Budget gift to ASK for....

[Cruise]

So this is a little different... instead of trying to find a good deal on something to give to someone, I need to come up with ideas of something low/no cost to ask for.

My sister is going through a financial pinch right now that will get better once January comes around. But that means she needs to get through Christmas first. I know the simplest thing would be to just say "Oh, you don't have to get me anything for Christmas," but I know my sister and this won't fly. She's going to feel like she has to do Christmas gifts. And it has to be something she feels like is something that I really want and is really a "gift," or else she'll be insulted that I'm considering her finances.

So far, the only thing I've come up with is to ask her for a "coupon" for a homemade cheesecake sometime in the future when I need/want one for an event. She makes awesome cheesecakes - she has a collection of close to 200 different recipes. This also means that I can cash the coupon in after the New Year when her finances will be much better. But that might be a little too close to that line where she'll think I'm just saying it because of the finances.

Aren't family dynamics great? So does anyone have any other ideas? Other than the cheesecakes, she isn't very domestic/crafty, so I can't think of anything else homemade to ask for.

Thanks!

 

[Forevryoung]

I don't know how close you guys are or feasibility-

I'm asking my sister for a coupon for a "sleepover"- again something to be used after the holidays but it gives you a night away from home and you guys can pick something fun to do together (old favorite movies, play a board game, just chat). Have it include dinner and breakfast the next morning which can be as elaborate or as simple as necessary.

It would definitely seem like more of a "gift" to you

 

[scrapquitler]

So this is a little different... instead of trying to find a good deal on something to give to someone, I need to come up with ideas of something low/no cost to ask for.

My sister is going through a financial pinch right now that will get better once January comes around. But that means she needs to get through Christmas first. I know the simplest thing would be to just say "Oh, you don't have to get me anything for Christmas," but I know my sister and this won't fly. She's going to feel like she has to do Christmas gifts. And it has to be something she feels like is something that I really want and is really a "gift," or else she'll be insulted that I'm considering her finances.

So far, the only thing I've come up with is to ask her for a "coupon" for a homemade cheesecake sometime in the future when I need/want one for an event. She makes awesome cheesecakes - she has a collection of close to 200 different recipes. This also means that I can cash the coupon in after the New Year when her finances will be much better. But that might be a little too close to that line where she'll think I'm just saying it because of the finances.

Aren't family dynamics great? So does anyone have any other ideas? Other than the cheesecakes, she isn't very domestic/crafty, so I can't think of anything else homemade to ask for.

Thanks!

Look up online a list of movies that are coming out in the next couple of months and ask her to take you on a girls night out to that specific movie. She can buy the tickets and take you out for a drink (or desert or snack) afterward. That wouldn't cost her much (2 movie tickets + a small bar bill). Try to find a movie that you can enjoy together. If movies aren't your thing, ask her to take you to a local museum or a local theater (that has inexpensive tickets) for a play.

Or ask for a book, or a calendar. Hat, gloves/scarf, umbrella, totebag, plants for your house, stationery, a photo album or photo book, candles, bath and body works products, or CHOCOLATE

 

[mrsklamc]

Ask for a movie date for a movie that doesn't come out until next year.

 

[Sandy61]

You could ask for a gift that would "pamper" you. She could make up a basket with small gifts in it and decide how much to spend. The basket could hold any number of these things: anything she could cook homemade like cookies or candy, hot cocoa mix, a cute mug, shower gel, nail polish, foot pedicure items, bubble bath, lotion, candle, or anything else she could think of.

This can be a small basket with only a few things. A couple coupons for cheesecake or babysitting or some other nice thing to do.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

Do you have children? If so, the best gift I could ever ask for would be to have my sister babysit for us. Coupons or I.O.U.'s would be perfect!

 

[C.Ann]

If I were in that position the answer would be easy: a book..

Another option would be a scented candle - or a favorite bubble bath..

Check out the prices of any of these items you would be interested in (to keep the cost low for her) and then specify exactly "XXXX" (book) - or "XXX" candle in "XYZ" scent - and the same for bubble bath..

