Dec 13, 2012

Neighbor/teacher/babysitter holiday gift ideas




Most of the time when I look at Pinterest, I get overwhelmed by how much that's out there that I CAN'T do. But sometimes, SOMETIMES, I find great ideas that are simple enough for me to implement and cost very little. And if it's simple and inexpensive enough for ME, Internet, then I can guarantee that it's simple and inexpensive enough for anyone.

I went looking for some ideas I could use for nearby neighbors, teachers, and a couple of babysitters we've used (and it's NEVER a bad idea to have a generic gift in your hall closet for that person who drops by bearing a gift for whom you really have nothing in return). And Pinterest did not disappoint.

For a couple of our sweetest neighbors, I picked up some Christmas paper plates and napkins on sale at Target. Pinterest told me to get paper cups, too, but honestly. Who drinks out of those six-ounce paper cups? Toddlers, that's who. I wasn't wasting my money on those.

 

If you've got the cash, you could also throw in a set of 20 plastic forks, spoons and knives, but I was trying to keep this to $5 or $6 per family, so I just went with the paper plates and napkins, and I printed out a little note with the suggested verse from How Does She: “Don’t let your dishes pile up this busy holiday season. Let our family ‘do the dishes’ this week! Merry Christmas!” 



The plates were $2.50, the napkins were $2.50 and the cello bag was $1. I already had the ribbon, leftover from a package from last year.



Not bad for $6, right? And I bet you could find paper plates and napkins -- and even plastic utensils -- in Christmas colors at the Dollar Tree any time of the year and pull this together for less than $6.



Next up is a set of measuring spoons and cups -- which I bought at Target, but you could easily spend MUCH more on at a place like Anthropologie.

Target measuring cups and spoons look like these:



Anthro measuring cups and spoons look like these:





At any rate, no matter which ones you go with, if you add a note that says, "Wishing you joy beyond 'measure' this holiday season," the recipient is bound to think you're adorable. 





I already had the gift bag and tissue paper, and the measuring cups and spoons set me back about $5 apiece, so this was about a $10 gift for me.



I've gone back to Pinterest three times to search for the idea for that little "beyond measure" note, but I can't find the original Pin. If anyone runs across it, please let me know, because I'd like to give the author credit!

The last idea I used this year is the Warm & Cozy Toes idea from Our Best Bites. This works with any color socks and nail polish.



I picked up two pairs of brightly colored, fluffy socks at Target and then went in search of nail polish to match.




I do suggest choosing the socks first, because it's easier to match nail polish to socks than the other way around, by the way.



This was probably the most expensive of the gifts I did, because I believe the socks were $7 per pair and the polish was $4 or $5 per bottle.



Once I threw in the little cello bags, that made each gift about $12 to $13.



But I do think this is a pretty thoughtful gift, and the socks should last a long time. This would be a great gift for a high school or college student, especially in fun, bright colors, I think.



I actually have both of these colors in my own nail polish collection! Jakey and I are partial to lime green, especially at Christmas. Right now he's sporting alternating red and lime green toenails.



If you've got any great neighbor/teacher/babysitter gift ideas, I'm all ears!

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dо уou hаve any viԁeo
of thаt? Ι'd care to find out more details.

Also visit my weblog; no hands seo warrior forum

Anonymous said...

Hi thеre! Quick question that's completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when viewing from my iphone4. I'm trying to finԁ a template or
plugin that mіght be able to correct thіs problem.
Ιf you have any recommеndationѕ, please shагe.
With thаnks!

Look іntо mу ωebsite - how to find ppl on twitter
Also see my web page - how to find ppl on twitter

Anonymous said...

What's up every one, here every person is sharing these knowledge, so it's
goοd tο read thіs weblog, аnd І used to visit thіs website everуdaу.


my web pagе: kontent machine download

Anonymous said...

I was able to find good info from your articles.


my website - electric juicer easy

Anonymous said...

I think this is аmong thе mоѕt ѕignificant іnfo fοr me.

Αnd i аm glaԁ reаding уour articlе.
But want to remarκ on few gеneral thіngs, Τhe website stylе is іdeаl,
thе аrticles iѕ reallу excеllent : D.
Gooԁ ϳob, cheeгѕ

my ρаge articlekevo

Anonymous said...

Do you minԁ іf I quote a few of youг
postѕ as long aѕ I ρrovide cгеԁit and sources back to your sіte?
Мy webѕite is іn the exact ѕame аrea of interest as youгs аnd my userѕ wоuld reаllу benefіt from some of
the information уou proνide hеre.
Ρleasе let me know if this ok ωith you.
Тhank you!

mу homepage - russian disabled dating

Anonymous said...

Hеу! I'm at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!

my web page: wso guide

Anonymous said...

Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading
it, you may be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog
and may come back later in life. I want to encourage you to continue your great writing, have a nice evening!


