I’ve always envied those people who are so prepared for the holidays that they do a little something for everyone. It warms my heart to see others giving gifts to their neighbors, mail carrier, kids teachers’, etc but I often fall short myself. It’s financially draining to get gifts for just family members and close friends, so finding extra money on the budget for those outside of that circle is tough. I got excited when I saw that Betty Crocker is doing a #SpreadCheer campaign because I realized how quick, easy and affordable it could be to spread cheer to my neighbors, mail carrier and other semi-distant people in my life who I appreciate.
The Spread Cheer page on the Betty Crocker website has everything you need including recipes, coupon, decorating tips, videos for inspiration and printable gift tags!
To get started print off a coupon from theSpread cheer page for Betty Crocker cookie mix to save money on your mix. I picked up simple sugar cookie mix because that’s the favorite in my household. You might also consider picking up frosting, sprinkles, cookie cutters or other items to help make your cookies extra pretty or festive. I knew I was going to make mine with Kelsie so I decided to keep things pretty simple and just got Betty Crocker frosting and some red and green sprinkles.
Once home get to baking! Kelsie is all about helping adults do just about anything, including cooking. She was eager to help cut and pour the mix into a bowl, add softened butter and even crack eggs. Then we simply mixed the dough and dropped it onto a cookie tray in rounded spoonfuls. This mix is so easy to use, and cooks in just 5-7 minutes in your oven. Once our cookies had cooled off a bit we covered them with frosting and covered with red and green sprinkles for a holiday feel.
I went back to the Spread Cheer page on the Betty Crocker site to print off gift tags. I had some plastic storage containers that I packed about half a dozen cookies in each, and we taped the gift tags to the top. With just two bags of Betty Crocker Cookie mix we were able to make six half-dozen containers. I had about $10 invested in the two bags of cookie mix, stick of butter, two eggs, frosting and sprinkles, making these a super affordable way to bring a smile to the faces of others.
Plus, Kelsie loved helping me make the cookies and delivering them to those near by. I loved seeing her light-up at how she could spread cheer to others in our lives. I love the idea of kids growing up with the memory of bringing happiness to others during the holiday season so I think we’ll be making this a yearly tradition.
Want to get your kids in on spreading cheer? Visit the #SpreadCheer page to print your coupon, gift tags & more!
Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.
We have several neighbors who are friendly throughout the year—an elderly couple across the street share their yard-grown tomatoes and okra; the beefy guy next door lends a hand with heavy stuff. I love the idea of spreading cheer with holiday cookies. I will also be adding hot cocoa mix.
We are trying to do the same and now when kids are older it will be easy. We love Betty Crocker’s mixes and kids love to “create”, our neighbors are happy too
This is just so sweet! I love that Betty Crocker makes it so easy and affordable to do this. We have a ton of neighbors that would love this and I imagine out two year old daughter would love to deliver the gifts like your daughter. It’s a great lesson in how giving can be more fun than receiving – especially this time of year.
Such a great idea!! An amazing way to put a smile on someone’s face and some goodies in their tummy without breaking the bank!! Now if I could just improve my baking skills lol 😉 Worlds worst baker over here!! I’ll happily take all the homemade yummies over here though 😉
My dad loves it when I bake or make something homemade for him and good thing too, since he is not one to like presents, or much for the holidays for that matter, lol. Gives me an excuse to give him a “gift” and I try to include healthy nuts and fruits too.
The best gifts are always homemade. When my kids were little we would make little hand prints out of salt dough.
My grandchildren make craft clay from scratch and we make ornaments for the tree. We give them out to folks who just love the idea.
I always make homemade goodies for my neighbors and the mailman. We bake Betty Crocker cakes and cookies mixes all the time. We have family night every Friday and we bake and watch movies. I love the idea of baking for others it’s the though of sharing and caring at the holiday time.
Wow! $10 is a great price for this project. Betty Crocker sugar cookies are truly the best. Add some cream cheese frosting, decorate and pure deiciousness. 🙂
I think homemade gifts are the best! Im a big sugar cookies with frosting fan and I love it when my sister and nieces make them. Its an easy affordable gift all year round not just Christmas ?
This is such a good idea. My neighbor just bought us a container of muffins. I did not have anything for her. I felt so bad. That will not happen again. My sister also buys some fuzzy socks and has extra gifts for anyone stopping by. I will be better prepared for Christmas next year. Thank you for the ideas.
There is nothing better than a homemade gift. This lets you give of yourself and your time. I always love cookies, fudge and things people have made. Its fun and the if you are the giver, the smiles make every minute fun.
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We have several neighbors who are friendly throughout the year—an elderly couple across the street share their yard-grown tomatoes and okra; the beefy guy next door lends a hand with heavy stuff. I love the idea of spreading cheer with holiday cookies. I will also be adding hot cocoa mix.