I work at an elementary school in the lunch room. I don't have much $$ this holiday season and would like ideas on what to get the school Principal (female), Janitor, and Office Secretary. Most important is the gal I work with. She is a great person and would like ideas for her. I thought about filled jar things but don't know where to begin.
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I was doing a long term sub commitment in a school office a few years back and even though I wasn't a regular employee I got several nice things...gift cards from Starbuck's, Blockbuster and Olive Garden. I got a potted miniature rose. The principal's secretary gave everyone a jar of blackberry preserves she had made. If a person likes them as I do a fridge magnet is a nice small gift. If you are buying for people who put up and decorate trees Hallmark has some really nice ornaments and they won't break the bank. Once I got a little coffee mug with Hershey kisses inside.
Someone last year gave me "bean soup in a jar" with layers of different colored and sized beans and then spices on top with the recipe printed and tied to the top of the jar. Really looked pretty and was very useful, too.
I read about a good idea, on this website as a matter of fact, about getting some small canning jars and some hot cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. You can put a ribbon around the neck of the jar, tie a candy cane, etc.. I thought it was a great idea and I am going to try it myself. Tim Horton's has a huge can of hot cocoa mix for $4. It is really good too. Layer the chocolate chips next, then the marshmallows.
Whoever originally posted this idea, I am sorry I couldn't give you credit, but I can't remember who you are!!
Last year I purchased wire whisks at the dollar store and put hershey's kisses in them. I then wrapped them in colored plastic wrap, tied a bow on them and added a little tag that said, "I whisk you a Merry Kissmas". The ladies loved them
Dear Mom of 2 boys, I know how u feel. I'm a mom of eight and I'm always finding ways to make things instead of purchasing them. This has been on my bookmark page! Hope this helps
notmadeofmoney.com/
My daughter told me about this site last year. Put in seach free sterling silver jewlery. You only pay s/h, which is 5.98. They have 4 differnet items on the screen for 15 minutes and you place your order. Everything that my dd ordered last year was beautiful. The only thing is that on rings they may have only one size in it, but earrings, no problem, pendants have no chains, you can order from them, but that is where they make their money. Run your mouse over the article and it will give you the stones in the jewerly. Where can you get anything for $6.00 in sterlling silver.
Another thing is take a camera and have someone take a picture of all of you and have prints made, take a glass ball orniment and with white glue or mod pod, anything that dries clear and give as an orniment take a glitter pen and write the year on the back. Or get a clear ball orniment and roll the pic around a pencil and after removing the top very carefully!, insert the picture and pull out the pencil, the pic will unroll. Or if you are a good cook, cook them a cake or pie, or homemade candy or cookies, for all the family to enjoy.
Another idea, go the dollar store and get things they like and make them a gift basket. Use shreeded paper in the bottom or a basket or I have even used a box, covered in wrapping paper for the base. By the way, in most stores they sell clear bags 2 in a package for $1.00 and you can srink with your blow dryer or tape in back and add a bow.
Holiday pins are always aboundant and inexpensive this time of year.
Good luck
Once I had 18 workers to buy for, when my boss resigned and I was promoted in DECEMBER,no less,
I learned to use a glue gun fast and make wreaths, using dollar store flowrers, poporri and the leaves that came off the flowrers.
Martha in TN
Last year I went to Walmart and bought Epsom Salt 1.97 and took a freezer bag dumped in the epsom salt added a few drops of Lavender oil mixed by hand. I put the salt in canning jars or other jars you may have. I put on a label and the Ladies I worked with loved them. Instant bath salts. You can add a ribbon or bow.
How about something edible...cupcakes, the ones that are already made & boxed up in the grocery stores deli's. I know can get 1/2 a dozen for about $3 at the grocery store where I shop. Have the cupcakes decorated for the season and remember it is not the cost of the gift that counts. You could get everyone you mentioned a gift of 6 cupcakes that are for them only and not even spend $20 at the cost of $3 for half a dozen.
Good luck and keep us posted on what you end up doing...
"A packet of microwave popcorn and several packets of hot chocolate mix in a bag. Toss in a few candy canes or pieces of wrapped Christmas candy and tie with a ribbon.
I kept treats like that in my desk for prep period and after school pick-me-ups. A principal, teacher or janitor would appreciate it. You can do a little more for the teacher you work with. Maybe a box of chocolate covered cherries and a card stating how much you appreciate her.
I just had this coversation with my mom. Avon has chapstick all the time for 59-99 cents, bath and body works has their semi annual sale every year in june and january, you can buy their glycerine soaps for 1 dollar. pammpered chef has recipe books for 1 00 each called seasons best, sometimes you just have to broaden your eyes and shop ahead, you can put any of this in the cello bags you can buy at dollar store, usually 30 for 1.00 there are also yankee candles, etc i am an an office manager of 15-20 people, this year i put together a gift of 2 chapsticks, one soap, and one pair of christmas socks bought on clearance, i have 2.50 cents in each.
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