The $5 Gift Thread!

[Medusa]

The holidays (holidazzzeeee) are upon us and I thought it might be fun to list really fun, unique, thoughtful, wacky, or just downright awesome gifts you could give someone.
(caveat: It sucks that the holidays are so commercialized and focused on "things" rather than people so consider this thread a year-long idea-log for any time you'd like to give someone a gift)

The ONLY rule to this thread is that all gift ideas MUST be UNDER $5 (or free!)

And PLEASE be *very specific*. Don't just say "candles" or "candy". Post the kind!


GO!

[Medusa]

I'll start with an idea! I have recently rekindled my love of incense and would LOVE to be gifted with a couple boxes of this:

Satya Incense - Nirvana smell!

These are AMAZING and only $1.95 per box!

http://jera.pair.com/mfinds/aw2k/LotImg68154.jpg

[The_Lady_Snow]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTasitS1eY2vqWt97DUE3ZIpfGg469h uIM3gAeY1KaOrxeAO7Y

[Medusa]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTasitS1eY2vqWt97DUE3ZIpfGg469h uIM3gAeY1KaOrxeAO7Y



Freaking LOVE that!!!!

[grenade]

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e3/16/25/e3162528db614d75089295f05caf392e.jpg

Gonna try and get these made for coworkers. I think it's cute.

[Medusa]

That is super cute, Grenade!!! I'd especially love it with a new kitchen dish cloth in it since I'm always jacking mine up!!

My Mother in Law actually was agog at me on my birthday for asking for new kitchen dish cloths. :)

[Medusa]

This might be something fun for a "just because".

This is a Yankee Candle "Leather" -scented car air freshner. I've actually hung these up in my house before or used them as sachets.

Might be fun to tuck one into a card ;)

http://www.yankeecandle.com/items/ycc/images/large/1220883.jpg

[Kätzchen]

When I want to get something special, that isn't too costly, I like to go to an independent retailer called "Presents of Mind," down in the Hawthorne dist of Portland.

I've found one-of-a-kind cards or stationery or notions such as jewelry or not-easily-found games that are novelty items or rocks, candles, lamp shades (yes! they look like stars), stamp sets, button/pins,,,they have all kinds of things that will keep you there for hours!

I bought a pair of unique sunglasses there once (still have them).

Items in their store usually run between $5 to more than $50 (sometimes more than $100).

In the five dollar range, I once found this little tin holder that had unique little 'cards' inside for each day of the week: kind of like reading a horoscope or something, but seriously funny stuff (the inscriptions on each card).

http://img0.etsystatic.com/009/0/5116746/il_340x270.438306928_s718.jpg


Link to ~>>> Presents of Mind (http://www.presentsofmind.tv/pages/info)

(they have a page on Facebook, too)

[Medusa]

These are always fun to tuck inside of a card as well!

http://cdn.mdlottery.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/863-Gimme-5_P1.gif

[Medusa]

Katz!! (How DO you make the Umlaut on this dang keyboard!!!)

I love those tins! Those would be fun to carry around in a purse or keep on your desk at work for when you need a fun moment :)

[Mopsie]

Well you have to be crafty ... but two small skeins of cotton yarn (like sugar and cream brand) cost $4 plus tax. I made (knit) coasters for my friends - two skeins makes between 10 and 14 coasters. Ya know - depending on the size. :)

[Medusa]

Well you have to be crafty ... but two small skeins of cotton yarn (like sugar and cream brand) cost $4 plus tax. I made (knit) coasters for my friends - two skeins makes between 10 and 14 coasters. Ya know - depending on the size. :)


LOVE that idea! Handmade gifts are always my favorite!!

[Jesse]

For an inexpensive gift that keeps on giving. Use a solid color plate, (cheap thrift store find) and write the message with non toxic paint pens. Load the plate with goodies, maybe some cookies, or a dinner for someone who is sick or shut in. Use the words from the plate below or write your own, but the idea is that the receiver pass the plate on to another, preferably in your circle of friends and/or family. In all fairness, for this to come in under the $5 one may need to already have non toxic paint pens.

Here are the words for those who are like me and have some vision issues:

“This plate shall have no owner for its journey never ends, It travels in a circle of our family and friends. It carries love from home to home for everyone to share, The food that’s placed upon it was made with love and care. So please enjoy what’s on the plate, Then fill it up again, Then pass along the love it holds to your family and friends.”

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f5/9b/69/f59b69c83586701b629008749452d987.jpg

[Medusa]

That's a fabulous idea, Jesse! I am allllll about thrift store finds that can be repurposed and the idea of being able to pass the plate along is great. Nothing worse than wanting to take some food to someone and either slopping it onto a cheap paper plate or worrying about getting one of your actual plates back.
This would solve it all!

