need gift ideas for extended family

[glm777]

For the past several years I've given all my extended family (ie: cousins, aunts, etc) the same gift. One year everyone got bathrobes, another year they all got fleece blankets, last year they all got tickets to a hockey game. My problem this year is that with 2 kids in college - I can't afford $50 each! I'd like to keep my budget at about $25. I'm running out of gift ideas. I thought about digital picture frames this year but I'm not sure I could get them for $25. Anyone have any suggestions for a nice gift? I will warn you - they are NOT the type to appreciate homemade cookies as a gift LOL! Edited September 8, 2010 by Rockfordmom
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[mgmckny]

For the past several years I've given all my extended family (ie: cousins, aunts, etc) the same gift. One year everyone got bathrobes, another year they all got fleece blankets, last year they all got tickets to a hockey game. My problem this year is that with 2 kids in college - I can't afford $50 each! I'd like to keep my budget at about $25. I'm running out of gift ideas. I thought about digital picture frames his year but I'm not sure I could get them for $25. Anyone have any suggestions for a nice gift? I will warn you - they are NOT the type to appreciate homemade cookies as a gift LOL!

See my family would totally go for cookies or a sour cream cake. Shame you've done blankets or I would suggest snuggies....LOL Digital Frames are a great idea, depends on features and size as to price, my brothers will probably get Walmart gift cards taped to a Hershey bar or something of that type. Gonna be a little tight this Christmas.

[stationchief]

Ya could easily find 3"-4" digital photo frames for about $25. A photo frame loaded with family pics is a great idea. Digital photo keychains would only run about $10 each.

 

And when all else fails, gift cards are always the right color and the perfect size.

[conj]

CPR class for everyone! :)

[alseedus]

Make a lump-sum donation, in your family's name, to a charity that would be meaningful to you as a group. Children's cancer... hungry children around the world... or whatever:) If anyone complained about that, they are selfish cold-hearted jerks. At a budget of $25 per person in your family, it could be a good sized donation that would definitely make an impact in the lives of less fortunate children. And some places will send you an official thank you type letter you can present/read to your family as you announce your "gift".

[Princess7915]

You can do some movie theater passes. You can get some VIP style tickets that are good for new movies that have just opened though they are a bit more that the regular priced passes. For $25 a person that should be about 4 per person depending on where you live.

[Elmck]

Target had nice digital frames last black Friday. The ones I bought are still working.

[conj]

or... buy GC to modest needs and each family member can select their own choices of who to support.

 

GC to Itunes, or a music store, and have a party?

 

Live somewhere cold? we did hats and gloves one year...

[misshayley]

I do the same thing for the people in my family (not including my siblings or parents) and this year I found a great deal on digital ornaments from graveyard mall. You might be able to find something there for them.

[tinkrbel]

I got digital ornaments and frames from walmart.com year before last and used them last year. They were tiny frames but you could take out of xmas themed frame and use plain black one and leave on desk/nightstand year round. Digital Frames were priced about $20-30 last BF I think. Walgreens clearance the older model digital keychains every so often so you can get them for $5 sometimes.

 

Maybe just keep an eye out for sales and just bulk buy whatever catches your fancy. While I like the same gift idea for the purposes of list keeping, it seems like it would be a downer at gift opening time. I don't think I'm creative enough to get something like this to work but following on movie thread maybe a home movie kit for each person/family. DVD/Bluray to their liking with some popcorn/candy. There was a thread about similar stuff for teachers a while back I think.

[dealluvr]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat13506&type=page&skuId=9940773&productId=1218198439086&defurl=false&h=387

 

best buy 7 inch digital pic frame reg. $49.99

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/GQ+-+7%22+LCD+Digital+Photo+Frame/9940773.p?id=1218198439086&skuId=9940773

Edited August 20, 2010 by dealluvr
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[speeddiva]

I love the idea of movie passes!

You could also do some personalized gifts from ArtsCow. This year all my friends are getting watches. They're $10-12 each and you can personalize the face.

[astareae123]

Around Black Friday, Bath and Body Works has rock bottom prices on bath gift sets. They're usually around $20, and everyone in my family loved them last year. You can choose sets for men and women. (My family doesn't appreciate cookies either)

[kardomr]

what about magazine subscriptions? many are less than $25/year.

 

i salute you. buying for everyone takes work. i'd organize a family grabbag where everyone pulls one name and buys for one person! said goodbye to the present for everyone a few years ago and it's so much easier but still merry.

[pogiporkchop]

I like the charity donation idea and agree with doing a family grab bag. Makes things so much easier.

[hack2222]

I'd say start looking at the daily deal sites. Normally around xmas they have stocking with random gifts. Most are under $25 and you get a good value for it. Or try and do movies from black friday, grab a bunch of cheap 10 dollar dvds.