holiday gifts on the cheap

What leading economic indicator is a sure-fire sign that we’re in a recession?  No. Not home prices.  Not unemployment rates.  Give up?  It’s the fact that I took a paper toilet seat cover from a public restroom to use at home as blotting paper. Pat yourself on the back if you guessed that one. (Thanks, Sarah Jessica Parker for that beauty tip.)

So, in honor of the recession, I thought I would share with you my “Jenny Stole a Paper Toilet Seat Cover from a Public Restroom to Use as Blotting Paper at Home" Holiday Gift Giving Guide.

I’ve tried lots of products, since starting this blog and there are some really great, inexpensive gems out there.

You can give these as individual gifts, or bundle them together and come up with some cute name like, “This holiday season, may you be so happy that you glow.”
(Get it?  Skin care products.  Glowing.) 

•First on my list, the Salux Nylon Japanese Beauty Skin Bath Wash Cloth. I LOVE this thing.  It gets your circulation going like crazy and leaves your skin soft, smooth and glowing.  I gave this as a gift to someone, and they loved it so much, they’re now giving it to all their friends as holiday gifts.   Price:  approx $3. 

• Queen Helene Cholesterol Hot Oil Treatment. This little tube only takes a few minutes to use and leaves hair super soft and shiny. (You could even say it glows).  Price: $1.99

• Eco-Me Body Scrub. They supply the reusable jar and essential oil and you provide the sugar and olive oil.  This is one of the best scrubs ever.  Price: $7.50. (To make your own recipe, look in the comments section of that post.)

• Savor Sex Appeal Shaving Soap.  All natural and handmade. For a super close shave and the silkiest legs ever.  Price:  $4.50

• The Sephora Cuticle Care Pen. This little pen will leave their cuticles looking like they belong to a hand super model.  Price: $12 (That one’s for the trust fund babies out there:)

•Japanese Facial Roller by Kai   They’ll think it’s a gag gift at first, but once they use it, they’ll realize how brilliant it is.  Price: $7.95

And if you want to get really creative with the “glow” theme, you can get a stencil and cut some paper toilet seat covers into cute shapes, like hearts, rabbits or noses. Then package them in a business card holder.  You can title that one, “In case you find yourself too “aglow” this holiday season”.

Now, it's this easy to pick the perfect gift.

Believe me, you won’t find any of these little goodies on Martha Stewart’s site (unless she’s recently taken expired cold medicine and hit her head).

Have any suggestions to add to the recession gift-giving guide?

Comments

[KimmyDarling]

These are fantastic suggestions!

One I would add is the LaCross Sally Hansen Foot Smoothing Disk for $5.99. http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100253&id=prod3930095

[jenny]

Good one. Thanks!

[eloise]

I took your advice and bought some soaps from savor for christmas gift baskets.. (and one of those sexy shaving soaps for myself). I'm also going to get those japanese towels.. (and, o.k., one for myself). I think I'm going to look for that aztec face melting mask for my friends basket as well.. (and, umm, you get the picture).
I love your blog! Thanks for making me laugh! :)

[jenny]

Eloise,
Sounds like your friends (and uh, you) are going to be getting some good Christmas gifts:)
Enjoy

[Guiness]

For cheap blotting papers, I cut up tissue paper from the gift wrap isle and keep them in my desk. Much, much, much cheaper than the small store bought blotting papers and they come in fun colors.

There's something sad about using a toilet cover on my face....although I'm guilty of doing it. :)

[jenny]

Yes, tissue paper does seem a lot more like something Martha Steward would approve of:)

[Andra]

The Salux cloth is like some bizarre, scratchy miracle! A good scrub and the cold rinse has transformed my skin. I didn't use any moisturizer at all yesterday and this morning my normally scaly legs (the dry winter is a killer on my skin) are still as smooth as velvet. Thank you!

[jenny]

Hey Andra,
That's great. I'm so glad they worked for you!
Jenny

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