[The Oopster]

For the photo buff!

8x8, 8x10, 8x12 enlargements $1.49
12x12, 11x14, 12x18 enlargements $2.99

price for photo enlargements at Costco ... and you can probably find a frame at the dollar store or 99 cents store for 1.00

they also have other stuff you can do a few under 5 a few a tad over and a few a lot over.

[Medusa]

For the photo buff!

8x8, 8x10, 8x12 enlargements $1.49
12x12, 11x14, 12x18 enlargements $2.99

price for photo enlargements at Costco ... and you can probably find a frame at the dollar store or 99 cents store for 1.00

they also have other stuff you can do a few under 5 a few a tad over and a few a lot over.


GREAT idea, Koop!!! My sis and her hubby habe 3 children and they always struggle for money during this time of year but she is flat-out insistent on getting me something for a holiday prezzie so I always ask for a photo of the family! (that way, she can just enlarge or copy something she already has but she has also set up her own camera and taken a new photo just for me and it's been amazing!)

[Sparkle]

If you're the crafty sort and you have scraps of fabric, batting and thread laying about then you can make these darlings for the cost of 2 altoid tins!

http://http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/28408249@N07/6853135827/

[The Oopster]

GREAT idea, Koop!!! My sis and her hubby habe 3 children and they always struggle for money during this time of year but she is flat-out insistent on getting me something for a holiday prezzie so I always ask for a photo of the family! (that way, she can just enlarge or copy something she already has but she has also set up her own camera and taken a new photo just for me and it's been amazing!)

If she belongs to Costco she could do a collage even ... here are the breakdowns

Display up to 30 of your favorite photos in a collage print. Choose from a variety of background colors, and add a personalized title. Keep shuffling your photos until you get the best arrangement.
$1.49 - 8x10
$1.49 - 8x12
$2.99 - 11x14
$2.99 - 12x18
$5.99 - 16x20
$8.99 - 20x30

[The Oopster]

I know you asked for specifics but since I don't bake I don't know is someone can bake anything worth whiled for under 5 dollars.

But I know a lot of us would enjoy homemade baked goods.

heck I'd even take a homemade meal ...like maybe a chicken pot pie if somebody can do it for that price.

I know when I cook sometimes it feels more expensive then if I just ate out. But if you have a garden and are able to get some good food deals.

[LaDivina]

How about <insert favorite baked goods mix> in a jar? That's always fun. (Assuming you have jars already.)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZ6-iuBctrM/TNpJ6SqccWI/AAAAAAAAAD8/cZT8z-Fr-aI/s1600/cookies+in+a+jar+recipe.jpg

[Sweet Bliss]

okie dokie...

i salvaged a dresser, took all the front panels off the drawers.

stripped old cheapy paint
sanded off dark stain
painted fresh light paint
applied decals from dollar tree

"Every day is a gift" " Always kiss me goodnight " "Welcome....." "Be your own kind of Beautiful" ...etc

Some i plugged the holes for knobs, others i painted the wood knobs all cute. one panel i used blackboard paint.

the paint was left over from other projects.

one dollar for each decal.

The dresser will have shelves for wicker baskets. yes i buy them at yard sales and thrift stores. On the bottom I'm adding little wood louver doors that i found at the restore. I did a funky paint job on them. the bottom will be the hidden nap condo for my cats.

Not sure how i will finish dresser. Got dozens of ideas!!!

anyhoo, as i remember little ideas i will post.

Almost forgot! if you mak sure the area on the back where the panel is cut, allowing the bottom of the drawer slides in remains on the top, you will have a premade hanger that is level.

Fabulous thread idea!!! thanks!

[The_Lady_Snow]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7cxXbrU1qc/UL9DG3UrzlI/AAAAAAAALb0/-h_HrQ3ilyA/s1600/Homemade+sewing+kit+mason+jar+Christmas+gift+idea+ 5.jpg

[girllikeu2]

Relaxing Skin Scrub

Ingredients:
Epsom salt to fill 3/4 of a jar
mineral oil to fill 8 oz. mason jar
lavender essential oil (15-20 drops)
Tea tree oil (15 drops) optional for antibacterial purposes

Pour salt, mineral oil and essential oils into glass jar, tighten lid and shake to mix. Let it sit for a day or 2.

I made one like this for EVERYONE on my list a few years ago and people asked for more when they ran out.

The biggest expenses were the jars (but I got a flat of 20 for like 35$) and the essential oil ... but the cost divided by 15 people was probably under $5 each.

[Daktari]

Organic caster sugar
Organic rapeseed oil (mixed with a lighter oil and possibly a spot of jojoba too)
Essential oil (ylang ylang seems to make folks feel lovely)

All guestimated quantities...I've never measured. Just don't make it too oily.

Mix it all up. Instant body scrub that folks seem to really like. I give mine away and have a few girls who always ask for refills when they've used it up. Ms.Sponsorliscious has a lifetime option on refills :cheesy:

[Sweet Bliss]

Organic caster sugar
Organic rapeseed oil (mixed with a lighter oil and possibly a spot of jojoba too)
Essential oil (ylang ylang seems to make folks feel lovely)

All guestimated quantities...I've never measured. Just don't make it too oily.

Mix it all up. Instant body scrub that folks seem to really like. I give mine away and have a few girls who always ask for refills when they've used it up. Ms.Sponsorliscious has a lifetime option on refills :cheesy:

you mean grapeseed oil right? :glasses:

[Daktari]

you mean grapeseed oil right? :glasses:

Nope, I meant rapeseed oil. Google is your friend...I'm out and on my phone so can't be bothered to faff doing the google linkage :cheesy:

[Sweet Bliss]

Nope, I meant rapeseed oil. Google is your friend...I'm out and on my phone so can't be bothered to faff doing the google linkage :cheesy:

okie dokie. glad i asked! will educate myself. thanks Daktari :)

[Daktari]

okie dokie. glad i asked! will educate myself. thanks Daktari :)

:chaplin:
It's a major crop here. The fields of gold/yellow are so jolly in spring/early summer. Sorta heralds the start of hay fever season.

The oil is dead (uk>us: very/really) healthy.

[Liam]

In the U.S., rapeseed oil is called canola oil.

[Gemme]

Link to ~>>> Presents of Mind (http://www.presentsofmind.tv/pages/info)

(they have a page on Facebook, too)

OMG, I adore the mustache binkies.

Cracked me up.

I didn't look to see how much they were but they sure made my day a bit brighter.

For myself, especially this time of year, I like a bag of Reece's Trees. They are fun to eat.

[JAGG]

Calendar
Ice scraper
Small umbrella
Ink pens
A bag of Jack Links beef jerky
Microwave bacon cooker
Travel mug
2 bags of golf tees
Flash light
Work gloves
Nail polish
Nail clippers
Dvd movie in walmart
Wallet
Money clip
Almonds 2 cans

I think I could come up with a million ideas.

[dark_crystal]

chargers and adapters! USB, A/C, vehicle socket, multiples of each!

Just like Glengarry Glen Ross said, the secret to success= abc always be charging

[Sweet Bliss]

homemade gift cards... for various goodies like hand massage, head rub, clothing repair, (if you know how), dog walking, help with cleaning, make breakfast, clean out car, etc.

can you make origami? fill a jar with folded frogs, cranes, stars or make gift boxes with Sunday funny papers, or left over gift wrap. offer to teach someone.

search through pinterest or craft sites like craftsters (my favorite) for ideas.

re-gift stuff you already have.

make note cards in sets of four or six. you can purchase card stock by the sheet. no need to buy a ream.

use vintage doily to make dream catcher, add beads and ribbons etc.

[Bells]

lighted incense

$1.00 small glass vase
$1.00 mini strand of Christmas lights
$1.00 bag of potpourri
$1.00 doily

place the lights into the vase, pour the potpourri over the lights , then find a ribbon or string ( ok so I usually have this in my house) place the doily on top and secure with ribbon

homemade and around $5.00 ..... oh and it smells good when heated

[Sweet Bliss]

i took apart a very old well loved quilt recently. okay it was literally disintegrating. i had to have it. :)

i salvaged most of the top and back. i am now making pot holders. throw pillow tops and even a quilted xmas tree decoration with three small pieces. will look so cute when I'm done.

will post photos at some point. most will be gifts. paid $$25 for quilt. would get a couple hundred if sold retail after creative redo. the quilt pattern is log cabin. one of my favorites.


Some smaller pieces will end up as decoration on my favorite overshirt. that is something you can do, decorate someones shirt for them.

you creative types have it easy. gift your creative efforts. i recycle alot.

yes. i am a hoarder. my name is Sweet Bliss. :rrose:

[princessbelle]

One of my fav things to do for gifts is go to the Dollar Tree where everything is a buck or less.

I get tons of stuff for stocking stuffers or filler gifts.

