A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

The "Under $30" Gift Conundrum

Posted: Nov 22, 2014

Seems like most of us have a category of gift-giving situations where you'd like the gift to be something memorable that the recipient would really appreciate, but it either isn't appropriate to spend a lot of money, or maybe you just don't have the budget. Examples would be a gift for a child's teacher, or a "Secret Santa" gift at the office. And these don't just come up at Christmas, incidentally. Even a birthday gift for an office mate might be one of those "low-budget-doesn't-have-to-be-cheezy" occasions.

...and, obviously, you don't want to just run into Walmart and grab something. This category of gift can be a real conundrum precisely because you can't or shouldn't throw a lot of money at the problem.

Something you make yourself (or that's made by/with your kids), perhaps personalized in some way for the recipient, can really fill the bill for such occasions. For instance, a cool monogrammed mug (I can NEVER have enough mugs!) can be made with some alphabet stickers, Sharpies and an oven (to cure the mug). You place the stickers on the mug, use the Sharpies to create "negative space" or a silhouette around the letters. Then you peel the letters off to reveal the silhouette, and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees to cure it. Dollar General and other stores sell stickers and plain white (or other) mugs very inexpensively, so for that gift you might have $5 total investment. (You could use other stickers too. My grandson had a sheet of car stickers - one a Model T, for instance. It just needs to be something that works in "negative space" - or in other words, in relief.)

This idea and other good ones come from this article:

http://www.listotic.com/35-easy-diy-gift-ideas-everyone-will-love/

Conundrum solved! (And there are lots of other great ideas on the Web, of course.)

;

If you do buy a gift in this modest-priced category - give it special meaning in a social sense.

[ In Reply To ..]
If you do buy a gift, one sort of gift that doesn't cost much but still has "special" meaning for both giver and recipient is one that supports a social cause, like this one from the Women's Bean Project, an organization that gives women in poverty a means to earn money. Pretty good mileage for 14 bucks (you, your recipient and the woman who earns this money all benefit in different ways) - and it's certainly not one of those cheezy "last-minute drugstore" gifts. At the same time, it's right in the modest price range of the sort of gift we're talking about here.

http://www.womensbeanproject.com/twosoandcobu.html - two different bean soup makin's plus cornbread.

Plus, who knows? Maybe your recipient picks up the idea and starts giving these gifts too...and someone they give one to does the same, etc. You never know where the ball stops rolling.

...and of course, you could always bundle this with something you make, such as the mug mentioned above or another of those projects. You'd still be well within that modest price range, and I bet the recipient will remember this gift and the special meaning that it conveys.

Here's another source of handmade gifts from - impoverished countries around the world.

[ In Reply To ..]

around the world. Although not everything they sell falls into the "modest price" category, many of them do. For instance, here's everything they sell for under $25 (click "load more" at the bottom of the page):

http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/under-25/

You could give that musician or your child's music teacher on your list a handmade panflute from Peru, or a gorgeous thumb piano from Indonesia. Bet they don't have either one of those!

My favorite standbys. - Please sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for the tips. Because most people I know have enough stuff, I like giving food. Here are my favorites to give:

- Usable containers (i.e. colander if a new homeowner or flower pots for the gardener) of fruits, nuts, and sweets.
- Mason jars with mixes for cookies, cakes, etc. The ones for apple crisp, presented with fresh apples, are a hit. The jars themselves are reusable.
- Homemade jams/jellies with gourmet crackers, and thumbprint cookies with same flavored jam so they can tell if they like the jam without opening the jar. If not, pass it on to someone who might.

Add a bottle of sparkling wine or a small bottle of Baileys Irish cream and you can have an elegant gift with little effort. Bonus: Except for the fruit and baked goods, everything else can be prepared weeks ahead and stored in a cool place for those "emergency" gift-giving situations.

Great ideas! The link that I provided in my first - post has several container-type projects.

[ In Reply To ..]
Somewhere or other (Amazon?) I saw a whole book that featured about a zillion Mason jar projects.

It is funny how that works, I am irritated that we have too many mugs--sm - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
This year we bought amaryllis bulbs for the teachers. The kids are caring for them so they are invested in the project, $5 for each bulb.

For some family friends, I will be making pancake mix in a jar. I like that I can tailor it to the family (gluten free or not, etc) and will include either some real maple syrup or some homemade jam and some cocoa. For local people, will include some good bacon from Trader Joe's. That will still be under $20.

One of our kid's youth leaders has expressed an interest in learning to cook more and has lamented her lack of knowledge of what spices taste good together. I will get her a couple of spice blends with recipes of different ways to use them that work for her family.

I also try to tie things together, for a theme gift. This year, all nieces and nephews will get practice chopsticks (with a dinosaur on top) and 2 books per family that relate to China (TikkiTikkiTembo and Five Chinese Brothers).

