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Awesome Christmas Goodie Bag Ideas for Students & Kids – Holiday Party Favors & Gifts

Christmas goodie bag ideas for students

 updated

 June 26, 2025

Who doesn’t enjoy the holiday season? Kids sure do, and you can delight them during the holidays with Christmas goody bag ideas for school, daycare, church, and more. Whether you’re an educator or part of a parenting group, gift bags packed with holiday items are a great way to connect with your student body and bring joy to their lives.

Wondering where to start? Put together Christmas goodie bags for students targeted to their age and interests. From Christmas goodie bag ideas for preschoolers that include fun items for kids to building school spirit by using school promotional items as stocking stuffers for college students, there are plenty of ways to get creative with your Christmas goodie bags for students this holiday season.

Don’t forget to reward your teachers if you’re a school administrator. Classroom Christmas stockings stuffed with popular holiday gifts allow you to show your appreciation during the season of giving. That way, they go into the holiday break knowing they were on the Nice List this year.

Start planning your holiday gifting with our top six Christmas goodie bag ideas for students and other kids in your community. Here are some fun ideas for inspiration:

Christmas Candy Bags

Festive treat bags packed with delicious candy are a simple yet effective way to get kids into the holiday spirit, and they'll have them grinning from ear to ear. Decorate your own bags with fun holiday-themed ideas like a reindeer, where you use craft eyes, red pom poms for noses, and candy canes for ears, select pre-printed holiday goodie bags, or create your own plastic or paper custom gift bag design to order.

Make sure you fill the Christmas treat bags for students with candy and chocolates they will love. Peppermint candies are always a go-to option, but other popular holiday treats include chocolate-covered Oreos and giant Hershey’s Kisses in red, green, silver, and gold.

Christmas Candy Bags

1. OXO Reusable Die Cut Plastic Bags

2. Mini Candy Canes

3. Individually Wrapped Peppermint Bark Candies

4. Swirl Lollipop with Round Label

Budget Christmas Party Favors for Kids

There are countless ways to get creative with your Christmas goodie bag ideas for students even on a budget. Brown paper bags are an inexpensive place to start. Jazz them up with Christmas ribbons, snowflake cutouts, and any other DIY ideas that are tailored to different holiday traditions.

If you need school Christmas goodie bag ideas for preschool and kindergarten students, coloring books are always a hit. You can also find budget-friendly options that are fun and educational at the same time. For instance, when it comes to Christmas stocking stuffers for classrooms with older children, color-changing cups make fun holiday gifts that they’ll be happy to receive. Choose from a variety of gifts under $1 to complete the perfect Christmas goodie bags for students.

Budget Christmas Party Favors for Kids

5. 12 oz Chameleon Stadium Cup

6. Multi-Color Antlers

7. Snowman Stress Ball

8. Bubble Necklace

9. Chameleon Pencils

10. Paws N Claws Bookmark

11. Sticker Rolls 2in Circle

12. Kraft Paper Coloring Book with Colored Pencils

Christmas Goodie Bag Ideas for Students in Preschools & Daycares

Send preschoolers into their holiday break with an encouraging gift to get them excited for the holiday season. Christmas goodie bags for students at your preschool or daycare will create some holiday cheer all festive season.

The best Christmas party favors for preschoolers and younger children include stuffed Santas, reindeer, and penguins, as well as holiday-themed backpacks like a Festive Holiday Drawstring Bag - Santa. Play-Doh and holiday sticker sheets will also shine brightly as children’s Christmas party favors.

Christmas Goodie Bag Ideas for Preschoolers & Daycares

13. 16 oz Asobu Bestie Bottle

14. Push Pop Bouncing Ball

15. Holiday Shorties

16. Basic Colors Crayon Pack

17. Paws ‘N Claws Drawstring Backpack – Polar Bear

18. Fun Chalk

19. Pop-Out Magnet Set – Holiday

20. Large Rubber Duck

School Christmas Goodie Bag Ideas for Kindergarten

Turn your Christmas goodie bags for students in kindergarten into a craft project by having kids decorate simple white paper bags with red and green craft pipe cleaners, snowflake and ornament paper cutouts, and glitter.

Once they’re finished, tell them to write their names on the bags and leave them overnight because Santa is coming by. You can then fill the bags with holiday party favors, including fun games and novelty items. When they return the next day, they’ll have an exciting surprise waiting for them.

If you need help getting started, check out these gift bag options that also make excellent Christmas goodie bag ideas for students in first and second grade:

21. Festive Holiday Drawstring Bag - Snowman

22. Saturn Flyer

23. Cloud Putty

24. Pop It Fidget Toy Square

25. Reflective Non-Woven Coloring Tote Bag with Crayons

26. Color Glow Bounce N Blink Lighted Ball with Two White LEDs

27. Snowflake Holiday Ornament

28. 20 oz Bike and Sports Bottle

Holiday Goodie Bag Ideas for Older Students

At first, it might seem difficult to come up with holiday goodie bag ideas for students in middle school, high school, and college. They probably all have different tastes, but there are still plenty of holiday party favors that everyone will enjoy.

Put together Christmas goodie bags for students in the upper grades and beyond that inspire learning and creativity. From journals to adult coloring books, choose gifts that increase focus and relieve stress.

In college, study sessions can run late, and that’s why earbuds make the perfect Christmas stocking stuffers. You can also include personal notes in your Christmas goodie bags for students to provide extra encouragement as the semester comes to a close.

Holiday Goodie Bag Ideas for Older Students

29. Color-Pop Custom Mini Tote Bag

30. Color Pop Earbuds

31. Hot Chocolate – Single Serve Packet

32. Natural Beeswax Lip Moisturizer

33. Best Coolie

34. Metallic Multi-Port with Light Up Logo Cable

35. Anywhere Belt Bag

36. Silicone Tech Pocket

Christmas Goodie Bags for Teachers

You know how hard your teachers work leading up to the holiday break, and that’s why it’s the perfect time to remind them of their value with teacher Christmas stocking stuffers. Seasonal gifts like ornaments, wreaths and coffee mugs will leave your teachers feeling appreciated and thankful.

Come up with unique ways to present your holiday goodie bag by placing them on their desks before work or calling a surprise staff meeting in the afternoon. Here are a few of our favorite Christmas party favors for school employees:

Christmas Goodie Bags for Teachers

37. Buffalo Plaid Printed Jute Tote

38. Metal Cookie Cutter- Tree

39. 11 oz Colored Stoneware Mug with C-Handle

40. Fuzzy Feet Slipper Socks

41. Natural Cotton Tote

42. Farmers Almanac 2025 - Full Color

43. 10 oz Bevie Insulated Tumbler

44. Shatterproof Holiday Ball Ornament

Christmas goodie bags for students from kindergarten through college are great for creating a festive buzz during the holiday season. If you want to make the experience even more memorable, pick up party accessories to decorate your classroom or event venue. By bringing kids together to celebrate, you can add joy to their holiday season.

Including 5–7 small, diverse items in a kids' goody bag ensures excitement without overwhelming. Consider mixing toys, snacks, and practical items. For instance, a mini puzzle game or a plush toy can be delightful additions.
The “appropriate” age to stop giving goody bags varies, but many hosts phase them out around ages 10 to 12. As children mature, they often appreciate alternative gestures like engaging activities or personalized thank-you notes instead of traditional goody bags.

Although, if personalized with the right items, one can argue that you’re never too old for a goodie bag!
For 10-year-olds, consider items that are both fun and practical. Options like card games and yo-yos can be engaging. Additionally, you can never go wrong with drawstring bags or other accessories imprinted with their favorite character or quote.