Some of the things i've got there have been...

flashlights
calenders
dog toys
retro butterfly yo-yo that lights up
bubble blowers
scarfs
socks
gloves
makeup bags
chess set/checkers
beautiful ornaments
book lights
vases
candles
holiday cards (have you checked the prices of these lately? omg.)
cake mixes
candy mixes

Lots more but it's amazing some of the things you can find in those stores. Anyway it's one of my fav places to shop.

[LaDivina]

Oh hey look what just showed up in my Facebook feed today. :)

472 Meals In A Jar! (http://www.savebiglivebetter.com/2013/04/472-easy-meals-in-a-jar-recipes.html)

How about <insert favorite baked goods mix> in a jar? That's always fun. (Assuming you have jars already.)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZ6-iuBctrM/TNpJ6SqccWI/AAAAAAAAAD8/cZT8z-Fr-aI/s1600/cookies+in+a+jar+recipe.jpg

[Rockinonahigh]

Every year I have a problem of what to get the folks on my pool team's for christmass as I am on teams it can get pricey with 8 pr team= 24 gifts to get.One team has desided to draw names..can do,the ladies team has been everyone gets a gift for everyone..so at our next game I am going to bring up the idea of drawing names..the other team I have no idea on that one.So I am really checking out what comes on hear.Great idea by the way.

[girl_dee]

i got a cool stylus pen for my ipad for $1.00 today!

Makes a nice gifty

[GeorgiaMa'am]

For anyone in your family, if you have some family recipes, especially old ones, it is nice to make recipe cards, or an electronic cookbook. Make sure to put the name of the person whose recipe it was on the cards, and maybe give the year of the recipe, and anything else with meaning for the family. ("Aunt Lottie brought this fried chicken to the family reunion at Lake Birdsong every year.")

When anyone asks me what I would like as a gift, I have a very difficult time answering that question. It's awkward and puts me on the spot. If I say, "Oh, you don't have to get me anything!" it can make them uncomfortable. So I've started asking them to find an old recipe that they liked as a child, something their mom or grandma may have made. (I often cook for my friends.) It requires a little effort on their part, but it's not onerous, and it doesn't cost anything!

[Sweet Bliss]

Remember to frequent local craft and art fairs.

Support your local artists.

Contact your local senior centers, many of them have arts and craft shows.

Local farmers markets have a large variety of goodies for sale.

Indoor flea markets.

:rrose:

[Soft*Silver]

I always try to support local crafters...so i give things like home made soaps, beaded jewelry, bird feeders or bird seed/suets, plants, etc.

My daughter a few years ago went and got HUGE coffee mugs and painted Mr Teah and Mrs Chris on them. Very cute!

She also started a tradition of gifting rubber chickens. Omg when I pulled the first one out of my stocking that year, I damn near died with joy! I couldnt put it down!

She also started a fun pen collection for me..fluffy pink flamingo pens, dildo pens, pens with flowers on them, pens that strobed light, etc.

small photo albums are going to be priceless someday. We rely on our computers and phones to store photos and when we have a collapse or lose them because of divorce or whatever, we lose all our recorded memories. To put together a simple small $2 photo album based on some event, or a year, or a friend, would be priceless..

[PinkieLee]

If you are on Pinterest, they have tons of cool ideas for gifts under $5. One of my favorite things....

Get a white ceramic coffee mug (from Dollar Tree for $1)
and decorate any way you want with a SHARPIE marker (quotes, monogram, or even a silly private joke). Then bake in the oven @ 350 for 30 minutes.

[pajama]

All the ladies in my office usually get each other a little something. With 13 ladies, that gets a little steep. So thanks for this thread.

Also, I don't know if it's just the TN Goodwill that does this....But the first Saturday of the month everything in the stores is 50% off. This Saturday (12/7) is the last one before Christmas. So I am going to see if I can find some plates, or mugs, or both and make some kind of gift like that. :D

Just giving y'all a heads up in case your Goodwill does the same thing.

[Kenna]

All the ladies in my office usually get each other a little something. With 13 ladies, that gets a little steep. So thanks for this thread.

Also, I don't know if it's just the TN Goodwill that does this....But the first Saturday of the month everything in the stores is 50% off. This Saturday (12/7) is the last one before Christmas. So I am going to see if I can find some plates, or mugs, or both and make some kind of gift like that. :D

Just giving y'all a heads up in case your Goodwill does the same thing.

