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Creatively Frugal Holiday Gifts for
Acquaintances
"What are your ideas for thoughtful. yet low-cost ‘thank you’
gifts for the people who serve your family faithfully each year?"
"During the post holidays sales in January and February
this year, I purchased several sets of winter season coasters (each
package holds four) in the only two prints left: blue background
w/silver snowflakes and red background w/pearlized white snowflakes
(at $.50 a package, for each set of four, I spent less than $5).
I have both Jewish and Christian co-workers, hair dressers, letter
carriers, etc. that I like to remember each winter.
My plan is to make a small pound cake, spice loaf, etc. for each
person and place the loaf, a set of coasters, and a $5 coffee gift
card inside the gift bag, so that they can enjoy a cuppa and slice of
bread w/THEIR family or friends." ~ Sean
"How about adding a little fun to their day? We've given gift
bags filled with 'kid' toys - slinkies, bubbles, super balls, water
pistols, Silly String, paddle balls, and the like really go over
well with adults." ~ Suzanne
"This year I thought it would be nice to make neck rolls. I
am going to purchase lavendar from the San Francisco Herb Company, white
rice from Wal-mart and fabric that is reduced from Wal-mart for
$1.00 yd. The fabric is cut 10"x30". Since there is very
little sewing, it should be a quick craft as well as inexpensive.
I know the staff at my school will appreciate them. I love mine!"
~ Sassy
"I’ve read lots of articles
that recommend buying bottles of wine or imported olive oil, etc.
I personally don’t have budget for that –- sometimes even for
my immediate family gifts, let alone for acquaintances. I prefer
baked goods. I can get all of the baking supplies through holiday
sales at my grocery store or at Aldi (which has all of the baking
staples, I find). I make 10-15 different kinds of cookie dough in
October (okay, so this year it will be November…) and freeze
them. I prefer all drop or sliceable cookies – no cookie cutters
or frosting required. Then I put 3 types in the fridge in the
morning before work, come home and bake them. I top it off with
cute packaging that makes it look 'expensive'. Last year I bought
small cellophane bags, and created custom labels on my computer. I
stapled the bags shut and put the labels over it. Some people
didn’t believe me that I made it. This year I plan on using tins
– I was able to get a ton of tins at a local church rummage sale
for 10 cents each. All in all, I usually can get 15-20 gifts (with
a few cookies left for me!) for about $50.
" ~ Halley
"I
buy gift bags and fill them with dollar store or Walmart items. I
spend maybe $10 or so on each bag. For the ladies that work for me
in my department, I pretty much buy identical items with
considerations to color preferences. Since we stand all day at
work, my last year's theme was pampering the feet. This year I
already bought 'turbo towels' for after shower hair drying.
I am not sure what else I will include yet. A pair of novelty
socks is a usual item." ~ Yvonne
"Guess I'm just stingy! I give the exact same gifts
to close friends or acquaintances - NOTHING. Even my
sister and I don't exchange gifts. Why do so many feel we
have to bankrupt ourselves or spend all our time making cutesy
stuff for everybody we know in the whole world? Yeh, I
guess stingy is the word. But this is really
me.." ~ Roberta
"This year we are
planning on doing potholder mitts stuffed with a wooden spoon and
a bag of muffin/cookie mix depending on the person. Curly ribbon
and nice note on the spoon." ~ Anonymous
"Well, if
you are willing to shop the BIG shopping day -- the Friday after
Thanksgiving -- you can find some super buys for 'thank you' type
Christmas gifts. Two years ago, I found myself in the need of
almost 20 'thank-you' gifts for piano teachers, several school
teachers, Sunday School teachers, etc. For the past 2 years, I
have found that Old Navy has a special $1.00 gift that normally
retails for $10 – $15. Two years ago we purchased 20 of the Old
Navy fleece scarves. They were so beautiful and very warm. They
retailed for $10, however, we paid only $1.00. Where else can you
buy 20 gifts for only $20? We received many thanks from those
receiving the scarves. And best of all….they were nice
gifts….not just junk!
Old Navy will print their special $1.00 items in their
Thanksgiving circular." ~ Danya
"I like to
give a pair of movie tickets. You can buy
these inexpensively (~$6 each) from the Entertainment books."
