Raise Your Garden

Musings on the Seedier Side

in Garden Tips

Last minute gifts for her $15 and under…

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power pins push pins magnets, fridge magnets

power pins push pins magnets, fridge magnets
Do you like opening gifts in front of others?

The only thing I like less than opening gifts in front of a crowd is watching someone else open my gift. What if they hate it?

Does she really want more socks, soap and scarves? Nope.

Spending more doesn’t equal a better gift or a happier recipient. It’s quality that counts.

Because not only do we have lots of family and friends to shop for at Christmas, but there’s also the girls’ teachers and even bus driver to consider. She’s great!

It sure adds up fast. It also forces Tom and I to be frugal shoppers so we can show more cheer.

So here’s 15 gifts for under $15 that just about anyone would rave over.

How can I be so sure? Because I’ve personally tested and tried all products on this list to my complete and utter satisfaction.

A quality pink Himalayan salt & pepper grinder set

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I got this salt and pepper set from my mom last Christmas and it has been love ever since. And yes, at $16.99 it’s a bit over budget. The jars are humongous that it will last the recipient virtually forever.
Not a day goes by that I don’t use my pink Himalayan grinder set!
You can buy a  smaller set too, at just $9.99. Or, get the big bottle of salt for a tad over $10.00. Any route you go, they are refillable!
It grinds so splendidly that I balk now at using the cheapo salt grinder from the grocery store. So there it sits in the cupboard.

It’s the grinder bit that makes all the difference. I had no idea until I tried it. They look cute just sitting on your kitchen countertop, too!

Power pins push pins magnets, fridge magnets

power pins push pins magnets, fridge magnets

power pins push pins magnets, fridge magnets
power pins push pins magnets, fridge magnetsPicture

power pins push pins magnets, fridge magnets
Need a teacher gift? Gifts for her? Or anyone with a fridge. Gender neutral gift really. With a stellar 5 star rating on Amazon, you can not go wrong with power pins push pin magnets.
For just $14.99 you get 50 ridiculously strong magnets in 4 vibrant colors for the home or office. Use on a dry erase board, too. So much better than tacks that put holes in your walls and your fingers.
Tiny but strong, they are able to hold all the girl’s papers from school on our fridge without falling off. By strong, I mean one magnet can hold up to 11 pieces of paper.
Teachers use these on maps as well. And they are oh, so pretty in blue, green, yellow, and pink! (And yes, you are right, my sister introduced me to these little pins!)

A girly tape measure

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I have this Vera Bradley tape measure that I use at least once a day.
Whether it’s measuring the garden bed to make sure I have enough cardboard to smother all the weeds or measuring the circumference of my waist (heh) it gets used a ton. 
And is that pie pan 8 or 9 inches? The only way you’ll know for sure is to measure it.
And I don’t like manly man tape measures that are ugly.

The softer side of tape measures suit me to a tee. This floral/coral one got my heart fluttering. But at $15.95 we’re a dollar over budget.

Ice Chips Candy

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You haven’t lived until you’ve tried Ice Chips Candy. A party in your mouth. Literally Ice Chips are bursting with flavor on your tongue.
Naturally sweetened with USA sourced Birchwood Xylitol they are awesome for diabetics in particular as they do not impact insulin levels. 
Now I’m not a diabetic. But I do have wonky blood sugar. Hyperglycemia. Yep.
Your dentist likes them because Xylitol does not promote tooth decay.

And the flavors they come in. Swoon. The pack in the first photo has chocolate brownie, orange cream and root bear float.

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My three favorites are the lemon, salted caramel and the coffee.The strawberry daiquiri is pretty darn delicious, too. And you must try the Pina Colada. Okay, Okay, I’ve sampled them all!

Plus, they come in tins. Candy the old-fashioned way. The pack in the picture is $13.90 but Amazon does feature various deals.

Some variety packs come in a 6-pack for about $21.00. You can split them up, too! At that price, I can afford to give one to each of the girls teachers at $3.50 each. (With a coffee gift card of course).

Ice Chips satisfy your sugar cravings and sweet tooth minus the sugar!

Spices & seasonings

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Why is tarragon so expensive? And how about bay leaves? If you don’t grow your own they are a mint to buy! And just about every soup, stew or roast requires a few bay leaves. They go quick!
Yet so many fantastic recipes require these wonderful herbs. Chicken pot pie seasoned with tarragon is my go-to recipe. The problem? I use the entire $6 jar for just one pot pie! Eeeek.
It’s also true that I love nutmeg, cardamon, pumpkin pie spice, oregano, basil, cinnamon and a plethora of other’s. Too many to list! What’s your favorite spice or seasoning?
So if I were to be given a jar of tarragon for Christmas would I love it? Absolutely! That defines a gift completely. An item that someone will use and cherish but likely wouldn’t buy for themselves.
Just the other day, I choked at the grocery store price of $10 for a jar of tarragon and left it on the shelf. But if I were given it as a gift…for some reason I’d feel free to use it up!

Umbrella

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Yes. I know we all own an umbrella. Probably several. But they are mostly broken if not downright ugly. Right? And if you live at my house, it’s usually the My Little Pony or Hello Kitty version of an umbrella.
It’s time for an adult umbrella. A really cute umbrella that isn’t just black, tan or gray. You can’t go wrong with this one that comes in 33 different colors and styles with 95% UV protection for just $14.99. 
Consider how many days a year it rains? A ton where I live. Gloomy. A functional yet stylish umbrella makes trudging out in the rain fun.

