Help!-Need Gift Ideas Under $20 for Parents!

I actually got this idea from my sister-in-law, she told me about how she wants to get my parents a calendar from Office Depot and they fill in each month with photos that you bring them. There are 3 things that I really like about this: 1. It is relatively inexpensive (I think she said that they were around $8) 2. As long as you have your order in by Dec 23rd, they can have it back to you by that evening 3. It's personal and unique, you desing the months yourself and they put it together. I don't know all of the details yet, but I plan on doing this for my in-laws this weekend for their gift.

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What about some type of craft project with the kids hand prints? The oldest child would probably enjoy it, the 4 month old...you never know!

This way when they are through with it, they just may give it back to you down the road. Then YOU have a memory from their childhood. Most grandparents I know love to receive home made gifts from their grandkids.

Search the internet for easy craft ideads. Also, Crayola crayons have their own website that has some GREAT ideas.

Merry Christmas!

Best Wishes,

J. H.

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My sister has a at home business where she can make candy wrappers with pics on them. candy cakes, paint cans with candy or what ever you would like. she is 30 minutes from north wichita. www.mandyscandywrappers1.com

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Gather favorite family photos and take them to Kinkos. They have great ideas, like printing up personalized family calendars. You may want to have one made for yourself while you're there!

Also, there are places in some malls that can use a computer to scan, enlarge, and print photos onto shirts, hats, aprons, etc. They sell the shirts, etc, but you might ask if you can bring in your own material to have the photo printed on. You may be able to find a phone number for each local mall's info desk to see if they have such a store and then you can call the store in advance to see what might be possible for what price.

My grandmother had one of the sweetest things I had ever seen. When she got married and was moving away from her sisters and girlfriends she knew she would miss them. She had each of them put their signature on a square of material. Then she embroidered the signatures, sewed the squares together, and made what she called her friendship quilt. She told me that whenever she felt lonely for her friends and sisters, she would wrap herself in the quilt. As she got older and had out-lived all of them, that quilt became very precious to her. You can also accomplish the same sort of idea with ink and handprints. This could work on anything from pillow cases to table cloths.

I'm not suggesting you try to make a quilt in less than a week, but it might be possible to get pictures or signatures scanned and printed on pillow covers that can be hugged or something grandparents can wrap themselves in while they sip their coffee.

There are also places in most malls where you can get things engraved on the spot. Anything from inkpens to table-top photo displayers are usually available.

If all else fails, one of my favorite things is movie theater gift cards. You can get gift cards for things like The Science Center as well. You can give gifts for events like this along with a note letting them know that their grandkids have giftcards to match in case Grandma and Grandpa choose to use the cards for time with their grandchildren.

Then there are always gift certificates to the place that serves their favorite coffee.

Good luck, these are all the ideas that popped up for me.

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Hi T.,
I don't know what company you used, but I ordered Picture Mugs from Walmart.com and had them shipped to my local stop (didn't cost to ship that way) and they had them in about 3 days. But if you really want to do something else. Your boys are the perfect age to do casts of their hands, either separate or apart, you can buy a kit or the supplies at all hobby/craft stores and my mother cried when I gave her the one of my oldest daughters foot..... (my mother has a thing with babies feet). And just a hint you will probably want to make one for yourself. But with the ages, it would be so cute to have your 2 1/2 year old hold the 4 month olds hand and make a little statue. It is super simple, and non-toxic. And the kind of gift that you really can't put a value on. For and idea of what I am talking about check out.... http://www.castingkeepsakes.com/ But every hobby store I have been in even some walmarts carry the kits.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas

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All I did for my dad and my MIL was 4 5x7 pictures (I also used a photo editing program to add cool stuff) and put them in frames. Then I got those frames that say "I LOVE MY ....." and I put a picture of my girls in there. My MIL has everything too so she is very hard to shop for. I dont know what company you went through, but I know walmart does that kind of stuff, they put pictures on all kinds of things, so you could try that. Oh also walmart has these little digital photo frames. I think they are around $15 to $20. You load the pics on there and they can carry it in their wallet/purse. You could also go to walmarts website and go under "photo" and they have a link for "gifts under $20" ..... and they also have it to where you can have it by christmas ! Hope that helps .... good luck !

