Looking for a super easy last minute gift idea? Whip up a batch of this holiday trail mix in minutes and print some of our FREE gift tags to go with it! Easy peasy!
During the months of November and December, we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite homemade gifts! Download our FREE Homemade Gifts Guide to get recipes to 15+ easy-to-make gifts, plus printable gift tags to go with each gift!
The Easiest Last Minute Gift Idea: Christmas Trail Mix!
This is literally the easiest last minute gift idea on the planet! And you probably already have several of the ingredients on hand. Just head over to the store, grab a few store-brand items, and mix this up in minutes at home!
Best of all, you can change it based on what you have on hand and on what your family/your recipients would like.
This would be a fun gift for kids to make for goodie bags, too. However, many schools and functions don’t allow peanuts, so you could just omit those. (Our kids go to a really small private school and none of the kids have nut allergies there, so peanuts are allowed.)
Don’t forget your free printable gift tags!
Divide into gift bags and add our free printable gift tags to give this as a super simple, inexpensive holiday gift this year!
The Story Behind This Holiday Trail Mix Recipe
Years ago when Kathrynne was younger, she had a Christmas Party at school and decided at the last minute that she wanted to make something to bring.
I honestly wanted to say no. It had been a long day, my energy was running low, and it was getting close to her bedtime.
But in the spirit of my 2017 “Year of YES” at the time, we made a quick trip to Kroger and got everything needed for Christmas Trail Mix (if you bought the ingredients at ALDI, it would be quite inexpensive. Unfortunately, our ALDI was already closed by the time she came up with the idea of wanting to make something!).
She made it in less than 10 minutes and was SO happy with the finished results.
Her look of joy and fulfillment when she was done was worth the little bit of extra effort. And she loved being able to bring something she made herself.
Holiday DIY Trail Mix Ingredients
- 2 cups square pretzels
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups raisins
- 2 cups peanuts (be sure to omit these if there are nut allergies)
- 2 cups Christmas M&Ms
DIY Trail Mix Variations
The number of ways you could alter this trail mix is almost limitless!
Look through your pantry and see what you have before heading to the store — chances are, you might have plenty for a really fun trail mix.
Here are a few more ideas:
- Chex cereal
- Cheerios
- Yogurt-covered raisins
- Craisins
- Any type of nut (if no allergies)
- Sunflower seeds
- Chocolate chips — white, milk, or dark chocolate
- Reeses’ Pieces candies
- Or anything else fun you want to mix in!
How to make Homemade Trail Mix
1. In a large bowl, combine all trail mix ingredients.
2. Mix and cover until ready to serve, or divide up into individual baggies.
That’s IT!
I share more about this Christmas Trail Mix below in my YouTube video:
How to Store this Christmas Trail Mix Recipe
You can easily make this trail mix a day or so ahead if you want — simply store it in a tightly sealed food storage container or zip-top bag at room temperature.
Christmas Trail Mix FAQs
Trail mix is usually high in calories — although some of the calories from nuts, dried fruits, seeds, etc. can offer nutritional value. In general though, trail mix is more of a snack or dessert than a health food.
Almost any small, dry food item could work for this trail mix. Anything bite-size, with flavors that taste great together, and that wouldn’t go bad or rancid if sitting in a bowl at room temperature for several hours.
“Classic trail mix” is usually considered to be peanuts, raisins, and M&M’s.
The easiest way to serve trail mix is to put it in a giant bowl with a spoon and several small cups for people to scoop their own. You could also pre-portion it out into individual serving sizes (either in cups or baggies) so people can simply grab and go.
Christmas Trail Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups square pretzels
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups raisins
- 2 cups peanuts be sure to omit these if there are nut allergies
- 2 cups Christmas M&Ms
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all trail mix ingredients.
- Mix and cover until ready to serve, or divide up into individual baggies.
Notes
- Chex cereal
- Cheerios
- Yogurt-covered raisins
- Craisins
- Any type of nut (if no allergies)
- Sunflower seeds
- Chocolate chips — white, milk, or dark chocolate
- Reeses’ Pieces candies
- Or anything else fun you want to mix in!
Nutrition
Love this recipe?
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Get your FREE Homemade Christmas Gifts Guide!
If you’re looking for ways to simplify gift giving this year, we have just the solution for you! Download our brand new FREE Homemade Christmas Gifts Guide! When you sign up, you’ll get:
- 15+ DIY recipes for unforgettable gift ideas (we’ve included something for everyone on your list!)
- Step-by-step instructions for ridiculously easy homemade gifts that anyone can make!
