topic Re: Need Gift Ideas Please in Among Friends

Need Gift Ideas Please

CherryHugs — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 14:38:04 GMT

What do you buy for Christmas gifts for people when you are very low on money?!

They buy everything they want and need. I am the queen of gift cards and dont feel I want to go that route yet again!!!

I dont have alot to spend so just havent been able to figure out what to get them.

They bake and eat alot of sweets so cant do any homemade things as they would not appreciate the effort.

They just dont need or want anything. I am at a loss.

I have looked this up online and the ideas are not good ones and are even very costly when you even looked up ideas on a budget, and some are just not what Im looking for!

Thank you and hope you can help!

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

cancun08 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 14:35:44 GMT

An ornament(s) for their tree?

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

dex — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 14:50:24 GMT

@CherryHugs I like getting the crystal snowflake ornaments by swartski...think that is how to spell it.They make a new one each year and they are dated.Costco has them for around fifty dollars and they make a nice family gift.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

Skididdy — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 14:51:50 GMT

I also agree as well. Lenox has some on the Q on clearance in gift boxes.

OR even cheaper, go to hobby lobby or another store, get an ornament that is specific to them. For example, I have a niece that does ballet, I bought her a ballet slipper ornament. Its a bit more personable. Good luck. The ornaments at Hobby Lobby are very cheap and huge variety.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

Ruby Laine — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 15:00:56 GMT

Would they appreciate a donation to a favorite charity? We’ve had this done for us, and we thought it was a great idea. We love our cats so someone made a donation to an animal shelter. We also have a young family member with a sight problem, and someone made a donation to the organization associated with it.

It can be a small donation—charities appreciate anything.

We had years where there was little money for presents. Thank goodness Christmas isn’t all about that.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

Laura14 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 15:26:57 GMT

If they like certain sweets, I have done a box of candy for my sister and my nieces and that's not very expensive. You can get a whole box of candy from places like Walmart for about $15 full size bars.

Other options I can think of are candles, nice mugs with cocoa packets or big bowls with popcorn, a box of spices and rubs if they cook, or bath salts with some nice cloths.

I've also seen people get mason jars and fill it with the dry makings of a baked good like a cake or muffins. Even if you bought a few boxes of the kind of cakes or muffins they like and dump each one into its own jar and then tie a ribbon and present a duo or trio in a basket or alone, I think it would make a nice homemade and thoughful gift. They don't have to know what you did.

Right now you can get a box of brownies or cookies for about a $1. Grab a couple of varieties and throw in the cost of the jars and ribbon and you're probably at around $5-$10 tops.

Also magazine subscriptions. Some can be pricey but most of the regular non specialty magazines are very cheap. $25 or less for one year. My sister gave my an issue of magazine I read with a note that I was getting a subscription for one year. One of the best cheapest gifts she ever did for me and I loved it.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

chrystaltree — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 15:46:55 GMT

I don't take a person's economic status into consideration when I buy gifts. I don't really think about what people need; I just think about what they would line and enjoy and what my budget is. Everyone wants something. Your friends sound like a couple we are friends with. They don't make much money but they don't want for anything. I only give gift cards to teens and college aged kids and that's because I don't know what to buy them. This year, We plan to give my friend a scarf that I originally bought for myself. It's a huge square wool/cashnere blend scarf and it's a soft peachy-beige color. She'll love it because it has that handmade, vintage feel that she likes. Her husband is an amazing cook, self taught. We're going to give him a large rectangular pizza stone that he can also use for things other than pizza. Bumped into that one on Amazon last week. Not things they would ever buy for themselves but gifts they will certainly enjoy. Last year we gave them a combined gift card to a very nice wine store in town. We thought it would be nice for them to buy a bottle or two of nice wine that they wouldn't be able to buy on their budget. I think gift giving is only hard when you over think it.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

momoftwo2007 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:23:42 GMT

@CherryHugs I don't spend much for Christmas gifts. For immediate family, I spend more, but for others I tried to find bargains.

Here are some under $10 presents that might work--

If you order from ULTA on Black Friday (starting at 5pm Thursday) you can get

Pro Hair Sampler Kit for her

Pro Hair Sampler Kit for him

The Body SHop Nutty Butter Trio

Holiday Skincare Sampler Kit

If you order from Kohl's online now through Balck Friday, you can get

The Big One Supersoft plush throw (It can be any gender, any age, depnding on the graphic you pick).

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

qualitygal — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:27:20 GMT

We're doing white elephant gifts this time. I've got two huge books my FIL had and I'll pass these on, great shape and beautiful books. They call them coffee table books. That way others in the family can see and have these, so they stay in the family. These aren't making it to the library book sales.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

qualitygal — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:29:07 GMT

Get a basket, put in packages of tea's, cocoa's, ciders. Fancy up the basket for the holiday. Throw in some apples and oranges for color,

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

2blonde — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:31:11 GMT

Whenever I need to buy for someone where I don't know what they want or need (or maybe they don't need or want anything), I always go for something consumable. Think food, bath and body products, etc. No need to spend a lot on those kinds of things. I've found some unique import items at TJ Maxx in the past.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

LTT1 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:50:39 GMT

@CherryHugs

I have a friend who is very wealthy.

