Jann in TX Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 We are planning on traveling to visit family after Christmas (family gathering will be sometime between Christmas and New Years). The tradition seems to be token (inexpensive or handmade) gifts for everyone (or one for each family). There are 10 families--about 40 people total (not including 6-10 exchange students!) 2 families are empty nesters 2 families have teens-college 1 family has tweens 4 families have young children/babies ( my married nieces) 1 young family has no children I'm creative but not that crafty (but am capable-- I can cook, sew and all that stuff and was considered crafty once upon a time). I have some homemade vanilla-- but I've done that the past several years! Food gifts are out-- too many allergies/diabetics.... Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Mouse Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Christmas ornaments? You could get specific one for each family, or find one that represents where you live. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyS Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Honestly, I would send an email and ask if the gift that we ALL get is to skip the gifts so that we don't have to have our homes filled with junk gifts that no one wants to store (never mind the expense of purchasing so much crap that no one wants). 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I love the idea of these polaroid coasters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Do people like opening gifts--would it be acceptable to give Heifer or other charity gifts? I did that with sister-in-law a couple of times. Our girls chose to give bees (they were going to do guinea pigs, until they realized they are raised for food!). I second the ornament idea, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I would go with something consumable but upscale, or rather small but versatile, that they wouldn't buy for themselves. Maybe colored or metallic sanding sugars from Williams Sonoma, http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sanding-decorating-sugars-2014/?pkey=e%7Csanding%2Bsugar%7C59%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C9&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH or unusually large or ornate cookie cutters, ditto: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/snowflake-copper-cookie-cutters/?pkey=e%7Csnowflake%2Bcookie%2Bcutters%7C150%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C2&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH Maybe fancy home boutique soaps--I like Ma Peche ones a lot: http://www.mapechesoaps.com/ Maybe a lovely but small journal to use for a guest book at each home. Maybe a deck of unusual cards for each household--large print ones, or those very narrow mummy ones, or miniature ones for travel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Calendars? one per family? You can buy inexpensive calendars, or use your own photographs to create one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I love the idea of these polaroid coasters. Now that is awesome! I have made hand stamped coasters in the past. Just use a permanent ink (like staz-on) on ceramic tile and then coat with several coats of Krylon when dry. Then I glue felt to the back to keep them from catching furniture. T-shirt pillows--get a t-shirt and a pillow form. Cut the t-shirt into a square the same size as the form. Then I use the hemmed parts of the leftover t-shirt to make the back. I do this a lot for college students and buy the t-shirts either at the thrift store or when they are on sale. I have hand stamped dish towels. Or added a ribbon to the bottom of a plain white dishtowel. Buy plain clear glass ornaments. Dump some acrylic paint in and swirl around. Set upside down in a paper cup to drain. Add a ribbon to the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Sounds like a job for.. Pinterest! Air plants in some kind of case you personalize (they are often magnets, or window suction cups I think) Other homemade magnets? Dish towels with the family names? I'm thinking fabric markers for ease and speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 10 blankets. 10 copies of your favorite cd (I like Merry Mancini Christmas). 10 Christmas ornaments. 10 decorative dishes or bowls of some sort. 10 cute trays. 10 wooden salad bowl sets. 10 cute platters. 10 starbucks gift cards. I would do 10 of the same thing, whatever it is. Too bad about the food. 10 Whitman's Samplers would be nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Microwave bowl holders you can sew. They look easy on Pinterest. Btw, that's a ton of gifts. I would try to get family to,pare that list down. Exchange names. Kids buy for kids, something smaller than one for everyone. And I agree with PP who said we all don't want or need that many token gifts in our homes only to,have to rehome it later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 If you knit: I'm on a dishcloth/washcloth knitting jag. There are very cute patterns that might appeal to the folks with kids (ducks, crocodiles, moose, owls, etc.). On the other hand, check out Cafe Press or Snapfish for making photo ornaments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 DD is the only grandchild, so I do a lot of stuff with her art for Christmas gifts-things like t-shirts, notebooks, coffee mugs, calendars, and so on. Usually Vistaprint is the cheapest, but Zazzle has some nice options as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 That's an insane number of gifts to buy, and I definitely wouldn't leave out the exchange students. I like what my in-laws started a few years ago. Everyone brings one present, under a certain dollar amount. If you like, all the men can bring guy gifts and all the women can bring girly gifts. Have the kids bring kid presents. Put the presents in separated piles (by sex/age). Draw numbers. The person who drew #1 takes a gift from the appropriate pile and opens it. The second person can either take a gift from the pile or "steal" one that's been already opened. The game continues until all the presents have been opened, then the first person to draw can choose from all the presents at the end. It's fun, it's cheap, and you don't have a ton to take home with you. Alternately, everyone can buy for the kids and the adults can play the game. