Make a Christmas snackle box gift for teachers, friends, and family. Get easy DIY steps, snack ideas for kids and adults, and themes.
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Snackle Box Container
Table of Contents
Move over, charcuterie board. A Christmas snackle box is the gift everyone is talking about, and it’s one of the easiest ones to personalize.
Whether you start with a mini tool box or a tackle box, you can fill it with candy, snacks, or even a little hot cocoa bar for the teacher, friend, neighbor, or kid on your list.
Quick Take: What You’ll Get From This Post
- A simple way to build a Christmas snackle box from a tool box, tackle box, or snackle box container set, one drawer at a time
- Snack ideas for every age, including a candy snackle box for kids and a sweet-and-savory box for adults
- Snackle box gift ideas for teachers, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and birthdays
- Themed box ideas like movie night, s’mores, and road trip
- Packing tips and common mistakes to avoid, plus answers to the questions I get asked most
What Is a Snackle Box?
A snackle box is a snack-filled gift or treat box made from a tackle box, mini tool box, or a divided container set. Instead of one big pile of treats, every snack gets its own compartment, so it looks fun to open and it’s easy to share.
Are snackle boxes worth it? I think so, for three reasons. You control the snacks, the theme, and the budget. The box itself is reusable (this one is going to become an arts and crafts supply box after the candy is gone). And it feels more thoughtful than a gift card. The only real tradeoff is a little assembly time, plus you’ll want to skip anything that needs refrigeration unless you add an ice pack.
Snackle Box Containers: Tool Box vs. Tackle Box
Did you see the cool mini tool box I shared on Facebook? I spotted this pink tool box at Lowe’s and knew it would be perfect for holding small craft supplies. Then my mind started spinning with ideas for what else I could fill it with.
It comes in lots of pretty colors. When I wrote this, the 2-drawer model was under $20 and the 3-drawer model was under $25 (prices change, so check the current price). The boxes stack too, so you can build a bigger gift with two or three.
Here are your main container options:
- Mini tool box: sturdy, reusable, and great for kids because it works for crafts afterward. This is what I used.
- Tackle box: lots of small compartments, which is perfect for lots of different candies.
- Snackle box container sets: clear, lidded containers that fit inside a drawer or tray so small snacks stay separate and fresh.
Where can you buy a snackle box? You can find tool boxes at home improvement stores like Lowe’s, tackle boxes and container sets online, and pre-filled snackle boxes from candy shops and Etsy sellers. I like making my own because I can match the snacks to the person.
Does Dollar Tree sell snackle boxes? Stores like Dollar Tree sometimes carry small organizers and snack containers you can use, but stock changes by store and season, so I can’t promise you’ll find one. Check your local store before you count on it.
Supplies for a DIY Christmas Snackle Box
- Tool box or tackle box
- Snackle box containers
- Snacks, chosen for the recipient (ideas below). For this box I made a kids’ candy box for movie nights.
- Ribbon
- Gift tag
How to Make a Christmas Snackle Box
- Pick your container. A mini tool box works great for a reusable gift. A tackle box works well if you want lots of tiny compartments.
- Choose who it’s for and a theme. Kids get candy and movie snacks. Adults often like a sweet-and-savory mix.
- Plan the snacks drawer by drawer. Lay everything out on the counter first so you can see what will fit.
- Put flat snacks in the top tray. Peanut butter cups and candy bars fit perfectly here.
- Fill the middle drawer with small containers. The second drawer is just deep enough for mini lidded containers to hold Skittles, M&M’s, and gummi worms.
- Use the bottom drawer for bigger items. It’s deep enough for bagged cookies and chips. It also holds about 12 of the small container boxes if you’d rather make lots of individual portions.
- Add a festive touch. I tucked in snowman-themed candy and made a heart shape with a couple of mini candy canes.
- Close, tie, and tag. Add a ribbon and a gift tag and it’s ready to give.
The top of the tool box is perfect for thin snacks like peanut butter cups and candy bars.
The drawer still has plenty of room to close with the container lids on.
I can just imagine the kids’ faces when they open this snackle box. One reason I chose this tool box is that they can use it afterward for arts and crafts supplies.
Candy Snackle Box Ideas for Kids
A candy snackle box is the easiest place to start, and it’s the one kids love most. Mix textures and colors so every drawer looks fun when it opens.
- Peanut butter cups and candy bars in the top tray
- Skittles, M&M’s, and gummi worms in mini containers
- Snowman candy and mini candy canes for a Christmas look
- Chocolate coins or foil-wrapped chocolates for stocking-stuffer vibes
- A small cookie or two in a bag in the bottom drawer
Want more candy gift box ideas? I used a Lowe’s mini bucket for a similar sweet gift in my Lowe’s mini bucket candy gifts post.
