Ugghhh...need unisex grab bag for $25!

[cluvsdisney]

An auto open/close umbrella - unisex, useful and having an extra one eventually comes in handy.

 

[disneychrista]

This is one of the reason I do not like these types of gift exchanges. Would be much better if you guys would just "draw names." At least that way you KNOW who you are buying for & can tailor your gift to that persons likes. Generic gifts always end up being something the person doesn't like or need.

 

[NYCDiane]

This is one of the reason I do not like these types of gift exchanges. Would be much better if you guys would just "draw names." At least that way you KNOW who you are buying for & can tailor your gift to that persons likes. Generic gifts always end up being something the person doesn't like or need.

Totally agree. The easiest thing to do is a gift card but, to me, that's just not a gift --- no thought put into it or anything else.

What my mother used to do at her job when they had these silly grab bag things was this: she would buy a gift SHE wanted and then when they did the choosing, she would choose her own gift so she wouldn't get some tacky "lotion set" or something similar from someone else. (She always got to choose first because she had the most seniority)

 

[etoiles]

How about movie tickets or a restaurant certificate? If they are all local you could look on Travelzoo and get a restaurant deal. I got relatives last year a restaurant meal that included two entrees and two beers so everything was covered except tip.

If they all drive, I like the car wash idea as well but finding one for all of their locations might be tough.

 

[Lisa71]

We do this at work every year..this year I bought. Nice neutral throw...years past nice wine glasses, movie bag with ticket vouchers and candy...what was popular were scarves and mittens..but we live in CA so we think 60 is freezing...

 

[danygirl]

Unless you know that everyone wants it alcohol is a bad choice. Friends of bill will be uncomfortable or hurt.

At work I would do the Amex but not with family. If the crowd is young chipotle is always received.

 

[ancestry]

Out of all of the suggestions everyone has given the only thing I would really like is the gift card. Everything else isn't something I would like or need. I would rethink the gift card option.

 

[McKelly]

I would go TOTALLY practical. All paper - paper towel, paper plates, toilet paper, napkins, paper cups, computer paper, notepads, post-its, etc. BORING -yes, USEFUL - yes. It would be a big box and it might get a few chuckles. And if I would get a gift like this, I wouldn't be all that upset!! I can use it!

 

[Granny square]

A gift card to a gas station or local shop. I wouldn't want a pile a "practical stuff" that may be practical to you and trash to me.

 

[McKelly]

A gift card to a gas station or local shop. I wouldn't want a pile a "practical stuff" that may be practical to you and trash to me.

I agree, a gas card would be a good idea, it would fall under "practical" to me though...

 

[Granny square]

I agree, a gas card would be a good idea, it would fall under "practical" to me though...

Lol, I agree. Just truly practical and not "guesswork" practical. Because you never know what supplies others use.

 

[Iowajes]

I would do some sort of game- maybe a few card games. I might go through the Target aisles and throw in anything that looked kind of fun: dish towels or nice looking pens. If no one in the group has a gambling problem I'd top off any $ to get to the limit with scratch off lottery cards.


I'm going to voice against gift cards- because I hate this sort of exchange. My husband's office does a yearly Christmas exchange where everyone brings a $20 gift card. So you spend $20 of your money to get a gift card to somewhere else. What the heck was the point? Why not just everyone exchange $20 bills? Or just not give anything at all, and we can all keep our own money? I'm not against gift cards as gifts- but I don't like them for 'exchanges'.

 

[cluvsdisney]

What about a selection of greeting cards? Put them in a decorative box with a book of stamps and a list of family birthdays with addresses.

 

[figment52]

$25 worth of Toilet paper - it is something everybody needs at some time or another

 

[etoiles]

What about a selection of greeting cards? Put them in a decorative box with a book of stamps and a list of family birthdays with addresses.

This is a gift I would actually use and would be a great co worker gift as well without the addresses of course. Great idea!

make sure you get the forever stamps so they can use them whenever they want to.

 

[libinatorsmom]

Lotto Tickets, Movie night Basket (popcorn, movies(Can get $5 or less Dvds at Walmart or Target), big boxes of Candy ($1 Ea or less)), Sundea Making Basket (Get Tall glasses at $1 store, tall sundae spoons, Different toppings, - Everything but the icecream), Fleece Blanket, Insulated Car Ice Scrapper, Winter Car Care kit, Car Wash Basket.

 

[Go19GoLauren]

You know your audience better than we do but something that always seems to be popular when we do a Pirate Gift Exchange/Dirty Santa is anything "as seen on TV". Yes, most of it's junk but it's usually something everyone is curious about and wants to try/play with but would not get for themselves. I know it sounds nuts but I've seen it happen more than once that the 'scramble an egg in the shell' or the 'microwave pasta cooker' was the gift most stolen. Go figure.

Gift cards, food and alcohol are my go to gifts for generic gift exchanges. There's only so much you can do with 25.00. I'd probably go with a gift card like Visa or Am Ex and attach it to something cheap and silly/cute like a Chia Pet or holiday socks.

 

[cel_disney]

A picture frame with a gift card in it is always a nice presentation approach....or maybe a magazine subscription fits the budget? (There must be some that appeal to most people in your group enough that they would get read!)

 

[Robinrs]

DH and I don't like getting gift cards, we don't drink, and we doing play the lottery. So, I think the key is to know your possible recipients.

If they are all adults and have vehicles, how about auto related gifts? This could include deicer and scraper; jumper cables; or a can of Fix a Flat with a tire gauge.

For silly, but practical: Uncle John's Bathroom Reader and a pack of toilet paper.

Colander, gourmet pasta sauce, fresh pasta

Toilet paper instead of allowing them to buy their own gift...

 

[crisi]

ugh. I feel for you.

I sort of like the practical gifts idea. A few years ago we did an "our favorite things" exchange for my family, lots of it practical, and I discovered Dawn Power Soaker. Some of other people's things were not my favorites, but I would have never bought myself a grill press and use it all the time. I had the Pampered Chef scrapers in my gift bags, and I've been told I can hand them out every year.