Awesome Gifts 4 Little $

[Lanne]

We were just talking about how you go about christmas shopping.. and talk of what to buy came up... what do you get... without spending a fortune?

I thought we could do a list of suggestions!...

Having finished all mine last night.. I will share what I bought and the costs.
My goal is find something special but not expensive.. just something that says we care.. and I only buy for people I actually care about.. NO gifts leave this house because we 'should'...

Feel free to join in! Maybe we can all inspire each other and save money!

[Julie-Ann]

What a great idea Lanne:thumbs up:. I haven't seen any bargains yet but will keep a look out.
Diva and Equip always have a couple of stands of their jewellery on sale. I have found some great pieces for $5 at times. They might be perfect for some little girls.

[Lanne]

ugh. I had nearly finished a huge list .. including all the pricing and links. and it died... LOL.

so here is the fast version... LOL


Small kids..

Ikea have these fantastic felt food range for kids.. it is $14.99 and faaaaabulous... good for both boys and girls.. I have stocked up on these.. They are really clever..and pull apart etc and come with their own basket etc in most cases. See DUKTIG series
http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/90185749

4+

I love making stationery packs as everyone can always use them. A few friends use these packs in the car/handbag so the kids have something to do when out and about..

www.smiggle.com.au

They have some really fun stuff.. I made some packs last night that have two excercise books (what they call notebooks with soft covers) with cute bird designs.. and a matching rainbow pen .. About $10 total
They also have some cool wall calendars for $4.95 and rainbow jotters for $6.95.. good together to give to a friend :)

Kikki K have DIY kits for calendars for $30 and I picked up a few bits and pieces from their picnic range and made a really cute pack for my sister in law (early 20s) for about $20.. pen, notebook, bull dog clips and sticky notes etc.

Kikki K also have a birthday/address book in their Var range for about $34.95.. and i added in some matching bulldog clips and a pen for my mother in law's birthday.. (2 weeks before christmas)

I grabbed an ice tea jug in T2 (http://t2tea.com/tea-ware/t2-xmas-range/t2-chill-turkish-apple/).. along with some teas (one small pack and one larger one).. the recipe brochure off the counter (love their branding) and an assorted tea pack (love their new xmas packaging) and the tea 2 scoop for measuring... the lot came to about $80.. good present for the in laws. T41 (http://t2tea.com/tea-ware/tea-pots/t41/sweet-dreams-ice-blue/) might suit friends? They are $30..

I hit JB HI FI and got my mum a bluetooth kit for her car.. She doesnt know what to buy and wont get it incorporated into the stereo like we have. I have no budget when it comes to my mother.. but she rarely likes things that arent practical.. so i am going with practical.. and it was pretty good buying at $97.

Borders have a huge range of homewares now? I got a pantone mug $24.95.. if you know anyone designer-y.. and some cool pens and some masking tapes (special ones).. no wait.. all those things are just for me LOL

Have you met miss jones? Well.. she could be perfect for friends and family christmas gifts.. deeeevine.. homewares .. what about this feather tray? (http://haveyoumetmissjones.com.au/_product_36781/Large_Feather_Tray), this lil guy (http://haveyoumetmissjones.com.au/_product_60507/Owl_Mini_Vase) was a big hit for a birthday gift for a friend this year and he followed me home too ;) I also have this dish i (http://haveyoumetmissjones.com.au/_product_60507/Robin_Dish)n the reception room and everyone comments on it... would be a great teen gift..

If buying for a family as a whole.. why not grab a recipe book - say one on cupcakes and make a gift pack that includes a cool muffin tray (silcon rose shape?) a spatula, measuring cups etc for young bakers and a nice teatowel or oven mit.. $50 - $60 covers the whole family.

I also stock up on shortbreads, and interesting packets of food (got some awesome looking turkish delights in coles! and a lil shortbread tree.. ).. i collect them over the coming weeks and if we have any surprise guests or have someone drop in we have them on hand..

I got to a fair bit of trouble with the wrapping of gifts and find .. for most people.. it really is the thought that counts!

Looking forward to hearing everyone elses suggestions.

[dmplus3]

Lanne - one word for you - AMAZING! I am just going to print out your post and take it with me to Chermie! Thank you for all your tips. :love it:

[Lanne]

laughing.. i went to chermside to shop last night LOL I can guarantee it is all in stock!! haha

[Julie-Ann]

What a fantastic list. You never cease to totally amaze me Lanne:love it:.
I might suggest the T2 ideas for my MIL. She is very difficult to buy for. Usually it's a gift voucher from the ABC store.

[Lanne]

The T2 lady tells me you can mix many of their teas with lemonade..

I have bought a jug for tea from them before before a friend and she loved it.. I was tempted to get one for me for client viewings. I love how they put all the extras in ..like slices of fruit and flowers..very festive. You could give fruits and herbs like mint in a big basket with the teas and jug if you were seeing someone to give the gift.

Dmplus3.. i haven't really thought that we both live in the same city ... it still didn't really occur to me when you said chermside .. The internet makes the world a small place.. but i often just assume everyone lives somewhere else..

[dmplus3]

laughing.. i went to chermside to shop last night LOL I can guarantee it is all in stock!! haha

Dmplus3.. i haven't really thought that we both live in the same city ... it still didn't really occur to me when you said chermside .. The internet makes the world a small place.. but i often just assume everyone lives somewhere else..

When I read everywhere that you had been, I figured you'd been to Chermside. All of those great shops in one place! I think I knew that you lived in Brisbane, but got the feeling it wasn't on my side of town. A small world indeed - imagine how many times we've probably walked past each other!

[Lanne]

Well maybe we have!!

I travel far and wide for a good shop LOL

Chermside is on the 'wrong side'.. we are in Tingalpa and Carindale is about 7 mins from my garage to parked there..

but Chermside (30mins?) has an apple store, kikki k and t2.. it wins!

[dmplus3]

I'm a northsider, so Chermie is my local. Very lucky to have it so close by!!! :love it: