Budget Christmas gift idea, what do ya think?

[WeLoveLilo05]

I already posted this on the budget boards, but let me know what you think or have any other ideas.

I am trying to think of a gift for couples (aunts and uncles) who we usually only see 4xs a year. I don't want to sound cheap but money is tight as we are saving for our wedding. But trying to keep the gift to the couples @ $15 and under.
So I got an e-mail from yankee candle that their tarts are only $1 so I came up with an idea.
GO to ACMoore or Michaels or maybe even Bed Bath and Beyond and get a tart warmer for cheap with their coupons.
Then go to Yankee candle and get some tarts maybe 2 or 3 each.
And then the little tea light candles from the dollar tree.
Wrap them up nice in a basket from dollar tree or in a nice bag.

Do you think this is a good idea or silly? I mean what is a man going to get from this? But its for THEIR house.

Fiance was going to request they not exchange this year but he chickened out. So now I am trying to think of a good idea. The couples are probably in their late 30's early 40s

 

[Hannathy]

I think it is fine. Or you could go the same route with a food item like Hot chocolate, or coffee. Or buy a big can of peanuts so they are cheaper and split them up into containers from the dollar store. If you want something the guys will actually use. But believe me your Aunts and Uncles will just be happy getting something from you -and I speak as an Aunt!

 

[crashbb]

It really depends if they are the kind of people that would like candles (I have no idea what you are talking about, but since it is from Yankee Candle, I assume a "tart" is some sort of candle thing, and not something to eat).

Honestly, it isn't something I'd enjoy getting. Not because I care how much was spent, but because it isn't something I'd use and I feel badly that money was spent on it, when I'd end up re-gifting it/donating it/throwing it out.

Hot chocolate or peanuts, on the other hand, I would enjoy.

Of course, they'll be posters who will say the exact opposite - hence, it depending on the people to whom you are giving the gifts.

 

[HM]

Games and puzzles are things we usually get from relatives we don't see much. And we like them....so for us it's a good present.

 

[Tinkermommy]

Wine or alcohol.

I like the game idea as well.

 

[C.Ann]

I like the candles idea, but that does kind of leave the "guy" out.. I think I would go with something more along the lines of food - snacks and/or hot cocoa or flavored coffees..

Nothing wrong with a $15 budget per couple - and with Christmas getting closer and closer, you may see other items that are suitable for both in that price range..

Good luck with your shopping..

 

[malibuconlee]

Does the family like to play games? How about buying a card game and adding in some microwave popcorn and candy. You can get each couple a different game. Target in the past has had some "different" games, you know other than the old standards of Uno, Skipbo and Rook.

 

[snowywhite89]

I already posted this on the budget boards, but let me know what you think or have any other ideas.

I am trying to think of a gift for couples (aunts and uncles) who we usually only see 4xs a year. I don't want to sound cheap but money is tight as we are saving for our wedding. But trying to keep the gift to the couples @ $15 and under.
So I got an e-mail from yankee candle that their tarts are only $1 so I came up with an idea.
GO to ACMoore or Michaels or maybe even Bed Bath and Beyond and get a tart warmer for cheap with their coupons.
Then go to Yankee candle and get some tarts maybe 2 or 3 each.
And then the little tea light candles from the dollar tree.
Wrap them up nice in a basket from dollar tree or in a nice bag.

Do you think this is a good idea or silly? I mean what is a man going to get from this? But its for THEIR house.

Fiance was going to request they not exchange this year but he chickened out. So now I am trying to think of a good idea. The couples are probably in their late 30's early 40s

This seems like a great idea. DH loves the smell of tarts.

 

[msjprincess]

This seems like a great idea. DH loves the smell of tarts.

