lots of times it's not what's IN the package as much as it is the FACT of the package. So you could get a bunch of identical gift boxes, and fill them w/ just-slightly-fancy or slightly unusual candy--not that many pieces, really, so a large bag could cover lots of people. Then do some sort of slightly fancy wrapping--use a color ink-jet printer to print out a "sleeve" that simply wraps around the middle of the box. Look at Martha Stewart Weddings for wedding-favor packing ideas.

Thanks for this thread! I am pleased to report that I hosted 9 adults and 4 kids for Christmas eve. We are an Italian family so we cook a seafood dinner on Christmas Eve. I have hosted a few times in the past but have never gotten the timing and all the dishes right (I have always had trouble timing the seafood to be done at the right times).... This year was a first. My kitchen held up to everything I had hoped (and more). I had all six burners of my 36" Electrolux ICON range running at the same time! It was soo much fun. We started with a Lobster bisque - that was a lot of work and I'm not sure I would do that again but it was soooo good I don't think I will have a choice!!! We then moved onto crab cakes which were amazing. That was a bit of a challenge because I was able to prepare them ahead of time but they needed to be fried just before serving. Then we moved on to Shrimp Parmagiana and Scallops in a white wine butter sauce (both prepared by my guests but heated up in the new oven) as well as stuffed lobster tails. We were able to get everything on the table at the right times and keep everything moving - including keeping the kids happy! We also served the main course from the Peninsula so that the table was not too crowded. I can't say how happy I was to cook in my new kitchen. Everyone was comfortable (although it was a little crowded at the table because my dining room is small) and was able to move around the kitchen with ease. We had the kids at a small table off the end of the peninsula. I made pasta and chicken nuggets for the kids in between there too. Clean up was a breeze since we could put all the dirty dishes on the peninsula until the dishwasher was ready for them..... It was a great time for everyone and we really put my new space the test! I am happy to report that it passed with flying colors! I am also happy to report that my new wood floor (prefinished brazilian teak) really held up well too. I cleaned it up on Saturday morning and it looks great! I have two more events to host (Friday and Sunday). I am looking forward to both! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

I lost my job back in August and started planning on things to do for the holidays that would be inexpensive. I asked for and received a potholder pro for weaving potholders, kitchen wash cloths and scrubbies. I've been making potholders and wash cloths for everyone. I have also decided to make aprons from mens shirts, I've been purchasing shirts at goodwill for the past few weeks, I'll start those when I can't work outside anymore. I'll also make some breads and goodies and I've already put up homemade apple butter. I'm really getting into using old clothes/materials and recycling them. My mom is elderly and gets a bit cold at night, I found a beautiful wool cape, quality material at goodwill over the weekend. I am planning on making her a shawl from it with matching slip on slippers. I also received a butter churn for my birthday and I will be making everyone fresh butter. I'll put everything in baskets when done.

Satine, I'll be happy to share about Chanukah later today when I have time. I'll start a new thread. I like giving gifts. Getting them too, but that's the least of it, for me. I know a guy who does the guy Christmas Eve Christmas shopping because he just can't be bothered having to think of nice presents, so he goes to Walgreens and buys random stuff. A lot of As Seen On TV items. :) Some of them can be funny, and sort of the comic relief in a sea of presents, but he totally doesn't get the heartfelt part. I started buying the same thing (different colors/styles but same) for all those girls once they'd outgrown individually chosen toys and things. They're happy to have nice wrapped packages to open. I sent WrapSacks one year, cloth bags for presents, and they were disappointed not to have paper and ribbons. In the scheme of wasted packaging, a few wrapped presents aren't that big a deal and I save my eco-efforts for the poor sufferers at home. :) We always have a book and a toy for all the kids, and a book and something more grown up for the teens. At a certain point, the local kids drift into adulthood and get whatever little something the adults get. We make a big donation to the food bank or somewhere similar in honor of our family's get together, and just have a token beyond that for the adults. Last year, everyone got a Seed Gem in a little organza pouch. Pretty. Fun to open. Reusable. :) Each pretty hexagon box comes with a few seeds and a growing medium in a little plastic bag. You put the seeds in the medium, in the bag in the box, and water it as directed until you have a good start, then pull out the plastic and plant the whole thing, including the box. They have flowering plants and herbs. We do personal presents among the adults in the immediate family, and often draw names for one adult in the larger family. Nice things that we've chosen specifically to please someone. It's not about what someone can afford, but taking the time and interest to get or make them something nice. There's a price limit on the exchange, but I can always find something cool. I'm not expressing this well, on how to do it or anything, but one of my great joys is finding gifts for people that are intriguing and enriching.