Need some great gift ideas for a large family and little money?

Q. Times are not as good as they usually are this year. Does anyone have great gift ideas that cost little money? I have a large family. Serious answers please :)

A. what about a family tree dvd. copy it and give each member a copy to add their own family to it. i got one of these from an uncle some years ago. he put it together using old photos. starting from my great grandparents up to my youngest cousin. now i have to add my family to my copy and pass it on when the time is right. cheap to do. just collect all the photos you can and tell people you will return them, but dont tell them what they are for. then surprise them when everyone is together at chrimbo. if you can, copy it for them, if not they will be delighted to wait till after xmas.

Original Question

What are some good recipes for homemade Christmas gifts?

Q. I am already planning on making fudge, and toffee but would like some more candy or dessert ideas
I am also looking for some gift jar ideas/recipes. I already plan on one for chocolate chip cookies and homemade hot cocoa. I would really like a good recipe for a blueberry muffin one if you know of any.

I have a large family and want to give each of the adults (24) a gift somewhere along these lines, but I don't want to make all the same things so any ideas?

A. Flavored sugar is a great 'gift jar' gift. I used a spice mill to grind dried lemon, orange, lime peel (separately) and added them to sugar with a drop of food coloring shaken in for effect. I also buy a bag or two of sugar every January and go to the whole foods store and buy vanilla beans (they are cheaper). I make a slit down the middle lengthwise (careful not to go all the way through to the other side) then I place a bunch of these beans in an airtight jar with the sugar and leave it alone until Christmas. Then I put it in jars and give out. The lime sugar and the vanilla sugar seem to be the most appreciated. Especially by tea drinkers and bakers.

You can also take last years fruitcake (you know it lasts forever) and crumble it up. Then, dip your hands in a little water or flavored liqueur and roll into small balls and place in a pan to dry overnight. Then melt some choc chips in the microwave (one bag choc chips and 1 teaspoon Crisco for shine) dip balls and place on wax paper til chocolate sets. This recipe makes fruitcake lovers out of anyone who loves chocolate (esp. the dark chocolate).

Original Question

What are some good Christmas gift ideas for this season while on a budget?

Q. This year, like most families, I'm going to have to go on a budget on Christmas gifts. I have a very large family and have ran out of ideas what to get them. The last couple of years I have either made or just given gift cards but I'd like to do something different. Any ideas?

A. Movie Tickets
DVD and popcorn
Fuzzy socks

Make cookies, fudge or brownies -

Fudge

2 Cups Sugar
2 1/2 Tablespoons dry Hershey's Cocoa
2 Tablespoons of butter or margarine
1/3 coup white Karo Syrup (corn syrup)
1/2 cup condensed milk
1 cup walnuts (shelled and chopped)
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Combine all ingredients except nuts and vanilla. Stir together well. Bring to a vigorous boil and boil for 5 minutes.

Remove from flame. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Beat vigorously to make it creamy. Add walnuts and vanilla. Stir and pout out onto waxed paper lined square pan.

NOTE: Do not attempt to make cooked candies (this fudge recipe) when the weather is rainy, very cloudy or wet fog.

Quick Banana Chocolate Chip Bars

1 Medium Ripe Banana, peeled
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
¾ Cup Brown Sugar, packed
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
¼ Teaspoon Salt
1/3 Cup Olive or Vegetable Oil
2 Tablespoons Milk
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Egg
¼ Cup Chopped Nuts
½ Cup Chocolate Chips (or what feels good)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray small rectangular or 9x9 square baking pan with non-stick spray.

Chop or mash banana. Combine with flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, oil, milk, vanilla and egg in large bowl. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips to this mixture OR save them to add as topping, sprinkling on top of mixture after poured into the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Isabellas (Oatmeal Cookies)

1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oats
Dash salt, optional
Powdered Sugar

Cream butter and sugar until light. Mix in vanilla, then flour, oats and salt. Chill thoroughly, about ½ hour in the refrigerator. Shape into small balls and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten with a fork, crisscrossing. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-18 minutes (depending on your oven). Sprinkle with Powdered Sugar

Original Question

What are some good gift ideas to take to Korea for a host family?

