I’m a big fan of creative, unique gifts. I’m not a gift giver naturally, but when it has to happen, I like to make them fun to open.
I’ve given themed bathtime, playdough, and books on CD gifts to kids and homemade salad dressings to adults.
For a wedding, I like to think of practical things that the bride and groom can really use as they build their lives together. My old stand-by is a holiday collection of as many after-season sale items I can fit in a box, like Christmas towels, Easter decorations, Thanksgiving centerpieces, and even gift wrap and notecards. I am nothing if not practical!
If you’ve got a young couple who might appreciate a little “green” gift, here’s today’s contribution to your arsenal: a non-toxic cleaning supplies tub. Buy a big plastic tub on sale and fill it with:
- vinegar
- hydrogen peroxide
- big boxes of baking soda
*See what to do with the three above at my basic natural cleaners post.* - dollar store spray bottles
- a foaming handsoap dispenser and Dr. Bronner’s Castille Soap or Shaklee H2
- microfiber cloths
- if you’re really green, homemade cloth napkins (find an old tablecloth secondhand)
- Biokleen Dishwasher Detergent is a must for the full package
- depending on your budget, Soap Nuts, Biokleen Bac-Out and oxygen bleach are some of my favorite “not homemade” laundry supplies.
- You’ll want to include a list of how to use everything, found here. If you’re crafty, it’s nice to tape individual instructions for each cleaner onto the bottles for easy refills.
- Of course you’ll want to include Kitchen Stewardship in a footnote on the bottom of the list, so your new friends can be a part of the craziness, too!
Heh heh heh…..
I’ve only done this once, but the bride was raving and even asked for a digital copy of the instructions to share with her mother.
What are your best creative gift ideas? Could you give a “green” gift to a new young couple? This one works for me!
I need your help! Check out the Kitchen Stewardship Fan Page on Facebook to leave a vote for the title of the next eBook, a short how-to guide for surviving in the woods with little children and managing to bring along some real food to boot.
*Don’t miss two giveaways this week, for Stephanie Langford’s Real Food on a Real Budget and the You Need a Budget software.
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Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money. If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.
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I’m entered in:
- Frugal Fridays at Life as MOM
- Finer Things Friday at The Finer Things in Life
- Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville
- Making Dollars out of Change at Madame Deals
· Making Dollars Out of Change
Great ideas for a newlywed. I like to give quilted art that I have created with their color choices in mind.
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We received, and I’ve since given, matching mugs with organic/free trade coffee/tea/hot chocolate as part of a package. When we were first married we enjoyed time together with our hot drinks morning or evening.
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Howdy! I’m a new reader here and have been enjoying the site immensely so far.
My favorite thrifty wedding gift is a photo album stocked with three or four favorite recipes chosen particularly for the newlyweds. (I try to find the albums on sale, and thrift stores usually have a deliciously funky selection.)
I love storing recipes in photo albums (the sleeves keep them clean, and you can tear whole pages out of magazines and simply stuff them into the pockets, along with internet printouts and handwritten recipe cards), and have given a few of these as gifts, with great success.
The fun part is choosing recipes for each couple, based on what I know about their kitchen habits, favorite dishes or sweet tooths.
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Katie Reply:
May 27th, 2010 at 4:41 am
Thea,
Katie
Welcome aboard! That is an awesome gift idea, especially for people in your family with whom you can share family traditions/recipes.
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Great idea! I like the holiday box, too
.-= kanmuri´s last blog ..Plasticless life =-.
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What a great idea! I have been trying to think of something great (and green) to give friends. I love this!
.-= Robin´s last blog ..More Challenge Reports =-.
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Perhaps we should renew our vows this year (10 years!!) and hint about this as a possible gift . . .
Looks pracitcal and unique!
.-= Jenna´s last blog ..Mexican Pita Pizza with Fresh Salsa =-.
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What a neat idea! You should be able to get all of the supplies at a really good price. My frugal idea for a wedding gift was a homemade quilt. I did this for my best friend. It was my first and only quilt and it took me months! But it is something that she cherishes. It cost me mostly hours instead of money!
.-= Renae @ Madame Deals ´s last blog ..Crocs Extra 10% off Clearance Items =-.
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What a thoughtful gift to get a young homemaker started off right! Lezlee
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That is a GREAT idea! We have a sweet friend getting married this summer. I need to think along these lines for her!
.-= Olivia´s last blog ..Of Such is the Kingdom Favorite Things =-.
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I like to give Christmas supplies (gift wrap, bows, lights) I found on clearance the previous year.
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Finer Things Friday: Six Hours // May 29, 2010 at 10:25 am
[...] Like Home (birthdays!) 17. Jamie (Tiny Handprints) 18. Garden Helpers @ Blessings Overflowing 19. Kitchen Stewardship – Make Your Wedding Gifts Count 20. Shelley @ MAHM (Thanksgiving Thursdays Introduction- gratefulness) 21. Like a Bubbling Brook [...]
Very cute idea.
.-= Betsy (Eco-novice)´s last blog ..Favorite Potty Training Stuff =-.
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A few months ago I attended a bridal shower for the daughter of a late friend who was in my homeschool support group. The idea for the shower was to bring a recipe or a household tip to share. So, I decided to make a batch of my homemade wipes. I cut a roll of paper towels in half put a half in an empty ice cream bucket and soaked the paper towels with 1 oz Odo Ban and 7 oz water (1 cup total liquid you can use any cleaner you like). After the towels have soaked the liquid, I took out the paper towel center and pulled a towel up from the center and through the x cut on the lid. I made a little label and included the recipe. Everyone thought it was a great idea. I also made her an apron and a pot holder.
.-= Nana´s last blog ..What is for dinner this week? =-.
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