How to make Christmas food baskets for needy families

Want to start a new Christmas tradition for your family? Consider bundling and donating a Christmas food basket for a needy family in your town.

Christmas is a time to really reflect on everything in your life that you have to be thankful for.

Some years are more abundant than others. If you have had a good year, consider sharing that blessing this Christmas by creating a Christmas food basket to donate.

Hoping to receive a Christmas food basket this year? Here's my list of the best Christmas food assistance programs!

What type of basket to use

You can use anything from a cardboard box to a nicer basket for your Christmas basket. I think that something large and re-usable - like a laundry basket - is really nice and practical.

What to include in a Christmas food basket

If possible, try to connect with the family that will receive your basket to find out their specific likes and dislikes. However, that is often not possible.

It also can be helpful to find out if the recipients will have access to an oven and stove or a more limited kitchen set up.

So, you will want to just try to provide a balanced Christmas meal. This would include a meat, starches, vegetables, desert, and drinks.

Christmas food basket list:

• Canned ham or cooked ham
• Canned green beans
• Can french onion soup
• Crispy onion toppers
• Canned yams
• Instant potatoes
• Bag of marshmallows
• Canned corn
• Canned cranberry sauce
• Corn bread mix
• Box stuffing mix
• Canned or packet of gravy
• Boxed macaroni and cheese
• Cake or cookie mix
• Tea or lemonade mix
• Hot chocolate or coffee

Other nice things to add:

• Grocery store gift card
• Paper products, especially holiday themed ones
• Single use casserole pans

Do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Anything fresh that could spoil if left out for 24 hours
• Anything homemade
• Common allergens like peanuts
• Frozen food

Where to take your Christmas baskets for the needy

I suggest calling your local food bank to see if they accept food baskets. Do this in advance to be sure that you comply with any of their rules or requirements.

If they won't take single baskets, they will likely be able to connect you to an organization that would be happy to have your food box.

You can reach out to religious organizations or a school counselor to see if they know of a family in need of a Christmas dinner this year.

Be sure to check out my list of Christmas assistance programs, too!