el cheapo gift ideas!

el 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.