What are you doing for Christmas presents this year? I am trying to cut back this year on Christmas because I have not worked in almost 2 years and money is starting to get tight. What are some great gifts you have given or received that did not cost an arm and a leg. I have ideas and thanks to coupons they might be almost free. I was thinking of putting together a spa package for my nieces and daughters with creams, shampoos etc.. (I have gotten these items mostly free with coupons) and then a gift card for them to get their nails done. This way it would only be around $15.00 each. If I could keep everyone around $20.00 or under it would be great. I am stuck on my father and father in-law. Men just seem to be harder. Any ideas would be great!
We can't afford to give niece/nephews anything. They will be getting a phone call. But the little spa package idea could be cute.
As for the men... grill sets (if they are the type) or movie packages are nice. My mom always gets my husband a movie gift certificate with a box of kettle corn. He loves it. But we are pretty simple people.
Beer and lottery tickets?
Gift card to a driving range if they golf?
Gas station gift card?
Add a bag of pistachios and they'll be in heaven!
Gift certificates for oil changes or car wash coupons; and I agree with "one and done", throw in some cashews or pistachios and they will love it!
For families I get games that cost $20-25 for the bunch of them. We have some really great games that are good for all ages.
Classic games like Uno, Life, Monopoly and new favorites like Say Anything and Pictionary.
We've gotten the men in our lives a gift ctf to a car wash. (a nice one) where they do a super great job. sounds boring to some, but hey...... many people like a nice clean car. Additionally, a gift ctf to a favorite restaurant. it needn't be expensive. perhaps they have a favorite pizzeria..
We have an uncle for whom we never know what to buy. he does like to cook (or did) so at the time,. we bought him some Bariani Olive Oil.. they also make great balsamic. It's good and oil and vinegar and for anyone who likes that stuff, is a good gift.
Some of the gifts that I've given over the last few years that were cheap and got a lot of compliments on are comfy fleece pajama bottoms. They go on sale at Old Navy for $10. I went to Ross and found several Morroccan looking glass candle holders. Some that looked like lighthouses, some were hanging candle holders, all with pretty colored glass. They were $10 a piece. While I was there I found a glassware set of Bob Marley glasses - $5. I got my sil a zebra throw for $15. I got my fil a solar lighted little dog that you set on the front porch that had a welcome sign hanging around its neck. That was $12 at BigLots.
How about a car cleaning bucket? Buy a bucket that you would use to wash the car and then fill the bucket with items that would go along with that. Or a gardening bucket if he is a gardener. If those things don't apply how about a couch basket, small bags of snacks a crossword puzzle, popular news paper, fuzzy slippers, glasses repair kit or new glasses case. Things you would do if you were to just sit down and relax on the couch.
I buy my parents food gifts from the farmer's market, that way I support local farmers, and I get fresh food luxuries: maple syrup; homemade jams; honey from local bees; local walnuts; apples. . .It always seems appreciated.
Ove Glove! do they grill? maybe some sauces or seasonings?
I making a brag book for my dad of pictures of him with my kids over the years. I am doing it on Walgreen.com they always have great offers and will order it when it is 40% off of photo books which they do about once a month. My father does not need much but is crazy about his kids and grandkids. I thought it was something he could pick up often and share with people that visit the house!
look on Walmart.com they have alot of stuff that can be personalized and sent to the store to be picked up for free. Their prices on there are very reasonable and you can get almost anything! They have some really neat stuff and its things not found in the store.
magazine subscription
omaha steaks package
I always get the secondary men in my life those little executive desk puzzles, like the mini pool table, or interlocking puzzles made out of wood or metal, or even those hanging balls hung in a row where you pull one of the end balls back and when it hits the row of balls, the ball on the other end flies out. I got one once and it came w/these little funny metal figures that looked like they were climbing the pole the balls were hanging from.
They are anywhere between $5-20 at JC Penny's, Sears and Kohls near the men's departments.
Maybe a new pair of gloves or make it a movie basket with popcorn (buy a box so you can put a few in each) with a gift card to a movie rental place. Maybe a bag with a magazine you think they would enjoy and their favorite coffee flavor.
Have fun!