 

[minkydog]

Are they candle people? I know for us candles are huge no-no due Dhs lung issues. Hot chocolate, coffee, tea or cookies would be most welcome at my house. I can sympathize with you. We're also on a tight budget. I'm busy making huge amounts of Chex Mix and peanut brittle for my siblings' families. I'm stuck at home nursing Christian this year anyway. My family loves Chex mix and it's cheap to make. And peanut brittle is insanely easy to make.And if it breaks up in shipping, you just put it over some ice cream and pour chocolate syrup over it--instant Reeses peanut butter brickle ice cream!

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

We are trying to keep our budget tight this year for Christmas, and so my son and I made homemade Chex Mix for a bunch of people on our list. I found these very cute plastic Christmas buckets with lids from Dollar Tree to put the mix in.

I'm going to make sure that everyone knows that my son (the 13 year old, not the baby!) participated in making the mix especially for them!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

my only concern with food is my DD has a peanut allergy and IDK if they would be opening the food items while we are there. I was looking into hickory farms but nowhere on their website does it say if their crackers are nut free. My dad buys cases and cases of wine for his customers and said he will probably have a few bottles left over and offered me 2 bottles to give them and then 1 for myself lol

I know I am going to sound rude, but I really wanted to end the exchange. It irks me that they (well one couple, not the other) regift items to DD, she's a size 4 (well this year 5) and they give her size 14/16 clothing that their daughter didn't want or didn't fit into. While every year I always try and find something that their kiddos will enjoy. O and on 2 occasions the 1 said couple gave DD snickers and peanut butter cups as part of a gift and made a cake topped with nuts... Since that incident I refuse to go their home. I try and keep the peace but...what can I do?

 

[bellebud]

as long as they definitely burn candles, it sounds nice. we never, ever burn candles.

food is a bit of a safer bet if you're not sure if they're candle burners.

 

[starann]

That may be good for some of the couples...for others I would suggest a 'game pack'

Maybe uno...skipbo...Left Right Center...and some snacks?

Or a movie (under $5) and some popcorn and candy?

 

[tiggerlover]

What about making a charitable donation in their names?

 

[mickeysgal]

Went to Cracker Barrel today just to shop their sales. They have gift sets 25-40% off. I got one that had a niced-sized box of their pancake mix and a bottle of their syrup for 10.98. All wrapped up with a bow. I bought two and now wish I had bought one or two more for gifts. I may go back. They had other gift sets less than $10...a xmas soup bowl, dish, mug and a bag of candy. It made a nice large stack and it was under $10. Looked more expensive than that.

 

[minkydog]

my only concern with food is my DD has a peanut allergy and IDK if they would be opening the food items while we are there. I was looking into hickory farms but nowhere on their website does it say if their crackers are nut free. My dad buys cases and cases of wine for his customers and said he will probably have a few bottles left over and offered me 2 bottles to give them and then 1 for myself lol
I know I am going to sound rude, but I really wanted to end the exchange. It irks me that they (well one couple, not the other) regift items to DD, she's a size 4 (well this year 5) and they give her size 14/16 clothing that their daughter didn't want or didn't fit into. While every year I always try and find something that their kiddos will enjoy. O and on 2 occasions the 1 said couple gave DD snickers and peanut butter cups as part of a gift and made a cake topped with nuts... Since that incident I refuse to go their home. I try and keep the peace but.w what can I do?

Whoa! that changes everything! I'll tell you how we do Christmas. About 20 years ago my siblings and I decided to stop sending gifts. We all live very far apart, so we never see each other at holidays. Instead, we donate time and money to our favorite charities. Some gifts we have "received": a water buffalo, hurricane victim assistance, a flock of baby chicks, prenatal care for indigent women, food and toys for families, and more. One year when I was ill, my sisters baked cookies and mailed them to us. All of us fortunate to have the things we need. If there is something we want, well, we'll just buy it. We still buy gifts for the minor children, but once they are out of HS they stop getting presents. The nieces and nephews for the most part do not send thank you notes so i don't feel bad about cutting them off.

Maybe it's time to change things up. Give a token gift and them make a donation to your local food bank.