Holiday Gifts: What is appropriate?

BSNtobe2009 · Dec 9, 2006

I know that Martha Stewart has some complicated and expensive ideas, but she had a magazine out this Christmas on how to do a homemade Christmas.

I bought cheap mugs at Walmart for .40 each...and I'm getting a pound of columbian coffee and putting cinnamin (sp) in it (You can find out how much on her website), and then putting it in a pretty paper bag (plain brown or white), folding down the top, and then embellishing with leftover ribbon or you can get some for $1.00 at a Michael's or a walmart.

I am also baking a loaf of spice bread to go in....voila...an amazing gift for around $10.00

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Dec 9, 2006

I work with 6 other nurses in HH. I am giving them each a car charger for the PDA's that we use. Through ebay they're 5.00 each, Belkin brand so they're good.

When I was at the hosp I would do something like a pair of Christmas socks, a nice pen, or a small personalized stocking with candy. $2-$3 dollars each tops.

I had 20-25 to buy for so they had to be much less expensive.

augigi, CNS · Dec 9, 2006

I didn't buy anything for my coworkers, ever. I am disorganised enough that I'm lucky if my family gets gifts!

Lorie P. · Dec 9, 2006

i did this one year, take a holiday mug fill with a package of hot chocolate mix, 3 hersey kisses, about 15 mini marshmallows(in a small baggie) and a candy cane. viola snowman soup!!

hope this helps and one other thing i did was make a big loaf of banana nut bread to share with everyone when i gave them there mugs.

very nice and cheap, but still a nice way to say merry christmas

mugs 2/1.00 at most dollar stores

kisses 1.50 - 2.50

marshmallows .99

baggies 1.00

candy cans 1.00 for a box of 12

enjoy and hope you find the right gift to give!

LydiaNN · Dec 9, 2006

Homemade gifts are very popular, be they edible or craftsy type things.

With a $10 per person budget, there's lots of ways you can go, though. Gift cards (Starbuck's seems to be really popular), hand lotions (Bath & Body Works has some festively scented ones for less than $10), mugs, ornaments, etc.

babynurselsa, RN · Dec 9, 2006

Last year I made a bunch of those Cookie mixes in a mason jar and sent them out. I also did the hot chocolate and a mug.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 9, 2006

One year I was lucky enough to have gone to the coast after a big storm and the beaches were full of sand dollars! I got hundreds!

So what I did was to get some ribbon and little charms on sale at a craft store and used a glue gun and made them up gorgeous as Christmas Ornaments! I think my total cost (because I had some bobbles and ribbons already in my craft supplies) cost maybe 20 bucks total! It was a HUGE hit! (I had to make over 50!).

But alas...who has access to sand dollars all the time (as I said I was very lucky and don't live at the coast)...but pine cones work as well!

Or one year I took that fimo (or sculpty) clay..that colored clay you bake...and a heart shaped cookie cutter...rolled out some red, cut with cookie cutter..and had fun adding other stuff to it either with the clay (like holly leaves in green, candy canes in red/white..etc)or other things I had in my craft supplies. I had the kids help and it was fun!!!!!!!!

I love the mason jars with special cookie mixes or coco mix in them...that is so special to me!

skipaway · Dec 9, 2006

I have taken the total sum I'm going to spend..ie...$20X12 co-workers for a total on $240 and donate to a charitable organization in their names. Last year I bought 3 goats from World Vision to be given to a family in a 3rd world country to help them with clothing and milk. The year before that I donated to Best Friends Animal Society in Utah, a no-kill shelter. If you donate in their names, they can take the tax write off too.

kessadawn, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2006

instead of each of us buying a bunch of gifts for everyone, my co-workers and i do a secret santa. only have to participate if you sign up, that way no one feels obligated to buy gifts. works out great each year! :snowman1:

Batman24 · Dec 9, 2006

I am a huge fan of gift cards. Target is a good one because then they can buy anything from a new book to panties to a pretty lip gloss. It's also versatile enough for the men as well.

Barnes & Noble, coffee shops and Old Navy would all also be great for gift cards. Sometimes it's nice to pick out something for yourself that will go to good use.

scribblerpnp · Dec 9, 2006

I love to cook/bake/make candy and thankfully the people I work with don't so they LOVE my "gift baskets" of home-made goodies. It does end up costing about 10.00 per person after I buy the baking supplies, but then they put the goodies out at the holidays and get all of the credit for the good eats (which is just fine with me).