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I'm not sure if this was one of the responses, but this year my husband and I chose to do calendars of our two kids for our parents. I picked the pictures that I wanted, changed the names to the months of the year plus one for the cover, and burned it to a disk. Office Max had it printed in 24 hours. They were $8.89 a piece, since I got two. That was the deal last week. They aren't the greatest quality, but they're good enough. My kids are my parent's only grandkids, so that was easy. My husband's parents have one more grandchild, but they see her everyday. They live in Michigan, so they never see my kids. I did add one of my niece with my kids for the month of her birthday. Otherwise it's all my kids.
Hope you found something that helped you :) Have a great Christmas!

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How about a $20.00 gift certificate to where they get their hair done. Can do a gift card like visa where they can use it anywhere for anything. I get mine at the mall. My mother asked for a gift card for Wal-marts this year, she can use it for food or gas. How about a gift Certificate at a grocery store? Give her some postage and box of cards like thinking of you, get well etc to use. I as a grandma would like any of the above BUT anything from the grandkids would be great. Home made project, a picture (one set of grandkids I haven't had a picture of in years unless I take the picture) Good luck!

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Looks like you've gotten some good ideas, but here's something my mom did for me once. She is very artistic, so this was easy for her. She took a small canvas, painted the background, painted my kids' hands, and put their handprints on the canvas. The handprints were the flowers, and she painted leaves and stems to finish the flowers. She did all of this in the colors of my bathroom, and it looks really neat!! Have a Merry Christmas!

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What about making something? I make gifts for everyone every year, because we can not afford to buy gifts (& none of them need any nick-nacks). Last year I bought canning jars & filled them with a home made brownie mix (layer it to look like sand art) then put the instructions on a card & tie it around the top. For my son's teacher & her husband I put together a small gift basket filled with: 2 coffee cups, hot chocolate & chocolate dipped stirring spoons. since they like coffee you can substitute instant coffe or a special coffee if they have a coffee maker. These ideas cost me less than $20 each, so you can always add more to them, such as a nice spatula with the brownies or extra items with the coffee cups. Maybe you could put together a snack basket for thier gambling trips. You can find recipies online for different drinks & mixes!

God Bless & Merry Christmas!

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I like the idea of a small craft keepsake from the children. I would suggest something that includes their handprints or footprints (use washable paint and do it in the tub). There are several craft ideas online, such as reindeer with handprints for antlers, etc. I also really like the idea of a picture of the children (doesn't have to be posed or professional) in an I LOVE ... frame.

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I've done this myself and then I saw it on Oprah...Take a small box (colorful you can get them at Michaels or Walmart) and you and your husband sit down and write 5-10 nice things about each of them. It's cheap, could be easy and something probably no one has ever done for them. Have the kids write their favorite memory, or the funniest thing Grandma has done. I know that mine for my grandma would be the best day of the week growing up was Pancake Saturday, and homemade syrup.

Or have the kids make their own picture frames..you can probably get paintable coffee mugs at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. You can use your own camera upload to Kodakgallery.com or take your card to Walmart print individual pictures and place those in the frames, on aprons, t-shirts.

I've even seen travel mugs where you can place a picutre between the metal and plastic. That might be something too.
Good luck.

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When all else fails, I give food! Tastefully Simple has an awesome line of gourmet food products at modest prices. I would seriously look into it... that is what I gave all of my in-laws this year. My consultant is Kebra Rios (in KC area), and she usually has a nice stock of items, so you probably won't have to order anything. They have a website (can't remember the address right now - google it), but you can put in her name, or your zip code and find a consultant. Good Luck!
B.

