I have to buy a gift for a gift exchange at work. It’s not enforce-- I signed up for it. Give me some suggestion of things to buy, besides gift cards.
Here’s the very diverse group I have to consider:
(Price range is $10-20)
Recipients are all women.
Recipients are aged 23-73.
Some are parents, some not.
Some are married, some not.
All work as teachers or classroom aides of children aged 1-5. Some do additional childcare outside the school where we all work.
It is a Jewish preschool, but fewer than half the teachers and aids are actually Jewish.
I have thought about a copy of the book that the movie Queen of Katwe is based on, along with a box of candy.
I’m pretty dry on ideas, though.
I usually have plenty of ideas, but this one has me stymied.
A favorite gift of mine to give is a combination of a book of ghost stories and assorted candies and snacks. My husband and I once brainstormed a whole list of names for this combo pack, including Beasties & Feasties and Beezlebub & Grub.
Also at the moment I’m feeling itchy, so another idea is some sort of hypoallergenic lotion/bath oil thing (hypoallergenic in case anybody has a sensitivity)–Aveeno, Eucerin, one of those. Burt’s Bees also has some good stuff, including a hand salve for people who can’t tolerate petro products.
But really, the idea you had is probably the best one.
Bop on over to the SDMB Secret Santa thread in MPSIMS for some ideas. Last year, I made my Secret Santee a bookmark, out of two different types of fancy paper, and her username done in calligraphy with gold ink. Laminated it at Kinkos, put a ribbon through the top, and hey presto, hand-made present. Another friend did inspiring quotes on her bookmarks. Not too expensive, fun to make, and mega-points for something unique.
It’s going to be one of those “drawing gifts out of a box” thing, so I won’t know the name of the person I’m giving my gift too. I can think of only one person who wouldn’t like the book, and it’s because she probably wouldn’t like any book, because I seriously doubt she’s read anything but a magazine since high school, but I think pretty much everyone else would like it, maybe some more than others. And I’ll throw the candy in to bring the price up a little, and to make sure that the people who are less crazy about reading like it.
The other idea I had was the pedagogic classic How Children Fail by John Holt, but there’s a good chance the older people have read it already.
What about some homemade cookies or candy on a nice reusable serving plate or tray? I know you wanted to stay away from the gift cards but you could also attach a gift card for a small amount to it. I know where I live we have convenience stores that serve great coffee and you can fill your car with gas, or get a sandwich. A small denomination would buy a couple cups of coffee or a free lunch.
If they enjoy wine, a bottle of wine? If they like coffee or tea, an assortment of flavored beverages? Although you did say you don’t know who the recipient may be so, that probably wouldn’t work. Let us know what you decide on, sometimes these simple things take a lot of thought.
My default gift for a woman is a Scarf. Something in an earth-tone with a sober decorative motif. No woman has enough of them, and can always make one work. At Christmas time, one for the winter season. People are always losing them.
Scented Candles used to be my go-to for that kind of thing. They fall into the price range, people tend to like (or at least pretend to like them) or have something they can regift.
Chia Pet. Always gets a laugh. And it might show up every year from here on out, getting more laffs each successive Xmas. Truly, the gift that keeps on giving.
Ozark and Rtic drink tumblers are popular at my workplace. You could fill them with candy or lottery scratch off cards or add a mini poinsettia (3 for $10.00 at my local Kroger) if you need to round out the price.
What do people really think of scented candles? I don’t especially care for them, or bath item gifts, and I don’t wear scarves. I’m just not girly. I never would have thought of any of that girly stuff. But if enough people chime in that they like it, I might just get some.
Gloves
Kitchen knife
A flashlight
Jumper cables (over $20 though?)
A tool of some kind (a nice screwdriver)
Rubbermaid containers
A peppermill with pepper
Phone charger cables (Apple. Most people have something apple or know someone that does)
To be frank, anything w/ a strong smell is right out for me and as a woman in your demographic who’s participated in these swaps I always got them but they went to a charity drop-off before the end of the day. I’m also drowning in scarves.
I think the book is a great idea; I would add a warm pair of house slippers (this is the time of year Costco has a range of Deerfoam slippers in your price range) as you’re in the Midwest IIRC; upscale mixed nuts is a welcome gift for those ladies who have to hide a snack from their family to get any; and if you feel like taking a half hour to mix it up, Kroger brand melting chocolate makes great bark w/ pieces of pretzel and candy cane sprinkled throughout and is hella cheap to make.
