Is this a bad idea??

[FreshTressa]

We are kind of low on money this year and have a HUGE family, so with all 22 of them, we need a gift that runs about $5-7 each.

I was thinking of ordering antenna balls for everyone, each one hand picked to be something the person likes. I know they are kind of tacky, but I thought it might be cute..

Anyone have any other ideas??

 

[FreshTressa]

These are our brothers and sisters and their grown kids. I am buying nicer gifts for the kids and my parents.

 

[nativetxn]

I suppose it depends on whether or not you choose their antenna ball gift based on their interests and/or hobby.

If they aren't interested in Disney then a Mickey antenna ball would be tacky.

It seems to me that you feel this is a tacky gift. If you <i>do</i> think it is tacky then I would suggest you find an alternative.

Gift certificates to McDonald's or Burger King or Wendy's would cost the same and possibly be useful to them. At least, at one time you could get a $5 gift certificate booklet. I may be way behind the times.

 

[MerryPoppins]

How about making gift jar mixes? My family did that one year. They were inexpensive and we figured that people could bake and enjoy them over the holidays. Check out www.recipegoldmine.com for some ideas.

 

[CEDmom]

Have you thought about drawing names and then just buying a nice gift for one person, or two at the most if it's both sides of the family? You could set a min-max so that everyone gets a comparable gift. You could also have everyone make a wish list. Whether $ was tight or not I know I'd rather buy for 1 or 2 rather than 22.

 

[KathyFP]

I would recommend making gifts. Or you could frame a picture of you with them.

 

[KathyFP]

I almost forgot, you could do a coupon for a special thing for a couple of them. A night of babysitting, free car wash ....

 

[disykat]

I actually kind of like the antenna ball idea. It's kind of a cute gag gift that they might actually use. If your family is kind of "jokey", then I think it's worth a try. Everyone can have fun comparing. Hey, if they don't like them at least it will be a stimulus for starting a name-drawing tradition! I've never shopped for them, but I gather there must be lots of kinds out there.

I'm glad I don't have 22 family members plus my own immediate family to shop for. Yikes! DH and I have 13 and even with that we try to keep things fairly inexpensive.

 

[DopeysGal]

There's a company in my area that makes hundreds of different styles of antenna toppers. Right now they are 3 for $9.99. Go to their website www.coolballs.com to see all of them. And no, I don't work for them (but I wish I did, it's a fun company).

Deb

 

[powellrj]

We have 4 cars and not one has an antenna, so you could run into that as a problem, what about a snack food basket. You could do one for each family for about $5.00 each using things like a box of microwave popcorn, 2 liter of pop, large candy bar in a cute basket from the dollar shop. Or maybe a tree ornament for each family???

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

DH and I have a HUGE pepper (different varieties, but all hot peppers) garden, so this year we are pickling peppers and making homemade hot sauce for family and friends who will appreciate it. We are also trying to find equally creative ideas for others.

One thing (actually the ONLY thing) my sister and I are doing for our parents (who won't like the pepper gifts!) is she and her partner and DH and I splitting the cost of a full family portrait. She and I (and our respective partners) are splitting the cost of the sitting fee and one large portrait for my parents. After that, each part of the family is responsible for any pictures they want. The "family" portrait will include mom, dad, sister, sister's partner, me, DH and our DDs (sister doesn't have or plan any kids).

 

[wdwnutze]

What about Dunkin Donuts gift certificates or movie passes? My husband comes from a very large family and has 22 nieces and nephews. We all decided many years ago that we would only buy gifts for our Godchildren. That way we are buying 2-3nice gifts instead of trying to come up with several low cost gifts.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Wow, 22 is a lot of people to buy for! I like the idea of drawing names and buying 1 gift for the person whose name you draw.

TC

 

[cinmell]

I like the idea or drawing names that way you only have to buy one gift and everyone gets a gift. The idea about Dunkin Donuts/McDonald's/Burger King gift certificates was also a good one. Or, if you all get together on Christmas, you can have a grab. Put a limit on the price of the grab gift and it can be a lot of un.