How about some unique Christmas gift ideas?

[Jenn]

We have about 20 people in our immediate family to buy for. I'm always looking for new ideas and like the idea of doing something similar for as many people as possible. Any great ideas out there?

 

[RitaZ.]

Last year, I ordered fresh Christmas wreaths from QVC for some family members. They really loved them!

 

[RNMOM]

I don't have many people to buy for but DH's two brother's families drive me nuts. The oldest has three adult children we usually send gift cards to Best Buy or Borders. I have been buying for these people since the late 70's and never gotten one thank you or comment about any of the gifts. I have no idea what they think and the two oldest are out of college and working at good jobs. They never send my two boys any gifts. I think this year I am only going to send this group a "family" gift of some food item to enjoy over the holidays.

The other brother has two teen kids and I also don't hear from them. I guess they will still get the cards.

 

[Olaf]

I think personalized stationary would be a neat gift.

I like the wreath idea too.

 

[Lucky4me]

The no sew fleece blankets went over so well last year I'm making them again this year. They are so cozy and soft and fleece now comes in many different colors and patterns. A great gift for just about anyone! I better get busy, I have quite a few to make....

Here is a link on how to make them:

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/projects/TwiceAsWarmBlanketv2.htm

Also, you can get the fleece on sale with a coupon at Joann Fabrics. The total cost is around $15- $20 a blanket.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I made those no-sew blankets too and everyone loved them! Now I just have to think of something just as creative and easy to make

 

[SeaShelley]

I've made a bunch of these blankets too. Lots of different sizes too. Some crib size, some twin bed size and some for infants. They go together so easily.

 

[nuke]

I know a bottle of wine is a ho-hum type of a gift, but we just got home from Sam's and they had the neatest bottles of merlot. They were a tall, silver, twisty bottle. Really cool looking!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>One year, I got huge bath towels (bath sheets?) for the rascals. I got their favorite color and had their names embroidered on them. I also did this for my dad & his wife, in matching colors for their bathroom.

They were a big hit, and ran about $20 each, with the embroidery.

 

[aprincessmom]

Last year I did a bunch of these for teachers, neighbors and friends and it was a big hit.

Buy a bunch of popcorn buckets (you can get them at video stores or department stores) -- they look like movie theater popcorn buckets but they just cook up in the microwave. Then buy big box selections of milk duds, goobers, raisinettes, sno-caps, twizzlers, etc. like you'd find at the movie theater (but way cheaper at drugstores or supermarkets). Then purchase Blockbuster gift certificates in various denominations. Fill the popcorn buckets with the assorted candy boxes and the gift certificates, wrap them in cellowrap and deliver.

People really like this...appealed to everyone. Couples, families, teens. It was a real hit and I plan on doing it for some of them again this year!

 

[pooh6890]

One year for a lot of my out of town relatives and friends I purchased a video of "It's a Wonderful Life" in black and white and ordered an afghan in black & white that had Jimmy Stewart and family on it, kinda sewn into it.....I wrapped them up together and everyone loved them. Video was $9.99 and the afghan was $12.99....I even purchased one for our family. Everyone loved it!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

For our out-of-town relatives I like to get city or state related stuff--my niece and nephew are getting Toledo Mud Hens Division championship T shirts--wish the nieces in town were so easy!
Robin M.

 

[LuvTigger]

I have the same problem, most of BF's friends are pretty well-to-do and are hard to buy for since they don't "need" anything. Here are some of the ideas I've done, or things I've received from others:
- This year I'm making bead jewelry for the girls, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Inexpensive, plus homemade, so it means more (and once you've done a couple of practice ones, it doesn't take that long).
- I make a lot of goody-bags or baskets that are the same or similar, with lots of little goodies. Last year, I went to Disneyland, so I bought some cute Mickey soaps, pens, and I included either candles or Bath & Body works things, and I made some X-mas themed candy based on recipes I found in a magazine.
- I'm buying some little "all-in-one" kits...one has office supplies that can be carried around in a small case, the other with car things (screw driver, pressure gauge, etc.) for the guys.
- "Survival Kits": I've made an office one, starting with a plastic container from a dollar store, and I personalized the cover with the person's name and the name of our office, and "survival kit" and I put things like candy, pencils and pens, etc. I also received a "hurricane survival kit" from someone which consisted mostly of things from a dollar store, starting with a bucket, a game book, flashlight, a can of spam, etc. and she made a cute list of what each item can be used for.
- Photo albums or calendars...there's a website, but I can't remember the name of it, where you can send in pictures and they'll create a really nice photo album for you. You could do the same with a calendar, even a local copy store might be able to put a pretty nice calendar together for you, if you can include all the people in the pictures!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>If you have a digital camera, you can go to http://www.clubinventit.com and order calendar & photo album kits, etc. We always give a calendar to the grandparents from the kids with pictures taken throughout the year... It's my SIL's favorite gift from us.

 

[mhopset]

Last year on of my co-workers bought mason canning jars and filled them with everything you needed to make choc. chip cookies, even had the recp. all you needed to do was add 2 eggs and then bake them. They were really good and it was a neat idea.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Last year one aunt and uncle got everyone one of those prepaid calling cards - they had 500 minutes on them

I just bought 2 chocolate baskets for gifts this year

 

[Kirby]

I've given mailing address labels for Christmas presents before and they were well received. Especially when I was able to fit the label to the person or family. The company I buy the from discounts the orders a $1 each for more than one order.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

I too have sent fresh wreaths (big hit) and I do creative memorie type calendars for the grandparents (super big hit) -

Last year for the first time we sent Omaha Steaks - Ordered online and it went over very well!

I love this time of year, but sometimes it is so hard to find the right thing!

Karen