Add a pretty ribbon and a gift tag and this sweet treat box is ready for gifting!
You can download the free Christmas gift tags shown in the image below. There are 6 beautiful vintage designs.
Snackle Box Ideas for Adults
If you are looking for snackle box food ideas for adults, here are a few options. It’s a good idea to include a mix of sweet and savory with some healthier options as well.
- protein bars
- beef jerky
- peanuts – mixed nuts, cashews, pistachios
- veggies – carrot sticks, celery with peanut butter
- fresh fruit – blueberries, raspberries, grapes
- chocolate covered fruit or dried fruit
- pretzels, chips, veggie straws
- small cookies or other mini treats
- charcuterie themed – consider a classic charcuterie snackle box with meats and cheeses
Here’s another way to fill the tool box, this time with protein bars and beef sticks. The small containers on the bottom can hold a mix of fruits and veggies, and you can roll up meat and cheese for a charcuterie version.
If your box includes anything perishable, add an ice pack to the bottom drawer. You can prep the containers ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to go.
Who to Give a Snackle Box To
If you’ve been searching for snack gift ideas that feel more personal than a gift card, a snackle box works for almost anyone:
- Teachers: Fill it with coffee or cocoa packets, a favorite candy, and a handwritten note. The box doubles as a desk organizer.
- Friends and sisters: Build it around their favorite treats.
- Neighbors and coworkers: Do a simple sweet-and-savory mix with a gift tag.
- Kids: Go with candy, movie snacks, or a mix they can share.
- Birthdays: Swap the snowman candy for their favorite colors and flavors.
- Hosts and party gifts: Make a mini version with just one or two drawers.
Themed Snackle Box Ideas
Embrace a theme! Here are some ideas for different occasions:
- Hot Cocoa Bar: Cocoa packets, mini marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and a small mug or stir spoon.
- S’mores Delight: Graham crackers, chocolate bars, chocolate candies, and an assortment of marshmallows.
- Movie Night Treats: Popcorn, assorted candies, cookies, dry cereal, and mixed snacks.
- Beach Picnic: Finger meats and cheese, crackers, carrot sticks, celery sticks, sliced fruit, and a container of hummus.
- Road Trip Munchies: Nuts, olives, peeled clementines, individual cheese wheels, berries, grape tomatoes, pepperoni slices, and pretzels.
Looking for more themes? See my snackle box ideas for the beach, road trips, plane rides, and picnics and my Easter snackle box ideas for kids.
Snackle Box Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t overfill the drawers. Make sure everything closes easily with the container lids on.
- Keep chocolate away from heat. Melted candy is the fastest way to ruin a snackle box.
- Pack perishables carefully. Meat, cheese, and cut fruit need an ice pack and should be eaten soon.
- Check for allergies. If you’re gifting to a classroom or a family you don’t know well, ask first or choose nut-free snacks.
- Match the snacks to the person. The best snackle boxes feel personal, not random.
- Plan before you pack. Laying everything out first saves you from buying too much or too little.
Christmas Snackle Box FAQs
Anything snack-sized that you can sort into compartments: candy, nuts, cookies, jerky, dried fruit, popcorn, or cocoa packets. Pick a theme and fill each drawer or container with a different treat.
A snackle box is a tackle box, mini tool box, or container set filled with snacks. Each snack gets its own compartment.
Yes, if you want a personal, reusable gift. You choose the contents and the budget, and the box can be used again for crafts or storage. They take a little time to assemble, so plan ahead.
Home improvement stores like Lowe’s carry mini tool boxes, and you can find tackle boxes and snackle box container sets online. Pre-filled snackle boxes are sold by candy shops and Etsy sellers.
Dollar Tree sometimes carries small organizers and snack containers, but stock varies by store, so check locally.
Choose snacks that are sealed, hold their shape, and don’t need refrigeration: candy bars, peanut butter cups, M&M’s, Skittles, pretzels, jerky, protein bars, and small cookies.
Shelf-stable boxes can be made ahead. If you include fruit, veggies, meat, or cheese, prep them close to gifting and keep the box cold.
Share Your Snackle Box
Did you find these ideas helpful? I’d love it if you shared this post with your friends on Pinterest by pinning the image below. It helps my blog grow and doesn’t cost a thing! 🙂
Are you ready to create your own snackle box? If you make one, share it with us on Facebook or Instagram and tag @ourcraftymom. You never know who you may inspire.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy holidays!
You may also like these ideas
- 30+ Charcuterie Board Ideas
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- Snackle Box Ideas for the Beach, Road Trips, Plane Rides, Picnics
- DIY Easter Snackle Box Ideas for Kids
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