And an umbrella isn’t just for rain anymore, everyone is using them to block sun, too!

A high-end bottle of olive oil, vanilla or vanilla beans!

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For the cook and the gardener in your life, they are going to feel spoiled with a “high-end” bottle of olive oil or vanilla.
When my mother-in-law when to Haiti, she bought back bottles of real vanilla from the grocery store. What a difference it made in my recipes. I only have a drop left and I’m saving it for something special!
When I run out, I’ll go to my usual brand of vanilla. 
And have you ever baked something with real vanilla beans? Holy moly amazing. 
Same for Olive Oil. Quality makes a difference. Olive oil is a great gift! 

Wall Clock

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I need a clock in every room. And my husband thinks it’s silly that I wear two watches most of the time.

What can I say? I like to know what time it is. There’s so much on my plate that I have to budget my time carefully. The only way I can do that is being aware of the time.

There’s dinner to make, laundry to do, appointments to get to, a garden to wrap up and then kids getting on and off the bus. Never do I want to be late!

Most homes only seem to have one clock, if that. Personally, a clock in every room is kind of nifty. And clocks don’t have to be expensive. You can pick up cheap ones for $5-$10 at any drug store. Ikea has super cute ones at reasonable prices.

Air plants

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We all know that the “you can’t kill a succulent” theory is a farce. Fussy succulents are way too easy to kill!
Underwater them and they die. Overwater them and they die. Not enough light and they die. Not enough humidity and they die. They are never happy!
It’s time to make the big switch to air plants which are virtually indestructible.
How about a 5-pack of air plants for just $11.00 on Amazon? That’s a steal.

Doormat

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Nothing makes me happier than a new doormat and not just because I happen to be one.

Doormats welcome visitors to your home and many times are the first impression they get of your dwelling. Why not have an inviting one that is pretty?

Target always has a nice selection of doormats for $12.99. Makes me think I can get a new one every year and not go broke! ALDI’S is another great place to look.

Actually, I like to switch out my doormats so I always have a festive one for each holiday.

Yellies

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Intriguing that last Christmas Megan Markle gave the Queen a singing toy hamster. I mean, what do you give the Queen?

And the queen was delighted!

So have you heard of Yellies? What about Wrapples? I’m in the midst of deciding if I’m going to get one or both for my daughters this year.

Probably I’ll end of buying both from Walmart at $14.99 each. Then I’ll just have to add the whopping pack of 30 rolls of Scott toilet paper for free shipping to apply.

Toys are fun. And not just for kids as the Queen rightly proves!

Speaking of the Queen, does anyone know if “The Crown” will ever be back on?!?

Magnet clip hooks

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I got these magnet clips for my daughter’s teacher last year and she’s still raving about them. In fact, when I bumped into her at a school function, she asked where I got them so she could buy more!
As a super insecure gift giver, this made me thrilled to the gills.
It’s the hook that makes them so special as each one can hold up to 4.4 pounds. Like your purse!
At just $6.99 for a 3-pack? That’s just cheap for an item that will get so much use. Or, you can get 6 hooks for $9.99 on Amazon.

Gleen cloths

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I consider myself more of a cook and less of a cleaner. So a product that motivates me to clean? Priceless.
And it’s Gleen all the way. Full steam ahead! Gleen cleansing cloths are the only product that I’ve ever tried that actually clean windows for a streak free finish.
I have lots of mirrors in my house. Think whole wall mirror celebrating the 1980’s. Yep. Got it. And Gleen cloths spiff up this mirror to gleaming perfection.
All you have to do it wet the cloth and go to town on everything that needs cleaning. Use your Gleen cloths on glass, ceramic, chrome, plastic, marble, fiberglass, stainless steel, leather, granite, acrylic, vinyl, wood, porcelain and aluminum.
Best part? No harsh chemicals in a Gleen cloth. Great for the environment. You can use the cloth over and over again. Mine is so special, I save it for mirrors.
Just think of the savings in paper towels alone?!?

 Need a man gift? How about a Gleen cloth for vehicles and boats! Just $15.00 for a pack of 3 on Amazon.

Christmas ornaments

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I could never own enough Christmas ornaments. I love them all! Each year, I enjoy going through all my boxes of ornaments and remembering how I acquired each one. Such fond memories!
Isn’t this 5 inch solid oak Christmas Tree ornament from Ranch Junkie adorable in all its rustic farmhouse charm? At $10.99 why would you even try making this yourself?
(Hint hint at awesome giveaway coming up from Ranch Junkie!)
This tree is so versatile it could be displayed year-round. Think cottage or rustic themed bedroom.
Ornaments are ideal to clip on top of gift cards. Because don’t you think just handing over a plain gift card is  impersonal, cold and sad in general? Even if it’s a gift card for coffee and donuts!

Favorite movie

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Secret code: Grinch

Even in the high tech world we live in, isn’t it nice just to own your favorite movie?
Yes, even I know what an Amazon TV fire stick is, but c’mon, it’s not perfect. I guess you could also try Amazon Prime for a 30-day free trial.
There’s something reassuringly old-fashioned yet special about having your favorite movie portable. Going on a weekend trip? Grab it.

Anne of Green Gables anyone besides me? Actually, as silly as it may seem, this is my favorite movie. David Suchet is my favorite actor, okay?!

How is your Christmas shopping going?

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“And he who waters will be watered himself.”
• Proverbs 11:25 •