Gift ideas for the relatives that won't break the bank?

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Do you have some ideas for soom inexpensive gifts for all my nieces and nephews? :hmmm:

We are on one income and finding things really tight.:eek:

We would love to have religious themes, but educational ones work.

Also, ideas for the relatives that already have way too much… We could give them all the same gift, if we were creative engough to think of some.

:blessyou:
 
For the kids:

How about a small medal of each of the kids patron saints? I know you can get medals rather inexpensively. Then research the patron saint and give them a little background sheet on each.

Parents and InLaws:

How about a mass card? These are not just for the dead anymore. My church has started a wonderful card program. They have mass cards for Birthdays, annivs, any occassion. It is a great idea.

I’d rather have someone pray for me anyday than spend money on me!
 
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johnq:
Do you have some ideas for soom inexpensive gifts for all my nieces and nephews? :hmmm:
We are on one income and finding things really tight.:eek:
We would love to have religious themes, but educational ones work.
Also, ideas for the relatives that already have way too much… We could give them all the same gift, if we were creative engough to think of some.

:blessyou:
Click to expand...
For nieces and nephews–if they are over 10, I would recommend a nice devotional book they could read at nite–in bed----super–they make so many nowadays. Check out your local Christian bookstore on this one. I know for parents who “have everything” like mine–food items always work. Coffee, wine and cheese, chocolates, etc. You can’t ever go wrong with this kind of thing. And they come in nice baskets, etc., or you could make your own. Another thought–a nice CD of some beautiful music–perhaps --Andreas Bocelli (a gorgeous sounding blind tenor) or Sarah Brightman (an ephereal gorgeous soprano). Are you familiar with these singers? If not–check them out----awesome!!! They are 2 of my favs!!! Or of course in Starbucks they sell some nice CD’s of jazz, easy listening music. Perhaps a nice little bag with some coffee and a CD. Or candles are always nice too! Think that’s I’ll get for the folks this X-mas. Coffee and a CD. You can also buy adorable gift bags at places like TJ Maax, Ross or Marshalls, if you have these stores.

Good Luck~~~~ It’s the kids I’m at a loss this year about!!!
 
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jrabs:
Parents and InLaws:

How about a mass card? These are not just for the dead anymore. My church has started a wonderful card program. They have mass cards for Birthdays, annivs, any occassion. It is a great idea.

I’d rather have someone pray for me anyday than spend money on me!
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Hey jrabs:

What are “Mass cards”???
 
If you haven’t already done it, going to the work of putting together a family recipe book is a nice idea for “grown” relatives, especially if you can include stories of family get-togethers to go with them. Pictures are nice, but as it adds to the expense, they are not necessary. If you have the technology but not lots of cash, you can also do this kind of thing on the computer and give out homemade CDs for them to print out as they like.

For younger kids, art supplies are a great value… paints, crayons, playdoh, pencils, glue stick, glitter, and such. Also, consider making them “blank” coloring books that they can make into their own journals. My kids love these. For older kids, you might consider “gift certificates” for inexpensive outings like hiking. If you have a skill that they might like to learn (like making pie crusts or homemade bread) give them lessons.

For relatives who already have too much, there are two things that even the well-off seem to have in short supply: treats made from scratch (homemade fudge sauce or jam or jerky, whatever you do well that you know they like) and time… like giving babysitting hours or throwing them a work party where you bring lunch and supply the workers (that’s you).
 
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sparkle:
Hey jrabs:

What are “Mass cards”???
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A Mass Card is a special card that indicates that a Catholic mass was given in honor of someone (deceased or living person or their family). It is a gesture that shows that prayers are being said in their honor. Mass Cards can be obtained at any Catholic Parish and at some funeral homes. They are “greeting cards” that offer your intentions at a mass. Many religious orders sell these on-line too.

Traditionally, they were given to a deceased’s family at funerals. The intention is that a mass will be said for their soul.

Now they have so many themes for masses.
My church has a basket filled with various card themes - birthdays, etc. Pick the card out, and drop a few bucks in a contributoin box. Along with your money, you drop in the intention for the mass - so the priests knows who he will be praying for.

