I'm going to the MOPS (Moms Of PreSchoolers) Christmas party in a couple of weeks. We're to bring a $10 item (something good) for a white-elephant type of exchange. I could go get a nice ornament or a $10 gift card to Sonic, but I'd REALLY like to bring one of those great items that the moms go "Wow. That sounds like a great product/idea!" It's all moms (a few mentoring mom's some of whom have grandkids). So the better suited it is for Moms the better! -- (a bottle of wine may be suited for a mom too, but it's a church group. Not sure I want to go that route. I am a newbie to the group and I don't know everyone's humor or views on alcohol).
So - what's a great $10 gift?
I ended up doing the OPI nail polish thing. I got a silvery sparkly one and put it in a cute sparkly paint-can type of canister ($1 spot at Target, reuseable to hold crayons or pens or candy in). Sadly, my gift was one of the last ones opened! But it did get stolen once, so that made me feel good to know that I had a gift that someone really valued enough to steal. I felt better knowing I did an actual gift. There were so many gift cards - 4 starbucks cards! plus a Sonic and local jewelry shop ..... Anyway - THANKS ladies!
I like to give 10 Lottery tickets. they get passed around.
Or you could to a "Tower" of Holiday Paper goods, Paper Plates, Napkins in Dinner and Dessert sizes. stack them and tie a bow to hold them all together.
Holiday Recipe cards and Dish towels
Or Holiday Hand Towels and soaps. Target always has cute ones.
My daughter goes to a M. group (Ministry of Motherhood) sponsored by a nearby Methodist group... she said that there will be at least one gift that is wine, beer, or something alcohol....
Get an inexpensive basket at the dollar store and fill it with goodies.... a mug, several nice hot chocolate mixes (you can usually buy individual nice flavors), and maybe a christmas kitchen towel bundling it all together....
When I've participated in these exchanges in the past everyone fought over the Starbuck's gift cards. Those don't excite me but I was definitely in the minority.
One year I grabbed a Shark stick vacuum at Target on Black Friday for $10. That was 'stolen' a few times before it reached the threshhold and could no longer be 'stolen' from the lucky recipient.
If you have a Staples in your area you could pick up one of the "That Was Easy" buttons. They are hilarious and a good learning tool for the kiddos. They can push the button after they finish a chore, "that was Easy"... It's cheap and somewhat unique.
Okay so this may sound crazy, but anytime I have to take a gift to this type of exchange, I always do an electronic toothbrush. It appeals to everyone, and it's one of those luxuries many moms (including myself) just don't buy for themselves. It's always a hit with the recipient. I just bought an Oral B Crossaction toothbrush for my husband's stocking for about $10. Hope this helps!
What about some Starbucks instant coffee? Or Bath and Bodyworks lotion? Or some fun hand sanitizers and a holder for keeping it on your purse/diaper bag? Or go to Target and see if they still sell a very inexpensive digital photo keychain. Or go to CVS and get a "spa in a bag" and get some of those packets of foot treatment and face masks. I like to get things where I don't have to guess what they have, so I shy away from cases and iTunes and things because if they don't have exactly that or need it, it might not be a good gift. But for a group where they can trade around, it's likely someone in the group could use iTunes or coffee.
Maybe some OPI nail polish? I love their colors and names and most moms I know at least paint their toes (or even their kids' toes!) so it would be useful and different.
I really love the body butters from The Body Shop. The big ones are like $20 but they have small ones for around $10. They are more unique than some other lotions and are seriously wonderful!
What about a holiday serving dish? Places like Home Goods have super cute ones that are downright cheap! You could also try Macy's, Hallmark or Dillard's (if you have that) b/c they usually have cute ones for like $8-15. If you're feeling really crafty you can even bake a small batch of cookies and put it on there! In fact that's how I give cookies to my neighbors each year...I buy a cute plate and bake cookies and the plate is really their present too! Michael's also has cute holiday bakeware for pretty cheap (like loaf pans, etc.).
You could also do like a book store gift card but then with it but a packet of tea, a bookmark, an individual package of Milano cookies and a Starbuck's via (or other instant coffee pouch). That way it's more than just a giftcard it's a whole package!
I'm "one of those" who would fight over a Starbuck's gift card--or a bottle of organic sparkling cherry juice--yum!!. I don't like "stuff" (candles, lotions, decor, etc...) but that's just me! :)
I like small luxuries, things I don't buy for myself because they are impractical so I really enjoy getting them as a gift: godiva chocolates, beautifully scented olive oil soaps, lotions and yes, I'm a fan of opi nail polish, too.
I am not sure if your MOPS use Groupon or LivingSocial (Juice in the City, Plum District) but in my mom's group we are always out for a deal! You can always get daily deals specifically for moms, kids, families. There are a ton of daily deal sites.
Or if you are a Black Friday Shopper- steal a deal for a gift. Cheap DVD's and a small bag of gourmet popcorn.
A wow gift to me is a $40 gift that was a deal/on sale for $10 :)
I love to take a hot bath with candles and incense and a relaxation CD. You could get a CD, a scented candles and a basket at a dollar store then go to someplace like Bath and Body Works for a nice bubble bath and lotion kit. If the candle and the bubble bath kit are all the same or similur scent it would be really nice. Wrap it all up in the basket with a clear celephane and a bow.
You could also go to Goodwill and look for a pretty tea pot and maybe a cup and saucer and get a nice selection of teas to go with.
No offense to anyone, but I personally hate gift cards. They are so impersonal.
I have a few shops that never fail to let me down when I need some type of gift. For my daughter's birthday, I found her an absolutely stunning hand beaded bracelet. $7.50. It was made locally and the beads were cut in such a way that it sparkles like diamonds.
What about a nice cookbook with easy recipes?
A book of crafts to do with little kids?
A nice pocket calendar/planner....You can't go wrong with a beautiful ornament or an Angel of some kind.
I wouldn't do the wine thing since you don't know the ladies well and it's a moms of preschoolers function.
I have found some lovely devotional calendars that weren't expensive. My friends have appreciated those.
I don't know any moms that don't love nice photo frames.
I hope you get some great ideas!
How about one of those dancing Christmas santas from Target or CVS, the one where you push the buttons and it starts to dance? CVS had a cute penguin one--I think it's on sale this week. Check the circulars. My 2 year old absolutely loves pushing the button and dancing to the tunes.
You can find either at Marshalls or even at Crate and Barrell a nice plate or bowl, glass or ceramic and fill it with some kind of pistachios, pecans or nuts, cookies or chocolates. There are all price ranges, very verty nice ones for $8.99
There are lots of OPI colors with holiday names. You could get a hand lotion or a pair of gloves to go with it :)
coffe giftcard, gas card, food store giftcard
