Archive for December, 2009

Money is tight this year, so my extended family has decided to exchange homemade gifts this year. I am looking for ideas for all the Grandparents. My daughter is 6, and she loves doing crafty or anything to do with art. Does anyone have any simple gift ideas?

Thanks!

You can look online for some handmade gifts like paintings or decorative items.

My friends and I decided to exchange homemade gifts this year. I’m giving them baked treats, but I also want to give them something unique and small without breaking the bank. Any ideas?

there are some ideas that the site below and additional links to other sites with ideas:

http://savingmoneyus.blogspot.com/search/label/do%20it%20yourself

I am a receptionist at a local newspaper, and for the past couple of weeks people from businesses and universities have been bringing in Christmas gifts for our office, (a box of oranges, a plate of holiday cookies, etc.) and I was just wondering what we could do to thank them for such a kind gesture. In some cases, the universities are 20 miles (or more) away and I personally feel like it is such a kind thought to bring gifts and treats to us. What can I do to show them that we are truly appreciative?

fruit cake =) lol jk….and yes a card is a good way to start…also maybe a small basket full of small treats…maybe you can bake something for them also or get a box of holiday chocolate…those cans of popcorn with the holiday graphics on it are nice…just something as simple as the gift they gave to your business…..or a simple card with a thank you always does the trick, those were just maybe ideas to get you thinking a bit…its only once a year you can get away with sending someone a box of oranges =) lol since your a local newspaper…maybe when/if you decide to give them a gift in return or card….send them a copy of today’s paper (same date you give them a card/gift) from your company lol hey i wouldnt mind the paper for free…save me a quarter =)

There are about 4 staff workers in each unit - an RN and several aides. The Nursing Home sent a note saying that cash gifts aren’t permitted, but cookies or fruit are ok. The aides rolled their eyes at that. I got the impression that gift cards might be ok, but don’t know how much to purchase. One aide in particular has spent a lot of time with our family member and with us.

Family member was recently admitted to a unit with 16 patients.

I’ve worked in either nursing homes or assisted living facilities for 20 years, and it’s never been okay for staff to accept gifts from a resident or their family. I’d strongly suggest NOT giving a gift card — while the staff might take it gratefully (times are tough right now and you can hardly blame them), they are risking their job to do so. Accepting a gift that is intended for them only — cash, gift card, perfume, etc — is grounds for dismissal in EVERY place I’ve worked and every healthcare facility I’ve heard of. Fruit baskets, cookie trays, etc are often given, but I know one of the best "spreads" we got was from a family who brought in a bunch of really nice deli sandwich trays — enough for each shift to be able to enjoy.

Our current guest list is for 170 guests. We only have 100 gifts on our list. Is that enough? How many gifts should we put on our registry? We want everyone to have a good, affordable selection, but we don’t want to seem greedy, either. What is the proper etiquette for this? Thanks!

With 170 guests I’d be adding more to the registry. You arent going to be getting everything, and some (probably many), will be giving gifts as a couple instead of individual, but I’d still add more.

People will be using the registry for the shower (if they know of it), as well as for the wedding gifts. Or you can wait till after the shower to add more. It is frustrating as a guest to go to a registry and see that most things are already taken, (In that case they will be giving you things that you dont want/ need). make sure you put on it a big array of price ranges to suit everyone’s needs.

I am 13 and need to give gifts to my dad, mom, grandma, and grandpa. My family is running tight on money so I don’t get much to spend on gifts. I do NOT want ideas like coupons or dumb stuff like that I want to give them something they will find useful or something that they will REALLY like. Ideas PLEASE I appreciate it.

How about rice bags? Fill a sock with white rice. Sew it closed tightly. Make a cover out of flannel. The finished rice bag can be microwaved for a neck/foot/cuddly warmer, or put in the freezer to place on injuries.

For Christmas, I want to buy my dad something cool, not too expensive, and energy-saving! My dad works hard and is very frugal, and I was wondering what kind of things I could buy that would reduce the amount of energy my family uses! Are there certain outlets or extension cords that completely cut the current when the appliances are on? Any money-saving ideas would be much appreciated! Happy holiday!!!

Christmas gift Ideas for Dad :
Classic Vocalists CD Box Sets
Universal Remote Controllers
Action & Adventure Box Sets
Jump Starters, Battery Chargers & Portable Power
Magazines on Golf
Biographies
High-Def TVs
Books on History
Golf Accessories
Comedy Books on CD
Speaker Systems
Magazines on Business & Investment
Flashlights
Magazines on News & Politics
Snowblowers
Digital Cameras
Sports Magazines
Books on WWII
Hedgetrimmers
Coolers
Hand Exercisers
Books on Hunting & Fishing
Lights & Lanterns for Camping
Audio Books on Sports & Outdoors
Documentaries
Power Inverters
Power Tool Combo Packs
Cuff Links
Cologne Sets
GPS
Portable DVD Players
Electric Shavers
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fgift-central%2Fevent%2Fdad-guides%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dcm%255Fgift%255Fgg%255Fleftp%255Fcm%255Fgift%255Fgg%255Frel%255Flp%255Fdad&tag=products07e-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

Hope this help.

I have to buy gifts for all the kids (4) in my husband’s family and also his parents, as well as the 2 kids in my family, my sister and her husband, and my parents. Of course I also by gifts for my immediate family– husband and daughter. That is a lot of gifts, and our families continue to grow. I’d like to do a gift exchange next year, or just buy gifts for the kids. Something along those lines. How do you handle gift-giving during the holidays in your family?

if i bought presants for every single person in my family i would be completely broke.

there are nine people in my immediate family, including my brothers wives and my fiance.

if i start tallying up cousins and aunts and uncles im up to 60 people in no time flat, JUST on my mothers side

i buy for immediate family only, and my brothers and their wives get gifts as a couple not as individuals.

We can barely afford to get our own children any gifts this Christmas so we won’t be exchanging gifts with anyone (we’ll scrape something up for our kids) this Christmas. Should I announce this to family and friends so they won’t feel obligated to get us something or expect something from us? How should I handle this?

yes i think you should announce this to close family members and friends.This is not so that they don’t feel obligated to get you a present but that if they happen to give you one then there is that awkward moment of "here’s your present where is mine."Plus with the nearly everyone lacking in the money department,myself included, should definitely understand. The best way to handle it would be to say it honestly like i said they should understand

I am buying him 2 video games he really wants for his PS3 for christmas, but i decided it would be nice for me to put those on the bottom of a gift bag and fill the rest of the bag with smaller non-expensive gifts. Any ideas? (or if you have an even better way of packaging his gifts, that would be very helpful also!) Thanks
what about a very unique gift of engraving a sweet message on a grain of rice like i love you or both of your names on both sides of the rice grain. here i have come across this link http://etanro.com which doesn’t only does this piece of art on a grain of rice but also embeds it in a good luck pendant which could be either made in to a any jewelery or accessory(mobile, i pod etc) make according to your choice. you can customize a whole gift within few seconds and steps with great deals and season discounts.