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 (edited) Gifts under $5: Handmade potholders at this Etsy shop are $2.50-$3.50 per set, and I've been happy with them. Flashlights, pocket knives, or credit card sized survival tools Handmade crayon rolls with a coloring book Card games Edited November 28, 2015 by MercyA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 If spices are not part of the allergy mix, you can buy spices from an allergen friendly place (Spice Islands is a brand that I know is GF, may also be in a nut-free facility), and you can make taco seasoning or something like that. Attach the recipe. I think I've heard that Penzey's spices (? online) are safe from most allergens. Homemade cleaning products, lotion, or lip balm are pretty easy to make and inexpensive if you are making a bunch at once. If the men of the family have beards, you can use the same recipes to make beard balm (it's a thing, I hear). The lotion is basically 1/3 beeswax (you can get "pastilles" on Amazon to make it easy), 1/3 one kind of oil (anything from avocado, coconut, sweet almond, apricot, etc.), and 1/3 another kind of oil. I like beeswax, shea butter, and then either coconut oil or sweet almond oil (depending on allergies). Then you can add a few drops of fragrance. The lotion bars are easier and less likely to spoil (if you use a whipped recipe with aloe vera gel or water, it's trickier and may spoil over time). You can also make some with bug repelling oils for summer time. Lip balm is basically lotion with a different ratio of wax/oils. I always like getting hand towels of all kinds and knit/crocheted dishcloths. Fancy soaps are nice. Another twist if people like a gift exchange...instead of white elephant, everyone brings x number of the same gift (say five items), and there is a limit on how much each item can cost (or can be free, like recipes). Each person puts there name on the same number of slips of paper as they number of gifts they are bringing. One person presents their gifts, and then draws five names. Each person drawn gets one of those gifts. You go home with the same number of small gifts you brought. Sometimes there is a small hitch with what someone gets, but people are usually amicable about trading in that case. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel-in-CA Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I send my family Harry & David pears -- non-allergenic for those with issues, and truly delicious. For some families I include cheese and nuts (if there's no food issues) or candy if they have small kids. It does add up, but it's something they can eat & enjoy. One year I did send spices, especially to my dd's host family while she was in college. I have one relative who has no sense of smell, so we avoid food gifts for her, as she can't really enjoy them. I usually get her a silly cat t-shirt. These are family we are too far away from to visit @ holidays. This year I am separately sending each of them hand-crocheted individual christmas ornaments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 For adults or older girls I often buy this: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/1/387535-harvest-garden-ceramic-wax-warmer.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 We are planning on traveling to visit family after Christmas (family gathering will be sometime between Christmas and New Years). The tradition seems to be token (inexpensive or handmade) gifts for everyone (or one for each family). There are 10 families--about 40 people total (not including 6-10 exchange students!) 2 families are empty nesters 2 families have teens-college 1 family has tweens 4 families have young children/babies ( my married nieces) 1 young family has no children I'm creative but not that crafty (but am capable-- I can cook, sew and all that stuff and was considered crafty once upon a time). I have some homemade vanilla-- but I've done that the past several years! Food gifts are out-- too many allergies/diabetics.... Any thoughts? my first thought was fuzzy/warm socks. Everyone tends to like those from empty nesters to kiddos. gift in a jar? I'm thinking hot cocoa or cookie mix or maybe "Russian tea". You could add a potholder or coasters or some such handmade item to go with. Last year for coaches' gifts, I bought mugs from the dollar store and made hot cocoa mix. I put baggies of the cocoa mix in the mugs along with peppermint candy canes and baggies of mini marshmallows. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samm Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 You could order some $2 bills from the bank and give each of them a few crisp ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockhopper Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 There's a point where, for Christmas gifts in situations like this, you can't exclude food altogether... I mean, grownups can smile nicely and say thank you even if they aren't going to drink the hot chocolate because it has sugar, or dairy, or chocolate, or isn't gluten free, or corn free or nut free or carb free. These aren't specially chosen gifts for people whom you're really close to -- they're, as you said, token gifts. People can deal. That said, I'd give some kind of jam. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I know a woman whose family does something similar where everyone brings family gifts for each family--not each individual. Then they set out reusable grocery bags--one per family--and as families arrive they add their gifts to each bag. Each family brings X--X being however many families are attending--of the same gift and just adds one to each bag. So they end up bringing a gift for themselves as well but she says it's just easier, less confusing to do it that way. I know one year they did crocheted dishcloths but I can't remember the other gift ideas she told me about. Assuming one gift per family . . . What about a set of notecards and stamps? Or one of those lists you stick on your fridge with magnet backing and a set of pens? Or if your family is inclined, a note that you donated new underwear/socks to the local shelter on their behalf? (They always need new underwear and socks.) Fuel gift card with some kind of creative wrapping--like in a blown up balloon with confetti? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I once received a large box marked "fragile" filled with Light bulbs It was awesome They included a note saying something to the effect of - I never know what to buy you guys, but trading gifts is a tradition, and big boxes marked fragile make people smile, so I hope you enjoyed your smile. Enjoy having a not-dark house! