Is This a Lame Christmas Gift Idea?

Updated on December 27, 2011
R.D. asks from Richmond, VA
20 answers

Money is SO tight, so i'm 'coupling' gifts as best I can (like 1 gift for my brother and his wife, 1 gift for my BFF and her husband, etc).

All my friends and family are drinkers, and I found this recipe for orange and coffee martinis.

I was think of getting a small thing of coffee, small thing of vodka, small thing of orange liquor, small thing of hazelnut liquor and putting it in a bag with the instructions on a pretty piece of card or something.

Is that lame? I know I'D enjoy receiving it as a gift... I guess I still feel like I'm being cheap (because I am)...

What do you think?

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So What Happened?

IN CASE anyone wants the recipe, it's from Taste of Home:

-ice cubes
-2 oz strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz orange liquor
- 1/2 oz hazelnut liquor

shake and serve baby!!

Sounds holiday-ey :)

Featured Answers

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T.W.

answers from Syracuse on

That is a great idea, I like it. I once had a friend who made her own Kahlua and put it in a neat looking bottle to give out to friends for XMas...it was really good and I loved the idea.

2 moms found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from New York on

Will they like this type of drink? Many people don't like coffee or hazelnut. If this is to their liking then it's a great idea.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

That is not lame, it is very thoughful. :)

3 moms found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think it's a great idea! People do something like this all the time, by giving the "brownie in a jar". Putting all the dry ingredients to make the brownie in the jar and attaching the recipe. So if your family and friends are drinkers this is the perfect gift. Remember it's the thought that counts and you obviously put thought into this gift.

2 moms found this helpful

J.✰.

answers from San Antonio on

I think it sounds GREAT. Just make sure your recipe and the small bottles make enough drinks for two people.

(I almost added that if the $1 store had martini glasses, to add those if you can, but geez who needs ANOTHER martini glass or ANOTHER wine glass? I say your gift sounds great.)

And another idea to add: My FAVORITE shot is "Chocolate Cake." Read here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Cake-Shot/ The only difference I know from this recipe and what I used to do back in college was we would take the shot, THEN put the sugary lemon in our mouths (allrecipe says do sugar/lemon first and then take the shot). Tasted just like chocolate cake!

2 moms found this helpful

B.S.

answers from Lansing on

Other than the fact I don't like coffee....I do like Martini's and would enjoy a gift like this!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Washington DC on

It's not lame!!!!! It shows you put some thought into it instead of just picking something out at TJMaxx LOL!!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Milwaukee on

ok we usually get gifts that would fit for both if they are a couple.. but I guess I'm pretty stingy.. I dont like to think it's all about the presents.. I don't expect (nor receive) any extravagant presents and will often get a gift that is meant to be shared with my husband.. It's the time you share with those you love that is WAY more important than how much money you spent on one another.. That being said I think your idea is great.. it will be memorable and give them something to look forward to trying.. good idea.

1 mom found this helpful

I.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

It wouldn't be lame in our family, but we've already come to a verbal agreement about the caliber gifts we give these days. Money is tight for everyone, so we've agreed on "stocking stuffers". Which to us just means inexpensive gifts ($5-$30). Doubling up is considered smart and savvy. If money is tight your family should not be offended, but if money is not tight for them they may wish to be more generous to you. If you are feeling uncomfortable about it then I suggest you mention your plan early in case anyone else wants to follow suit. "hey guys, I need to scale my christmas shopping back, so just to let you know I'm doubling up gifts and even so have a $50 budget per gift".

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

As long as their drinkers, I think it's a great idea. I always love getting things like that.

1 mom found this helpful

J.B.

answers from Houston on

It's not cheap. Good idea!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

LOVE IT! PM me for my address so you can send me one too! :) Seriously though I think it's a great idea.

You just got married - everyone knows it's a tight year financially!

1 mom found this helpful

J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

perfect, I'd love it, and its about the thought, if anyone thinks its cheap and are counting the price, then they missed the meaning of Christmas and BAH HUMBUG to them as my 5 year old says=)

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Not lame at all :). I would think people would love that gift!

1 mom found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

I think it sounds great, and I would love to get that as a gift.

Don't worry about how much you spend, just be thoughtful.

1 mom found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I wish we were friends

1 mom found this helpful

✤.J.

answers from Dover on

Here's what I would do & it will absolutely save you money: buy medium sized bottles of the alcohol & mix it yourself without the coffee. Get bottles from Hobby Lobby or AC Moore, dump it in & then on the cards you can just tell them how much to mix with coffee. It'll save you a ton rather than buying a bunch of airplane sized bottles.

I'm making homemade Irish Cream for several people this Christmas, so I'm right there with ya! ;)

1 mom found this helpful
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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

It is a very well thought out gift! I would like it too! Long after the contents were gone, I'd think of the person who gave it when I made the drink or had something similar. It's like your giving an experience.

You could make the bag look coffee shop ish....plain brown but draw coffee cups on it and oranges, if you can, if not plain brown or a nice gift bag with a beautiful bow would work.

Thanks for sharing the recipe! My husband likes coffee and making mixed drinks. I think you've provided me with a great idea for him! THANKS!

1 mom found this helpful

S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

they may know that money is tight and the thought is what counts. next year may be grander...we just don't know. you seemed to have thought of it well and tied it too something they enjoy. The package & presentation can be very pretty. sounds fine too me.

1 mom found this helpful

D.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi, R.:
I think that is a very creative gift idea.
Good luck.
D.

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