Saying Thanks on a Budget
Like many families, Chris and I are on a tight budget right now. With the purchase of our house and the arrival of the Bean happening in the same year, we have strapped ourselves in pretty tight here. While we are fortunate that we can afford our bills right now, at the end of the month there isn’t much left. So, at the holidays we have to be pretty strategic. And even then, its touchy.
But as tight as money gets, I believe that the holidays are about surrounding yourself with your loved ones and saying thank you to those people who support you throughout the year. And I’m finding that a small gesture of thanks doesn’t have to be expensive.
This year I found these little bags of Lindor Chocolate Truffles at Target for $2.99 a bag. I put a little bow on these, a little gift tag or note of appreciation, and for $2.99 someone knew that I was thinking about them and appreciated what they did for me.
I put one in our mailbox for our mailman along with a little note thanking him for bringing my mail all year and especially for delivering all my packages at the holidays…
I also got one this year for the janitor that cleans my office. Because my office has confidential personnel files in it, it is locked on a special key and the night cleaning crew can’t get in to clean when they clean the rest of the offices. But there is one janitor, Philip, who comes by my office every day just to check and see if I would like it cleaned. He is an older Jamaican man and he is slow as…well…Christmas. But he’s always got a nice thing to say and he comes every single day. He will be so surprised when I give him his chocolates tomorrow and that will just make my day. I hope it makes his, too.
I’m also giving the truffles to all of the teachers at Bean’s daycare. These are for the teachers that aren’t in Bean’s class. Most of the girls that work there rotate at some point in the day into the infant room to be an extra pair of hands, so they all interact with him at some point. For the two full-time teachers in Bean’s class, I got them each a pair of slipper socks. Because there are babies crawling around on the floors in the nursery, the teachers don’t wear shoes in there so socks are good for them. In each pair of socks I stuck a gift card to Target. I can’t wait to take the box of gifts in to the daycare tomorrow. Those girls take such good care of Bean and it is really my pleasure to be able to do a small little thank you for them.
For $2.99, you can make someone smile at the holidays. If you haven’t done it already, take some time to think about the people in your world who just make life a little easier. Maybe its a mail carrier or a janitor or your child’s care provider. Or maybe its your neighbor or your Sunday School teacher or the guy who makes your coffee every morning at Dunkin Donuts. Whoever those people are, take an extra $2.99 and tell them how much you appreciate them. It takes two seconds and a couple bucks and you’ll make someone’s day.
‘Tis the season, kids.
19 Comments
Kim
This is really nice. I try to do something for folks in my life, too. This year, I made bags filled with corn that you can heat or freeze to soothe aches and pains. I gave them to a few folks that help me out at work, to our hairdresser and a few others that I know may be pooped by the end of the day and have a little soreness to work out. I bought some pretty linen fabric and stitched an initial in it to make it personalized. It took a little time, but it came in under $1.00/bag. When I gave it to my hairdresser, she loved it so much she immediately warmed it up to test it out. That made it all worth it. =)
whitney
You are so nice! What a great idea! I never would have thought of our mailman! Um, I like truffles, too. Can I be one of your 2.99 peeps? 😉
Jeanne Keith
Just wanted to say hi and tell you I really enjoyed reading your blog. Great thoughts for the truffles and socks. Good ideas and I loved the post you wrote on PW. Ree rocks and you were lucky to get to a signing. Have fun with your holiday shopping. Jeanne
Laura
Such a great idea, Katie! We are on a pretty tight budget here too (house + new baby for us also)! It is something as simple as truffles though that can make someone’s day. You’re so thoughtful. 🙂
Zoe
Aww, that’s so thoughtful. I think giving gifts to the mailperson must be an American thing, cos I’ve never heard of anyone doing it here. I may give something to my neighbours though, they’re always lovely.
Kristin
Love the sock idea for Beanie’s teachers.
Michaela
I was just having a big whinge today about how bummed I am that we’re strapped for cash at the moment, and worried about not being able to get things for everyone. But you are so right- a little bit does go a long way, and such a small amount of effort can show people you care. I am inspired – to the shops tomorrow! I hope you and Chris and the Bean are having a wonderful holiday season – even without my own bag of chocolates, I want you to know you brighten my life with your blogs! (and i can and will supply my own chocolates in your honour :D)
Shannon
That is an awesome idea. Thanks so much for sharing!
I have no idea what to get our newspaper guy. I think I’m just going to mail him a little gift certificate or something, because I’m not sure if he gets out of his car to deliver our paper…I think he might, since it’s always on our doorstep…but not sure! So, I can’t exactly leave something for him…
Anyways, those little candies can go a long way in saying thanks and it’s a great idea!
Kathy
I love the truffles idea….small, inexpensive, and chocolate! By the way, I have loved reading your blog this year. I have a granddaughter who is almost the same age as Beanie, and I’ve enjoyed comparing their growth and development. Thanks for sharing your life, which–in the big picture–is even better than chocolate.
Casey
What a sweet thing to do. Maybe I’ll stop at Target on my way to work and see what I can find! 🙂
Lori @ I Can Grow People
I decided to bake and hand out tins of cookies as gifts for co-workers and our babysitter. It was fairly inexpensive, only took a couple hours after P was asleep and I was able to use ingredients and packaging that I already had on hand. Add a hand written note and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Very little cash can make for some very creative gifts!
Tressa
You are so thoughtful and have awesome ideas!
Thanks for sharing.
Chris shared about his job. What do you do?
Heather O.
Great idea! May just have to steal it…
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com
What a great idea =)
EmilyC
What a great idea – I was thinking about baking cookies but I like your idea better! Headed to Target this weekend for sure!
BFF Emily
Thanks for supplying a new reason to hit up Target. I’ll call you on the worlds smallest bluetooth so we can talk the whole time. 🙂
Ashley
Wonderful idea! I have learned first hand that it is better to give than to receive, AND that its the thought that counts! GO YOU!
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
I love those truffles and would never buy them for myself so that’s a perfect gift. Just showing thanks, no matter how you do it, is huge!
Kelly H.
Thank you for recognizing Bean’s teachers! Sometimes we (I am a teacher) get overlooked! I remember working in daycare as an assistant all throw college and was always happy to get something from the parents. In my world, a thank you note means as much as a gift. Since I work with children from low income families, that note means more than any mug, or candle, or bottle of lotion.