Wish I could post pictures ...but you sparked a memory of beautiful bird feeders and baths made from coffee/tea mugs and plates or saucers. They used a tile drill to put holes thru middle of mug and 2 plates...then put a small threaded rod thru each, plate on bottom , mug in middle and the other plate on top like an umbrella ...on the threaded rod they used lock nuts to hold each in place....it was pretty cool with the "umbrella" ... some even used a small piece of copper plumbing pipe to cover the threaded rod. ...

[Zimmeh]

I love giving soaps and hand creams to my mom and friends. One of my favorite fragrances is from two years ago. It is by L'Occitane en Provence and is called Delices des Fruits. It is their Citron & Clementine fragrance.

It cost $2.50 for each soap at our company's outlet store and I bought several of them and put them in drawers throughout my house.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fhmESAiXL._SY300_.jpg

My mom will be getting this soap for Christmas, since she loves anything with Jasmine in it. It is made by Pre de Provence and it cost less than $5 at the Off 5th, Saks 5th Ave Store near my job.

http://www.idreamoffrance.com/files/images/product/pre-de-provence-soap-jasmine.jpg

[Jesse]

Fun office or stocking gifts.

https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1475880_696336033719652_1452123937_n.jpg

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/New-Homemade-Hillbilly-Bubble-Bath-Novelty-Gag-Gift-Gas-Prank-Favor-Redneck-/00/s/MTI1NFgxMDQ5/z/lNQAAOxyoeBSB8ok/$T2eC16ZHJGEFFm5D%29kE1BSB8ojFs7w%7E%7E60_35.JPG

[Jesse]

Olive oil candles are easy and inexpensive to make. They are also very safe to burn, because the oil will douse the flame if it comes into contact with it if the candle gets knocked over. I use jars, or vases...even unique looking glasses will work. I like to use the pint canning jars too because they are heavy and they reflect well. You can frost the jar or make it glittery, whatever you desire. I use a wick stand just because it is easier to light and for adjusting the wick, these can be made with a wire coat hanger or bought. I generally just buy mine from Lehmans when they are on sale and are doing a free shipping deal. This way they cost about $2.50 each for the larger ones that fit in the pint canning jars. Once it is decorated and you have the wick set up, just add olive oil and a few drops of essential oil if you want it scented.

Here is a pic of the stands that I use.

https://www.lehmans.com/images/product/large/410.jpg

[Jesse]

Here is another type of oil candle that I thought was simple, yet spectacular. I found this one on Pinterest. Slide the wick into the tube and place in your container. Add oil and give it a few minutes for the oil to travel up the wick before lighting.

http://putitinajar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/oil_lamp_lantern_12x.jpg

[Chancie]

I spent more than $5 for each present, but I am so excited about this idea!

We get cookies and other treats from friends and neighbors every year, and we enjoy the hell out of them, but I wanted to reciprocate this year.

I ordered eight vases from Crate and Barrel, $2.50 each plus $4.95 for shipping;

I bought eight bags of clear glass beads from the Dollar Tree;

I ordered 50 stems of live bamboo from Amazon, about $60; and

I ordered one dozen tiny glass pickles from Amazon, $12.95.

Pete helped me set seven stalks of bamboo in each vase, held in place with about one bag of clear glass beads.

We will decorate each vase with one tiny glass pickle tied on with a sparkly red pipe cleaner.

We ended up with seven pretty unique gifts for our friends and neighbors for about $115!

http://i.c-b.co/is/image/Crate/CylinderVase9inOT9/$web_zoom$&/1308302307/medium-cylinder-vase.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41pNofpVItL._SY300_.jpg

http://www.ancientwisdom.biz/pics/gp-08_l.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412%2BOq%2Bw2lL._SY300_.jpg

[homoe]

BUMP BUMP BUMP:smileyXmasTree:



They say it's the thought that counts..lets share here:present:

[Sweet Bliss]

I make my gifts, crocheted pot holders, about 2.50 each. (cotton yarn)

French Press cozy, fabric scraps and leftover insulation (high tech) free

handpainted terracotta pots, under 2 bucks, paint myself, already have paint.

beaded key chains, have huge supply of various beads, free

Xmas Angels, buy used Barbie at yard sales, under a dollar usually, clean and make fancy ball gown, fix hair, use costume jewelry from yard sales, almost free, lol, beads, sequins, whatever I have around at the time

TV dinners, homemade Nana meals for busy peeps, always a hit

jar of cookie mixes, receiver just adds eggs and sometimes butter, another big hit for peeps who can not follow recipe or bake, no brainer.

popcorn spice mixes, I make hot, spicy and a sweet mix to put on hot buttered popcorn, great for singles or peeps with kids.

Dog kookies, cat treats, find recipes online. great for pet owners.

Need more ideas? gimme a holler!