Vacations as Presents

My family and I took a vacation and used our christmas club fund to pay for it. We agreed upon it beforehand and gave it to ourselves as our Christmas present. Taking a vacation creates fantastic memories and reduces the problem of getting more clutter in your house and trying to figure out what to get everyone.

Younger children will probably not understand the value of a vacation as a present so if it's Christmastime, you will probably still want to put something under the tree for them. Older children, however, can be talked into it, especially if you allow them to do something on the trip they wouldn't otherwise be allowed to do, like try an extreme sport or go somewhere of their choosing.

Create Themed Gift Baskets

Create Themed Gift Baskets for Christmas
By Susan Sanders-Kinzel

Gift baskets are a great way to make a personal gift for family
or friends. This article includes many ideas of containers and
themes to help you get started on a gift basket for everyone on
your list. Gift baskets can be a lot of fun for you and the
recipient and don't have to cost a lot of money.

The Recipient
The first thing to consider is who you are giving the basket to:

- What do they like?
- What are their hobbies?
- What do they need?
- What do they like to eat?

Containers
The container or "basket" doesn't have to be expensive. Pick a
theme (some are listed below) and find a container that goes with
the theme that can hold some items or have items attached to it.
You want the container and the items to go together and for
everything to be usable and practical. (This is not to say that a
few fun things can't be thrown in too.) Below are some of my
ideas for containers but there certainly are many more
possibilities.

- Baskets of all shapes and sizes
- Bowls
- Flower pots
- Watering can
- Fishing creel
- Canvas bag
- Day pack
- Waste basket
- Bucket - ice, plastic or garden
- Colander
- Plastic container
- Storage box
- Platter
- Tin

Ideas for Themes
The items that go within the gift basket should be tied together
by a common theme. The themes below are gift basket recipes that
can be modified to fit your needs or to get you started on
developing your own themed gift basket.

College Student Gift Basket
Use a basket or usable container with some or all of the following:
- Pens and Pencils
- Printer paper and supplies
- Mouse pad
- Washcloth and hand towel
- Yummy healthy snacks
- Phone Card
- Gift certificate for a CD
- Nail Clippers
- Book light

Bath Gift Basket
Use a nice basket with some or all of the following:
- Gel eye-pack
- Epsom salts or bubble bath
- Aroma therapy oils
- Scented candles and holders
- Pumice stone
- Washcloths, scrubber or loofa sponge
- Back cleaning brush
- Relaxing music on CD or cassette
- Rubber ducky

Kids Coloring Gift Basket
Use a rubber/plastic storage box with some or all of the following:
- Assorted papers, coloring books
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Nontoxic markers
- Assorted stickers
- Paint box and brushes
- Safe scissors

Photographer's Gift Basket
Use a basket or a camera bag with some or all of the following:
- Film
- Coupons for picture developing
- Camera Filters
- Lens cleaner
- Lens cloth
- Photo print paper
- Picture frame and matte
- Picture Album

Letter Writer's Gift Basket
Use a square basket or plastic box with some or all of the following:
- Note paper or cards
- Envelopes (choose a variety of sizes)
- Letter opener
- Pen or pencil
- Personalized seal
- Sealing wax
- Return address labels
- Rubber stamps to decorate envelopes
- Stamps

Crafters Gift Basket
Use a rubber storage container with some or all of the following:
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Acrylic paints
- Assorted brushes
- Craft knife
- Craft supplies (this will depend on the craft they do.)
- Craft patterns or how-to books
- Craft papers
- Scissors

Pasta Lover Gift Basket
Use a colander or bowl with some or all of the following:
- Package of gourmet pasta
- Tongs or pasta grabber
- Package of sun-dried tomatoes
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Fancy olives
- Spices: oregano, basil, garlic powder
- Collection of your favorite pasta recipes hand-printed on recipe cards
- Pasta cookbook
- Jar of gourmet sauce

Gardener's Gift Basket
Use a clay plant pot, bucket or watering can with some or all of the
following:
- Gardening gloves
- Hand tools
- Vegetable, flower seeds
- Liquid fertilizer
- Kneeling pad
- Gardening book
- Subscription for a gardening magazine
- Plant markers
- Heavy Duty Hand Lotion

Cat Lover Gift Basket
Use a cat bowl or pet bed with some or all of the following:
- Catnip Mouse or other cat toy
- Hair ball paste
- Cat treats
- Cat Brush
- Scratching post
- Gourmet cat food

Dog Lover Gift Basket
Use a dog bowl or pet bed with some or all of the following:
- Rawhide bone
- Dog biscuits
- Squeaky toy
- Dog shampoo
- Brush
- Collar and/or leash

Dogs come in all sizes so make sure you are buying for the right
size dog. Also if it is for a puppy, chewy stuff is the best.

