Creative/cheap gift ideas?

Everything that doesn't fit anywhere else!

Postby pitbullmamaliz » December 2nd, 2011, 8:09 am

Long story short, as I really just feel like curling up in a ball and crying right now, over the past several weeks I've had nearly $600 in unexpected expenses and my savings account is nearly depleted. Christmas was already going to be tight due to the pay cut I had to take when I get bounced into the prison system, but now it's going to be non-existent. Do any of you have any ideas for cheap (as in, a few dollars per person) gifts that I could make? Maybe food stuff in jars, or something crafty? Please keep in mind that both my food prep skills and crafty skills are about the level of a 4th grader. But I'd appreciate any ideas!
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby TheRedQueen » December 2nd, 2011, 9:14 am

I have a LOT of ideas...but I don't have time to post...I'll be back after the weekend...hopefully some others will have help for you. But I feel your pain! :hug3:
"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby donnynannette » December 4th, 2011, 7:15 pm

I dont know if your dollar store has hand soaps. Our dollar store has very fancy hand soaps. They are in decorative bottles and everything. As teacher gifts this year i am going to buy some of these and get the colorful cellephane paper and wrap them with a bow. It looks expensive but only cost. 2 bucks. LOL. I know how hard the holidays can be when it comes to money.
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » December 4th, 2011, 7:45 pm

Thanks! I'll have to check my store to see if it has those. :)
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
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Postby mnp13 » December 4th, 2011, 10:43 pm

What about home made bath salt scrubs?

http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/si_Ma ... hSalts.asp
http://spas.about.com/od/homesp1/a/bodyscrub.htm

You can be all fancy and creative, and then get pretty jars at the dollar store to put them in.

I like salt scrubs because they don't clog your drain.
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Postby napster » December 6th, 2011, 10:26 am

why not gift certificates from www. restaurant.com . you can get $25. gc for $2 during their promo's.
i use them all the time!
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » December 6th, 2011, 10:42 am

Ooh I like the bath salt ideas. And napster (awesome avatar, by the way!) I had no idea gift certs were so cheap through that site. I'll definitely check it out!
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
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Postby TheRedQueen » December 6th, 2011, 10:55 am

I make dog soaps and people soaps...the supplies I get at Michael's...fairly cheap for how many you can make...I wrap them in fancy scrapbook papers and tie with ribbons. Gave them out last year, people loved them.
"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby TheRedQueen » December 6th, 2011, 11:16 am

I also make a chai tea mix...again, the cost can be a bit much altogether, but it's the price per gift that is low. I mix it up in a big bowl, and spoon it into small cute containers. It's a just add water mix, and I make some for myself too. People have loved this one too.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chai-tea-mix/

Lip balms:
http://www.marthastewart.com/269963/lip ... made-gifts

decorative candles:
http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/dec ... ar-candles

cute teacup lights (I may have to make this one this year!)
http://www.marthastewart.com/273016/teacup-lights
"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby TheRedQueen » December 6th, 2011, 11:59 am

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » December 6th, 2011, 12:17 pm

Wow, Erin! Thanks!
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
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Postby mnp13 » December 8th, 2011, 12:58 pm

I was looking at restaurant.com and though they seem like a good idea, the fine print makes them rather awkward to give as gifts, at least at the restaurants that I looked at.

For example, at one of our favorite restaurants in Rochester:
$25 gift certificate for $10. Great deal! But... there is a minimum purchase of $50 required, they add 18% gratuity no matter what size your group is. So if you give that as a gift, they can't just go and use the $25 for dinner, they have to spend another $25. That's not hard for two people for dinner, but if you get a $50, they have to spend $100 for dinner.

Some other places have different gratuity amounts but the the same spending rules, but also add on "cash only", "excludes alcohol", "Dinner only" and other restrictions.

Basically, you must spend the equal amount of the gift certificate to use the gift certificate. That's fine for me to buy for myself, but I don't really want to give that as a gift. Just my opinion of course, and the rules may be different for different places, but it's something to keep in mind.
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Postby HappyPuppy » December 15th, 2011, 12:27 pm

This isn't crafty homemade stuff - but it is ideas for small kitchen-y things to gift:
http://homecooking.about.com/od/kitchen ... s.htm?nl=1
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Postby FAB dogs » December 18th, 2011, 11:38 am

Homemade candy. Buckeyes are particularly easy. Homemade salsa. Even homemade cheese. All require a few ingredients then some cheap containers from dollar stores or Goodwill. My homemade cheese spread and crackers usually goes over pretty well.

Potpourri is also an easy one. Glass jars from Goodwill filled with potpourri. And if you have them, some white Christmas lights. Or buy a bird feeder at Hobby Lobby, paint it, fill it with potpouri, and add a chain and some ribbon. They can be hung in the house and are easy to refill.
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