HOUSTON—You can shop for everyone on your holiday gift list and spend no more than $11 per gift. Super mom of six and expert bargain hunter Tiffany Ivanovsky pulled it off.
Ivanovsky bought most of the gifts at the dollar store, CVS, Wal-Mart and Target.
Only one gift costs more than $11. It was a gift basket for a teenage boy. It cost $11.50.
“I packaged it in a shower caddy,” said Ivanovsky, “and I think it’s important not to forget the packaging because I think that makes it fun, too and you can use the packaging as part of the gift.”
The key to getting most gifts for $11 or less is to group inexpensive items in nice packaging.
Here’s the complete itemized list of 11 gifts plus two bonus gifts:
GRANDPARENT’S GIFT PLANT—Ivanovsky used the feet and hands of her three year old to paint a reindeer face on the pot
Terra Cotta Pot.....$1..... Dollar Tree
Poinsettia.....$3.50.....Wal-Mart
Total $4.50
BBQ GRILLER’S GIFT
2 Marinades.....$2..... HEB
A1 Sauce .....$3.....HEB
Spice.....$2.....HEB
BBQ Brush......$1.....Dollar Tree
Total $8
TEEN BOY GIFT BASKET**only gift to cost more than $11
Shower Caddy.....$1.....Dollar Tree
Sports Illustrated..... $2.50.....Wal-Mart
Dodgers Notebook.....$1.....Dollar Tree
Playing Cards.....$1.....Dollar Tree
Sunglasses.....$2 ..... Wal-Mart
Shampoo......$1..... Dollar General
Ipod Earphones .....$3.....CVS Pharmacy
Total $11.50
TEEN GIRL GIFT BASKET
Shower Basket .....$1.....Dollar Tree
Body Wash.....$2.....Target
Shampoo..... $3.....Target
Nail Polish..... $1.....Walgreens
Make Up .....$3.....Walgreens
Nail Stone ..... $1.....Dollar Tree
Total $11
PAN SET
5 Piece Roasting Pan Set.......$9.96.....Wal-Mart
Total $9.96
RAINY DAY AFTERNOON
Throw ..... $5 ..... Wal-Mart
Book ......$2.99.....Target
Total $7.99
HOLIDAY TABLE KIT
Plates .....$1.....Dollar Tree
Napkins .....$1.....Dollar Tree
Cups ..... $1.....Dollar Tree
Ornaments.....$4..... Dollar Tree
Present Tags.....$1.....Dollar Tree
Snowflake bowl......$1 ........Dollar Tree
Total $9
LUNCH BOX
Flash Light .....$.99 ..... $.99 Store
Matches.....$.99 .....$.99 Store
Lunch Box .....$5.....Wal-Mart
Fire Log.....$1.....Wal-Mart
Granola Bars.....$2.50.....Randalls
Total $10.48
SIMPLE START CAR BATTERY CHARGER
Car Jumper .....$10 .....Wal-Mart* presently on sale, regular price is $22
Total $10
FAMILY GAME NIGHT GIFT
Memory .....$3.99 .....Toys R Us
Yahtzee.....$3.99.....Toys R Us
Total $7.98
CRAFT KIT FASHION BOX FOR GIRLS
Fashion Kit.....$10 .....Wal-Mart
Total $10
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Popcorn Box .....$1.....Dollar Tree
3 Boxes of Candy.....$3....... Dollar Tree
Popcorn.......$2 ......Randalls
Sandlot DVD ..... $5 ......Wal-Mart
Total $11
BAKER’S GIFT BASKET
Mixing Bowl.....$1.....Dollar Tree
Wooden Spoons.....$.99.......$.99 Store
Cake Mix .......$1.10.....Randalls
Frosting .....$1.00..... Randalls
Chocolate Chips .....$2.50 .....Randalls
Oven Mitt .....$1.00.....Dollar Tree
Spatula ..... $1.00 .....Dollar Tree
Whisk .....$1.00 .......Dollar Tree
Measuring Spoons..... $1.00......Dollar Tree
Total: $10.50
