Give a gift because you want to and can. The age old saying: ‘it’s the thought that counts’ should mean more especially in the current economic landscape. I enjoy getting more for my money at all times and apply that even to gifts I can give to people. Some are one-of-a-kind objects on ebay, like vintage housewares. All of these ideas would make really nice impromptu gifts too. Here’s a list of items and ideas under $20 bucks that can come in handy when invited to those last minute holiday secret santa parties, or as a thoughtful hostess/host gift, or simply as a gift for the person who seems to have everything.

 

 

 

 

fleur de sel homemade caramels 

 

The world is divided into givers and takers. You know which one you are by now. Hopefully, you fall into the first category which would be why you are even reading this. Gift giving at the holidays can be totally stressful for most people or the time of your life. Like everything, I like to have fun with it and dream up things that are a bit out of the ordinary.

 

One of my own life rules is to focus on birthdays for spoiling friends and Christmastime is for family. But in case you are feeling super generous, here’s some affordable and very useful gifts for those friends you don’t want to forget about this holiday season. Some require some thought and creativity and DIY, but for the most part, they won’t set you back financially. Gift giving should be fun and personal, and not an obligation or a chore. You won’t find over the top items like Judith Leiber purses or cashmere blankets on this list.These are a compilation of clever items hoping to tap into the recipient’s creativity as well as foodie/chef items.

 

 

 

With the abundance of holiday parties and dinners to attend, going the extra step and getting a host/ hostess gift is extremely thoughtful. Since the days of kindergarten drawings, homemade gifts are always the coolest and usually comes in the form of edibles, which most people won’t say ‘no’ to.

 

Some ideas take some planning ahead to include shipping times or time to make the edibles. It might take you a few days to find 15 gifts which you could potentially accomplish in a day by giving something homemade.

 

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Vintage Cookie Jar-  Make homemade cookies and fill these cute reusable containers. FYI: Andy Warhol was a collector of vintage cookie jars.

 

Vintage Coffee Mug +micro roasted beans to fill it with. or not. The mug could be fine on it’s own. Scout out your local thrift stores or ebay for kitchsy vintage mugs. 

 

 

 

Micro roasted coffee beans: blue bottle coffee company: $18

 

Sears Photo gift card-  Unfortunately no pets allowed. I called. bummer. Guinness would look so cute in a fake forest. Prices starts at $9.99 

 

 

 

homemade fleur de sel caramels-  you can make tons of these for about $20 bucks. Plenty to make 10 people very, very happy. 

 

Homemade Gourmet dog biscuits for all your furry friends. Buy ingredients at bulk bins place. Super cheap. Zero calories.

 

 

 

 

Jane Fonda Workout 1982 DVD $20

 

 

wine aerator, pie bird, and fleur de sel 

 

Pie Birds- great for the avid baker, for savory and sweet pies:  $10-12

 

Antique Salt Cellars. All the fancy restaurants are doing it:  Prices vary but i got a few for $10 on ebay, with the spoon too.

 

 

 

Really good salt. Really, really good salt, like fleur de sel, truffle, saffron, black hawaiian, etc… Goes great with a cute salt cellar too!: $15

 

Really good olive oil or finishing oil. $18+

 

Wine Aerator by Menu- $20

 

Therapy on the cheap-  Therapy flash cards

 

 

 

Olive oil dish Mary Judge. I love this dish which is inspired by olive orchard terrains in Italy. Beautiful gradation of color: $20

 

 

 

 

Wine tasting session at a local place, which usually includes some nibbles: $12-14 

places in LA:

 

City Sip LA 

Silverlake Wine

 

 

 

 

Vintage cookbooks or books on food or wine: prices vary can be super cheap, like $5

 

Chimay goblet + A bottle of Chimay:  $20

 

 

 

 

Art work for the kitchen: 

artists on etsy.com for kitchen related drawings, Seaspray Blue:  $17

 

 

 

wallFlour recommended Foodie Books: (they fall under the $20 mark when purchased at Amazon):

My Life in France: bio on Julia Child

Auberge of the Flowering Hearth-  A book that Julia Child’s loved and references in her bio: $17

Two Dudes One Pan: $17

Epitaph for a Peach: Four seasons on my family farm: $14

Alice Waters and Chez Panisse: $15

 

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As you can see, the list is endless. Be imaginative, resourceful and thoughtful. I aim to inspire and of course feel free to get me anything off this list but chances are I already own it! That’s the best part about $20 and under….one for me and one for you.

 

wallFlour gift tips:

 

When placing an Amazon.com book order, get a couple extra copies if you are certain something is good. The prices are great and free shipping no tax is my kind of thing. Who can’t use a good cook book? These gifts can also be used year round as birthday gifts or housewarming gifts.

 

Online ordering tips- make sure shipping and tax won’t foil your plans to save a buck.

You can do fast price comparisons and find the thing you want for less. Only order if you know you will get it in time.

 

If somethings on sale, it doesn’t hurt to get a few, one for yourself and one for a lucky someone. Oh! That reminds me there’s still a Jonathan Adler platter I got last year…

 

A lot of blogs will have discounts for popular shopping sites. AplusR store and Charles and Marie, both great knick knack designy product sites, both recently had 20% off codes thru Daily Candy and some other sites…. it’s good to be in the know.