Gifts That Fit in an Envelope: 100+ Flat Christmas Gifts to Mail

Choosing Christmas gifts is fun, but it can also be stressful. We want to delight the people we love and show them we’re thinking of them – and maybe you’d also like to send a little something to coworkers, the babysitter, aunts, uncles, or cousins. If you had to wrap and ship a parcel for every one of those nice people, the postage alone would get painful fast. That’s why I’ve put together a list of gift ideas that fit in an envelope. Sometimes it needs to be a large or padded envelope – but everything here is nice and flat. I’ve sorted the ideas into categories, and most of them work for other occasions too. Happy browsing!

Photo gifts and personalized gifts

Memories and photos make wonderful personalized gifts – for godparents you don’t see often, or as a Christmas gift for coworkers featuring the last team event or summer party.

• Photos printed Polaroid-style
• Photo printed on a wooden postcard
• Fridge photo magnets
• Personalized glasses cleaning cloths
• Small or slim photo book
• Buttons or pins
• Personalized pillowcase
• Phone case with a photo
• Coasters (for example slate)
• Photo puzzle
• Tote bag

Stationery and craft supplies

The creative people in your life might appreciate a small Christmas gift that helps them make their own art. Some ideas:

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• Stickers and labels
• A special pen (Bobino flat bookmark pen)* 
• Bamboo writing set (5 handcrafted wooden pens)* 
• Bookmarks
• Coloring books
• Highlighter pens (fun shapes*  or pastels* )
• Funny sticky notes* 
• Washi tape rolls
• Magazines
• Calendar or journal

Soft and cozy gifts (fabric)

Something cuddly is exactly right for the Christmas season. Some of these you can also personalize or even make yourself if that’s your thing.

• Socks
• Washcloths
• Pencil case / toiletry bag / coin purse
• Chef’s hat
• Apron
• Scarf / gloves / beanie
• Reusable makeup remover pads (16-pack)* 
• Lavender sachets
• Grocery bag (you could even decorate it yourself)
• Reusable produce bags (6-pack)* 
• Bread bag
• Table runner or small tablecloth
• Sew-on patches
• T-shirt
• Magic pressed towel (set of 3)* 

Tiny gifts in little bags

Small and unassuming, but they can have a big impact – and with flower seeds, the surprise keeps growing long after Christmas.

• Flower seeds in packets (bee-friendly mixes are lovely)
• Spice mixes in small bags
• Tea (individually wrapped tea bags are perfect)
• Christmas in a jar – a reader favorite for years!

Baby gifts

If someone dear has just become a mom or dad, maybe the new little earthling deserves a tiny Christmas gift too:

• Pacifier clip (Etsy has beautiful personalized ones)
• Burp cloth
• Comfort blanket / lovey
• Bandana bib (Burt's Bees organic cotton)* 
• Bib
• Teething ring*  or rattle
• Milestone cards* 

Kids’ gifts

Christmas gifts are extra exciting for kids, of course. Ideas for different ages:

• Puzzle books
• Cat's cradle string game* 
• Scratch pictures
• Mini books
• Name or address labels
• Wooden star ornaments (set of 50 to paint)* 
• Wooden puzzles (Tetris-style tangram puzzle book* , 3D wooden building puzzle kits* )
• Fuse bead boards
• Glitter gel pens* 
• Temporary tattoos or tattoo pens
• LEGO DOTS bracelets*  or LEGO mini sets* 
• Pop-its
• Finger puppets (set of 20)* 
• Reflector bands
• Backpack patches and keychains
• Kids’ makeup sticks
• Play money
• Finger skateboard
• Slap bracelets
• Card games (Kids Against Maturity)* 

Kitchen and household gifts

Several of these are nicely sustainable gift ideas too:

• Fun ice cube trays (tropical shapes, 3-pack)* 
• Silicone stretch lids* 
• Fabric bowl covers
• Glass or stainless steel straws* 
• Stainless steel cutting board* 
• Napkin rings
• Potholders
• Beeswax wraps*  (or vegan wax wraps* )
• Cherry pit pillow
• Cookie cutters
• Exotic candy or high-quality chocolate
• Breakfast board (personalizable, or DIY with a photo transfer)

Beauty gifts

Help someone take a little break from the Christmas rush with these:

• Face masks
• Natural loofah sponge* 
• Manicure set (Solingen, 5-piece)* 
• Pocket mirror
• Bath additives
• Bar soap / solid shampoo / solid body butter
• Lip balm (Burt's Bees)* 
• Temporary tattoos
• Ceramic nail file (ZWILLING)* 
• Jewelry dish
• Earrings / bracelet / necklace / pendant
• Headbands, scrunchies, hair clips

Practical and tech gifts

I don’t think practical Christmas gifts are inappropriate at all. Paired with a few personal words, even something practical becomes personal.

• Wireless earbuds
• Power bank
• Mini bike pump
• Flat snowflake multitool* 
• Phone finger holder (SYNCWIRE)* 
• Eyeglass chain
• Pocket watch
• Hand warmers
• Keychains
• Mouse pads
• Flat camping cutlery set* 

Decor, art and DIY

For everyone who likes to get creative – or make their own home (and their loved ones’ homes) more beautiful:

• Door hangers
• Stamps
• Mini diamond painting
• Mini string art
• Macrame decor hangers
• Embroidery picture
• Window picture
• Special balloons or foil balloons
• Christmas tree ornaments*  (for example wooden motifs)
• Wooden door sign
• Spinning tealight carousel* 
• Small amigurumi (Etsy has a great selection if you’re not a crochet wizard)
• Painted rock
• Mini string lights
• Picture frames to decorate (set of 20)* 
• Beautifully designed recipe cards (your favorite dessert, grandma’s cheesecake…)
• Seed paper

Especially for him

Of course, most ideas on this list aren’t gender-specific – but here are a few extra Christmas gift ideas for him:

• Tie or bow tie
• Tie clip
• Cufflinks

More ideas

You can, of course, also mail beautiful, practical, or personal gift cards and make someone’s day that way. But in case nothing has clicked yet, here are a few more ideas:

• Sponsor a tree, a goat, or a flock of chickens through a charity gift catalog (for example Heifer International or One Tree Planted)
• Card game (Alice in Wonderland playing cards)* 
• Gemstone or minerals (flat agate slices*  are beautiful)
• Olive wood worry stone* 
• DVD or CD

Whichever Christmas gift you choose: what matters most are the thoughts you’ve put into that person – and maybe a few kind words written to go with it. Whatever you decide, I wish you a relaxed gift hunt and a wonderful Christmas season!

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