New Home Owner's Gift Basket:
Use a tool box or tool tray with some or all of the following:
- Screw drivers - Slot and Phillips
- Wrench, Pliers or Vice Grip Pliers
- Hammer
- Assorted nails, tacks, screws, washers
- Gift certificate for the local hardware store
- Do-it-yourself Home Repair book
- Other assorted odds and ends like:
- super glue
- light switch covers
- light bulbs
- duct tape
- paint brushes
- knobs and handles

Guitar Player's Gift Basket:
Use a basket or gift bag with some or all of the following:
- Assorted guitar picks
- Tuning pipe or electronic tuner
- Sheet music
- CDs or cassettes of great guitar players
- Guitar strings
- Capo
- Polishing rag
- Guitar polish
- Chord or lesson books

Skier or Snowboarder's Gift Basket
Use a small pack or canvas bag with some or all of the following:
- Gloves, mittens and/or warm hat
- Hot packs
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Moisturizer
- Pass to the local ski hill
- Hot chocolate
- Ski, snowboard or sled waxes

Grandparent Gift Basket
Use a basket or reusable container with some or all of the following:
- Scrapbook
- Children's artwork
- Gifts made by the kids
- Framed family pictures
- Videos of the family
- Long-distance calling card
- Candy, coffee, or tea
- Handmade Christmas ornaments
- Polar fleece lap blanket

Wine Lover's Basket
Use a wine cooling bucket with some or all of the following:
- Wine Glasses
- Cheese and Crackers
- Cork screw
- Bottle of wine

Holiday Entertainment Basket
Use a nice holiday basket with some or all of the following:
- Holiday Napkins
- Holiday Plates
- Holiday Cups
- Whole Mixed Nuts
- Nutcracker
- Cookies or baked goods
- Holiday floral picks or ornaments for decorating
- Cheese ball or Sausage stick and crackers

Fillers for Your Basket
Once you have obtained your items here are some fillers to put around
them.
- Piece of fabric
- Shredded paper, newspaper or colored paper
- Straw
- Easter basket grass
- Tissue paper or newspaper comics
- Raffia
- Colored towels or cloth napkins
- Cedar shavings

Extra Items To Consider

For Christmas Baskets add:
- Candy canes
- Candles - scented or unscented, votive, tea lights or tapers
- Pine cones
- Cinnamon sticks tied with red ribbon
- Greenery - spruce, pine, cedar, holly
- Christmas ornaments

For any occasion add:
- Potpourri
- Hot cider, special tea bags, special coffee or cocoa mixes
- Mandarin oranges, tangerines, oranges or apples
- Unshelled nuts or packets of roasted nuts
- Wrapped candy or baked goods
- Small toys or puzzles
- Sample hand creams
- Lip gloss or Chap-stick

Finishing Your Basket
If you buy colored cellophane you can cover the entire container
with it disguising what is inside. Tie a ribbon around the whole
thing or paste a ribbon on top. Have fun!

Susan Sanders-Kinzel is the founder of ThriftyFun.com. Visit
http://www.thriftyfun.com for thousands of thrifty tips,
articles and helpful hints. Subscribe to ThriftyFun's free
newsletters.


Lisa's Comments
I really like all these suggestions, but honestly, in order for me to implement any of them someone would have to give me a big gift basket full of time. Maybe next year.

But seriously, the Author wrote this article with Christmas in mind, but these would be fantastic for any gift-giving time: birthdays and house-warming especially.

One caveat though, I thing most photographers these days (all but the most serious, die-hard ones) will probably be switching to digital, so maybe the photagrapher's basket should include things like frames or printer cartridges instead. :)

Choosing a Gift-Present for a Person you don't know Well

It seems like everyone wants to exchange gifts this time of year. It’s a fun, thoughtful tradition most people enjoy participating in. Drawing names is a popular way to fairly decide who buys for whom. So, what do you do if you draw someone you don’t know well? I think we can all agree that choosing a gift for your second cousin twice removed would definitely be a challenge. A little thought, planning, and humor will keep the Grinch away, I promise.

First of all, suggest to the person organizing the exchange that having everyone involved should write down sizes, favorite colors, and needs. That would help avoid any inappropriate gifts. If the exchange isn’t a group event, be thoughtful and call the person you are buying for. Either ask directly what would be good for them or hopefully the conversation sheds some light on their interests.

Think of anything you may already know of the person. Try to remember any information you may have heard from mutual family or friends. Those conversations could be critical for picking a well-received gift. For example, a bird lover would probably love new binoculars or a recently published book on birds in their region.

Christmas has the advantage of being the present itself. Ornaments, cookie cutters, or a well-constructed gift wrap box already stocked would be welcome by most people this time of year. Another unique idea is to give gift cards or buy tickets for a seasonal event in the area. Most communities have events that are scheduled specifically around Christmas. Plays, symphonies, and outdoor activities are a fun way to add a new holiday tradition and I bet it’s a gift they have never been given before.

If the person you need to buy for has a family or significant other, the gift basket idea could be just the thing. One suggestion to consider is the movie theme. Get a nice basket or decorative box and fill it with microwave popcorn, theater style candy, and a six-pack of soft drinks. Since we’re talking about someone you don’t know well, add a $20.00 gift card to a media store so they can pick out the movie of their choice. Now you’ve just given someone a much-deserved night in. Thinking along the same lines, pick out a pretty basket and put wine glasses, a bottle of wine, some fine cheeses, and fancy crackers in it. Complete the gift with a small banner in the basket saying something like “Happy New Year” or “Welcome 2006!” It will be useful very soon and some of the planning for that big night is already done.

My sister is absolutely the best gift-giver I know. When I ask how she does it, her answer is always the same. She chooses things that the person would never buy for themselves. So, if you’re looking for a great gift for a busy mom, go ahead and grab that beautiful scarf she would never even see while chasing her kids. Maybe the man you are shopping for is an overworked dad. He may enjoy a magazine subscription to a male oriented publication. No, I’m not talking about the naughty ones. Family Handyman would be an excellent choice. Remember; pick out something thoughtful they wouldn’t think of themselves.

I know it’s corny and I hate doing this myself, but if you are truly lost on the right gift idea, gift cards are the ticket. It is impersonal and seems as if you didn’t spend any time thinking about your gift, but it’s better than completely missing the mark. Honestly, many people do appreciate them because it’s always the right size and exchanges and returns aren’t a problem. So go ahead and get a card for the local mall, movie theater, bookstore, or restaurant. Look at it this way; at least you didn’t buy a tie.

Sometimes picking out presents for people you know well can be difficult. It becomes almost impossible when the person is unfamiliar to you. Especially this time of the year, everyone is busy and everyone else knows how hard it is to get it all done. Odds are good they are going to cut you some slack. Do your best and maybe take the time to get to know them this coming year.

Choosing Office Christmas Presents for your Colleagues

The smell of evergreen, dreaming of a white Christmas, getting ready for Santa, all are things that bring out the best of the season. You’re excited, the kids are ready and, for once, everything is done ahead of schedule. Merry Christmas to you! Then, your boss or some other equally well-meaning soul comes up with the idea to exchange gifts at work. Just when you have it all together a wrench gets thrown in the works. Never fear. With any luck, one of these ideas will turn out to be just what Santa ordered.

If the person you need to buy for is of the feminine persuasion, this may work for you. I don’t know of a woman who doesn’t enjoy receiving flowers. Especially if the lady is single or if her man isn’t Don Juan, she may appreciate a small arrangement. Florists do amazing things this time of year in coffee cups or small vases. Have it delivered on the day of the exchange or pick it up to present it personally. I don’t suggest this one for a male colleague; you don’t want angry phone calls from his wife.

If you happen to be a holiday baker, this could be your ticket. Find a pretty, seasonal tin or basket and fill it with an assortment of all the goodies you already have made. A thoughtful card to your co-worker and their family with a keepsake ornament would round out the gift nicely. On the upside, the cookie tin idea works for either sex. Men definitely enjoy an edible gift. Watch your husband the next time you take fresh cookies from the oven; see what I mean?

This suggestion is especially helpful if the ghost of Christmas future is on your side. Hopefully, the name drawing occurs with enough time to truly think about what you want to give. If that is the case, pay attention to the person you will be buying for. What do they talk about on break? Do they have children? Maybe they are a Nascar fan or into the theatre or symphony. Once you notice something they are interested in a whole new world of possibility opens up. Opera glasses for the theatre and symphony buff or a poster of their favorite driver with a book on nascar for the racing fan. Going along with the secret Santa idea, there is probably a list somewhere with gift ideas directly from the person.

