Here is a personalized poem that goes along with some Cookie Dough Mix... just copy and paste the text into your word processor then you can personalize it with a border or print it on some cute scrapbooking paper.
“Twas the Night Before Christmas”
Twas the night before Christmas at the “(recipient family’s last name) Homestead”,
The Parents were stumbling and fell into bed.
The presents were wrapped, the last bow had been tied,
And very honestly, (wife’s name) was fried.
When all of a sudden, (husbands name) sat up in a fright!
“I’m not sure Santa’s coming at all tonight!
We forgot to make cookies-Santa must be fed!
Will we get any presents?” they wondered with dread!
Then (wife’s name) replied, “It’s no problem my dear,
Don’t you remember the (your families last name) this year?
They gave us a handy, and most thoughtful gift,
It’s a bag of cookie mix, on the shelf it does sit.”
Then (husbands name) said in awe, “Those (your families last name) sure are swell,
They’ve saved the day for us, and for Santa as well.”
He hopped out of bed and put on his cap
Ran right to the kitchen- the cookies were a snap!
(Husbands name) set them out carefully on the new Christmas plate
Then whipped up some eggnog since it wasn’t that late.
He brought some to (wife’s name) and they had a small feast.
Eggnog and cookies-she didn’t mind in the least!
Then (husbands name) rubbed her back while she soaked her aching feet
For he understood “Christmas Prep” is no treat!
(Wife’s name) said “Those cookies, they sure hit the spot,
I’m sure ole Santa will like them a lot.”
With peace in their hearts, they got ready for sleep,
For the last Christmas duty was now complete.
As they pulled up the covers, their eyes all misty
(Husbands name) wondered, “Will Santa bring me my XBOX 360?”
Here is a really cute poem called "Not So Homemade Fudge" and all you have to do is buy some Symphony Bars to go along with it and it will make everyone smile! Just click on the image to view it larger and right click, then choose copy image. Then you can paste it into Photoshop and add your family name to the bottom :) The size you will need to paste it onto is a regular paper size, 11x8.5 and 300 Resolution.
I also gave out this cute note with some homemade gift tags, or you can buy some really cheap at Seagull Book, or you can buy the Avery Labels and make some cute ones using Photoshop or the Avery FREE software download. Just give each neighbor a sheet. These do need to be passed out at the beginning of December or you run the risk of those people who are really on the ball already having their gifts wrapped and ready to go! Just copy and paste these on to an 8.5x11 sheet in photoshop so you can print multiple ones at a time and just cut them apart.
We also thought in our neighborhood to just have a fun cookie exchange party and have everyone bring the money they would have spent on Neighbor Gifts and donate it to the food pantry. This way we can have fun visiting with each other and the money would go to a worthy cause, because let's face it, who needs a Symphony Bar laying around the house calling out your name?