Very cool thing.
Here are some sites for the cards.

bfranciscan.org/mass_cards.html
nwjesuits.org/Support/Masscards.html
 
We have given away gift certificates made on our computer for a variety of things that don’t cost anything but time:

The kids gave one to Dad on Father’s Day that they would spend an afternoon helping him clean his garage.

To friends with kids: a free night of babysitting or watching some kids while they have a special night out with just one

To kids: a special day at our house making cookies, playing their favorite games and if old enough, a sleepover; if we know we won’t be so strapped in a month or two, we invite them to a movie or roller skating, etc. in Jan. or Feb.

To grandparents: help with cleaning the house, yard work, odd jobs, etc.

To siblings and friends: offer to bring them dinner one night a week for a month (once a month) – is especially nice for busy parents (and who isn’t a busy parent?)

Anyway, you get the idea. We have found, though, that we often need to remind people to “cash in” their certificates!
 
For kids : homemade scarves. We bought a yard of polar fleece and cut it into 6" strips. Then we fringed the edge. Made about 6 scarves and you could personalize with puffy paint etc. Only costs about $5 per yard. My daughter and I made these and had a blast. Polar fleece doesn’t unravel. No sewing.

For adults. Go online and find monasteries that sell food/products to help support themselves. I’m thinking I read about it in the Faith and Family magazine last winter. For example some sell fudge or soaps. Or what about making a donation in their name. That way it’s a deduction on income tax also.

Good luck in finding things and Happy Holidays.
 
How old are the kids? One year we gave lots of “Gifts in a Jar”. My nephew actually liked getting chocolate chip cookie mix in a jar w/ the recipe attached. There are lots of cookie mix in a jar websites as well as other gift in a jar sites. 24 ball jars cost maybe $10 at the grocery store. —KCT
 
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KCT:
How old are the kids? One year we gave lots of “Gifts in a Jar”. My nephew actually liked getting chocolate chip cookie mix in a jar w/ the recipe attached. There are lots of cookie mix in a jar websites as well as other gift in a jar sites. 24 ball jars cost maybe $10 at the grocery store. —KCT
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They are all ages :bounce:

Can you give me the web site addresses?

Thank you everyone.

:blessyou:
 
Here’s a great site to print out gifts for kids, someone on another forum gave me this one last night, I’ll be printing all day today!
dltk-cards.com/bookmarks/ You can make bookmarks, calendars, door knob hangers, bingo games, etc.
 
Here’s my list!

Create an album or scrapbook of photos or memorabilia of important family events.

Record a family oral history on audio tape.

Copy your favorite recipes onto cards and tie with a ribbon.

Unpack the old “love letters” from your spouse, tie them with a ribbon and give to your dearest.

Make cookies, beverage mixes, or nut treats to give. See Inexpensive Gifts.

Share the story of 1000 Marbles and give a Marble collection.

Have a “lightly used” toy exchange among the children.

Make homemade gift certificates for free babysitting, errands, chores, backrubs, etc.

Make a gift, these are often the most treasure. See: Quick and Easy Candles

Consider making your gift giving simple, 3 gifts for each child, just as Jesus received 3.

Inexpensive ideas for Holiday gift giving.

crayons, paper, glue, markers, tape, stapler, scissors, fuzzy topped pencils, bulletin board, chalk board, dry erase board, watercolors, fingerpaints, blank books, books, character notepads, stickers, artist sketch pad, diary, popcorn tin, colorful mittens, fun socks, jigsaw puzzles, marbles, deck of cards, a checker board, pick up sticks, dice, jacks, bookmarks, word find books, candy canes dipped in chocolate, hot chocolate mix and marshmallows, a latch hook kit, sewing kit, paperdolls, slippers, wrist watch, bubble bath, gift certificates to a fast food restaurant, homemade coupons (for a chore pass, movie, game night, a date w/parent, etc.), hot wheels, baby doll clothes (yard sale priced real baby clothing), balls, a kit to make a rag doll, brush and comb set, hair clips, baseball cap, wooden blocks, stacking rings/cups, chapstick, a scrunchy & shower gel, night light, flashlight, kaliedoscope, kite, bicycle accessories, a homemade dress-up clothes chest or treasure chest (use clothing you no longer use, or find quality items second-hand)

Some of these smaller items can be grouped to make a “kit”. Of course, keep things age-appropriate.
 
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