When the Christmas season begins, finding the perfect gift that looks like you took some time and doesn’t break the bank can be a real challenge. Cyndi Dickman, of Bountiful, is a master at creating gifts that are unique and thoughtful. From nativity characters painted on blocks that can be built into a creche scene for the families involved in the Sub-for-Santa to small treats that can be sold at the Festival of Trees, Dickman has done it all, in bulk.

A small gift for an individual may be dressing up a Tic Tac box or candy bar. Patterns can be bought online for covering these items or cut out paper decorated with markers can be used. Dickman suggests getting ideas on Pinterest. For family neighbor gifts, a sparkling beverage or wine bottle can be painted with a snowman or decorated with paper paired with matching stem glasses decorated similarly. Any gift that fits the receiver can be made cute and thoughtful with a little crafty ingenuity. Think of what Christmas characters could be made out of those popular round lip balms. Hats cut out of felt and paints embellished with markers can change the ordinary into a thoughtful gift. The small, round hot cocoa mixes are particularly fun to decorate on the sides and top. Add a saying like, “Hot Chocolate is like a hug from the inside” along with a name and the gift will hit the right notes.

Dickman spoke of a lonely man that she befriended at her work at American Express that was completely blown away by a candy cane wreath that someone left on his door. Although this man was a little standoffish generally, he was genuinely touched by the gift. “It is not what you are giving. It’s the spirit with which you are giving it,” said Dickman. “People who don’t have a lot of family around just need to be reached out to.” Dickman has even given gifts for all the 12 days of Christmas to some of her neighbors anonymously. Once she did this for six families simultaneously and she confessed that it was a little overwhelming. “You don’t need to boil the ocean,” said Dickman. “Just one kettle.” She suggests that a gift could be really simple like a plate of cookies with a little add on decoration that makes it cute. 

Sometimes the number of sweet treats at Christmas can be too much. One of her more popular neighbor gifts was pairing a jar of salsa with a bag of chips. Frozen burritos with a can of enchilada sauce could be a gift that also becomes dinner in this busy season. This year, Dickman plans to give out Chex mix in mason jars with a picture of Santa she bought off Etsy with a saying about how Santa is Chex’ing his list. 

Dickman refused to have her picture taken joking that she was “in the witness protection program and had to be careful.” So, the items that she has sent off into the world will have to represent her and her talent at finding the perfect, thoughtful gift.