Christmas Ideas - Ellijay,GA

I've just made a year's supply of washing powder using washing soda, borax and laundry soap for under $10. I haven't read the other responses, sorry if I'm repeating, but why don't you put together a home cleaning kit with this and things like White vinegar and some tea tree oil etc in a nice basket, with instructions on how to use them for cleaning. If you want the washing powder recipe let me know!

Is this something that people are asking for? I'm just being honest here, but if I opened a bottle of shampoo and toilet paper from my aunt/sister/mother at Christmas and it wasn't something I mentioned struggling to purchase I would think you were off your rocker!

People who can't afford detergent shouldn't be spending $40 to go see a movie. Why not get them a gift card to the movies or to a restaurant so that they can enjoy something entertaining without worrying about whether or not they can pay their bills that month.

Same sentiment, less strange.

I'm getting my sister a Pur water pitcher, a few filters for it and several re-usable bottles so that she doesn't have to keep purchasing bottled water. Cheaper for her, better for Earth. I asked her is she wanted one after I got one since it made my tap water taste so much better and she said she would love it. Otherwise, that too would be a kind of strange gift.

ETA: I agree with Krista P. It would be pretty odd to open up a package to find shampoo and laundry detergent (unless it was part of a large gift basket or something like that...shampoo, lotion, body wash, body butter, soap, etc. and even then it would probably be expected to be a bit higher end than say, Suave or Garnier).

I agree with getting them a gift card to see a movie or to go out to eat. I wouldn't want basic everyday stuff for christmas. We do have a hard time affording those things sometimes, but I look forward to christmas because I get things I wouldn't normally.

with both my family & my ILs, what you consider a thoughtful gift, would be laughed at. I truly hope this does not offend you! I'm simply relating how my family would react.

& honestly, the items you've mentioned are very personal choices! I greatly prefer Krista P's recommendation for buying the "splurge" items.

Kudos to you for trying to think outside of the box....I just doubt it'll work. Sorry!

I agree with the suggestions you've gotten - My husband and I LOVE that my mom gets us a "date night" for our birthday & Christmas - it includes a gift card to a restaurant and a gift card to the theater plus the promise to babysit. My mom also gets me a gift cert for a mani/pedi for my birthday every year - something I LOVE but have a hard time justifing spending the money for. And hubby gets Sears gift cards so he can splurge on some new tools or even replace ones he's broken at work (he's a mechanic and had to provide his own tools). All of these things are thoughtful and allow us to live on our budget and still have some fun. While buying someone some household supplies has a nice sentiment behind it, it's no fun to open that gift and like someone else mentioned - how do you know what brands to get for people? For example: my kids have perfume sensitivies and it's not something i broadcast, so if you bought me some laundry detergent with perfume in it, I wouldn't be able to use it.

Go with the gift cards - I especially like the date nights. you could even do Walmart or Target gift cards that they could use for those household items, but be able to pick out the brands they like.

Laundry soap and shampoo is the type of gift you give a student leaving for college, or a house warming gift to a young person. Its not exactly a Christmas gift. As much as the money they would spend for soap or movie all comes out the same, Id rather get the movie gift card, and spend my own money on the brand of soap I want. It feels more like a real gift to receive gift cards for a movie, and a chore list to open the laundry soap.
Yarrmatey I would LOVE a gift of a water purifyer system! Since I drink only water it would be a wonderful gift in my eyes!

Those ideas are necessities, yes, but the gifts that are most special are those that you wouldn't buy yourself because you only buy yourself necessities :)

S.

Sounds like a good idea when you first think about it, but really, would you want shampoo for Xmas? A friend of mine got cleaning supplies from her MIL at a bridel shower and she cried when she told me what she got!

Why not just give them a gift certificate to the movies or a resturant so they can go out on the town on you?

I was given a throw blanket, popcorn, and hot chocolate one Xmas by a fellow Graduate student when we were all low on cash. It was a great gift. We still have the blanket. I am sure she got two boxes of hot chocolate and popcorn and divyed it out to about 4-6 of her friends.

I am jealous that you are getting such an early start on your Xmas idea!

Y.

Because people are picky about those types of things, I would go for a walmart gift card.

I always put toothbrushes, body wash, and razors in the stockings. This can be difficult unless you know brand each person uses.

I think you should go for it! I love that your idea is different. It is definitely unique.

Make sure your giftees are aware of your gifting plans this year. I mean, you don't want Friend A to receive a gift of useful household items and have them think Friend B got a plate of baked goods.

Include cleaning cloths if you give cleaning items, like a package of paper towels or sponges.

Check out household cleaning websites like "101 uses for baking powder/vinegar/lemon juice/etc". You might be able to find some ideas there.

Put baking recipes together. Leave out the wet ingredients and attach a card w/instructions on how much wet ingredients to add and how to bake/cook . I have received "cookies in a jar" before where I dump the jar of already measured out ingredients in a bowl and add my own eggs, milk, oil, etc according to the instructions. I'm sure you can do the same for staples like bread or side dishes.

I think a cute idea would be to make your own detergent, soap, etc, put them in bottles and make up your own "Made By..." labels to put on the front.

gl. Like I said, I LOVE your idea. I think its very practical.

The problem I see with this is a lot of people are brand loyal. I guess if you want to get practical stuff you can do calendars, basket of gourmet food items, or gift cards. Chances are they're not really going to allocate the money they save on buying the laundry soap to buy something they want, not conciously anyway, know what I mean? Your intentions are good though.

I think a good way to do something like this would be to get them a walmart gift card, or something like that.

I appreciate that you are trying to give things people will use. I know "It's the thought that counts" but it can be overwhelming to get a lot of gifts you won't use.

If you do end up doing this presentation is going to be VERY important and will have to be over the top. There are also some people this would really not work with and they will take offense or as Krista said "think you're off your rocker". I wouldn't be offended myself but if I got a gift like this, I'd probably just use it and not get anything I wanted with an equal amount dollar wise. Some people are picky (or in my case have sensitive skin) so that might be a challenge on picking out products.

Would gift cards work? I know in some states gift cards are a pain in that there can be a fee charged if not used? They can't do that here. It might be better to get gift cards that could be used for either necessities or splurges (Target, Kohl's, or a Visa Gift card). If you know of particular interests gift cards might really work.

Good for you for working on this now instead of last minute.