Budget coworker Secret Santa gift??

[klacey1]

I am doing a work Secret Santa (it's an after-hours, non-work sanctioned exchange with just a certain group of people). The guidelines are that one aspect must be homemade, one must be alcohol, and total spent must not exceed $25.
My problem is that I drew the name of our events coordinator who works from home. I haven't been at my company very long, so I've only met her once. She's probably around my age, mid to late twenties, but beyond that, I know nothing.
Any suggestions for universally appealing yet fun/festival alcohol or a useful homemade item?? TIA!

 

[Julia M]

With a $25 limit that can be hard.

 

[Julia M]

With a $25 limit that can be hard.

Sorry I am using my phone to reply for the first time!! Maybe a mini bottle or 2 of alcohol-the size on airplanes? I know I love amaretto for example. There are also the drinks in the bag (like Capri sun style) that are pretty good and just a couple of bucks. You put them in the freezer. I know I'd prefer either of those over a cheap bottle of wine!

For something homemade, could you make a food gift? For example, fudge or dipped pretzel rods?

 

[marmalade]

I read on another post somewhere here that someone was making vanilla sugar. I am planning on making it this year. Here is a recipe I found online:

http://amybayliss.com/2012/03/vanilla-sugar-recipe-pantry-essentials/

As far as the alcohol, maybe a bottle of Kahlua or Baily's for their morning coffee. And if they want it extra sweet they can add your homemade vanilla sugar.

 

[Princess on the Run]

Brownies and Baileys
Hot chocolate mix in a cute glass jar and peppermint schnapps or Baileys
Rum balls and a small bottle of rum

 

[Jedana]

STolen out of Food Network Magazine, Ad for Nestles:

hot chocolate mix:
1 1/2 c instant dry milk
1/2 c sugar
1/2 mini marshmallows
1/4 c baking cocoa
pinch salt

mix and store

Peanutty coca mix
1 c instant dry milk
2/3 c peanut butter & chocolate chips, coarse chopped
1/3 c sugar
1/4 c baking cocoa
1/4 c powdered coffee creamer
pinch salt

Mix and store


Caramel cocoa mix
1/2 c dry instant milk
1/2 c caramel macchiato flavor coffee creamer
1/4 c baking cocoa
1/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 c chocolate chips, chopped

Mix and store


to use: 4 TBLS in hot water.

Buy a bottle of Peppermint schnapps, Bailey's, or something similar.

Under $25

 

[clh2]

The vanilla sugar idea is a great one...And - easy too!

(My daughter LOVES vanilla sugar - and we buy it for her from Penzy Spices. That stuff is pretty darn expensive...so I really like this homemade version!)

 

[BeachLove]

Get her some cozy socks. Seriously, everyone seems to love those. Maybe get 2 pairs cozy socks and a small starbucks card?

 

[dakcp2001]

Get an inexpensive mug and personalize it. (homemade part) Then get some fancy hot chocolate packets, and some peppermint Schnapps, Baileys, Kahlua, Amaretto nips. You could also do Coffee instead of hot cocoa. But the nips go with the drink.

 

[honeydiane1953]

25$$ ridiculous cozy socks itsy bitsy bottle or wine coolers.

 

[klacey1]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone! I really like the personalized mug w/ hot chocolate/coffee and acompanying liquor idea! I just wish I knew even what colors she liked. I could not have gotten a worse draw!
Food gifts are also allowed in the "homemade" category...am making Nutella rice crispies tonight for Thanksgiving. If those turn out okay, maybe I can make a batch of those, too...

 

[nilseks]

For mid to late 20's, I don't think I would really go with Bailey's or Schnapps. Hell, I'm early 40's and I don't drink those.

Flavored vodka's are very trendy and yummy. Perhaps a whipped cream or cake flavored vodka. Or a bottle of Kinky liqeur - it is vodka infused with passionfruit, mango and blood orange. A favorite among all my girlfriends.

For the homemade part, you could make a little recipe book of drinks made with the liquor you buy. There are lots of great recipes now for the flavored vodkas. Pineapple upside-down cake is my favorite drink, so yummy!

 

[akcire]

buy vanilla vodka
buy rootbeer
make her some ice
if you want to be "super" crafty make her a paper straw

Homemade item, alcohol item, and easy. Also no one has any crap they don't want.

You can do the same with Margarita mix, tequila and more of that homemade ice. You can even buy some salt and limes if you are fancy.

 

[Handbag Lady]

How about one of those small boxes of chocolate covered liquors?

I don't do homemade so I am NO help there, I just hire my sister!

 

[ORDisneyfans]

I like the flavored vodka idea too! They have cake flavored and whipped cream flavored! Yum! I like the recipe ideas too! They have a huge box of liquor filled chocolates at Costco for $16.99. Cozy socks and/or a starbucks or barnes and noble gift card for $5.00! I would love all of these!

No mugs for me! I am a teacher and have a gazillion!!! She must be fun or she wouldn't have signed up for the exchange in the first place!

 

[JDX4]

buy vanilla vodka
buy rootbeer
make her some ice
if you want to be "super" crafty make her a paper straw

Homemade item, alcohol item, and easy. Also no one has any crap they don't want.

You can do the same with Margarita mix, tequila and more of that homemade ice. You can even buy some salt and limes if you are fancy.

I love the homemade ice. Very clever. And that would leave more money for buying the alcohol.