cuff open. 3. Glue on a pom pom and fill with treats.

Mini Bottle Brush Tree Favors

Vintage bottle brush trees are one of the hottest holiday decor looks right now, and they make adorable favors. Pick up a pack of tiny trees, glue each one to an old wooden thread spool and dust the tips with fake snow. Use pastel pink, mint and sage for a soft retro look. Guests can set them on a desk or a windowsill all season. Do you have a jar of old spools hiding in your sewing basket?

You will need: mini bottle brush trees, small wooden spools, strong craft glue, fake snow or white paint, optional bleach and fabric dye for pastel colors.

How to make it: 1. Trim the tree base so it sits flat. 2. Glue it on top of a spool and let it set. 3. Dab the tips with fake snow and place one on each plate.

Cinnamon Stick Bundles

Want a favor that costs almost nothing and makes the house smell amazing? Tie three cinnamon sticks together with jute twine and add a dried orange slice or a star anise if you have one. Set a bundle on each napkin. Guests can drop it in a pot of simmering water at home, hang it on the tree or tuck it into a gift. A big bag of cinnamon sticks from the bulk aisle will make favors for the whole family. Which scent says Christmas to you?

You will need: cinnamon sticks, jute twine, dried orange slices, star anise (optional).

How to make it: 1. Stack three sticks together. 2. Wrap twine around the middle a few times and tie a bow. 3. Tuck in an orange slice or star anise.

Christmas Table Favors to Keep: Wood Slice Ornaments

Christmas table favors that end up on the tree year after year are worth every minute. Sand small wood slices, drill a hole near the top and write each guest’s name or a short message with a wood burning pen or a paint marker. Add a ribbon loop and set them on the plates. Ask an adult to handle the drill and wood burner. Every December, your guests will hang them up and remember this dinner. What would you write on yours?

You will need: wood slices from the craft store, sandpaper, a small drill (adult only), paint pens or a wood burning pen (adult only), red ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Sand the wood slices smooth. 2. Drill a small hole near the top. 3. Write a name or message, thread a ribbon loop and tie.

Folded Paper Star Ornaments

A sheet of paper can turn into something beautiful with a few folds. Fold white and gold paper into small stars, add a thread loop and tuck one into every napkin. They look delicate and expensive, but a pack of origami paper makes dozens. Put on some music, follow an easy star tutorial and fold together with the family the week before. For more ideas guests will love, see our DIY hostess gifts, and learn how the tradition of the party favor began. Which ornament will you make first?

You will need: white and gold origami paper, a bone folder or ruler, glue dots, thin gold thread.

How to make it: 1. Fold the paper units following an easy star pattern. 2. Join the points with glue dots. 3. Add a gold thread loop and tuck into a napkin.