Last year, I made aprons for the nephews (not very expensive when the stuff was on sale), gave them their own spatulas and some pancake mix so they can practice cooking or helping in the kitchen.

I cannot wait until I have some time to check out some of the other ideas. I enjoy trying to come up with gifts that are well suited to the recipient that do not always cost me a bundle.

Similar Messages:

Jan 10, 2016
I am sick and tired of working 60 hours a week to support the 1%. CEO bonuses in OUR industry. CEO COMPENSATION IN THIS INDUSTRY Industry Range Salary 334.2K Bonus 174.4K Total Short Term Compensation 384.4K Total Value of Options 16.1M Compensation as of Fiscal Year Go to Berniesanders.com Despite huge advancements in technology and productivity, millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages. Th ...

Nov 12, 2009
My husband's cousin's son is leaving for Marine BC in the next few days. She's having a dinner for him tomorrow night for the family... My question is; should we take an empty card? card with money? or nothing at all? :) ...

Jun 01, 2010
What do you give to someone as a going-away gift that you've only known for five months? She's a very nice person. We didn't spend a whole lot of time together, mostly just at school functions, and a couple of times outside of that, for coffee, but with a group, not just her and me. Is it even appropriate that I get her a little something? I've been invited to a little going-away luncheon for her tomorrow and I don't have any idea. Flowers m ...

Dec 23, 2009
My daughters are grown, mid-20s and married. I have obtained the few things that they put on their lists but I am looking for some ideas for some "extras," unexpected things. Anyone have some good ideas? Thanks so much!!! ...

Dec 06, 2010
I got this from another board and it was actually funny to read. When we got married 18 years ago we got a plunger from my mom's friend thou she did get us another gift also that one was just funny. We got margaritia glasses and neither us were old enough to drink either. I used those for dessert glasses for a bit but ended up over time breaking them. I can't think of any really really bad gifts but those 2 stick out in my mind for some reason. So what has been yours? ...

Feb 28, 2010
Dear Diary, For my birthday this year, my husband purchased for me a week of personal training at the local health club. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. Friends seemed plea ...

Jul 09, 2011
My best friend's son is getting married. We have been friends for 30 yrs and he is my godson. How much money would you give them for a wedding gift? ...

Jun 24, 2010
Good morning everyone. I have a very good friend who just moved into a new house and I would like to take her a housewarming gift that is thoughtful yet not too expensive. I would appreciate any ideas. Thanks! ...

May 16, 2013
Need help, don't want to give cold cash for college grad. It seems cards like AMEX, etc. have hidden fees when used. Also, what do you consider appropriate for a BS degree? Have several others coming up after this one and expect each higher degree should be a little more than the high school or junior college. Kind of stumped here, lots of different levels of graduation coming at once in the next 3-4 years. Just want to be fair. Thanks. ...

Dec 20, 2014
I had ordered 2 customized luggage tags from Zazzle.com. The printed image is in between 2 pieces of acrylic. Unfortunately, they mixed up the addresses on the backs of 2 of them and they have not gotten back to me yet. If I do not hear from them Monday, I will be contacting my credit card company about the charges. What I am curious about is how to go about separating the acrylic, switching out the wrong information and then getting it to adhere together again. Does any ...

Jul 31, 2015
Still crying over here... http://www.chop.edu/stories/zion-s-story-gift-hands#.VbtYjflVikp ...

Nov 11, 2009
In December, my significant other (BF sounds so young) and I will have been together 10 years. We are both 51 and basically get anything we want when we want it. He is not the type to wear jewelry except his college ring and a watch (which I got him 5 years ago) and he has anything and everything for his favorite college team. I was thinking about doing a collage of pictures from the trips we have taken in our 10 years together in a nice picture frame, but not sure. He is ...

Nov 08, 2011
ONE GREAT IDEA!!! Christmas & Chanukah 2011 -- Birth of a New TraditionAs the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at giftgiving time, nothing can be found that is produced by A ...

May 01, 2010
I've added new things to my shop since my last post in March. Stop by and check it out. You'll find jewelry and gifts including book thongs, lanyards and key chains. ...

Jul 21, 2010
So-- I'm in the dentist's chair all afternoon, having $2000 worth of work done. At the end, he asks me what kind of milkshake I would like from the restaurant chain down the street. I say no thanks. He says, Please, my treat, I insist! How could anyone say no! So I say vanilla. And he sends his assistant, who brings me back a giant chocolate milkshake. Which is the last thing I feel like eating, but I take it, to be polite. And give it to a family member. Who wants something frozen tou ...

Nov 21, 2012
My son has been volunteering for a charitable organization and all he really wants for Christmas is to have the money which would be spent on him donated to the organization. I am happy to do that, but I would like to have a way to present the donation to him as a gift so he will have something to open along with everyone else. Does anyone have any unique ideas of gifting such a thing? Thanks in advance! ...

Dec 09, 2011
We are invited to a white elephant party this weekend. Have never gone to one before. I did a search and it seems like people like to do funny gifts. I'm not that clever and my husband suggested we give a wine rack (wood top and bottom with black metal center - holds nine bottles) that we were going to send to Goodwill. At a party last weekend the host told us that last year one of the single guys (first timer) gave an expensive painting. So they were joking that the person who g ...

Dec 07, 2011
I would like to get a friend's 6-year-old daughter something, but their house is small, and the grandparents tend to give quite a bit. Any ideas that will not cause more clutter? For example, for an adult, I could give cookie ingredients in a jar. Adult makes the cookies, tosses or donates the jar, eats the cookies, no clutter left over (except on the hips maybe). This is such a creative group, I'm hoping you can help. Thanks! ...

Apr 20, 2011
My DD shower is a few weeks and thirty people are coming to the shower and 30 people are not (probably because they live two hours away). My question is ten gifts have come in the mail for her. Would it be okay to have DD and fiance open the presents at my house and not bring them to the shower. DD's sister who is MOH and giving the shower feels there will be thirty gifts that will be opened at the shower and if the other gifts are opened at the shower it wo ...

Jun 22, 2012
http://dailycaller.com/2012/06/22/obamas-new-fun-raising-pitch-give-me-your-wedding-presents/ I'm no Obama fan but can this be real? What's next... Asking federal employees to donate their PTO, sick time, vacation days for his campaign funds?? ...

Feb 14, 2013
My husband and I do not get along with my stepdad. He is greedy and just a terrible person. Too much to go into. We had words with him. Anyways, he decided he would take back a Christmas gift that was from my mom and him last year. It was an outside TV antenna. He said it was his and he was taking it back. I thought when you gave someone a gift it was theirs? I just said ok whatever. ...

Mar 12, 2013
My friends' little baby girl is having her first birthday next month, and I was invited to her birthday bash! I don't have kids, and am pretty clueless as to what would be a good gift idea for her. Does anyone have any ideas for something that would be fun (and safe!) for Baby, and/or useful for Mom? Or something for both of them? Meerkat =^..^= ...

Nov 02, 2013
link to pic ...

Dec 03, 2013
We all could use some unique gift ideas. If you have a special person that loves gourmet food and unique kitchen gifts, La Tienda (tienda.com) is a great idea. NO, I have no affiliation, but we have special friends who love gourmet food and such. The place isn't cheap, so it is not something we do every day, but we do buy from them every Christmas. The food is delicious--Spanish cuisine--as in Spain, Spain over in Europe. A lot of it does not have to be cold-packed, so there's plenty o ...

Jan 04, 2014
I love to listen to audiobooks on MP3 players that I get from the library, but as I had pretty much gone through the selection at the library, I was going to buy a portable CD player to wear while I cook, do chores, etc. For my anniversary, my husband bought me a Sansa Clip Zip MP3 and I can download books through our library website and there are about 3000 titles, so I will have a lot of happy hours of listening. I had no idea that even existed! I'm so thrilled. If you like to listen ...

May 14, 2015
Our family has been invited to dinner while on vacation in another city. We are teetotalers, so I'd rather not take a bottle of wine. Flowers might be okay, but may be hard to find in a strange city, so I would like other ideas for something we might take for a hostess gift, ideally something that could be purchased at home and transported. Thanks for any suggestions. ...

Nov 20, 2009
My son, who is in his mid 20s, is assistant coach for the high school girls' soccer team. The young lady, who is team captain, has injured her ACL severely and probably won't be playing anymore but shows up for every game of course. They all are getting her a little inexpensive "get well" to give her tonight. My son has no earthly idea what to get her and frankly, neither do I. He wants to keep the gift very generic, so as to not let the young lady g ...

Nov 24, 2009
My hubby is really hard to buy for. He is the cook in the family and uses lots of herbs, usually buying them in the store in the vegetable section, not the dried variety. I was wondering if anyone has ever bought in the plant section and if so how do they do? I think he would love being able to do his own picking straight from a fresh herb. ...

Dec 08, 2011
I have 5 of these available for Christmas giving. It is a 1-1/4 inch sterling silver washer with the words "circle of love" on it and then Swarovoski crystals to commemorate your chldren's or grandchildrens' birth stones. It comes with an 18-inch sterling silver bead ball chain. You may view the item in my etsy shop which is titled jewelrybydebbie. The price is $35 and includes shipping. ...

Dec 31, 2009
Need ideas for a cute baby shower gift for twin girls without spending a fortune! TIA! ...