~ Sandra in San Jose, CA
"I like to bake, so I make
batches of yummy bread (banana, zucchini, or other) and bake them
in the small size tins. These freeze so well in plastic
wrap, then aluminum foil, and cal be pulled out and wrapped in a
ribbon to take as a gift." ~ Annie
"This year I plan to make return address labels as
inexpensive gifts. The label can have fun
colored fonts and even clip art if you
are computer savvy! I'll put my labels with colored
or plain envelopes, a pen and a pretty bow!" ~
Lorraine
"I keep watch all
year for everything from jewelry to candles to photo
frames. Because I love to purchase gifts for people I
can't spend a lot on each gift. I shop ebay too. I
usually try to keep it under $5 per person. I have
purchased good size sterling & stone pendants for about $4
each, vintage glassware, u name it. I do consider the
cost of shipping. Since some vendors give a break on
shipping I consider that too. Books can be a great
inexpensive gift too. I simply watch the bargain
table. Shopping all year and keeping a gift box/closet
allows me the opportunity to give many gifts to many
people." ~ Anonymous
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"I purchase Christmas theme coffee cups at garage sales and make
up hot chocolate mix, put a serving in a small zip-loc bag, tie on
scrap ribbon or raffia. Maybe add a candy cane. I have about 30
Nurses that work for me and this is an inexpensive way to give them
each a small gift." ~ Debbie in Houston
"It's funny this question was asked because I was just
thinking the same thing last night! I attend a Wednesday Morning
Women's Bible Study at my church and we have all become close friends.
I awoke this morning with the answer: Handmade Bookmarks.
This is the same kind of bookmark you can find at any
bookstore (they're called "Book Thongs") and they cost
$6 or more a piece. They are simple to make and you can custom
the length to fit each friends' Bible. I used hemp twine (the softer
kind) and beads. Measure your string 3 or 4 inches longer than you
need the finished piece to be. (You can always trim off the excess,
but you can't add to it.) Be sure the beads have a hole big enough to
accommodate the string or twine you will be using. Tie a knot in one
end, string a few beads (3 or 4) then tie a knot
above the beads to keep them from slipping up to the top. At the
top, place smaller, coordinating beads and tie them off the same way.
Be sure to leave the middle empty. The beaded ends will hang out the
top and bottom of the book. So measure accordingly and keep the size
of your beads in mind as well.
Experiment with different themed bangles, tassels, glass or acrylic
beads, crimping beads, hemp twine, beading wire, thread, embroidery
floss, etc. The possibilities are limitless! I've given these as thank
you gifts to the ladies that keep the Nursery at my church and
they loved them!" ~ Karen
"Money
is always tight around Christmas but we had some people we wanted to
give a gift to. My aunt had given me loads of powdered milk
and on the package was a recipe for Hot Chocolate that you make in
large quantities. The kids and I made it and really liked the taste.
So we purchased some coffee cups with winter designs on them instead
of Christmas so they could be used after the holidays 2 for a
dollar. We purchased some cellophane treat bags and filled
each with enough chocolate mix for two or three cups of chocolate.
We used pretty ribbon to tie up the bag and attached directions
(that we made on the computer) to the end of one of the ribbons.
We then stuffed the bag into the cup and delivered them on the
Sunday before Christmas. For less than $25 we made 20
Christmas presents."
~ Julie
"I
suggest gift certificates or gift cards from grocery stores, gas
stations, restaurants, hardware stores -- general places where most
any family can find things they use.
Please think twice before giving homemade food items -- candies,
baked goods, soup mixes, cookie mixes in jars, home canned foods,
etc. -- to acquaintances. Many may have food allergies and many may
be concerned about the safety and cleanliness of the foods." ~
Coleen
"This year I thought I would give gifts from our local
discount health food store. They have lots of really special
treats that a person would not normally purchase for themselves,
but are really nice, such as pure organic body lotions, specialty
soaps, organic coffees, organic pastas and sauces, specialty nut
butters and jams,
really delicious organic
cookies, books, etc. I thought I would put a couple of nice
items in a decorative brown bag I found at our local crafts shop
and tie it up with raffia and add a construction paper tag cut
with pinking shears to make it all
look pretty and
healthy/delicious! This would work for everyone on my list. How
about the folks on your list ?" ~ Dorothy
"I make mini-loaf
cakes for most of these less intimate gift recipients. However,
last year I got annoyed with the 'can you top this' competition
among homemade goodies that developed with my coworkers. This
year, I am going to make a nice donation to a charity I believe in
in their honor, and give them a nice card describing the charity."
~ Suzanne
"I'm big on homemade creations for people. There are so
many people I want to give something to, but could never afford
it. By making something myself, I keep costs down and my friends
seem to appreciate the time I took in making their gift.
One year I made a huge
batch of hot cocoa mix. I put it in a decorative plastic bag,
and paired it with an inexpensive mug (can get them for under a
dollar at many garden stores). It was a big hit. I have also
made candied pecans for friends, and have received requests for
them again already this year! Pecans are a bit pricy, so I look
for them on sale throughout the year and freeze them. Another
year, I had a large amount of sand dollars I had found during
vacation. I painted them white, tied a red ribbon to them, and
attached the Legend of the Sand Dollar poem to it. Some of my
friends still hang theirs on the tree each year." ~ Kristy
Editor's Note: Thanks to everyone who took the time to share
his or her ideas!
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