Christmas Gifts You can Buy with SNAP EBT Benefits

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Did you know you can buy Christmas gifts with your SNAP EBT food benefits using a little creative thinking?

With the upheaval from the pandemic, a lot of folks find themselves unemployed or working fewer hours. Some may be using SNAP EBT food benefits for the first time. Add increasing inflation to the mix, and money is tight and times are tough for a lot of people this holiday season.

Amazon Grocery Items are EBT Eligible

Besides shopping at brick and mortar grocery stores, you can order groceries on Amazon and have them shipped to your door, using your SNAP EBT food benefits to pay. The order needs to be $25 or more to get free shipping. You probably can’t buy all the Christmas gifts on your list with EBT benefits, since you can only buy items that qualify as food. However, there are quite a few luxury and specialty items that fall into the grocery category. Please, only use your EBT food benefits for gifts if you have extra, and are sure you have enough food to feed your household for the month.

EBT Cardholders get Amazon Prime Half Off

If you have an EBT card, you also qualify for a discount on Amazon Prime. The regular price is 12.99 a month, but EBT cardholders pay just $5.99. The discounted Prime still includes free two-day shipping and all the other perks, like access to the Prime video library, Prime Music and even free Kindle Books. To sign up you’ll just need to have your EBT card on hand. You’ll enter you card number, and once Amazon verifies your account, you are all set. Even if you are already paying the regular price for Amazon Prime, you can switch to an EBT account and get the discount. When you do a search for a food item on Amazon, you can filter your results so it will only show you products that are eligible for purchase with EBT. You might be surprised by all the things you can buy with SNAP benefits on Amazon. You don’t have to sign up for Amazon Prime to use your EBT card to make grocery purchases on Amazon, but if you have an extra $5.99 a month, all the extras that come with a Prime Membership are well worth it.

Here are a few ideas for Christmas gifts you can buy with your SNAP EBT card:

Chocolates

Most people love chocolate, and many grocery store chains sell gourmet chocolate brands. Godiva is available at Target. Walmart and Meijer carry Ghirardelli and Lindt. Of course, many people love Hershey’s too. Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates are also a popular Christmas gift item. All of these are eligible for SNAP food benefits.

Other Candy

Pretty much all candy and even gum can also be purchased with SNAP EBT food benefits. These make nice stocking stuffers for the kids. A favorite candy bar with a card is also nice when you just need a small gift.

Nuts

Nuts are another food item people enjoy receiving as a gift. At Christmas time you can find nuts in gift packaging, or Planters, Blue Diamond, and other brands sell tins and jars. These are usually in the snack aisle and eligible for EBT.

Coffee

Coffee drinkers are always happy to receive a bag of java. Most grocery stores carry a few gourmet brands of coffee. Starbucks is usually available. Often you can find beans from a local roaster as well in your coffee aisle. If the coffee lover on your list has a K-cup brewer, they’ll also appreciate a box of coffee pods. For folks who don’t drink coffee, flavored teas or hot chocolate make a great gift. SNAP benefits can be used to buy most types of beverages as long as they’re non-alcoholic.

Pre-packaged Gifts Baskets

Grocery stores usually carry gift baskets at Christmas time. As long as at least 50% of the basket’s value is made up of food, it’s SNAP eligible. It can be tricky sometimes to tell exactly what and how much is in a gift basket. Some contain alcohol, mugs, or toys that might disqualify them. However, there are several options that do quality, like fruit baskets, an assortment of meats and cheeses, or a collection of BBQ sauces. Stick to baskets that contain only edible items, and it shouldn’t be a problem. Using the sort feature on Amazon that filters out non-EBT eligible items will make it simple to find gift baskets that qualify.

Make Your Own Gift Basket

You could also put together your own gift basket. For example, fill an inexpensive gift bag with a a few types or chocolates or coffees or whatever food items the person receiving the gift enjoys.

Stocking Stuffers

Small items like candy and nuts make great stocking stuffers as well for both children and adults.

Homemade Gifts

Lots of people like receiving homemade gifts, because it really says something when you take the time to make a special gift just for them. There are a few handmade gifts you can make with ingredients purchased with your SNAP EBT Benefits.

Homemade Baked Goods

All the ingredients for almost any homemade food item are SNAP EBT eligible. Sugar cookies, fudge, caramels, and quick breads are just a few ideas. The possibilities for handmade food gifts really are endless.

Homemade Bath Products

Both sugar scrubs and bath bombs can be made at home. Most of the ingredients are SNAP EBT eligible. If you want to add scent using essential oils you will have to pay for those from your personal funds, but they can be found in the pharmacy section for just a few dollars. To package sugar scrubs, recycle glass jars from condiments or baby food. A quick internet search will give you instructions about how to make these items at home.