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A framed picture of your kids is perfect. Already framed ready for display. This may be better for next year but, if you have nieces and nephews, give them a grandkids picture. Have it professionally taken and put them in matching outfits. I love that stuff ;-)

As for your coffee cup dilemma, have you tried Walgreens? AND, I'm sure your parents would understand if you told them you ordered them a gift and it didn't come in time, you're disappointed, but you really want them to have it.

I have the same problem with my in-laws, except opposite, more money! I have bought my mother a Coach purse & wallet, gift cards, a digital camera, digital picture frame full of pictures of grandkids and luggage. The purse wasn't a cruise, the digital camera has never been used, the luggage wasn't enough and had to get her another one the next Christmas. This year we got her a charm bracelet with her grandkids' names on the charms. But it won't be the large area rug she wanted. Aaahhh the disappointment of adults on Christmas, it's our family tradition ;-)
By the way, have your husband ask for the gift card back, if they aren't going to use it, they'll give it back and you guys can have a nice dinner, alone, that you already paid for ;-)

Hope you can have a Merry Christmas, it's just starting to get fun for your family, try to enjoy and not let others put a damper on it. It took me a few years, but I've learned to ignore the negative. Good Luck!

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Books. I haven't seen that mentioned. You can buy a good book for under $20 or get a gift certificate to a book store. I always say if they are hard to buy for...buy a book. Everybody reads or does puzzles. Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

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Not to sound mean about this, but I have an impossible mother in law as well, and nothing I ever do can seem to please her, so I gave up. My suggestion, get her warm socks. Maybe it will take some of her 'coldness' away. Please noone email me about how mean my comment is. But there are just some people you cannot please because it's in there nature. my response is comming from my own experience, so do not take it personal. I know it's hard to come up with a special gift for parents on a tight budget, but in all respect, noone 'owns' christmas and your right to buy what you feel you want to. the 3 wise men were not given 'restrictions' on what to bring to the manger, why should anyone else be. I'm sure Mary probably would rather have had diapers, wipes and warm similac. My opinion, give a gift that comes from the heart. if it is $30, then it's $30. It's a gift, family members should be thankful you put in tought to a gift you think they would enjoy, not found under a budget. I hope my outspoken comment helps, if not, I'm sorry. I just have a fresh situation with my own Mother in law currently that has been expressed through my response to you. I'm sure you know how it is. I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas. Whatever gift you decide to give will be great.

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Maybe a gift certificate at a spa and then for your dad a subscription to his favorite magazine.

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How about a Walmart gift card. What I have done in the past was to find out there favorite snacks and put them in a tin or a box. The Dollars stores are a great place to get the snacks. Even candeles would make a great gift.
I hope this helps you. GOOD LUCK.

There are these cute scrapbook travel mugs. You insert your scrapbook-type photos in the sleeve and I think they're under 20. I saw them at a craft store, probably Michael's but I'm sure you could find them at any craft/scrapbook store. Good Luck & Happy Holidays!!

Would your mother in law like a nice linen spray perhaps? Caldrea (I think that's the name of the one I just bought my mom) makes some of different scents. Or a nice lotion.....

Sounds like my husband's family!!! If they like to gamble, maybe get them some vouchers? Or a set of chips - my husband's dad collects casino chips - you can find them on eBay for varying amounts. Good luck!

Hi T. I sell a product called Wildtree www.stacyflynn.mywildtree.com and we have all natural food products. We sell all kinds of mixes such as Beer Bread and muffin mixes we also have tons of seasonings and sauces as well as Grapeseed Oil. I have lots in stock and can come up with a few products that will come to $20 if you are interested let me know I will be out this weekend delivering other orders. Good Luck and Happy Holidays.

Get them gift certs for their favorite coffee shop or get them a variety of coffee flavor samples in a little basket. There are lots of places that have cool mugs since your first idea didn't work out. You have a great idea. Merry Christmas

How about certificates to the local car wash. And if they are local and don't seem to be using them, head over there, swap cars and take them to get washed yourself....