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeenagerMom Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Movie buckets? $5 movie from Walmart (can be tailored by age group in the family) Package of Microwavable popcorn Movie Candy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Another low-cost option from Etsy, handmade zipper pouches, 3 for $10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Forced bulbs - I have given the amarylsis bulb or forced daffodil bulbs as a gift. It is in the winter to have something growing, but it does not take any effort. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Board games for the family (different for each, based on ages/interests, etc) For women, things you would find at bath & body works. For children, books For men, coffee, fun tools. So many no longer use calendars, that I'd probably not do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tm919 Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 (edited) Can you do Christmas herbs? Maybe a potted herb each with some of your ideas of how to use that herb. Thyme, mint, basil, rosemary, and cilantro come to mind.... if they have dietary restrictions they probably don't have an herb restriction! It's not possible to have too many pots of those. Well, except for the cilantro... because I don't really use coriander and mine always gets leggy sooner or later. Edited November 29, 2015 by tm919 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matrips Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Is it your family side or inlaws? I wonder how many others might want to change up tradition. That's a lot of gifts, to give and receive. And to think of and pay for. Our Christmas' seems to be paring down each year and I like it better. I always love the exchange Mercy A mentioned. It's a lot of fun with a group, and can be a newer and less expensive tradition. Are you buying 50 things (one per person) or 10 things(one per family)? What is the budget? Inexpensive means different things to different people. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 That sounds really fun! I've never done anything similar, but what I would consider are: 1. The same book for every family or family unit--something universally appealing (or as close to universally appealing as possible). All that comes to mind is a book of conversation starters (everyone needs to have something to talk about, even--maybe especially--empty nesters), but I'm sure there are plenty of other options. 2. An ornament of something representing the family, maybe one with a group picture on it if you took a pic last year. Shutterfly has cute options. 3. A card game like Set or Quiddler, or maybe pick three games so the family who gets Set and already has it can trade with the family who got Quiddler. 4. A Christmas cactus. Hope you come up with something good! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 One scratch-off lottery ticket per person (as long as it doesn't go against your or their beliefs). Homemade bird/suet feeders, like these. Homemade rice/heat packs, like these. A card game for each family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 My first thought was Mix-In-A-Jar which would allow the other person to add their own allergy friendly stuff, but that might be too much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Movie buckets? $5 movie from Walmart (can be tailored by age group in the family) Package of Microwavable popcorn Movie Candy :iagree: Or a $5 Redbox gift card plus popcorn and candy: https://premium.vcdelivery.com/V3/RedboxGiftcards.html?deliveryMethod=Virtual&icamp=lp:bttn:digitalgifts:11:15:2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 What about a multi pack of everyone's favorite candy bar? That might get spendy, depending on what the favorites are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 (edited) You can also buy Redbox promo codes that are cute: https://premium.vcdelivery.com/redbox/?cid=lp:link:gifts:12:18:2013 Edited November 29, 2015 by LavenderGirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 WOW-- thanks for the ideas! Besides the 'token' gifts there is a 'Dirty Santa' gift exchange (between $10 and $20) --the foreign exchange students (high school and college from all over the world-literally!) especially like this! This is my family-- DH has family in the same town but not as many of them (they get homemade vanilla and chocolate). DD and I are leaning towards the mug idea. If we can get some good ones for the right price (we live out in the boonies so it will take a city trip!). She found some cute decorating ideas-- and I've uses ceramic paints (kind you bake on) before... we might do 2 per family with some hot chocolate mix or tea/coffee samples inside... I also love the fuzzy socks... When DH's grandparents were alive they would give out a pair of 'interesting socks' as their Christmas gift to everyone-- one year everyone got a pair of RED men's crew socks (even the kids!).... but they were warm! Humm... I could become the excentric Aunt! My sisters/sister-in-laws have snagged most of the other good ideas-- they do this EVERY YEAR --(token gifts not snagging the best ideas) and they start early. We only come up every few years-- it gets expensive with 8 hours of one-way travel, house/dog sitters and the fact we have to stay in a hotel because there are no guest accommodations due to the high number of exchange students (another family tradition!). Did I mention that every family has homeschooled or is currently homeschooling-- my Dad (family patriarch) leads homeschool bands in Oklahoma and I teach homeschoolers online--- I will get 'talked too' because my youngest is in PS :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 DD and I are leaning towards the mug idea. If we can get some good ones for the right price (we live out in the boonies so it will take a city trip!). She found some cute decorating ideas-- and I've uses ceramic paints (kind you bake on) before... we might do 2 per family with some hot chocolate mix or tea/coffee samples inside... Since you have so many people on your list - you could design your own mug and order a quantity of them. You can make a family logo or upload a picture (of family, a pet, your city's skyline, the options are almost endless). I ordered some from Vistaprint a few years ago - I needed about 50 of them and they came in right around $5 each. If you go that route, look for online coupon codes - they are usually easy to find. Looking at their site, it looks like they are bit more expensive now, but they have a 60% off "Black Friday" promo. I think it took about ten days for mine to arrive. You can customize all kinds of things there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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