jonnam
Junior Member
Posts: 83 
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Post by jonnam on Oct 29, 2014 17:15:07 GMT
I just got invited to a Christmas cookie party. I am also to bring a $30 gift. These are all 40-something ladies. My only idea is a wine basket. Any other ideas? TIA
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,718
Location: Ohio
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Post by StephDRebel on Oct 29, 2014 17:21:55 GMT
Definitely avoid bath products & candles, so overdone! A cheese board and cheese knife? A great pair of gloves? Tickets to a holiday event? Light display? train ride? Gift Certificate to a favorite restaurant or dessert spot? Date night basket? box of cookies from www.cheryls.com ? Dinner basket (pasta, olive oil, fancy sauce, nice cheese?) Spices and rubs? |
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,718
Location: Ohio
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Post by StephDRebel on Oct 29, 2014 17:23:05 GMT
or it's a cookie party...how about a nice cookie jar? cookie sheet, spatula, apron and kitchen towels?
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River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,627
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
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Post by River on Oct 29, 2014 17:24:24 GMT
Movie theater giftcard
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Post by songbird on Oct 29, 2014 17:29:51 GMT
Depending on what your group of friends enjoy, I would do one with a couple of my favorite books either classics or more recent, some nice teas and/or cocoas, a mug, maybe a nice bookmark...unless they solely use e-readers.
You could do just a tea one, too, with more gourmet teas and a couple of nice mugs.
I think the wine and above ideas are great, too!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:29:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2014 17:31:55 GMT
Something green like cash. Yes cash. It fits everybody.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Oct 29, 2014 17:32:12 GMT
pedicure gift certificate.
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Post by ~summer~ on Oct 29, 2014 17:32:17 GMT
I like stephs ideas. What about tickets to local movie theater?
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Post by 1lear on Oct 29, 2014 17:48:27 GMT
As a variation to a wine basket, you can also do a mixed drink basket. For Christmas, I'm putting together a basket with 2 copper mugs, a bottle of vodka, a bottle of ginger beer, a lime, and a recipe card to make a moscow mule.
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Post by tuva42 on Oct 29, 2014 17:55:39 GMT
I'd skip the wine/alcohol unless you are sure everyone drinks. While I'd love to get it, I have lots of friends who don't.
I like the idea of nice gloves, a scarf, a really fuzzy throw.
We do a dirty Santa exchange every year at work and one of the most popular gifts anyone ever brought was a cute coffee mug filled with Lottery scratch off tickets. None of us were regular lottery players, so we all thought it was fun.
Movie theater GC's would be fun, maybe wrapped with a box of candy.
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Post by samcro on Oct 29, 2014 21:25:03 GMT
I am a former Scentsy Consultant, so I am in no way posting this to help my biz or anything.
I seriously sold lots and lots of Scentsy Plug-In warmers with a Scentsy bar, for reasons just like this. People would stop by my house to get a gift. I would always wrap them in a cute gift bag for them.
Very often the recipient would become a customer, so I know they were liked.
Then they changed the rules, and I resigned.
Anyway, I would recommend the scents that always went over well for this situation-Sugar Cookie, Sunkissed Citrus, Baked Apple Pie. Seasonally the picks would change.
They might have the holiday plug-ins out by now.
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zztop11
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,573
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Post by zztop11 on Oct 29, 2014 21:34:24 GMT
A gift certificate to a local restaurant.
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Post by momstime on Oct 29, 2014 21:34:37 GMT
Teacher here....never do's include soap, body scents of any kind, candles, scarves, gloves or anything of a decorative nature.
I vote movie tickets or lottery scratch offs or gift cards to dinner out or Omaha Steaks delivery
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Post by luanne on Oct 29, 2014 21:36:07 GMT
Vera Bradley something.
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Post by coaliesquirrel on Oct 29, 2014 21:50:17 GMT
Since it's a cookie party, why not a bundle of kitchen goodies? Could include:
- cookies for Santa plate or other Christmas-themed platter
- Christmas-themed spatula
- cookie cutters
- cookie/baking decor
- Christmas pot holder and a cookie sheet
- Christmas apron or kitchen towels
You get the idea!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:29:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2014 22:31:34 GMT
Teacher here....never do's include soap, body scents of any kind, candles, scarves, gloves or anything of a decorative nature. I vote movie tickets or lottery scratch offs or gift cards to dinner out or Omaha Steaks delivery Omaha steak is very very expensive shipping |
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Post by KikiPea on Oct 29, 2014 22:36:11 GMT
I like Steph ahd Freebird's suggestions. All I can add is to NOT get: Movie tickets Bath/body products Candles CASH Starbuck's GC's A lot of these are given for every kind of gift giving occasion and it's BORING and uncreative. If you really know these ladies, the more creative, the better.  |
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Post by Suziee2 on Oct 29, 2014 23:08:53 GMT
Mixing bowl, cute spatula and nice baking chocolate or vanilla.
Silicone baking mat (love my silpats), nice half sheet pan, oven mitt.
Baking dish (LeCreuset @ TJMaxx/Homegoods), nice olive oil(s) or balsamic vinegar(s).
Nice salad/serving bowl with fancy salad servers.
Sanding sugars, pearls, vanillas, gourmet baking chocolates, and a fun cookie cutter. Maybe a rolling pin.
Love the idea of a cookie jar too.
I'd go with some sort of cooking/baking items to go with the theme.
Have fun and post the recipe for the cookies you make!
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Oct 29, 2014 23:22:48 GMT
or it's a cookie party...how about a nice cookie jar? cookie sheet, spatula, apron and kitchen towels? I like these ideas and want to add a cookie cookbook. |
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Oct 29, 2014 23:24:33 GMT
Agree with no wine unless you know everyone drinks it. (In addition to "not everyone drinks," it can be an allergen.) Along those lines, I'd say no pedicure/manicure/massage certificates either unless you know everyone's into them. (I would be super sad to get such a thing-- I'd never use it.) I like the idea of some fun baking related or kitchen related items. (How about you get people hooked on Fiestaware? LOL.) Great baking sheets are good; I've always wanted a set of ramekins; and I could use, but have never bothered to buy, a spare kitchen timer. I really love these Prep Bowls ($22) from Pampered Chef. And the Mix N Chop ($11.50). There are several great bags from Thirty-one around that price point. |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Oct 30, 2014 0:46:41 GMT
GC to a spa for a mani/pedi
Or to William Sanoma or Sur la Table, Crate and Barrel
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Post by melanell on Oct 30, 2014 0:55:17 GMT
Teacher here....never do's include soap, body scents of any kind, candles, scarves, gloves or anything of a decorative nature. I vote movie tickets or lottery scratch offs or gift cards to dinner out or Omaha Steaks delivery Omaha steak is very very expensive shipping And doesn't work for vegetarians. That's the tricky part about grab bag gifts....you won't find one item that please everyone. They work best when everyone is willing to be very good-natured about them. If everyone can just enjoy the anticipation and laugh off any match-ups that don't quite work out, then they can be so much fun. I can always use another pair of gloves & a scarf. But when DH's co-worker sent us steaks one year we thanked him very much and gave them to my FIL. (Who was thrilled, by the way. ) |
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Post by melanell on Oct 30, 2014 1:00:15 GMT
I would go with small items or items that can be used up. That's coming from someone who is always trying to reduce the amount of stuff in our home. But I know others love pretty things to put in their homes. I'd love a really nice fruit basket with some less typical or more special fruits. We'd love the movie theater gift card or restaurant gift cards. I like sample type baskets....ones that let you try a little bit of a bunch of things...whether they are soaps, craft items, foods, etc. It's a fun way to try new things. Bulbs or seeds or other gardening things might be nice depending on the group and the climate. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Oct 30, 2014 1:12:56 GMT
I am going to be the lone voice of dissent on the gift card...
My book club does a dirty santa thing every year, and there are a lot of gifts that get stolen over and over. The gift cards are never one of them unless they are included as part of a theme gift and that theme is a popular one.
Every year, there is one gift that seems to be highly coveted, but it varies from year to year. Popular over the years are unique pieces of jewlery (antique, art fair, etc.,) linens (kitchen,) food related (ice cream toppings, cute dishes and a gift card to an ice cream place)- it seems like the unique and interesting are the things that are most appreciated.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:29:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2014 1:23:07 GMT
Money. So pretty green. It fits everybody.
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Post by alissa103 on Oct 30, 2014 1:33:37 GMT
I really like the baking themed idea. A super nice cookie cutter, wooden spoon and spatula all tied together with a giant ribbon with a cookie christmas ornament hanging from it as an accent is my thought.
I will also say Christmas ornaments, really nice ones, are also always a hit with the group of women I've done the Dirty Santa thing with. I usually find them after Christmas on sale at Pottery Barn and save them for hostess gifts and this kind of thing. But you get what I'm saying and can probably hunt down some cool ones at Hobby Lobby at a sale. Giant glass ones that are kind of heavy seem to be the most popular.
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Post by darkangel090260 on Oct 30, 2014 1:47:00 GMT
Since it's a cookie party.
Sam club has half sheet pans for $10.00
Then a large thing of cookie cutters
Then two of the mat thing (would love to get my hands on a few)
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Post by Tamhugh on Oct 30, 2014 1:59:42 GMT
When my book club used to do a Christmas gift swap, the most popular gifts were pretty scarves, jewelry, and Barnes and Noble gift cards. I still have a gorgeous holiday scarf from our swap several years ago and I look forward to bringing it out and wearing it every holiday season.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Oct 30, 2014 2:17:24 GMT
I personally,prefer to give (or receive) gift cards.
But, if an actual gift has to be given, my ideas would be:
Chair in a bag, and cooler.(if under $30, throw in some soda).
Cotton candy machine.
Crock pot.
Electric blanket.
Tiered serving stand(found at Ross, Marshalls, etc...)
Decorative lantern(s)
Box of Godiva or See's chocolates
Hickory Farms gift box
Fondue set
Daqueri/margarita basket (drink mix, glasses, chips, salsa)
Picnic basket, filled with paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils
Decorative sign about family, house rules,(found at Hobby lobby, Kohls, etc...)
On the do NOT give list:
Generic food baskets(off brand or generic brand....cookies, candy, nuts,cocoa,pizza sauce etc)
Anything scented (lotion, body wash, etc...)
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Post by lucyg on Oct 30, 2014 2:19:39 GMT
I'm into makeup this year. The Urban Decay Naked Basics palettes (eye shadow) are $29 each at Ulta and Sephora. I think that would be a fun gift for most women, or a gift card for Ulta or Sephora.
another thought ... $30 is a good amount for a movie night basket. You could get a popcorn bowl and fill it with micro popcorn, candy bars, soda, and a newly-released or classic DVD.
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