It’s kind of a cop out, but gift cards are a great idea if you’re really lost. With the price of a movie now it can be an expensive treat. Get one for the amount decided on at work; that way your co-worker can use any extra at the concession stand. You can always choose to give a restaurant gift card as well. Every one needs a break during the busy holidays and an easy meal out may be just what your teammate needs.

Maybe your gift recipient has a need at work that you can help with; like a new mouse pad or her/his favorite kind of pen. Most workplaces provide those items, but it might be fun to have something more personal to get them through the day. Find an inexpensive wire in basket and fill it with a stress ball, granola bars, and small picture frames, or anything you think the person will enjoy to make life at work more pleasant.

I know in my area of the world college sports, especially basketball has a huge following. T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, or even tree ornaments have college logos. Try one of those for the sports fan. Just make sure you get the right team. People can be picky about their favorite team.

Above all else, remember it’s the season of giving and do your best to pick an appropriate gift. The recipient will appreciate the thought even if you miss the mark. Of course, it’s important to realize that whoever has your name is just as clueless. Talk about your interests and favorite things to do and maybe you can avoid the bath products and candles.

Baby Gifts: How to Make Yours the One They Remember

by Stephanie Gallagher Editor, The Shopping Mom's Guide to Baby Gifts

Why do some baby gifts stand out from the crowd and others seem to get lost in the recipient's memory, never to be found again?

Surprisingly, it has little to do with cost of the baby gifts. Rather, it's the little, thoughtful touches that make all the difference.

Some tips:

Add an Element of Humor
You don't have to spend a lot of money to give baby gifts that are memorable. Try putting together your own "Nursing Survival Kit," with breast pads, Lansinoh cream, frozen peas (to ease nursing soreness), and a copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

Put Together a Creative Baby Gift Basket
Create a "Sleep Like a Baby" baby gift basket with a soft baby blanket or lovey, a white noise CD (vacuum sounds are great!) and a Miracle Blanket (for easy swaddling).

Or transform a simple baby book into a "Remembering the Moment" baby gift basket, by adding a copy of the local newspaper from the day the baby was born, copies of Time and People magazines from the week the baby was born, a current postage stamp, and a sales flyer from the local grocery store.

Twenty years from now, the parents and grown child will have fun looking back at everything from the price of a dozen eggs to who the hot celebrities were back when junior was a baby.

(For more clever baby gift basket ideas, check out "The Baby Gift Basket: How to Choose One That's Guaranteed to Wow Them.")

Include Everything the New Parents Will Need to Make It Work
Nobody likes extra work. So do whatever you can do to make it easy for the new parents to enjoy your baby gift. For example, if your present requires batteries, include a small package of batteries (the correct type, of course,) with it. You don't even need to give the whole pack -- just the right amount for the item you've given. You'd be amazed how grateful the new parents will be.

Put it Together For Them
The best baby gifts for new parents are those that require no work on their part to enjoy.
However, this is a strategy that's best used when you are absolutely positive the new parents want what you've gotten them. Remember, baby gifts that are put together aren't so easily returned. So do this when you're buying something off the registry or when the recipients have specifically asked for what you're giving them.

Include a Gift Receipt
They may love what you've gotten, but they may have also gotten two or three baby gifts just like it. Make it easy to return yours, and they'll be grateful.

Include Your Full Name and Address on the Card
After 36 hours of labor and two weeks of sleep deprivation, a new mommy can't be counted on to remember her own last name, let alone yours. That's true even if she's your sister or best friend. So make it easy for her by writing your full name on the card. Including your address, too, makes it easy for her to write the thank-you note.

Author Bio: Stephanie Gallagher, a.k.a., The Shopping Mom,is the author of several parenting books and Editor of The Shopping Mom's Guide to Baby Gifts, http://www.guide-to-baby-gifts.com


Lisa's Comments
I really like all of these suggestions, especially the one about the remembering the moment gift basket. I wish I had gotton one of those when my son was born. I think I'll start giving them out to people I know are financially OK enough that they don't need help with diapers, etc.

I have one suggestion about the Nursing survival kit though - it's a great idea, but you probably should talk to the expectant mother first to be sure she is even going to try breastfeeding. I personally think everyone should nurse their children for many reasons (health of baby and mom being the most important one) but not everyone feels as I do and a woman who has already decided against breastfeeding may be offended by such a gift.

Christmas Shopping Can Be Finished Too Early

I have a friend who was done with her christmas shopping last January. She shopped all the after-christmas sales for everyone she knew. I'll tell you the danger of that: She bought my son a Thomas Lift and Load Set .. and then his Grandfather sent him one for his birthday.