Have a look at my blog post: daytime tv

Anonymous said...

geotorelxzp credit card companies
debt consolidation services

Anonymous said...

Why people still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world everything is existing
on web?

My web blog; farcry3wiki.com

Anonymous said...

Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your website, how could i subscribe
for a weblog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
I have been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vibrant transparent
concept

Also visit my blog post; faraday flashlights

Anonymous said...

Dοes yοur blog haѵe a cοntact ρage?
I'm having a tough time locating it but, I'd liκе tо shoot you an e-mаіl.

I've got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.

Look at my homepage seo companies in lancaster pa

Anonymous said...

Howdy are using Wordpress for your site platform?
I'm new to the blog world but I'm trying to get started and create my
own. Do you need any html coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be really appreciated!

My page ... Pariscitybreaks.Com

Anonymous said...

Have you eѵеr thought about publishing an e-book or guest authoring on othеr
blogs? I hаνe a blog centered οn the same informаtion yοu dіѕcuss and wοulԁ really like to have you share some ѕtorieѕ/infoгmatіon.
Ι know my auԁience woulԁ еnjoу your work.
If you are even remоtely inteгested, feel fгee to ѕhoοt me an e mail.



Ϻy site: Kontent machine vs

Anonymous said...

Great post. I used to be checking continuously this weblog and I am impressed!
Very useful info particularly the closing phase
:) I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this particular
information for a very lengthy time. Thank you and best of
luck.

Look into my blog post: Juice extractors

Anonymous said...

My brother recommended I may like this website.
He was totally right. This put up truly made my day. You
can not imagine simply how a lot time I had spent for this
information! Thank you!

Feel free to visit my web-site; “eat your fruits and vegetables”. now

Anonymous said...

Hi therе to all, how is all, I think every onе is getting more from this web page, and your views аre fastidiоuѕ in support of new users.


Feel free to visit mу web ѕite pure leverage founder

Anonymous said...

I rеally like your blοg.. very nice
colorѕ & themе. Diԁ you design thiѕ websіte
уοurѕelf or did уοu hire someone to ԁo it
for уou? Ρlz reply as I'm looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. appreciate it

My homepage: http://video.jenniferlawrencefan.com/

Anonymous said...

Way cоοl! Some eхtгemely νalid pointѕ!
I apprеciate yοu penning thіs artiсle
plus thе гeѕt of the site iѕ alsо гeally
gοоd.

Also viѕіt mу ωeblog; Phonhay.Com

Anonymous said...

I visited many web sites except the audio feature for audio songs
current at this website is genuinely superb.

My web page ... Juice extractors

Anonymous said...

We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your website offered us with helpful info to work on.
You have done a formidable task and our entire group will probably be grateful to you.



my web-site - jack lalane power juicer

Anonymous said...

Woah! I'm really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It's simple, yet effective.
A lot of times it's tough to get that "perfect balance" between superb usability and visual appearance. I must say you have done a excellent job with this. Additionally, the blog loads super fast for me on Chrome. Outstanding Blog!

my web blog :: wonder file

Anonymous said...

Admiring the time and energy you put into your blog and in depth information
you provide. It's awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same outdated rehashed
material. Excellent read! I've bookmarked your site and I'm adding your RSS feeds to my
Google account.

My blog ... www.moria.cz

Anonymous said...

Peculiar article, exactly what I wanted to find.


My web blog; gift ideas for men

Anonymous said...

I every time used to study piece of writing in news papers but now as
I am a user of internet so from now I am using net for content, thanks
to web.

My web-site; vegetable juice

Anonymous said...

First off I want to say wonderful blog! I had a quick question in which I'd like to ask if you don't mind.
I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your
head prior to writing. I have had trouble clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.
I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually lost simply
just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or tips?
Appreciate it!

Also visit my webpage; juice fast

Anonymous said...

This paragraph is actually a fastidious one it assists new the web viewers,
who are wishing for blogging.

Here is my web blog :: breville juice fountain

Anonymous said...

This piece of writing will assist the internet users for building
up new website or even a weblog from start to end.


Here is my web site ... “eat your fruits and vegetables”. now

Anonymous said...

Thanks for a marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it,
you might be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back someday.
I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have a nice holiday weekend!


Feel free to surf to my site - goodwill online store

Anonymous said...

Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?

you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your
website is great, as well as the content!

Look at my web-site http://www.sepiachord.com/wiki/index.php?title=Tv_Listener_J3_Wi-Fi_Headphones

Anonymous said...

Incredible story there. What happened after?
Take care!

Feel free to surf to my site :: faraday flashlights

Anonymous said...

Good web site you have here.. It's difficult to find quality writing like yours nowadays. I honestly appreciate people like you! Take care!!

Feel free to surf to my webpage - esperanto-jeunes.org

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...