~ Play tickets - DH got these for our oldest son. He gets to see 3 plays this season with either dh, me, or a grandparent.

~ Kids magazines - DS1 still looks at his old issues of Spider, etc... the grandparents got him the subscription for his birthday one year.

~ Zoo membership - I know it's been mentioned but my parents got this for us one year, which was nice b/c it costs $65 now.

***Just a note *** Please keep in mind that not everyone likes the gift baskets and goodies! I know I sound inhuman & just horrible for saying this, but I don't want or need any encouragement to eat goodie foods, and as I'm trying to declutter I don't want a bowl, basket, towel, mug or any of those little sized jars, containers of things. The gifts are thoughtful, beautiful and personal, but I would not find it useful and my thighs would not be thankful. Ok, I'm ready to be hated and attacked... but IMHO. sorry. <<<slinking out in shame>>>

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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

a few goofy ideas I've done for gift baskets before is:

lunch basket(for people who work)almost every type of food comes prepackaged anymore so you can go nuts with this idea

for Grandparents a mail basketack stamps,envelopes box mixed cards a custom made address stamp and back up ink pad.

coctail basket:swizzle sticks ,umbrellas,napkins,jar cherries/olives etc

guys like fishing baskets and hooks sinkers and baist and stuff is fairly inexpensive

ice cream basket:theres 100 diff toppings and suck...include a box of cones...who doesn't love ice cream??????

y

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Not sure if this is listed here, but my 9 YO came up with a brilliant idea for a friend's bday last week: Tickets to see the local minor league baseball team! They were a HUGE hit! Best of all, by buying a pack of ten, we saved $1 per tix (pack of 10 was $50, will cover all our spring bdays). Also, we puchased vouchers so that the recipeint could select the exact date of use, (not tixs for a certain game date...) Fun, fun!

One year for my grandparents (who don't need a thing!), I did a "treat of the month" club. I made the first one and gave it to them that day, and then once a month after that I'd stop by for a visit with a treat of some sort (cookies, quick breads, etc.) They loved it, not only the treats, but the guaranteed visits also.

Pam

bumping up

For my Dad, I buy Reader's Digest every year - he loves it.

For my mil, I get her a gift certificate at the place that does her hair. Even if your loved ones don't go the the major chain stores, you can often get a gift card for them from a local place if you just call and ask.

My boys (ages 12, 9 and 9) love gift cards from Target, Toys R Us, and Game Stop.

My parents are on a fixed income and have everything they need (although I always check if a new need has emerged or something needs to be replaced).

Practical and useful:
- grocery gift cards **
- stamps
- gift cards or certificates for scrapbookers and/or knitters
- gift certificates for DH to help them around the house
- teas and other treats they like

**After reading Nickeled & Dimed by Barbra Ehrenreich I have stopped giving nicknacks to people. Even a $10 grocery gift card can help someone make ends meet.

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The higher the hair, the closer to heaven.

This is a thread from 2006 but it has some GREAT ideas!

These are some great ideas! Thanks for bumping up

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