- Customizable, ready-to-print gift tags to go with each homemade gift!
This FREE guide was designed to help you have a more peaceful, intentional holiday season. Our hope is that it reduces stress, helps you save more money and spend less on your gift budget, and simplifies things so you can focus on what matters most this season!
Click here to get your FREE Homemade Christmas Gifts Guide!
Reader Interactions
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We love comments from readers, so chime in with your thoughts below! We do our best to keep this blog upbeat and encouraging, so please keep your comments cordial and kind. Read more information on our comment policy.
Katy says
Your gift idea posts have been so fun this year! I have a non-food one and I wish I could post a picture bc it’s so pretty 🙂 Pipe cleaner twirls!
This is great if you have a group of people you want to remember but is not practical to do individually (i.e. church children’s workers, school support staff, etc.)
Supplies: Sparkly pipe cleaners, small jingle bells, and a box or basket (you can line with pretty tissue paper if you want!) Supplies cost me about $10 to make 100 ornaments.
Steps:
1) String a jingle bell on pipe cleaner to the halfway point
2) Fold in half and twist together to secure bell and create one short, full length of cleaner
3) Twist around a pencil or pen to desired swirliness! Twist the end into a hook (or secure onto a separate hook if desired)
4) Arrange in basket, write a card, call it good!
This is busy work but it’s easy to do with kids or while watching tv or whatever. I tried to do about 2 per person for both the groups I was gifting, but left it open-ended.
Meagan says
Thanks for this fun tip! And I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the homemade gift ideas this year! Merry Christmas! -Meg, MSM Team
Kelly says
We made this mix after I saw your post on Instagram about it, really yummy and easy to make! We took bags of it along with us to go on a Christmas light walk at a popular location in our community, and it made it seem festive (and was way cheaper/easier/healthier than waiting In line for the snacks being sold by vendors). We added walnuts and mini peanut butter cups to the “grown up version” for my husband and me. Thanks for sharing, crystal and Kathrynne!
Crystal Paine says
I love this! Thanks so much for sharing!
Stephanie says
I adore her jammies! My son and niece are obsessed with everything “camo”, Kathrynne would totally fit in here!
Leah says
I love how you let her choose clothes that make her feel comfortable and feel like herself. You should be proud of yourself for listening to what your child wants and needs instead of you or your audience. I think she’s adorable. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so much for your kind encouragement!
Crystal says
When did you stop homeschooling? Why? Please share as you are able….I could use a fresh perspective.
Thank you
Crystal Paine says
Our kids are going to a 4-day small Classical Christian School this year. We made the change to this for a long list of reasons and we’re just so grateful for God’s leading in this and how great of a fit this school has been for our kids and how it has been everything we had hoped and prayed for — and so much more! I’ve written a little more about it on a few posts on Instagram over the past few months, if you’re interested: https://www.instagram.com/themoneysavingmom/
Sarah in Alaska says
Kudos to Kathrynne! What a fun treat to share with friends. (And I love her outfit; it looks so warm and comfy)
Crystal Paine says
We got matching footie pjs for Christmas this year!! 🙂
Karen says
Looks great! We’ll have 20-24 family members over on Christmas Eve and this would be a perfect addition to everyone’s gift bag. How many servings/portions does a single recipe make?
Lisa says
My kids are obsessed with trail mix. Probably because I rarely buy any. They would LOVE this as an early Christmas break project. Thanks!
Amy says
I didn’t realize you weren’t homeschooling anymore!
Monica says
Thanks for mentioning nut allergies. My child has a treenut allergy and we avoid shelled peanuts. Hersheys chocolate chips or Enjoy Life Chocolate chips are a safe alternative for M&M’s. Craisins would also be fun too.
Crystal Paine says
Great idea! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Tera says
Aldi’s chocolate chips are also safe for folks with peanut allergies.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for that tip!
Theresa says
This mix looks awesome! However as a peanut allergy mom, M&Ms should be eliminated if you’re making it for someone with allergies. Even the plain M&Ms aren’t safe because they are processed in the same factory as the peanut M&Ms.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for mentioning that!
Theresa says
You’re welcome! We’ve had a crash in peanut and dairy allergies as my son is allergic to both. His peanut allergy was described as “a real deal peanut allergy” by his allergist. Our home is now peanut free. If someone gives us something that might have peanuts in it, we throw it away or I take it to work.
Michelle Y says
Dried cranberries are perfect for the season … color and flavor!
Crystal Paine says
What great idea!!!
Joy says
This would be a good snack for my Sunday School class.