A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Hobbies, Crafts and Creativity Quick, Under $5, Gift Exchange Ideas

Our church has a gift exchange every year. This year the requirements are homemade, and under 5 dollars. What would you do?

Muffler/Scarf - Crochet
Fingerless Gloves - Knit
Button Bookmarks - Glue
Tin Christmas Ornaments - Tin Craft

Please add your ideas to the list.

I have given bottles of preserves for this kind of exchange...and it was loved by the recipient.

I hope to be able to do that when the fruit trees get more mature. Or the blueberrys decide to grow. I'm still having problems with those.

What about Herb-infused olive oil for salad dressing, over pasta, or for dipping bread. All you need is a pretty bottle, olive oil, and some type of herb or even lemon and a pretty bow.

a full bodied olive oil can be very expensive but I love the idea.

1) I have a recipe for a "Holiday tea" that can be put into any sized jar that you happen to have. That makes a nice gift.

2) I have a recipe for some homemade cocoa as well

3) I have a foot soak recipe that is very nice--ask Cindy, she loves it. I put it in a clear say baggie & then a pretty christmas bag--but it too could go in a canning (or any other) jar with a tight fitting lid.

4) I have a craft idea---it is a "friend" ornamanet.
you take a clear ball ornament (I got mine at Hobby Lobby, but I have seen them at teh Dollar stores) YOu drop in a small feather & attache a saying to it about friends--
________________________________________________________

If you like any of these ideas let me know & I can PM you the recipes.

I have read that you could make jam with frozen fruit---Sunny, have you heard of this????

I've made jelly with frozen fruit Carol.

See, TK, I thought that was right--if you wanted that would be an easy way to go..
one can even reuse old jelly jars one time---(the seal inside the jar lid will work one more time)

I would love the foot soak and cocoa recipes. They both sound like really good ideas.

You reminded me that I have a bath salts recipe as well. That's a good gift and it is already made up.

TK here ya go:

Relaxing Foot Soak
1-1/4 C. Epsom Salts
1-1/4 C. Kosher Salt
1/4 C. Baking Soda
1/4 C. Cornstarch
(up to) 1/2 tsp. Lemon Essential Oil
(up to) 1/4 tsp. Spearmint Oil.

Put all of the above in a jar and shake to combine.
I put use about 1-1/2 cups per gift.
Pour the mixture into a bag, and ues within a few weeks. Mixture will last longer if kept in a jar with a tight lid. I have used other oils with the lemon--it is what-ever you would like the soak to smell like to the user.

I attach the following lable or card:

Relaxing Foot Soak
Add 1/4 Cup Mix to a basin of warm water. Mix well.
Place feet into water, sit back & relax.

Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar

1-1/2 Cups Skim Milk Powder
1-1/2 Cups White Sugar
3/4 Cups Unsweetened Cocoa
3/4 Cups non Dairy creamer

Place all ingredients in a large mixing Bowl and stir well. For a finer mix, combone in a blender or food processor and mix well. Store in an air-tight container.

On accompaning card or lable:
Place 2 or 3 TB in a mug and add boiling water. Mix well.

I print the directions on an address lable and press onto jar. A card can be afixed to teh lid as well.

Someone gave me homemade bath salts one time and I loved it. I've never done it but would think it could be done for $5.00. I already have essential oil and can't remember how much it cost though.


3 cups Epsom Salt
2 cups sea salt
1 cup baking soda
1/2 ounce of fragrance or essential oil

What about that cake in a cup? I can't remember who was talking about these last year but I think it was on here.

it was me---I have that recipe as well--but while I still make it, sometimes it does not cook up as well--(I have no idea why)
and about the oil--it is an expense up-front, but as you use so little each bottle goes a long way..

and Sheri: I may have sent you some foot soak. I sent a lot out one year

Juniegirls foot soak is great Smells wonderful.

I love getting all of these ideas. Your foot soak looks a lot like my bath salts.

I am addicted to it. I keep the ingredients on hand to make it, and never run out. I literally soak my feet every night...even if it's just for 10-15 minutes.

Since you knit and crochet, I would add cabled headbands for cold weather, or a nice neck warmer. There are many patterns online - especially if you are a member of Ravelry.

what about those hand towels you made me?

YES!! Sheri is right!! I have some too & they are great !! I think that should be your gift to Church. Pretty AND useful !!!!

OK everyone--give me some ideas. We ladies at ceramics exchange gifts each year--but not too pricy of ones---well, I have given foot soak, cocoa mix, Holiday tea & note books for recording what one has made & what colors one used & so now I am about out of ideas.
I am 60 & I am the youngest one of the bunch. Any help would be appreciated very much. The party will be the 18th.

Candles, pretty Christmassy ones

I know I am old but what I LOVE is note cards. Once in a while I send my grand children a note because they never get mail anymore, they text, and I think everyone should get mail once in a while. They like it.

Candles & note cards--what lovely ideas--thanks ladies !!!!

How about Christmas Cookies?

I was just thinking about snickerdoodles Bill

Hey Plants and Pots long time no see. Your right there are a bunch of crochet items I could do.

I had forgotten about the Kitch Towels. Those are a good idea too.

Project Notebooks another good idea if the person is craft-y.

Cookies are pretty much what gets passed around at christmas time. They are nice but everyone at church is a better baker than I am so I wanted to go for something a little different.

I have a good under $5 present to make...remind me to post if after these meds wear off in a few hours.

Junie, Merme liked note cards too.

Miss Merme an praying she is in a good spot.
And how about a calendar????? One fine lady sends me one yearly.
Or A $5.00 gift certificate>>>>>>>>

Hmmmmmmmm dont get me started. We all do baked stuff an exchange with others.Walmnut rolls
cookies
candy

I bought popcorn balls for 50 cents... Loved them as a kid......Now they are half the size.

Merry christmas ladys

dodge

Calendar - that's a great idea!!

I still have the Calendar Bill and Cindy did. That is a show stopper. I don't think anyone could outdo that one.

I think small gift certificates are great for the kids, but I'm not to sure about adults. And then there was that problem of the gift cards being used up when you bought them. It was some kind of fraud that let the criminals spend the money on the cards without actually having the physical card. I don't remember the details but it stopped me from buying gift cards.

I love note cards.

Christmas pins for coats are cute also..$5 at Walmart.

I hadn't thought of that. I like pins.