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last minute foodie gifts
last minute foodie gifts
Photos by Nadi Meyer
Lifestyle

Out Of Time & Money? Try These Last-Minute Gifts For Foodies Under $15

Between graduating college and realizing the holidays wait for absolutely no one, I found myself doing what I do best: stretching a dollar and getting creative. Instead of panic-buying last-minute gifts, I raided my craft stash, filled a cart to the brim at Dollar Tree, and leaned hard on Walmart finds to create food-themed gifts that actually feel thoughtful while also being under $15.
This list is for the fellow foodies, snack lovers, and cozy-minded people in your life (including the four-legged ones, because obviously). Some gifts are fully DIY, some are quickly assembled, and one is a no-effort honorable mention for when time is simply not on your side. If there’s one thing this project reminded me of, it’s that a little creativity and a love for food goes a long way.

1) A Chocoholic’s Dream

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

This one’s for the friend who never says no to chocolate. I packed a clear holiday container with a mix of classic favorites and elevated treats. Think Hershey’s nuggets, peppermint bark bells, LINDOR truffles, mini KitKats, Dove chocolate, festive M&M’s, and even two mini jars of Nutella. For a little visual drama, I carefully balanced the M&M’s on top of the lid so it looks like the box is defying gravity, because holiday gifting should be a little magical.

2) A HI-CHEW Holiday

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

This one’s all about sharing the love, and candy, with my friend PJ and her partner, Jennifer. I turned mason jars into festive little “HI-CHEW preserves” with a mix of fruity flavors, chalkboard labels, and DIY holiday lids that feel straight out of a cozy kitchen. It’s sweet, colorful, and made for a couple who knows how to enjoy life together.

3) Santa Paws Is Coming To Town

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

Inspired by the Santa Paws movies and made with love for Chase, Cosmo, Cinnamon, and Ripley, the four pups of PJ and Jennifer, this gift was a total no-brainer for a fellow dog mom. I used cozy bone-patterned blankets as a base inside of a red Merry Christmas bucket, piled in an assortment of treats, and finished it off with chalkboard tags labeled with each pup’s name for a personal touch. It’s festive, practical, and guaranteed to earn some serious tail wags on Christmas morning.

4) Meowy Christmas

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

Because cats deserve holiday spoiling just as much as dogs, this gift was made with Arya and Brooks in mind, the cats of PJ and Jennifer. I used tissue paper as a base for a wintery penguin basket and filled it with lickable treats, catnip, and crunchy favorites. I then topped it off with personalized chalkboard name tags. It’s festive, feline-approved, and guaranteed to summon at least one judgmental stare followed by enthusiastic treat consumption.

5) The Ultimate Holiday Bake Kit

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

This gift is for anyone who finds holiday joy in preheating the oven and “accidentally” sampling chocolate chips along the way. I layered a reusable white, collapsible basket with glittery tissue paper and a Winter Wishes kitchen towel, then filled it with festive baking staples like Elf on the Shelf Sugar Cookie Mix and a holiday cookie cutter set. Then I filled it with sweet snacks, and a little hot cocoa moment for after the cookies are done. It’s equal parts practical and indulgent. Perfect for a low-pressure holiday baking day!

6) All I Want For Christmas Is Tea

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

This gift was made for my Uncle Steve, a certified tea lover who’ll be in town for my graduation (perfect timing, honestly). I repurposed part of a Holo Taco box and dressed it up with tissue paper, candy-cane tinsel, and festive stickers, then filled it with a cozy mix of classic teas, Liquid Death teas, honey, and peppermint-forward treats. It’s a playful, budget-friendly way to turn a simple tea stash into a gift that feels intentional and holiday-ready.

7) The Coziest Hot Cocoa Kit

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

This is the kind of gift that instantly screams snow day energy. I started with a snowman mug (because presentation matters), added a little bit of festive tissue paper, and filled it with everything you need for a next-level cup of hot cocoa. Between the marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and chocolate stirring spoons, it’s a low-effort, high-reward gift that feels way more expensive than it actually is, and yes, I absolutely debated keeping this one for myself. 

8) A Candy Cane Bouquet

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

This one was a labor of love, and a little magic. I layered candy canes with artificial poinsettias, wrapped them in festive tissue paper, and added a touch of candy-cane tinsel to make it feel like a holiday explosion in bouquet form. It’s visually impressive, totally reusable for decor, and a sweet treat that doubles as a centerpiece. 

9) …But First, Coffee

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

For the ultimate coffee devotee, a.k.a. my mom, this gift is basically a morning ritual in a mug. I filled a festive red mug with a small bag of Harry & David Vanilla Creme Brulee coffee, some Werther’s Caramel Coffee and Coffee Delights hard candies, and added a candy cane to stir with for that extra seasonal flair. It’s a sweet, caffeinated pick-me-up that says “I know you” without words.

10) Honorable Mention: Oreo Christmas Cookie Kit

last minute foodie gifts
Nadi Meyer

If you’re short on time but still want to impress, this cookie kit is basically a cheat code for foodie friends. No baking required! You get Oreo cookies, pre-made icing, and festive candies ready to assemble. It’s the perfect hands-on treat that lets someone create something sweet, fun, and totally Instagram-worthy without breaking a sweat.

Nadi Meyer

George Mason '25

Nadi Meyer is part of the National Writer program at Spoon University, where they focus on exploring the ever-evolving world of food trends. From viral TikTok drinks to unexpected brand collabs, they break down what’s buzzing in the food space and why it’s capturing attention. In addition to trend coverage, Nadi occasionally dabbles in recipe development, bringing a creative twist to flavors that catch their interest.

Before joining Spoon University, Nadi spent nearly a decade in retail, where they sharpened their communication skills and developed a natural flair for sales pitches. From bookstore and grocery aisles to department stores and even a stint in video game management, their work experience is as versatile as it is people-focused. Nadi graduated from Brightpoint Community College in August 2022 with an associate’s degree in General Studies and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Media Production and Criticism at George Mason University. They expect to graduate in late 2025. Their roots in storytelling run deep, as Nadi also played a key role in rebuilding the journalism program at Thomas Dale High School, where they graduated with an advanced diploma in 2017.

Outside of writing, Nadi can usually be found hanging out with their nine-year-old rescue dog, Tiger, who’s equal parts anxious and adorable. A proud member of the cozy gaming community, they unwind with titles like “Palworld,” “Fields of Mistria,” and “Stardew Valley.” When they’re not farming for virtual wheat or battling in the mines, Nadi enjoys flexing their creative muscles through crafting and digital design, often diving into Canva or Adobe Creative Suite to bring their ideas to life. Whether it’s curating vibes in a game or on the page, Nadi is always chasing the perfect mix of comfort and creativity.