My Christmas Shopping Is Done .. In October

Are you jealous? I bet you are. I live near a small town that has really outgrown itself. When I saw the parking lot of the local Walmart-Office Max-Borders-Ross shopping area was full to overflowing on a tuesday morning in September I said to myself: self, I refuse to go to any store during the months of November and December.

So, I went home and made a list and went out and bought everything for all my friends and their children. I bought mostly toys, and a few gift certificates. We are simplifying presents for nieces and nephews that must be mailed by sending money. I ordered two Thomas the Train sets for my son off the Internet. I am not getting anything for my husband, nor he for me hopefully, as we are going to on a week's vacation right before Christmas. That's our present.

Now, I just have to wrap the large stack of presents hiding under a blanket in my office. I wonder if that will be done before December 24th?

Best Gift Ever

I'll let you in on a little secret- the best gift ever for probably any woman is a gift certificate for a massage. I don't mean a massage from you- I mean a massage from a real masseuse. Some women would probably also like facials or manicures and/or pedicures. Me? Just give me the massage any day. Give me a gift certificate for a massage on my birthday, Christmas, and Mother's Day, and I'll be happy.

What To Give Your Office Mates at the Christmas Gift Exchange

by Angela

The smell of evergreen, dreaming of a white Christmas, getting ready for Santa, all are things that bring out the best of the season. You’re excited, the kids are ready and, for once, everything is done ahead of schedule. Merry Christmas to you! Then, your boss or some other equally well-meaning soul comes up with the idea to exchange gifts at work. Just when you have it all together a wrench gets thrown in the works. Never fear. With any luck, one of these ideas will turn out to be just what Santa ordered.

If the person you need to buy for is of the feminine persuasion, this may work for you. I don’t know of a woman who doesn’t enjoy receiving flowers. Especially if the lady is single or if her man isn’t Don Juan, she may appreciate a small arrangement. Florists do amazing things this time of year in coffee cups or small vases. Have it delivered on the day of the exchange or pick it up to present it personally. I don’t suggest this one for a male colleague; you don’t want angry phone calls from his wife.

If you happen to be a holiday baker, this could be your ticket. Find a pretty, seasonal tin or basket and fill it with an assortment of all the goodies you already have made. A thoughtful card to your co-worker and their family with a keepsake ornament would round out the gift nicely. On the upside, the cookie tin idea works for either sex. Men definitely enjoy an edible gift. Watch your husband the next time you take fresh cookies from the oven; see what I mean?

This suggestion is especially helpful if the ghost of Christmas future is on your side. Hopefully, the name drawing occurs with enough time to truly think about what you want to give. If that is the case, pay attention to the person you will be buying for. What do they talk about on break? Do they have children? Maybe they are a Nascar fan or into the theatre or symphony. Once you notice something they are interested in a whole new world of possibility opens up. Opera glasses for the theatre and symphony buff or a poster of their favorite driver with a book on nascar for the racing fan. Going along with the secret Santa idea, there is probably a list somewhere with gift ideas directly from the person.

It’s kind of a cop out, but gift cards are a great idea if you’re really lost. With the price of a movie now it can be an expensive treat. Get one for the amount decided on at work; that way your co-worker can use any extra at the concession stand. You can always choose to give a restaurant gift card as well. Every one needs a break during the busy holidays and an easy meal out may be just what your teammate needs.

Maybe your gift recipient has a need at work that you can help with; like a new mouse pad or her/his favorite kind of pen. Most workplaces provide those items, but it might be fun to have something more personal to get them through the day. Find an inexpensive wire in basket and fill it with a stress ball, granola bars, and small picture frames, or anything you think the person will enjoy to make life at work more pleasant.

I know in my area of the world college sports, especially basketball has a huge following. T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, or even tree ornaments have college logos. Try one of those for the sports fan. Just make sure you get the right team. People can be picky about their favorite team.

Above all else, remember it’s the season of giving and do your best to pick an appropriate gift. The recipient will appreciate the thought even if you miss the mark. Of course, it’s important to realize that whoever has your name is just as clueless. Talk about your interests and favorite things to do and maybe you can avoid the bath products and candles.

Lisa's Comments
While I personally am *not* that into getting flowers, I probably would enjoy them around Christmas-time. especially if they came in a nice, re-useable coffee cup or something.

One more thing you might want to consider is someone who is trying to lose weight or stay healthy - don't do the ultimate cop-out and get them chocolate or candy. It might go straight in the garbage.