mkel cheapo gift ideas~ an array of inexpensive but awesome gifts!
So… I realize that this economy sucks, and mass produced presents are sometimes not as meaningful as you’d like them to be; so here are a few ideas in case you’re stumped on what to do for your aunt Rhonda. 😉
I know- you’re like- whaaat?! No recipe? But, in a sense- these are recipes for gifts. 😉
magazine subscriptions
framed childrens’ art ( or dog prints!)
a collage of photos and trinkets from the year ( I make these for my hubby every anniversary!)
dollar store crafts (see a post about it here)
free houseplants (how to here)
Baskets! ( Not empty silly…) * check thrift stores for baskets! Spray em with disinfectant if you’re a germ-a-phob like me.
theme baskets are awesome!! Here’s some ideas:
movie night basket: movie candy, popcorn, movie rental or DVD, sodas *black Friday had some really inexpensive DVDs, you can still find some good ones under $6!
bakers “basket”: spatulas, recipe cards, cookbook, oven mitts, good chocolate chips, all tucked into a mixing bowl or brownie pan
cooks basket: fancy pasta, a nice jar of sauce, some red wine and bread sticks
stir- fry” basket”: in a wok, place noodles, canned bamboo shoots, baby corn, chopsticks and stir fry oils and sauces
gardeners’ “basket” in a pot place gloves, hand tools, seeds and a gardening magazine
a stocking filled with small lotions, nail polish, candles, perfume and an inexpensive (but tasteful) jewelry item
a stocking (or basket) filled with golf balls, golf towel, tees, score keeper, tee markers, and socks
sport-watching basket: beef jerky, nuts, pizza gift certificate, chips, crackers, and a favorite team ornament
bird basket: birdseed, bird feeder, bird guide and some inexpensive binoculars
cozy basket: robe and/or slippers, tea, hot cocoa or coffee, biscuits or cookies, and a really good novel.
Foods you can make:
cookie jar mix (read about it here)
candy platter: rum balls, fudge, eggnog truffles, cookie dough truffles, and sugared cranberries
cookie platter: perfect cut out cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and sugar cookie bar trees
savory items are nice, also- like rosemary olive bread, cheddar scallion beer bread, or mini quiches
Kids can be really tough, but- never underestimate a gift bag filled with stickers, new crayons, marbles, yo-yos, balls, hot wheels, chalk, puzzles, and of course- CANDY!
For a pre-teen girl- how about some light colored nail polish, lip gloss, a teen magazine, and a diary?!
I hope you got some ideas for your aunt or uncle… or that cousin you only see twice a year, or the co-worker in the secret Santa drawing. There will be more food here tomorrow.
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