It’s a week before Christmas, so my conscience is starting to nag at me. This year has of necessity been lean on the gift side … money is tight and I am looking for frugal, USEFUL gifts.
Where possible, I look for “made in USA” because I like knowing that one of my neighbors might benefit. I admit I have a bias toward European products. If at all possible, I patronize my local small businesses … from that you can extrapolate that there are places I never go. And because I have little space, I buy what I need.I like to spread that philosophy whenever possible.
Usually, if I want to keep something … that’s a good sign. This year, I could barely bring myself to part with my friend Shannon’s gift (which is now gracing her kitchen counter) … a tall hand-thrown pottery vase for holding kitchen tools.
Here’s my list with links to some of what I consider to be indispensable year-around presents:
- French pop-up sponges. I was given the first one in 1978 by my sister’s then MIL. They work beautifully before they eventually die and go to sponge heaven. They work the same way sponge cloths do, but they have more pick up power. Nuke them for a couple minutes to keep them clean or toss them in the laundry or dish washer.
- Flour sack towels. These are on a par with old cloth diapers for cleaning. They get really soft, are super absorbent, and take a lot of abuse. Made of cotton, they eventually self destruct and can be tossed in the compost. You can also pull them to fine shreds and put a small amount in the cup of an egg carton. Pour a little candle wax over the top, then cut the carton into individual fire starters. Ambitious? Embroider with vintage kittens drying dishes … days of the week are kitschy and cute.
- Mrs. Meyers Cleaning stuff. It’s healthy, sustainable, and smells good. I love the geranium scent. Buy a case at Amazon and get the bulk price, then make up a cool spring cleaning kit with a flour sack towel, sponge, and a few other goodies.
- Lambskin slippers … not the kind with rubber soles. They are getting harder to find because it costs manufacturers more money to use suede for the soles than plastic or rubber. They are so much more comfortable though (IMNSHO). You *might* be able to find a US maker, but chances are you’ll get stuck with Chinese. This is a kick back in the winter present and goes well with flannel or silk pajamas. Add a robe and a book, and you’ve elevated cozy comfort to the sublime. Works in Minneapolis or Portland every time, but not as well in Arizona or Texas.
- Chocolate … home made truffles are always good. I can personally attest to the yummy goodness of the truffles on the Cooking for Engineers website. OMG.
- Food gifts should of course be tailored to their recipient. Pickles and jams, especially more exotic and gourmet gifts, can be lovely presents but only make sense if you’re giving them to someone who will use them. That said, homemade kim-chee, homemade sauerkraut, or blackberry vinegar is something that can be tolerated by almost any one from carnivore to raw foodie if they have an adventurous palette.
- In fact, a favorite food is often a great gift that pays dividends until it’s gone. My son was thrilled to receive a gallon of Tabasco sauce one year for Christmas. It was supposed to be a joke, but that kid ate the whole thing … mostly with rice and beans. Born frugal … I didn’t do anything special.
- A good knife or knife sharpener. I like the Furi Ozitech … simple, small, and virtually fool proof. Beats mangling stuff when slicing and dicing.
- Replacement for anything you’ve noticed that is broken or jerry-rigged. Toasters for some reason tend to be hazardous when past their prime … the timer dies and the next thing ya know the kitchen is filled with smoke. Prevent disaster … sometimes you can even find a NICE toaster at a thrift shop that’s in good condition for just a few bucks.
- Speaking of thrift shops, they are great sources for finding things that people collect. The caveat is that you want to pay attention to the collection status. Don’t use this if you don’t know someone really well, otherwise you run the risk of adding to the cow creamer collection that has grown to absurd proportions. Your friend will not thank you.
- On the other hand, they are an awesome supply center for hobby and craft supplies. Make something yourself, or buy supplies for a friend with a hobby. This is also a thoughtful thing to offer the elementary school teacher in your life … they often cough up for materials and supplies during the school year. (This requires knowledge of what they really need though.)
- Christmas ornaments are wonderful gifts if the target loves Christmasy stuff. You can tell. Ornaments can be reasonably inexpensive or ridiculous … this is a good one if you actually stockpiled something yourself from a previous after-Christmas sale.
- Anything that replaces something bigger that is on its last legs. Add a gift certificate to help move the old one out and take it away to be recycled or thrifted. Do NOT give your mom a snazzy new flat panel TV and expect her to unload the old one … she will be much more impressed if you take the old one and it’s gigantonormous entertainment center away. That is definitely better karma.
So now I know where I’m headed this afternoon.