I took 12 pictures of my kids to Office Max and had a calendar made. Each month my parents, who have everything, can look at a fun picture of their Grandchildren.

Perhaps you could donate money, in their name, to a charity or other cause they support? Then, send a card to let them know where you donated to. (Sometimes the charity may send a thank you card). Just did this for the American Cancer Society. It was fast and easy to make the donation online!
Other ideas: Walmart sells ornaments that display digital photos.
I made a basket with favorite DVD's, hot chocolate packets, candy and microwave popcorn.
Good Luck!

I always think nice stationary is good for people who have everything, as they can use it up and will. You could find monogram or just some pretty cards... ??

K.

How about a magazine subscription(s) for a hobby or interest? Or, for $40 you could get the both of them a membership to Costco or Sam's Club. Or, Netflix for a the cold winter months when folks spend more time at home curling up on the couch with a movie (you can buy them for however many months you like - we did this for my in laws and it was fun to hear them talk about all the different movies they saw and how they had to agree to alternate who got to pick the next one). I like to give gifts that last all year!

Vistaprint.com is good or you can download pictures to walgreens website and have them printed on coffee mugs. Good Luck!

I love to give ornaments. If you are crafty there is sculpting clay u can get at any walmart or craft store and shape it then bake and paint it. I usually do a picture ornament. So I make a frame with mine. Cheap and REALLY cute and meaningful.

Scratch-off lottery tickets! LOL Since they have everything, and apparently like to gamble...this is the first idea that popped in to my head. I've yet to find one person that dislikes an opportunity to win some cash! Good luck, and happy holidays to you and your family!

I don't have too many ideas for under $20 but their is a place at the Independence Center called Get Mugged where they will take a picture of your boys right there and print them on a coffee cup. With the holidays they may be backed up and you will have to wait awhile or go back and pick them up. They can also use a picture you bring, although I don't know their policy on using a professional picture. Have you considered a digital picture frame? We got one for my Mother-in-Law last year and she loved it. If they like Hot Chocolate there is the Cocomotion machine made by Mr Coffee, it mixes and heats the hot chocolate at one time. We use ours all the time. You will find it at Wal-Mart.
There is always a gas card, grocery store, although I'm not a big fan of gift cards.

Good Luck, I know how hard it is to find gifts for parents.

Happy Holidays----------J. C

Since you said they are avid coffee drinkers, what about a gift basket of gourmet or specialty coffees?

The mugs are a good idea, maybe you could try a different company for next year. I made one for my father this year, I used Snapfish. I was pretty happy with the results. The colors were not as vibrant as they looked on the computer screen image, and the picture was slightly crooked, (but not enough to notice unless you really look closely at it), but overall I was pretty satisfied. On the larger mug you can fit a college of like 12-16 pictures I think. It was also pretty easy to do.

Since they like gambling, maybe get them 20 one-dollar scratch-off lottery tickets each and put them in christmas cards. They probably have a seasonal christmas scratcher out right now.

Good Morning T., How about a pretty tin and fill it with homemade cookies or something like that with the Picture of the Gr children. I would adore a gift like that. Something special from the heart.

I think I am one of the best MIL's around, I adore anything they choose to give me. When they are low on money, I say give me some home made cookies or a pie, I would love it. Give me a handmade certificate to one hour of helping me clean out a closet or straighten up the family room or toy room.
Last year our eldest son made a certificate's and framed them with the date etc. He promised to re arrange my office for me. and to change some part on his dad's truck.

It was GREAT
God Bless you T., I hope you get alot of awesome idea's
K. Nana of 5
Merry CHIRSTmas

How about a visa gift card so they can spend it anywhere! I heard someone talking the other day that you can get them at Walmart and they do not charge fees to receive them, as banks do when you get them there (thats what I heard don't know if that part is true about the fee)