Last Christmas, by accident, I stumbled upon a perfect gift. My husband and I were doing some last minute shopping, looking for small items for our three kids, and we saw a simple microwave popcorn popper. I hadn’t seen one or used one in years but I put it in my cart and we bought it. We wrapped it up for our oldest son and under the tree it went. It is one of the best, most often used gifts I have ever given. After Christmas, I went back to the store and bought a second one for us to use at home (yes, it gets that much use) and I have also given several as gifts, as part of a theme gift basket.
I happened to pick up a simple one by Back to Basics, but there are several options on line and in your local department stores. They are basically just a sturdy plastic bowl with a lid. They typically cost between $10-$15 dollars. We have been using ours almost daily for a year now and it still looks brand new.
Why do we love it so much? First, it’s kind of nostalgic (for me anyways — I am old enough to remember making popcorn in a brown lunch bag in the microwave). Second, it’s easy and fun for the kids to make. Third, it’s healthier for you than the regular pre-seasoned microwave popcorn. Plus, you can customize your popcorn any way you like. Lots of butter or a little butter, lots of salt or not so much salt, and don’t forget all the special popcorn seasoning you can buy to sprinkle on your popcorn. After seeing how much use and enjoyment we got out of our microwave popcorn popper I have given several as gifts.
For the popcorn lover: Make a gift basket or gift bag featuring the microwave popcorn popper and add several varieties of gourmet popping corn and unique seasonings. Add some vintage popcorn bags and a vintage ceramic popcorn salt shaker and you have a great gift for the person who loves popcorn.
For the movie lover: Fill the gift basket with the popcorn popper and some popcorn, special seasonings, fun napkins, cool popcorn bowls and a DVD of their favorite drama or comedy. Add some Twizzlers and Raisinets and you are all set for a cozy, movie night at home.
Large popcorn tubs or over sized plastic bowls make excellent and practical baskets. You can wrap the basket or bowl with cellophane and tie with ribbons. Add a gift tag resembling a movie ticket for the movie lovers basket if you like! If you aren’t feeling crafty, put everything in a pretty gift bag and attach a quirky popcorn balloon to the handles.
This is a great gift idea for teachers, students and neighbors, too. It’s easy to personalize for the recipient and it’s relatively inexpensive to put together. Don’t forget to get your family one of these handy popcorn poppers — you will love it!!
Lori is a content writer for Discount Party Supplies. Lori is married with three kids and hosts many family gatherings and parties. In her free time, Lori enjoys taking yoga classes and in her secret life she likes going to heavy metal concerts (but don’t tell the other soccer moms!).
