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zuzu_
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« Reply #31 on: November 12, 2008, 02:59:30 PM » |
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For years now, my husband and I have set a $5 limit on each other's gift for Christmas. Try it with your partner--it's FUN. (It helps that we both have generous parents, so we don't feel deprived in any way.)
Don't buy presents for babies! Especially your own! They have NO IDEA you didn't get them anything. To make it fun for your older kids, just wrap up diapers and wipes "from Santa." Put baby food in the baby's stocking.
P.S. Now is the time to hit DOLLAR TREE for a good selection of holiday items.
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« Last Edit: November 12, 2008, 03:00:21 PM by zuzu_ »
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kryptonite
Time flies and suddenly you're a
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Posts: 577
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« Reply #32 on: November 12, 2008, 06:19:01 PM » |
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Why not make an edition of silkscreen prints? You can get the supplies at the art store and learn how by watching you tube videos. It's not that hard.
It's also much more efficient than making a unique card for each person on your list.
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Formerly known as kyanite.
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biomancer
trying to be the person my dog thinks I am
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,585
CHE Fora Hazmat Team
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« Reply #33 on: November 16, 2008, 05:43:30 PM » |
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Why not make an edition of silkscreen prints? You can get the supplies at the art store and learn how by watching you tube videos. It's not that hard.
It's also much more efficient than making a unique card for each person on your list.
Alternatively, one could make homemade cards using homemade "stamps" carved from sponges, potatoes, etc. and using paints as ink. One of my friends makes homemade holiday cards every year and they're really beautiful - elegant simplicity. |
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Clueless people can be dangerous. The acidic environment they can spread often needs to be neutralized, and humor is basic. - Dellaroux
Viruses invented people so that people would invent airplanes so viruses could get around better. - R. Duda
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scheherazade
1/3 of the Triumvirate of Evil and the Most Delicious
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,109
Running feminist prostitution rings since 1998
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« Reply #34 on: November 17, 2008, 12:18:26 AM » |
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My sister suggested this year that we all make a donation to a charity in each other's names this year. We'd have a limit of $15-$20, and we would choose a charity that we feel fits each person. I thought that was a great idea. Now I have to think of charities to fit each of my siblings.
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You historians disturb me sometimes. |
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marlborough
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« Reply #35 on: November 17, 2008, 02:06:25 AM » |
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I really like kiva.org==it is a microfinance thing. I have shifted into getting most of the people I know gift certificates from them, and the recipients can choose who gets the money as a loan--the guy in Lebanon trying to upgrade his car repair business, or the woman in Samoa who wants an extra acre of taro this year? I always get messages talking about how much the receivers enjoyed selecting the people and following their progress, and then reloaning the money again and again.
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expatinuk
Has spent over 1000 pounds but now holds a Brit passport!
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,564
From SC living in UK
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« Reply #36 on: November 17, 2008, 03:18:01 AM » |
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I just bought 10 sterling silver chains for 1 pound... and 4 pounds shipping from China. So, for a total of 5 pounds... I've got 10 gifts.
They have arrived and are really nice. Thank you Ebay.
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Expatinuk seems to be a Soviet Satellite in stationary orbit over the UK
It is what it is.
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prephd
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« Reply #37 on: November 17, 2008, 08:48:26 PM » |
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I just got a Plow & Hearth catalog that has a nice selection of pewter ornaments for $9.99. With each purchase, they'll plant a tree in an area that needs them. It's a nice sentiment for a small price. Don't steal my idea.
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Prephd, in all that black, you are like the anti-pink-me. Freewill is a beeyaaatch
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dismalist
Hardly a
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Posts: 1,438
Often wrong, never in doubt.
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« Reply #38 on: December 06, 2008, 12:50:58 PM » |
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We have met the enemy, and they is us.
--Pogo
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quietly
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« Reply #39 on: December 07, 2008, 08:02:46 AM » |
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My sister suggested this year that we all make a donation to a charity in each other's names this year. We'd have a limit of $15-$20, and we would choose a charity that we feel fits each person. I thought that was a great idea. Now I have to think of charities to fit each of my siblings.
