I have been wracking my brain all evening trying to come up with inexpensive gift ideas for people in my life who seem to have everyone. I think I've compiled a pretty kick-ass list, and I thought I'd share:
1)For the do-gooder fashionista: A real
Swarvoski Crystal Cancer Awareness Bracelet - $7.99
2) For a sophisticated mother:
Real Freshwater Cultured Pearls Necklace and Earrings set - $39.00
3) For the athlete:
Crabtree & Evelyn - La Source Revitalising Mineral Muscle Soak - $20
4) For the harried soccer mom:
New Womens Genuine and Comfortable Warm Sheepskin Softsole Slippers Size 5 to 16 - $47.99
5) For the stressed-out college student:
Exotic Teas - $4-30
6) For a large family:
Apples to Apples Board Game - $25
7) For the hipster:
Threadless Gift Certificate - Any Amount
8) For the music aficianado:
Jazz and Blues Posters and Records - $3-15
9) For the artsy type:
Neat art prints - $45-50
10) For the man who has everything:
A good cigar. $4-6
11) For the lover of all things gourmet and organic:
Versatile Blend & Exotic Varietal Coffee - $10-40
12) For the socially conscious:
Give a loan to an entrepeneur in the 3rd World - Amount of your choosing
DIY Ideas:For teachers, mentors and in-laws: A goodie basket
1) Buy several small woven baskets at a thrift store, colored plastic wrap, Christmas ribbon, ingredients for fudge, candy canes, and several boxes of your favorite tea.
2) Line with colored plastic wrap, leaving excess room around the edges to fold over the goodies once they're in the basket.
3) Make some delicious fudge (my favorite recipe is
here). Let it cool and cut it up into squares.
4) Use about 5-7 squares per basket. Wrap them up individually or all together.
5) Place candy canes and a few individual tea bags in the basket with the fudge.
6) Fold plastic wrap over.
7) Decorate handle of basket with Christmas ribbon.
For your girlfriends: Homemade Lipgloss
Ingredients: 3 teaspoons grated unbleached beeswax; 5 teaspoons carrier oil (sunflower, castor, or jojoba); 6 or 7 drops essential oil; 1 teaspoon honey, for flavor
1. Melt the beeswax and carrier oil together in the top of a double boiler, stirring to combine. Remove from heat; add honey and essential oil. Mix thoroughly so the honey does not clump.
2. To add a little color, stir in a tiny dab of lipstick with a coffee stirrer. Pour the mixture into containers; let sit 20 minutes before covering or moving. For glossier lip balm, use 2 teaspoons wax and 8 teaspoons carrier oil.
(
Recipe)
Other Ideas:1) Scarves that you've knit yourself
2) Mix Cd's
3) Copies of your favorite book (for instance, I tend to give out "Travels with my Aunt" by Graham Greene and "White Noise" by Don Delilo a lot. They tend to always be well-received).
4) A recipe book with your favorite recipe written on Page One (the rest left blank).
5) Magazine subscriptions (cheaper on Ebay!!)
6) Local museum membership