Her idea of gift-giving is extremely modest and I have learned from this.

When we give ostentatious gifts, we actually obligate the receiver to give back in kind.

It may seem “chintzy” of me, but in our family we have decided to save whatever $ we could and instead put those $ toward our food for our meal.

Yes, it would be wonderful to be able to give EXACTLY what each person would LOVE.

Perhaps movie tickets? Or $5 toward a Starbucks or Sonic (drive-in)? I know a person who tucked that gift card toward a Sonic or Dairy Queen into a Christmas card... that was a fun treat!

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

halfpint1 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 17:09:40 GMT

For your adult children who are not married.; My son has a birthday the first week in January and I tend to buy too much. Also I give for Chanukah. He likes eagles, America, cars and rt.66 where we live so I buy tees which he has many. A lot of electronics I have seen on tv he has something like it. He is older, almost 59. my only child.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

riley1 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 17:23:19 GMT

Are they tea or coffee drinkers? A basket of different kinds/flavors might be nice. You can add some assorted types of cookies.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

MsLomo — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 17:40:32 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
I don't take a person's economic status into consideration when I buy gifts. I don't really think about what people need; I just think about what they would line and enjoy and what my budget is. Everyone wants something. Your friends sound like a couple we are friends with. They don't make much money but they don't want for anything. I only give gift cards to teens and college aged kids and that's because I don't know what to buy them. This year, We plan to give my friend a scarf that I originally bought for myself. It's a huge square wool/cashnere blend scarf and it's a soft peachy-beige color. She'll love it because it has that handmade, vintage feel that she likes. Her husband is an amazing cook, self taught. We're going to give him a large rectangular pizza stone that he can also use for things other than pizza. Bumped into that one on Amazon last week. Not things they would ever buy for themselves but gifts they will certainly enjoy. Last year we gave them a combined gift card to a very nice wine store in town. We thought it would be nice for them to buy a bottle or two of nice wine that they wouldn't be able to buy on their budget. I think gift giving is only hard when you over think it.

@CherryHugs, I think ^this^ is a very helpful response and is right on.

You have already noticed that they bake and eat a lot of sweets. Go with that, and don't worry about your gift choice. They will be touched that you remembered them and that your gift is from YOU -- and that you paid attention to what they like.

Go to any online store, including Williams Sonoma (free shipping, I think, right now), and sort by low to high price, and pick something to be shipped to them (click on "gift" so the receipt will not include the price).

Examples: a silicone baking sheet, a silicone spatula, a kitchen towel. I have personally received such gifts from friends and have been very pleased to have such a thoughtful gift. You can never have too many kitchen things or food gifts if that's what you like!

It really is the thought that counts. Have confidence in your choice, because whatever it is and no matter the cost, they are going to feel good about it.

Happy Thanksgiving (and gift shopping)!

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

CAcableGirl2 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 18:45:55 GMT

@CherryHugs There is a brand of tea (Harley) that is very good that is available at Target/Walmart for about $5-6 per tin. It includes 20 sachets of tea that are quite nice. The blueberry is the best!

You could make a basket with a couple of mugs and a tea tin (unique mugs at TJMaxx for a few dollars) or wrap in cellophane if you don't have any extra $ for a basket.

You can see how fancy the tea bags are in the picture. The little crystal canister on the left was purchased about a week ago from Ross for only $5.99. Check out Ross too for unusual gifts that are very reasonable.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

threecees — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 20:09:01 GMT

@CherryHugs

I would also include a beautiful card with whatever you decide that you value their friendship thru the years.

I know that I would appreciate heartfelt words.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

CherryHugs — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 16:41:30 GMT

Thank you SO much. So many great ideas you shared. It is much appreciated and I have plenty of good options to pick from since I could not think of any! Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to all.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

chrystaltree — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 17:31:18 GMT

@qualitygal wrote:
Get a basket, put in packages of tea's, cocoa's, ciders. Fancy up the basket for the holiday. Throw in some apples and oranges for color,

I like that idea. You could also pick up some cute/interesting things from the Dollar Store and put them in the basket.

Re: Need Gift Ideas Please

Sooner — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 17:41:54 GMT

@qualitygal wrote:
Get a basket, put in packages of tea's, cocoa's, ciders. Fancy up the basket for the holiday. Throw in some apples and oranges for color,

@CherryHugs @qualitygal This is a great idea! I don't like to get people anything they have to store, display or dust. Other items to include would be an oven mitt, dish towels or cloths for the season, salt grinder with the salt inside, spice blend, a shaker of cinnamon sugar and some hot cocoa mix, scone mix, etc. etc. Maybe a pretty wooden spoon or spatula, etc.

Lots of great kitchen gadgets are inexpensive like things to reclose bags (those that just slide into the folded over bag top are wonderful)--how about some gourmet popcorn and bag closers? I think that would be neat! Put them in a pretty big holiday bag. Who wouldn't want that???

By the way, that great tea someone above mentioned is HARNEY tea--they have excellent prices and a super variety of well-prices and beautifully packed teas on their website.