Q. Traveling to Korea soon and would like to take some gifts to a few Korean families that we will be staying with in the Seoul area. I am looking for gift ideas in the price range from $0 to $70 dollars.

We will also stay in a few hotels. Do you tip the maids in Korea?

A. You will love Korea. I spent about 3 years there. Now, I know this sounds weird or funky but a bottle of Johnny Walker or Crown - any semi-premium liquor. Koreans enjoy a drink or two from time to time but a pint of Jack over there is like 65 dollars. You can purchase it in the duty free shop before you board or even on the plane. Since you are not a Korean national you can bring like 2 or 3 bottles.

Tips are considered rude in Korea, but if you are near an American installation or base the Korean nationals will expect it from you.

Stay away from large groups in Yellow Shirts (they are demonstraters.)

And on everyday that ends in a 3 or 8 like the 8th,23rd and so on - they have markets through-out the streets - the shopping is amazing.


I don't think the other person knows - when were they last there? Cuz they would have seen Korean Air selling bottles in flight.

Original Question

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What can I get my family for Christmas - little brother and dad especially?

Q. I was thinking of going homemade this year. I personally think these are the best gifts( next to electronices - lol), and have a sentimental value. For my mom I was thinking of a beautiful hand-made clay pot I made in art class, and a homemade beauty with bath scrubs, home remedies, molded soap and cute things like that. What I'm really stumped on is gifts for my little brother and dad. Last year, I got my lil bro a spy kit, and my dad - a cool wood project. This year, I'm not really sure what to get them. I was thinking of doing a little scavenger hunt made out of origami(he's a huge fan next to me) gift boxes with coupons, trinkets, and clues leading to the actual gift for my lil bro( 7) . The problem is, I don't know what to do for the actual gift. As for my dad, I am totally stumped. What are some good inexpensive gift ideas? Thx and 10 points for best answer!
BF and Friends also argh!

A. FUN GADGETS for boyfriends, brothers, dads:
1. Dynaflex Powerball.
2. Golf GPS.
3. Finger drums(let their fingers do the drums).
4. USB missile launcher.
5. Snowball maker.
6. Magic wand remote.
7. Tablet computer floor stand.
8. USB desktop fan.
9. Swiss army knife USB.
10.Tape-to-MP3 converter.
11.Laser projection keyboard.
12.Electric scooter.
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For Girls
1. Video games for girls
2. Sims 3 video game.
3. Game console like a wii and a couple of games.
4. A Visa credit card with a limited amount of money on it. They can be used at any store.
5. Electric scooter.
6. Terry cloth bath robe with matching bath slippers.
7. Matching nail polish and lip stick.
8. Kitchen appliances for learning to cook.
9. Chairs for girls and teen ager girls; click this link, hope it shows:
http://www.pbteen.com/shop/furniture/lounge-seating/?bnrid=3730901&cm_ven=Dotomi&cm_cat=Remarketing&cm_pla=Click&cm_ite=All#

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Suggestions for others:
1. A Visa credit card with a limited amount of money on it. They can be used at any store.
2. Food items such as a large basket of fruit. You can find these at grocery stores when it gets close to Christmas.
3. Christmas Flowers.
4. Christmas box of foods such as summer sausages, cheeses, and etc.
5. Large box of good brand chocolates.
6. Wine.
7. DVD movies.
8. Netflix
9. Something for the house or bedroom.
10.Box of frozen rib eye steaks from a mail order steak house. They come in dry ice. Take out the dry ice and put steaks in their box into a freezer.
11.Crock Pot.
12.Kitchen electric grill such as the George Foreman type...but there are many more brands to choose from if you wish.
13.Small TV for bedroom.
14.Novels or talking novels on DVDs.

Original Question

What are some good homemade Christmas gifts?

Q. I'm running low on money this year, so I decided to try and make gifts for people. I'm looking for gift ideas for my friends and my mom and dad. I'm 15 so it can't be anything to childish, but it has to be something I can actually do by Christmas. Any ideas?
Thanks!

