Interesting and Unusual Gifts Under $20

[Staceyy]

Re: Interesting and Unusual Gifts Under $20

Bento boxes are decorative lunch boxes from Japan, great for carrying sushi or other edibles . www.cookingcute.com and www.jbox.com are good websites for reading about and obtaining bento boxes. I recently purchased a beautiful one for under $20 on Ebay. There are designs for men, women, and children.

[jodi]

Re: Interesting and Unusual Gifts Under $20

another idea -- a magazine subscription. Surprise someone with a magazine subscription for a year!

I did this last year for two folks and they were well-received. Thanks for the reminder!

[nanamom]

Re: Interesting and Unusual Gifts Under $20

I make alot of gifts. $20.00 is way over what I spend unless it is one of our kids or grandkids. This year several of our nieces and nephews have gotton potholders (made from scraps) and a fancy flavored coffee or tea. I embroidered dish towels for a couple others. One year someone got 12 crocheted dish cloths each a different color or pattern. For our pastor's wife's birthday this year I made a small box and bought a nice pen and cards to go inside it. Cost was under $10.00. I crocheted a dog sweater once and have done the usual afghans for others. My DS2 wants a sweater and the yarn cost less than $10.00. If you are careful a dollar store can give lots of ideas. The bath stuff is nice and doesn't cost alot. I often make up stockings there for people with bath stuff and candles. You can do it inexpensively and people love them. Shopping for kids that way is fun too.

[neatdesign]

Re: Interesting and Unusual Gifts Under $20

Ditto on the magazine subscriptions. I have always thought these were great gifts which are hugely underrated. Most people enjoy seeing a new, unread issue of their favorite magazine right in their mailbox -- especially kids. There are tons of magazines which offer yearly subscriptions for $20 or less, all easily located online. It's a bargain and a gift that will almost always be appreciated. The trick is to pick a magazine you know the recipient will like, of course!

One of my favorite gift surprises was something I came up with to give my in-laws a few years ago, and it was very inexpensive. Mark mentioned to me that although his parents have always lived right outside of London, they never go into the city just to do any "touristy" stuff. Having grown up outside Washington, DC, I could relate to this. Locals just don't DO touristy stuff -- tourists do touristy stuff, so it just never crosses the locals' minds to try the touristy stuff out. But that doesn't mean the touristy stuff isn't worth seeing or doing.

Earlier that year when we were in London, Mark and I went on the London Eye. It was really fun, and didn't cost a whole lot at all. So I went online to the London Eye's website and ordered two admission vouchers. I think they cost about $18 and they were valid for 12 months -- more than enough time to give my in-laws the opportunity to use them. Best of all, the London Eye enclosed the vouchers in a really attractive envelope that said, "Do Not Open Until Christmas" on it. There was no indication on the envelope that it was from the London Eye, so the surprise remained intact.

They were absolutely delighted to get this gift! It wasn't because they couldn't afford the vouchers themselves, but because despite their countless trips into London, it had never occurred to them to go on the London Eye. But now that they had the vouchers, they had a reason to go when they made one of their frequent trips into the city. They actually made a whole date out of it and had a great time.

~ Jenney

[pretty cheap jewelry]

Re: Interesting and Unusual Gifts Under $20

This is my specialty!! I am the thrift store queen extraordinaire!

1. Individually wrapped specialty soap wrapped with a dish towel or washcloth and a bow.

2. Cookie Decorating Basket. Take a thrift store tin or basket and fill with homemade cookies, sprinkles (bought on sale from previous months), one can of white icing (from $1 store), a few small bags of candy decorations, such as jelly beans, gum drops, raisins, or choc chips. You can think of the rest. This is especially good for large families to share as one gift.

3. Family Game Night Basket. Ditto above but put in playing cards, jigsaw puzzle, sudoko book (they are $1 now), even a vintage DVD (they also can be had at the $1 store).

more later

[kealina]

Re: Interesting and Unusual Gifts Under $20

i forgot about some things i've seen around that should be under $20...i think you can have personalized stamps made... you send them the picture they want and for an extra charge they will print up real US stamps with that picture.. i wouldn't necessarily buy them but the idea is interesting... there are probably other things like calenders that don't cost too much too...

[pretty cheap jewelry]

Re: Interesting and Unusual Gifts Under $20

Home made home and beauty items:

1. Towel and sheet spray: Is your man stinky? Mine is but I still love him. Get a small spray bottle from the $1 store l(not a great big window cleaner one). Add a few drops of craft oil (bought with a coupon from Michaels). Fill with bottled water. Spray on sheets and pillows when making the bed. Your dreams will thank you. So will your bathroom.

You can make a fancy label from your computer.

You will have enough oil to make many bottles for gifts. Stock up on the spray bottles, my $1 store ran out. ALso check the beauty supply store.

Tip: to pour a few drops from these small oil bottles, insert a straw into the bottle, cover the open end of the straw with your finger, remove the straw (with the drops of oil inside the straw) and transfer to your spray bottle.

2. Clove coaster. Take coaster size squares of material scraps, mix and match colors and patterns. Sew or glue 3 sides. If you are a better sewer, do this on the wrong side and turn the square inside out to hide the seam. Place a tablespoon of whole clove seeds inside the square. These are gotten at the regular grocery store. Sew or glue the 4th side. There are many ideas to embellish, trim with lace, personalize with name, etc.

Everytime you set your coffee cup on the coaster a clove is crushed a little and the scent released. VERY nice. Make a set of 4 and bundle with a ribbon for a gift.

[pretty cheap jewelry]

Re: Interesting and Unusual Gifts Under $20

Think you can't make a gift? Any personalized handmade item is really thoughtful.

Attached is a picture of a very easy gift (I'll try to attach it)-Santa Name Hat

All you need is a $1 santa hat, the felt kind (not knit) is better, and a piece or two of felt (these are $0.20 at Jo Anns)

Cut out your receiver's name and a little design or two and glue on. VOILA!

[KevinBrown1]

Well, one of the interesting gifts is imprinted pens. You can imprint any slogan, quote or name of the gift receiver. It will be different and unique gift for him.

[breathemusic]

similar to the bento box idea... if you know the person it's for is a fan of sushi, you can easily pick up various sushi-making tools and chopsticks for under $20. I did that once for a gift swap and everyone really liked it, and it was less common than the usual earrings or mugs, or bottle of wine type stuff.