My family has been doing this for about 6 years now and it's fantastic. Takes away the stress of shopping, insures no one gets more unwanted knick-knacks that have to be displayed during family visits, and actually uses the spirit of Christmas to do good. This year, non-profits need this help more than ever. |
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dept_geek
SPAF by decree, documentor of local meetups, and
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,688
through a glass darkly....
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« Reply #40 on: December 07, 2008, 12:43:26 PM » |
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My sister suggested this year that we all make a donation to a charity in each other's names this year. We'd have a limit of $15-$20, and we would choose a charity that we feel fits each person. I thought that was a great idea. Now I have to think of charities to fit each of my siblings.
I try & keep these things local... our school has several organizations that "adopt" kids and/or families. They are always looking for toys, gift cards, clothes, etc etc etc. Each group gets something from one of my family members. I've done a little homework, so I know the stuff goes to local families, some of whom are our students. |
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I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code. When in doubt, add chocolate.
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sappho
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« Reply #41 on: December 08, 2008, 12:00:27 PM » |
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I read somewhere how you can lend money to a small business in a different country. I was thinking of doing that instead of donating to a charity. Has anyone tried that? Any suggestions for reliable starting points (websites?)?
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"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
--Mahatma Gandhi
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marlborough
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« Reply #42 on: December 08, 2008, 12:08:04 PM » |
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I read somewhere how you can lend money to a small business in a different country. I was thinking of doing that instead of donating to a charity. Has anyone tried that? Any suggestions for reliable starting points (websites?)?
Kiva.org is my website of choice website to start with for that. They have gift certificates and are very reliable. |
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malcha
Creepy Lit Critter, Undead Language Lover,
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,336
posting live from her FCFU
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« Reply #43 on: December 08, 2008, 12:23:04 PM » |
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The adults on my list are mostly getting the fruits of my pottery class, but I am still not sure what to get for my niece and nephew. The bath toys idea might be good for the three-year-old.
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fannie
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« Reply #44 on: December 16, 2008, 01:38:12 PM » |
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I get a fair amount of my gifts from Goodwill. I start shopping in July and usually find enough of the following:
1) Unnecessary but fun-to-own appliances, like a George Forman Grill or a Homedics massaging chair with heat = 4 to 20 dollars
2) Totally brand new, unopened gift sets of bath products = 3 dollars
3) The occasional really nice label sweater or shirt or blouse = 3-4 dollars each
4) A nightgown/bathrobe set, again, only the really nice label kinds, like Vanity Fair = 4 dollars each piece
5) Picture frames = 50 cents to 4 dollars
6) Candlesticks = 3 bucks tops
7) Hardcover books in good shape = 1 dollar each
8) Heirloom quality table linens, wool blankets, afghans, etc.
That covers a lot of my 'have to' giving for family and friends. Some know that I get things at Goodwill, and now they put in requests for things they want as gifts but feel guilty about me spending lots of money on. So now it's a little like I am running a 'shopping service'.
Other stuff I do
1) I bought little candy molds in my dad's 2 1/2 ton army truck shape and melted chocolates to fill mold. Cost: 4 bucks including molds and a fancy Christmas plastic bag
2) I usually bake homemade cookies and/or a cake for the relative that seems to be getting shortchanged
3) This year I am going to buy a crate of grapefruits and juice them for frozen grapefruit juice. That comes out of my food budget. Then I am going to make grapefruit peel from the rind. My dad loves that; his mom used to make it for him every year. Cost: a couple of bucks for the sugar.
4) I've picked wildflowers in the summer and put them up with rock salt to make pot pourri (and you can also get pot pourri at Goodwill. The deal with Potpourri is that no one actually uses it; they are just going to turn around and give to Goodwill, so it's a good 'have to' gift)
5) I have a couple of antiques stores that are very good at underpriced pewter and wooden items. I get my bro and sil something pewter or wooden every year as a 'couple' gift. Usually spend around 10 bucks.
6) Nostalgia gifts for people my age that you pick up in an antique mall include a set of four Looney Tunes glasses (used to be at the BK?) for sixteen bucks
7) I keep an eye on the drugstore around Christmas. Usually there is something there at a rock bottom price.
8) This is the shameful one: I re-gift most of the 'thank you' presents that I receive from graduating seniors!
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« Last Edit: December 16, 2008, 01:40:07 PM by fannie »
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