A. Make a laminated bookmark: find pictures or photos that they would like - animals, sports, flowers, favorite band, hearts, cars, pictures of family or you two - it can be a few small pics or just one, glue it to construction paper (you can make it two-sided), make sure you know how wide you want it to be before you start with the glue, then take it to Staples/Office Max, Office Depot or a store like that and get it laminated, then cut it. After hole-punch the top and put a ribbon or twine of some kind through the hole and tie it in a knot.

Make a 'love jar' and fill it with origami hearts, flowers and slips of paper with notes of appreciation written on them or 'I love you' written in different languages (on the back write which language it is).

http://www.ehow.com/how_2061320_fold-origami-heart.html
http://www.bloom4ever.com/HowToFold.php
Say I love you in different languages
http://www.links2love.com/i_love_you_languages.htm


Use an empty jar or soup can to make a pen/pencil holders - take the label off and wrap them in fabric or colored paper and decorate them with pictures the two of you or other pictures they would like.



Quick Banana Chocolate Chip Bars

1 Medium Ripe Banana, peeled
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
¾ Cup Brown Sugar, packed
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
¼ Teaspoon Salt
1/3 Cup Olive or Vegetable Oil
2 Tablespoons Milk
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Egg
¼ Cup Chopped Nuts
½ Cup Chocolate Chips (or what feels good)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray small rectangular or 9x9 square baking pan with non-stick spray.

Chop or mash banana. Combine with flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, oil, milk, vanilla and egg in large bowl. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips to this mixture OR save them to add as topping, sprinkling on top of mixture after poured into the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Isabellas (Oatmeal Cookies)

1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oats
Dash salt, optional
Powdered Sugar

Cream butter and sugar until light. Mix in vanilla, then flour, oats and salt. Chill thoroughly, about ½ hour in the refrigerator. Shape into small balls and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten with a fork, crisscrossing. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-18 minutes (depending on your oven). Sprinkle with Powdered Sugar


Jumbles

3 large bananas, mashed
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped dates
1/3 cup oil
Dash of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients, let set 15 minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Spicy Oatmeal Crisps
Pepper may sound like an odd ingredient for a cookie, but it complements the other spices well (although you can omit it if you prefer).
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon grated whole nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)
1 cup packed brown sugar
5 tablespoons butter or stick margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
½ cup regular oats
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (flour through pepper) in a medium bowl. Beat sugar, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat well. Stir in flour mixture and oats.

Drop by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until crisp. Cool on pan 2 to 3 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pan; cool on wire racks.

Original Question

How do you get into the holidays without spending oodles of money?

Q. Just don't feel it this year, seems like a lot of work. I have a large family so that isn't the problem. I just get so tired of it being about how much money we can all spend and then we just fight about it later. I want to enjoy it for my kids and grandkids but I need reasons this year to even bother putting up the stupid tree. Any ideas?

A. Our family is very large as well and last year many of the people in our family were dealing with cut backs at work, layoffs, and even a few had been let go. So in an effort to save money we started a new tradition, we call it an elephant swap. Everyone takes something that they have at home that is in decent condition and we wrap it in newspaper. Then on Christmas we put everyone's name in a hat and we pull names and pick gifts one at a time from under the tree. It makes it exciting as you don't know what gift you have recieved, and opening the gifts are lots of laughs! Last year my grandfather picked a barbie from my 3 year old niece. It was very amusing non the less and everyone left with something, whether it was age appropriate or not.

Original Question

Is it inappropriate to throw yourself a baby shower?

Q. Having my second child in 9 weeks.. Large family on both sides but never got a baby shower with my first child. Not doing it for the gifts just want the experience and no one has stepped forward to do it. I just moved to the state so I dont have many friends here that would do something like this.
Is it inappropriate to throw one for myself.. should I just get over the idea of having one.

A. Sorry, but it is inappropriate to throw yourself a shower. It makes you look like you're begging for gifts even if you aren't.

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