The Gift Suggestion Thread

[batmom]

Everyone. Mostly, though, it's my in-laws who prove tricky. In the past we got them gift certificates to the theatre because they have everything they need and I didn't want to get them more stuff (my mil is quite accomplished at bringing home enough stuff as it is). My mil doesn't like to dress up anymore, so fun jewelry or scarves are wasted.

My dad is also a bit tricky, but he has a sweet tooth and I'm tempted to get him Candy Freak: The Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America plus some retro candies.

My step-mom's easy (I'm going to try and recreate a beaded necklace that she commented on when we were out shopping once) and my mom's easy (she knows we're stretched thin and she doesn't want stuff anyway).

[anne]

One of my favorite inexpensive gifts of all time is homemade bath salts. It totally depends on the recipient (and whether they like baths and smelly stuff) as to whether or not it works, but they can make a very easy and inexpensive gift. You mix kosher salt, food coloring, and essential oils together. Then I buy cheap glass jars (if you have an Old TIme Pottery by you they're usually a great source) to put it in. I tie some rafia or ribbon around the jar, and that's it. This works well for bulk gifts, such as for co-workers.

Another gift I did as a kid, but could probably be altered a bit to come from an adult, and is totally free, is a box of love. As a kid, I just took a box, wrote a note about how it was filled with love, wrapped it, gave it to my mom, and watched her cry with joy. But for parents or in-laws with the right level of sentimentality, you could probably do the same idea, writing a more meaningful note, and perhaps including pictures and other keepsake memories.

[batmom]

Thanks for those suggestions. I'm making candied orange peel for hostess gifts (I made it for Thanksgiving dinner and it went over well) and it's nice to have other options.

[dwanollah]

My step-mom's easy [snip] and my mom's easy

Maybe some trashy lingerie? Or chastity belts?

Now we know what the attraction was for your dad!

Sorry. Sorry. Bad. Sorry. Should learn to resist.

[batmom]

Heh

[mrpancake]

For my sister, I know a while back there was a vase she loved, but it was from a traveling show sort of thing, so I didn't get it then. I'm hoping they come back, so I can pick one up because she talked about how much she loved it. I didn't get it at the time because, well, the wedding was a year away and I'm a skeptic. Oops.

If anyone is looking to get their kids' teachers gifts, I will try to offer some suggestions:

I guess it depends on the district you live in, but some things the teachers in my family would rather never see again:

Bath related stuff. My mom hasn't taken a bubble bath in at least 25 years. She has more bath stuff than she can handle. We have a whole cupboard dedicated to stuff her students gave her that she will never use. And the cupboard smells like a perfume factory exploded.

Candles. We got 284848483832834845 thoughout the past couple years, and, while lovely, we rarely use them, and candle decor only goes so far.

Cheap candy. The incredibly cheap candy, while a nice thought, is positively revolting. It goes into the trash, so really, don't waste your money.

Tacky teachery clutter. Nothing with apples. Anything that has a dumb teaching motto. No little knick-knacks are needed.

The best gifts she has gotten are really nice cards and gift certificates the class bought her, where they really thought of things she would want for herself after devoting so much time to her classroom. Every once in a while she gets a nice piece of jewlery or a frame or some such that she wouldn't buy for herself otherwise.

My favorite gifts to give are always really ecclectic. Depending on the person, I can get a bunch of used stuff via eBay or a thrift store that may have some significant meaning, and you can add a lot of bulk due to the cheap cost which makes for a fun gift, and also a meaningful one.

[Deleted]

One of my favorite inexpensive gifts of all time is homemade bath salts

anne, I'm a bath-taking fool and know some others like me, so can you give specifics on how to make it? and could you substitute epsom salts for the kosher salt if need be? thanks.

[pepper67]

A few years ago, I was particularly short of cash, and it was a friend's birthday. So, I made her a relaxation kit.

I bought some bath salts plus a large bar of her favourite chocolate, then printed off a glossy picture of her favourite actor. I put them all into a cardboard box, with a label that said "relaxation kit", then put in an 'advert' for the kit.

It had this at the top:

When life is such a hassle that it leaves you feeling frazzled,
And everything you do, can't stop you feeling blue,
When time goes marching on and all the fun seems gone,
You're driven to distraction - then it's time for DRASTIC ACTION!

Now open up this gift and let your burdens lift,
You'll no longer want to quit, for here's your RELAXATION KIT.

Then I added a testimonial from her favourite TV character, with a 'before' (in tears) and 'after' (smirking) picture.

It didn't cost me much, and she loved it.

[girlnamedcarl]

On the same general vibe as Anne's bath salts, Brownie Mix in a Jar.[/color] You put a bunch of stuff in a jar, all stratified-like, then put a tag with instructions on it. Presentation, I think, is key here, as is making sure the recipient isn't allergic to any of the ingredients, but it's an easy, fun gift that promises a good-smelling, good-tasting afternoon of fattening comfort food.

I think teachers might like this. I could be wrong.

[anne]

livingfortheweeken said:

One of my favorite inexpensive gifts of all time is homemade bath salts

anne, I'm a bath-taking fool and know some others like me, so can you give specifics on how to make it? and could you substitute epsom salts for the kosher salt if need be? thanks.

Certainly! There's not a big science to it. For about 3 cups of salts, I use 5-6 drops of essential oils, any scent. I know the best ones come from health stores, but I buy mine at craft stores because they're cheaper. You just have to make sure you get the ones for soaps rather than for candles. But if you want them to be very high quality and are willing to spend the money, you're probably better off going to an herb store to get them. Along with the essential oils, you drop in about 10 drops of food coloring. Then you just shake it all up so the color and oils distribute evenly.

The recipe I have says to use sea salt or kosher salt, but my mom has also used rock salt before. (it works and is cheaper, but I think it seems/feels less pampering). I would think you can use any sort of corse salt.