It's nice of you to be so considerate - and I know how your sister feels because even when my sister's finances are at their worst she still insists on getting me a gift..

Good luck!

 

[WeLoveM1CKEY]

Maybe ask her to make you a copy of her recipe book for you. That way it is something that she is good at and she can make and you get something you can enjoy.

 

[tinker&belle]

I agree on the babysitting if you have children...that was my first thought!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I love the idea for a cheesecake- if she feels "not enough", say she could do a couple, but when you need for a party, etc.

 

[Kat&Dom]

I vote for the cheesecake too.

Now that my parents are retired and on pension. I have finally convinced them that they don't have to spend a lot of money at Christmas on all of us kids. Last year, I convinced my Mom to make her Coconut Loaf - it has Eagle Brand in it - it melts in your mouth - my brothers and I love it. It was a huge hit - everyone was hoarding their tin of it. My mom said later that she was glad that she had listened to me and made a gift that was loved by all. I think that she will do the same thing again this year.

Just talk to your sister and let her know how much you adore her cheesecake so that she can know that it is an awesome gift to give you.

 

[MomToOne]

Does she knit or crochet? You could ask for a custom-made throw blanket.

Or - some store bought things that can usually be picked up at some point during the Christmas season pretty inexpensively, but still make a nice package to open:
- Board game
- Puzzle
- Slippers
- Picture Frame
- Knit gloves/scarf
- Book (maybe research some nice coffee-table type books that can be picked up inexpensively - there are usually lots of them out at bookstores)
- Throw blanket (yes, I have a blanket obsession - I love them! )

 

[DawnM]

Mine as well!

I agree on the babysitting if you have children...that was my first thought!

 

[swilshire]

My sister is going through a financial pinch right now that will get better once January comes around. But that means she needs to get through Christmas first. I know the simplest thing would be to just say "Oh, you don't have to get me anything for Christmas," but I know my sister and this won't fly. She's going to feel like she has to do Christmas gifts. And it has to be something she feels like is something that I really want and is really a "gift," or else she'll be insulted that I'm considering her finances.

That sounds like a terrific idea. I always say "make me something" when family members ask what I want.

I also forward all the free and dirt cheap photobook, collage print, and reprint offers to family members and they make photo gifts to share for a low cost.

This year I'm finally buying myself an MP3 player on Black Friday to use in our van, and I've told the "kids" I want them to load it with musc for me.

Sheila

 

[Cruise]

Thanks for all the ideas! I might even use some of them with other family members as well.

I don't have kids, but she does, so I don't think I'll ask for the night out with her - she'd have to find a sitter.

I'd personally love to make gifts for everyone on my list, but unless they specifically ask for it, I'm afraid it'd be unwanted, so I just go the commercial route.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I would like something n the lines of a photobook/journal and put things in it like "remember the time we...etc

With the holidays coming up there should be lots of good coupon deals etc. to cut down on the expense.

 

[marlynnp]

You mentioned her cheesecakes, does she do a lot of other cooking? You could buy a book like this and ask her to fill it with her favorite recipes for you.

http://www2.gooseberrypatch.com/goo...?editdocument&lid=is_M980|cartprocess=tsearch

 

[McKelly]

Well, I am ALWAYS happy with chocolate.

 

[Cruise]

You mentioned her cheesecakes, does she do a lot of other cooking? You could buy a book like this and ask her to fill it with her favorite recipes for you.

http://www2.gooseberrypatch.com/goo...?editdocument&lid=is_M980|cartprocess=tsearch

Nope, just the cheesecakes. I don't know how she got started on them but that's just her signature item now... has been for years. But, hey, I'm not complaining!

 

[sksjasams]

Totally different way to go...but what about a pizza pan or a quesadilla maker? If anyone ever asked me, those are ideas I would want.

Walmart has a quesadilla maker for $15. I'm sure there are lots of pizza pans under $15 too.