Thanksgiving Gift Ideas

Most people I know don't expect a gift in the fall. That's what makes a Thanksgiving gift idea so much fun. I don't have to get anything expensive. I don't have to search for the "perfect" gift. I simply have fun putting together a hostess gift or fall holiday gift basket. Its a way I like to say thank you to my friends and family and celebrate the coming cold weather - we've got to celebrate it or else we'll mourn it!

If you are invited to dinner, bring a quick and easy gift for the cook or the other guests:Pumpkin Spice Bread MixThanksgiving Cactus (which blooms in November, not to be confused with the Christmas Cactus which blooms in December)Well here are ten man holiday gift ideas I have found that almost any guy would like. Quite a few are humorous, maybe because my favorite thing to do for all these hard working men, is lighten them up.Light Solid Colored Table Cloth and Fabric Markers - Have family and friends write on the tablecloth what they are thankful for, along with a signature and date. Make it a yearly tradition to add thank-you's to the tablecloth.Framed Fall Themed Photo of You or Your Family - Years ago, my mom and dad got all seven of my siblings and me to dress in jeans and flannel shirts and took us to the Oklahoma Ouchita mountains for a photo shoot. The photographer? My future husband! And boy, did he take some nice pictures. You might also use a photo from a past Thanksgiving gathering.Memory Jar - Cut colored paper into small pieces. Using just a few words, write on each one a memory of an experience you had with the recipient that you are thankful for. Keep your memories short so you have time to think of dozens.Plan ahead for an activity Thanksgiving gift idea to draw family and friends together and create your own traditions:Board Game for Those Uninterested in Sports (like me!)With all the other holiday expenses on the way, I don't want to spend more than ten or twenty dollars on a Thanksgiving gift idea. Better yet, I like free gifts I can make or put together myself. These are all my favorites:Have a very happy Thanksgiving!Nutcracker and Bag of Nuts2. Rare Indoor Plant - Where I see caring for plants as a chore, many guys I know look at it as an art form. My brother-in-law collects bonsai trees, carefully working them into the shape he plans. He shows us pictures of miniature oaks and maples with the button sized leaves turning gold and red in the fall. My husband enjoys miniature cactus and has kept one growing in a tiny cup of sand since we got married almost ten years ago. Read up on plants that would match with your guy's lifestyle, decor or interests. Consider a plant from his favorite country or one mentioned in a book or movie he likes.Couple Dozen Fresh or Mail Ordered Tamales OR Other Prepared Ethnic Food for a Day After Thanksgiving FeastA Scavenger Hunt List with a prize for the Winning Team or Person10. One Man's Treasure - What does this guy collect and treasure? Make him a display or collage to put up in his office, garage or room. You may need a shelf to hold things, a board to pin items to, a scrapbook, or a closed cabinet to protect his collection. If you can't think of anything he collects, it may be that he is like my dad, who treasures his friends more than any of his "stuff". He would enjoy a framed collage with photos of his hundreds of friends.Seasonal Cookbook1. T-shirt With a Funny Saying - Look online for a company that specializes in unique shirts or create your own with fabric paints or markers. You can put a joke with the first line on the front of the t-shirt and the punch line on the back OR you can find humorous quotes from one of this man's favorite authors, politicians or celebrities. One idea is to take a solid colored t-shirt and put a big gold star on it that says, "TV Sheriff" with the words "REMOTE CONTROL" on the pocket. Whatever saying you choose, make him extra happy by getting the right size t-shirt. My husband is a smaller guy who really appreciates a shirt that fits him properly, after receiving many that could fit two of him! Don't forget that 100% cotton will shrink some the first time it is washed.Holiday Organizer Notebook - You can buy one or put it together yourself with an ordinary spiral notebook, scrapbook or wrapping paper, stickers and headings like: Winter Calandar, Work/School Gift List, Family Gift List, Friends Gift List, Holiday Meal Planning, Events/Parties6. Night of Laughs - Order him a new or used DVD of his favorite comedian doing a stand up routine. Give him tickets to a local comedy club. Download hilarious clips from the internet, creating your own collection. Whatever you do, make him laugh.Small Booklet or Scrapbook Titled "Things I Love About My Family" - Pass it around for everyone to write in.8. Relaxation at Its Best - There isn't a guy I know who wouldn't want a really comfortable recliner. You can find sales on new ones all the time or if you really need to save, check out the classified ads in your newspaper or some good local used furniture stores. The ones I like to visit regularly have nice recliners at very discounted prices. Whatever you do, sit in the chair before you buy it. Some are more comfortable than others.Ceramic Pumpkin Dish (with lid) OR Fall Themed Tin Filled with Dried CranberriesUse these personal Thanksgiving gift ideas for friends and co-workers who need to know that you are thankful to be apart of their lives:4. Cure for Memory Loss - If there is an item he is always losing, get him one for every room of the house...and the car, if need be! For instance, guitar picks (that would be for my husband), pairs of scissors, nail clippers, slippers, tools, vitamins, ...you get the idea.Supplies For a Letter Box Hunt Including Stamp, Ink Pad, Notepad and Directions for a Local Hunt (Find out more about letterboxing at www.letterboxing.org . My children love this treasure hunt activity. I love the exercise we get while doing it.)

Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Author: Melanie Farkas