Yes, it is true, I did just finish most of my Christmas shopping. Yes I was at the store so long after it closed that they started turning the lights off. But I was trying to figure out what to get my friends and family for Christmas.
My list contains no less than 62 happy faces. I have no more than $150 for ALL of their Christmas gifts. That gives me about $2.41 per person. So I have to get creative to say the least! Last year I was faced with a similar dilemma (with slightly more cash.) So this year I at least had a game plan. So here are my ideas for a Christmas that will leave your family happy and you feeling like jolly old Saint Nick himself.
The first thing I did was to give the one thing I do have, TIME. I made a family tradition that I am sure will continue even if I someday become a millionaire. Each year Chase and I host a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. We throw the party and we invite all of our closest family members. (35 people.) We break the group up into six "teams" and each teams starts with the same Gingerbread House Kit. The kit normally runs me about $9 and it covers 5-6 people. This is about 1.54 per person.
Then I pic up some snacks and have the guest bring in their favorite dish. We usually end up with soda, chips/dip and some seriously delicious baked goods.
The other thing I do is give each "team" a gift basket made by me. Some of the people who go to the party will also read this so I will just mention what was in last years basket. Two creme pie trees, two small pine scented candles, about seven Hershey kisses, a bag of mini marshmallows, a box of hot chocolate, several candy canes and some small chocolate bars. Things like the chocolate and the creme cake trees come in boxes with several per box so I can usually buy one or two boxes total. Each of the baskets cost me $1 and the contents cost about $4 each. That puts me at $.85 per person making a total of $2.39 for everyone to get some yummy treats and one totally fun party :)
I also like to give each of my daycare families a gift basket as well. That makes only $1.25 to $1.67 per person (some families have two kids.)
Now Tyson's teacher is a different story! I really wanted to do something special for the teachers but I know they have already gotten gift baskets ( I saw someone hand them one this morning when I dropped Tyson off.) I read online that teachers are sick of "#1 teacher" mugs and magnets. I think the coffee gift card is over played and I was running out of ideas. So I decided to get a little creative and I came up with this. . . .I made a little hand made note that says, "Having a caring teacher for our son means so much to us. This is to pamper the hands that helped mold my son this school year." I gave them each a gift certificate for the local nail shop for a manicure. I know it is a cheesy card, but I am pretty sure they are going to like it.
In total that puts me at $144 for all of my family, friends and of course Tyson's teachers. I am sure that everyone is going to love their gifts and most importantly, we will make some wonderful new memories of time spent with family and friends. Not to mention the fun we will have with some friendly competition!
Wanna know what I bought with my remaining $6? One absolutely delicious Hershey chocolate bar :) ($.89) Yay!
You are so thoughtful and this will give others great ideas. Keep them coming.
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