Doorstep Popcorn Packages!

When it comes to gift giving, I believe that something homemade and edible is always the best bet. It feels special, even if you're giving it to someone who has everything, and it's always appreciated. Who doesn't love getting a personalized treat?! This sentiment is especially true with small children. It doesn't always feel like gift giving is authentic when we buy something for a child to then give as a gift. It's a hard concept to teach giving when the gift seems to easily come from our parents; where as, as adults we shop in different stores, budget, and buy the perfect present. There are many more steps of thoughtfulness! This is why I love coming up with ways I can help my kids make something exciting for a gift. When they see that they are involved in making something from nothing, using their skills to contribute, and finally giving their loved one a gift, it is one of those invaluable lessons. Of course, parents still end up carrying a large part of the load in those younger years and those great ideas, that are doable by a toddler and also an appreciated gift, can be hard to come by. But I know these cute popcorn boxes will help! We will assemble all the components in our gift boxes, then the gift recipients will have everything they need to cook up a gourmet popcorn treat! The popcorn cooks up in coconut oil (which is the movie theater secret!) and then a powdered sea salt sticks to the popcorn to yield that perfect salty bite. All in all, this is the perfect gift right now, because you can simply place on a doorstep and surprise your friends!

Let's get into the details:

You will need:

- Popcorn kernels (1/2 cup per gift)

- 8 oz Mason Jars, with lids

- Virgin coconut oil, in individual packets (I bought Artisana Organics, linked below)

- 1 batch popcorn salt, recipe below

- Popcorn boxes (linked below)

- Spice envelopes (linked below)

- Twine or ribbon

- Printable tag, labels, and cooking instructions (provided FREE below)

Click the link below to download the printable tags and cooking instructions:

Christmas Tags.pdf

Download PDF • 155KB

To make the popcorn salt:

Simply blend 1 cup sea salt with 1/8 tsp turmeric (simply for a light yellow color, no flavor) on the highest setting of your blender until it turns to a fine powder. This ensures that the salt sticks to the popcorn in that magical way it does at the movie theater.

A great way to involve the children is to involve them in the measuring of the ingredients for the powdered salt, and also funneling the salt into the spice packets.

To assemble the gift boxes:

Print the labels and instructions and gather all materials.

Prepare the mason jars by pouring 1/2 cup (or more if you want!) of popcorn kernels into each jar.

Place a couple spoonfuls of the popcorn salt in the spice envelopes and glue on the label.

In each box place one packet of coconut oil, one envelope of popcorn salt, one jar of kernels, and tie the ribbon onto the jar with the instructions and gift tag tied as well.

You can also involve the children in the assembly process by letting them arrange the components, or even filling the box with crinkled paper shreds. We made our own by creating a tight "fan fold" then cutting that into thin strips. Allowing an older child to do this would be a great help!

Let me know how these turn out for you! Send pictures of them on doorsteps, or simply let me know if you are eating boatloads of this popcorn recipe... because it really is amazing and we just can't quit it over here!