hi there! i've been SO blessed this year - OMG, i can't even believe it! anyway, i can't buy presents for the ones who've given me stuff, and certainly i can write thank you notes, which i will. but...i was wondering if y'all could think of something easy/cheap
(lol) i could do to show how much i appreciate their generosity & thoughtfulness. i could easily bake cookies/brownies (that's about the extent of my abilities!) but although i'd be happy to get that, i figured most people are tired of that kinda thing.
any quick ideas guys?? thanks so much!!
Never underestimate the power of the cookie!! :)
You could make a batch and personalize them with "thank you" or "merry Christmas, fill-in-the-name-here" with icing...
I was going to say baking is always good :) If you are crafty that's always a nice one. If you are good at something you can give them a coupon for that. For instance, if you are tech savy you can offer to fix their computer. If you are good with kids you can offer to babysit. I love it when people give me a coupon for free babysitting. Doesn't cost them anything but it helps me tremendously.
Home made goodies are always welcome! One option is to use the BIG/FAT/LONG pretzel sticks, dip them in chocolate, then roll them in sprinkles, colored sugar, tiny candy confetti, or finley chopped nuts. Tie them together with some curly-ribbon and wrap in wax paper or colored cellophane. Easy-peasy! Cheap and delish! (Ahem....'inexpensive.')
Is there a fruit market near you? Our neighbors think fruit is a great relief from Christmas sweets!
you should do that thing where you melts peanut butter and powder sugar and put it over cheerios, chex, m&ms-forget what it is called. That is SO delish. Put it in a nice container and you are set. Or you could do chocolate covered pretzels stix drizzled with red and green.
Go to your local library and look for some cookbooks called Gifts in a Jar or Cakes in a Jar, lots of different titles and one basic idea. You get mason jars that are wide mouth and either put dry ingredients of r brownies, cookies, or cakes inside that they dump and add eggs and oil or water Or you bake a cake inside the jar. I always made mine with a lemon bread recipe and then poured a glaze over the top of the cake then sealed it.
http://christmas.organizedhome.com/gifts-crafts-gift-tags...
With high fructose "corn sugar" making everyone fat, I have decided to rethink my stance on cookies. I try to stay away from a lot of sugar, but if you find a low sugar recipe, then by all means, share some with me.
I used to take pictures during the year, then crop them & make homemade frames to give as gifts. The pic alone can be include in Christmas cards & no wrapping required. I think you can crop on the machine at Walgreens if you don't have a computer.
Remember it's the thought that counts. Even a little something shows you're thinking of them. It could be just a hand written card, if you're a writer, write them a poem. Homemade treats are always nice. You could also make them an ornament. You could also give them a coupon for your services, like a babysitting for an evening, or shoveling their sidewalk.
Homemade baked goods are always good. You could make muffins too, there are package mixes that require only water, mix and bake. You could also make and give coupons for help with yard work in the spring, helping clean-up and putting away holiday decorations. Clean their house or babysit the kids.
Hello,
I can tell you that as you get older the joy of Christmas is truly in giving gifts, not receiving. I know that the best gifts I get are just a nice "thank you." I especially like to give gifts to people that I know truly need them and not just waste money on things just to buy a gift for someone. I feel there is absolutely no need to give these people anything other than an honest thanks.
I like to make handmade thank you cards. All a person needs is some decent card stock, pretty paper, glue and any additional embellishments (could be stamps, paper cutouts, photos or anything reasonably flat that you may want to add). For gifts that relate to the kids, I like to add a recent photo of the kid/s and one of their drawings.
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS35...
It is ok to give them baked goods or something homemade. I agree with those who say it is about giving, not recieving, and never expect something from someone who I surprised with a gift. If you want to give, something simple and homemade would be wonderful.
Hi M.,
I think it is is important to understand people just LIKE giving and that it is OK to be on the receiving end. I grew up always writing thank you notes for presents. I will teach my children the same thing.
But a gift idea I receieved a few years ago was pretty cool. I LOVE paper products. And sticky notes are a lot of fun! The gift was created by using the cover of old holiday cards cut down to size and folded over the sticky note pad as a cover for the pad. The she just glued it to the top side to the fold of the post its. It is kinda hard to explain...but it kinda reminds me of a match book fold. It is something useful with a hint of creativity.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Depending on the person who gave the gifts, you might find some "service" that you can provide them with your own time and hands. We also have had a very tight couple of years, and I've made "gift certificates" for things like "four hours of garden weeding" and "repaint your bathroom" and "four hours of babysitting" or "two 30 minute backrubs" (the last for my husband.) Take a look at your family and friends, think about some chores or tasks that might be helpful to them, and take little more than time and effort (no special skill or equipment.) You can give them something really personal, that costs you only time. You are assured that its something they really want and need, and you usually get to spend some time with the person while delivering the "service." Good luck, and enjoy the holidays!
A hand written note expressing your gratitude is a wonderful gift. Be truly honest about what you appreciated. People seldom get such personalized gifts these days. If you are looking for something quick, easy, and fairly inexpensive to make here are a few:
Melt chocolate almond bark (according to directions on package) and mix in 2 cups of raisins. Spread mixture on cookie sheet that has been sprayed with Pam. Put in freezer until solid. Break into small pieces. Put in ziploc bag to maintain freshness. (Tastes like chocolate covered raisins). You can do the same with chocolate almond bark and slivered almonds for chocolate covered almonds.
If you want something healthier melt white almond bark and mix in a couple packages of dried fruit (the dried fruit should be chopped into small pieces). I tried this for the first time this year and quite like it.
One final recipe is for Golden Graham candy (a.k.a. Clodhoppers):
4 cups golden graham cereal (generic is fine)
1 package white almond bark
1 cup unsalted peanuts
Spray cookie sheet with Pam. Melt almond bark according to package. Mix in cereal & peanuts. Spread on cookie sheet. Put in freezer until hard. Break into small pieces. Put in ziploc bag to maintain freshness.
Note: one package of golden grahams will make about 3 batches of this. Each batch will fill a one gallon bag so it makes quite a bit. You can use chocolate almond bark if you prefer.
These are quick recipes that only take about 10-15 minutes in total and most people really enjoy the taste. The Golden Graham candy is very popular with most of my family and friends (it is less sweet than most candies).
Dollar store hot chocolate mugs. Put a candy cane, two packages of hot chocolate, little baggie of mini marshmellows in it, tie a little ribbon to the handle and you're good to go. Easy, everything you have to buy is cheap and makes a lot so you only have to buy one package of each thing. :)
