Specific Ideas for Specific Peeps

Some things to consider, if you are considering thinking...

For the sewist*

Cheap:

• Seam Rippers (did you know they dull, like needles? And if you are having to struggle to rip seams it is time to pitch your oldie?) $3
• Basting safety pins $5 for a big bag
• Really good quality thread (I love the Gutermann) because the cheap-o stuff lints up the machine. And once you sew with good thread you cry when you have to use Coats and Clark $7-ish a spool
• Cute straight pins. They make all kinds. $5

Medium Price:

• Some fun fat quarters of designer fabric $10-$20
• A gift certificate for scissor sharpening $20-ish
• Pinking shears because they are fun $15-20

Bigger Ticket:

• Splurge and get them some Gingher shears. Oh man. They will cry. And then swear a sudden death to any child who uses them to cut paper. $50 and up
• A gift certificate for sewing machine maintenance $80-ish
• A Bias Tape maker. Because they are a super splurge to the quilter. $60

For the Foodie:

Cheap:

• Go to your local gourmet or health food store and grab some interesting looking marinades or sauces. Get ones with buzz words like "chutney" or "salted" or "bacon." $3-5 each
• Bacon salt. They will kiss you on the mouth. $3ish
• This. Because everyone needs one for their Newman-Os. $3
  
• A really good bar of slave-free chocolate. I like Green and Black's dark with raspberries. I have heard Amano is amazing, but I haven't tried them. $4ish

Medium Price:

• Ticket Chocolate. Holy crap, is this stuff good. (And slave-free!) $20
• A bottle of really good quality vanilla $20
• Fancy fixins. Like some really good quality pancetta or a box of amazing Honeycrisp apples and high-end cheese $20-30

Big Ticket:

• A class or a tasting at your local fancy schmancy restaurant $50 and up
• Le Crueset dutch oven $50 and up
• Harry and David pears. I know, I know, buy local and sustainable and all that, but THEIR PEARS ARE LIKE GOLDEN CRACK CANDY MADE FROM THE TEARS OF BABY SEAL ANGELS. $50 for a decent-sized box
• Fun and quirky table-ware. I like this place

Geeks

Cheap:

• Han Solo ice cube tray. $10
• Zombie Jerky $6
• OPI nail polish in the new Muppet colors. $5
• Magic straws--they have flavor inside, to make your plain milk magically delicious. We get them at Babies R Us. $3

Medium:

• Go to Etsy and look at the category "Geekery." Then buy something ridiculous and affordable.
• Anything "Firefly." All Geeks wet themselves with the topic of "Firefly." Just google it.
  

Big Ticket:

• If you have $100 and want the ultimate, there is only one option.
• And if I had a spare $50, this would be making its way to DaStew.
  

Neighbors and Teachers**

Cheap***:

• A holiday picture book. $5-$10
• Soda. If you brought me a two-liter of Pepsi Max I would not complain about grading papers or about your noisy drunk uncles at 3 AM on the 24th. $2
• Scotch tape and a pair of scissors. Because you cannot have enough of either and your kids keep moving the ones you have. $7 for both
• A box of donuts on the 26th. Because your neighbors DO NOT want to think about breakfast the day after Christmas. Don't bother your teachers, though. Your child's absence is a precious gift within a gift. Give them a Krispy Kreme card with instructions. $10
  

More to come next week--in the mean time, any categories you want covered for gifts?




*I hate the term "sewist" but it is what the interwebs are calling the seamstress/sewing machiner/whatever person now. And I always do what the interwebs tell me.

**Normally I am opposed to obligatory gifts, but it is always nice to do something for the neighbors and teachers. Just don't give them a plate of dumb cookies unless your cookies are seriously better than anything ever. No one can afford to waste their calories on stupid cookies.

***I am not including anything more than Cheap Gifts, because if you are going to spend more than $10 you should get to know them and buy a personal and thoughtful gift.