These sweet & simple 12 Days of Christmas gift ideas are perfect for anyone who needs some extra cheer! Cute poems for each day correlate with an inexpensive gift--many of which can be found at the grocery or dollar store.
THE SIMPLEST 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
Are you looking for 12 Days of Christmas ideas for family? Or a simple 12 days of Christmas gift idea for secret santa?
This sweet & simple version makes is so easy for you to spread some Christmas cheer!
My mom (the reason I started this website) loved doing the 12 days of Christmas for someone who needed some extra holiday cheer. She always involved us in the process by having us help with the shopping, wrapping, or delivering.
One of my favorite childhood Christmas memories is getting all bundled up, piling in our station wagon, and doorbell ditching the gifts each night.
She always used the same Sweet and Simple 12 days of Christmas gifts. I'm not sure where she got this idea, but she loved it because it called for simple and inexpensive gifts that could be picked up during your normal shopping.
Ever since she passed away when I was 15, I've loved using these ideas for 12 Days of Christmas with my own children. And they love it, too!

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
I love creating 12 Days of Christmas with different themes to gift to others! Even though this Sweet & Simple version is our go-to (because it's so easy!), we also have given:
- 12 Days of Christ -a Christ-centered version with a name of Christ and correlating gift idea (good for anyone)
- 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas For Him
- 12 Days of Christmas for teachers
- 12 Dates of Christmas (good for husband or boyfriend)
- 12 Days of Christmas for Missionaries
Grab all 8 versions of the most popular 12 Days of Christmas here in our bargain bundle!
WHAT IS THIS SWEET & SIMPLE VERSION ALL ABOUT?
- There are sweet poems that correlate with the gift ideas
- Most gift items can be found at the dollar store or grocery store, making it inexpensive!
- Putting the 12 Days together is so easy. All you need are the tags and gifts.
- It's great for families, widows, co-workers, etc!
Need 12 Days of Christmas ideas for family? This is perfect for that!
PRINTABLE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TAGS
These 12 Days of Christmas tags come in 2 different color schemes. They are ready to be printed at home or at your favorite print shop. Grab the printable tags here.

CAN THESE BE EDITED?
Yes! In case you want to switch up some of the days (for example if you don't have snow), you'll get an editable document as well as the original! There are 2 different color options, so you can choose your favorite color scheme.
WHAT ARE THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS?
The awesome part about this 12 Days version is the gifts are inexpensive and can be picked up at the grocery store or dollar store!
Here are the 12 items I use for each day. However, feel free to switch up a few depending on what you can find. You'll notice some of the poems for each day have a few different gift options.
- Sprite
- Christmas candle
- Christmas story (here are some of our favorite Christmas stories)
- Candy canes
- Ornament
- Chips and dip
- Cozy socks or hot cocoa (homemade hot cocoa mix recipe here!)
- Cookies
- Gloves
- Treat
- Rice Krispy treats (or the ingredients for them)
- Popcorn and/or nativity (this is a cute wooden ornament one!)
SHOP THE GIFTS AND PICK UP AT TARGET:
Create a 12 days of Christmas gift box by wrapping each gift in brown paper and ribbon plus the tag.

INSTRUCTIONS
- Print and cut out these tags.
- Put the 12 days of Christmas gifts list in your purse and start picking up the gifts as you find them.
- Wrap them up or keep them as is.
- Attach the tag to each corresponding gift.
- Doorbell ditch all of them at once (with instructions to open one per day) or deliver each night. Don't get caught!

WHEN DOES THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS START?
The official 12 gifts of Christmas starts on Christmas day, however, most people like to give gifts before Christmas.
If you deliver the first day of Christmas on December 14th, the last gift will end on December 25th.
You can also start on December 13th to finish on Christmas Eve.
If you don't want to deliver a gift each day, place all the gifts in a bag with directions to open one gift each day.
FAQ
If you live in a warm climate for December (I won't be too jealous :), you can find an instant digital download here. This editable option all comes in handy if you want to change a few of the tags to fit gifts you may have already picked up.
12 Days of Christ - a Christ-Centered 12 Days of Christmas featuring a name of Christ, scripture verse reference, and gift idea to go with that name.
12 Days for Guys- (great for your husband or boyfriend)
12 Days of Christmas for teachers
12 Dates of Christmas (good for husband or boyfriend)
12 Days of Christmas for Missionaries
Crystalyn says
I think this is brilliant. I am so going to sneaky leave presents on someones porch this Christmas season! Now I just need to decide who... Thanks for the printable 🙂
Mel says
Your welcome Crystalyn. Enjoy! This is one of our favorite Christmas activities.
Kim Seeman says
Looking forward to doing this, if you would please send the editable version, I'd really appreciate it. Such a cute idea~
Kim
Cher Jewkes says
I Love This! But It Doesn't Snow Here So I Would LoveTo Have The Editable Version. Thank You!
Karen Glenn says
I love this, I do want to be able to change a few of them up for my missionary son. I have been looking everywhere for something like this that is simple!! Thank you
Tara Rocha says
i love this! Can I please get an editable version? Thanks!
katina green says
I love this. I would like the editable version. Thank you
Jaclyn Morris says
I would love the editable version please.
Kenzie says
I would love the editable version of the tags. Thank you for sharing such a fun tradition!
JoEllen Gunther says
I would love the editable version please. I loved how inexpensive and easy it was to put together. Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca says
This is fantastic...due to the fact that we don't have any snow, I was wondering if I could please get an editable version. Thanks so much 🙂
Barbara says
So glad to find your sight! The reason for the season is so often overlooked in all the present giving. Would love to receive an editable version ,no snow where I live!
Wendy says
When do you start this? On Christmas Day or 12 days prior to Christmas?
Mel says
As the original tradition goes, the 12 Days starts on Christmas. However, in our culture most start it 12 days prior to Christmas. There is no right or wrong way!
Wendy says
When do you start this? On Christmas Day or 12 days prior to Christmas?
Carrie Rodak says
Hey Melissa!! I love your site. Cindy told me about it. This is perfect! I'm using it for a friend who lost her husband earlier this year. I think this will bring a little cheer to their holiday.
Carrie
Melissa Sunday says
Carrie! So good to hear from you! I'm so glad you found this helpful. We love giving 12 Days to someone who could use some extra cheer! Hope you have the best Christmas!
Marilyn says
Very nice! Love the Christ version! Would love the editable version as well!
sofestivemel says
They are available right here: https://shop.sofestive.com/
Barb says
These ideas, information and printables are wonderful! Thank you so much!
melissa says
your very welcome!