Neighbor Christmas Gift: Buttered Popcorn

Buttered popcorn packaged in a classic red and white striped bag with a green ribbon is simple, timeless, and widely-liked.

Sometimes a simple and timeless gift makes a very classy neighbor Christmas gift. I have added this to my post with over 40 classy neighbor gifts for $2.00 here.

Most people enjoy buttered and salted popcorn.

If you are in a neighborhood where a lot of people gift sweets, this would be a great gift to give because many people appreciate food that is not sweet during the holiday season.

This is also a great gift because a lot of people make time during the holidays to watch beloved Christmas shows and movies.

Christmas movies are often better with popcorn to eat!

What’s nice about this gift besides the fact that it is universally well-liked, is that it is also very simple and affordable to make (see the cost breakdown below).

I know that I’d be happy to receive a bag of freshly popped, buttered, and salted popcorn during the holidays.

Supply List for this Neighbor Christmas Gift: Buttered Popcorn

Popcorn air popper or borrow one. You could make this on the stovetop in a large pot but if you are making quite a few gifts, I’d recommend using an air popper.

oil/butter for popping instructions

popcorn kernels

salt

butter, salted

popcorn bags

stapler and staples

bow

Cost Breakdown for this Neighbor Christmas Gift: Buttered Popcorn

oil/butter following popping instructions on whatever device you are using or follow the instructions on the kernel bag if you are popping this on the stove.

2 TBSP popcorn kernels per gift look for kernels that cost less than .11 an oz. As of 2023, Costco, Sam’s Club, and Amazon sell them for around .11 an oz= 1 oz is 2 TBSP of kernels = 4 Cups popped is about what each bag holds folded over and stapled = .11 each gift

1 tsp salt for each batch of 2 TBSP kernels= .01 each gift

2 TBSP butter, salted for each batch of 2 TBSP kernels. Costco’s butter price is $13.00 for 4 lbs this gift calls for .0625 pounds which = .20 for each gift

Popcorn bags. I used size: 5″ x 3 1/4″ x 11 3/4″ Brand: Essentials from Dollar Tree here. They are a little more expensive than on Amazon here but I found these to be of good quality, size, and shape. = .15 for each gift

stapler and staples= .01 a gift

large 4″ bow I purchased mine from Costco = .20 a gift

The total for this gift = $0.78 each.

Directions on how to make this Neighbor Christmas Gift: Buttered Popcorn

Continue reading and/or watch the video on this page to see the assembly.

1- Pop the popcorn in your air popper.

Put it in your bowl. If doing a small batch, add half of the butter and half of the salt and quickly toss to prevent sogginess. As you toss, quickly push the bowl away from you, and with a wrist flip, fly it into the air and catch it again. Flip a few times. Add the rest of the butter and salt and toss again.

2- Fill each bag about 3/4 a way full, pack it, these bags are tough so don’t skimp.

3- Leave 1/4 left so you can nicely fold over the top of the bag and staple it.

4- Add the bow by stapling the bow sticky strip (you don’t need to peel off the sticky strip cover) just staple the strip to the corner of the bag so it will hold.

That’s it.

If you are looking for any other neighbor Christmas gifts for around $2.00 check out that post or this post about unique neighbor gifts as well.