In need of a gift for a large family...

[amyb66]

My neighbors are great and I would like to do soemething special for them this year, but I am not able to afford a gift for each person in their family as they do foster care and have 7 children plus the two parents.
Last year I did a popcorn basket with a blockbuster gift card...I am in need of a family gift that would be liked and appreciated.
Any great ideas going through your mind???
I have thought about making a few meals to make a head of time and freeze and then add directions, but I am not sure!!!

Amy

[Juanita G]

How about games, I've seen alot of hand made games here on SCS. I like your meal idea as well.

[Juanita G]

I found this in the gallery activity Jar by JILLIANTANNER at Splitcoaststampers.

[AlternateReality]

Why not do the popcorn and Blockbuster gift card thing again this year? I think that's a useful and thoughtful gift, and one I'd love to receive though I have only two kids; I can't even imagine trying to pay for taking seven kids to the movies!

Another gift basket idea might be to do one with fruit and also some packaged breakfast mixes, like gourmet pancake batter. Or maybe other food baskets, like Italian pastas and sauces, or a snack basket with chips, crackers, salsa and dips (canned or in jars), or a "pre-cookie" basket with some packaged cookie or dessert bar mixes (many of which you could attractively package yourself with simple ingredients).

I think it's wonderful you want to give a gift to your neighbors; anything you do will be appreciated, I'm sure.

[Jessica'sMom]

WOW...wish you were my neighbor...that is so thoughtful. We are a family of seven and I can tell you that any kind of food gift would be LOVED and devoured in our house. We often cut corners and just do the basics, so any kind of treat or fun food themed gift would go over huge, I'm sure. Gift cards for fun family things that they probably can't afford would be good, too, like the movies or roller skating or bowling.

[Juanita G]

I love the food gift basket ideas, how about a basket of thing to make pizza, my kids love making pizza. Some thing all the kids could be included in making it.

[ndeelou]

What about a disposable camera and a pre paid film developing envy? maybe even a nice picture frame (if you still have money left)

Or just the picture frame and a walmart gift card if you know they have a digital camera already. It is hard enough to keep up photographically with one or two kids.. much less seven! And it would also be nice if they foster kids had a photographic memory to take to their next home.

Betsy

[winnieu]

How about a fun boardgame like catchphrase or something? Or how about baking them something special? You can send them a food basket or make one yourself filled with store bought or homemade goodies.....most important thing is the thought behind it.

Have fun!

[amanda0711]

I did a movie/popcorn basket for family gifts last year too. This year I am doing Ice Cream baskets including different syrups, nuts, cherries, sprinkles, and a gift card for ice cream.

[amyb66]

Thanks for the great ideas...keep them comming!
I just remembered that I bid on a basket at our church's fall festival and I won it. It has several free things in it.
We used the Quizno free lunch coupons, BUT....there are some free bowling passes and I think that there are 7 free skating passes.
I may be able to make a food basket and then in a card put the free passes and that way only the parents will have to pay for admission to a fun day...I know that they do not normally go skating or bowling.
I love the pasta basket, the pizza basket and the breakfast basket.
I may have to make one of each and give to teachers, neighbors and family!
Awesome ideas :-)

[Iheartstamping]

If you are close with the family (and all the children are manageable), how about you take the kids to a movie and give the parents a few hours off. If you have a dollar theater in the area, it could be quite inexpensive. Having four kids myself, I know the gift of peace and quiet can be worth more than gold.

[SweetHeidiJo]

Games are always a nice idea but I'm gonna bet there is a pretty huge age gap with that many kids, hence finding a game for all might be tough! I would definitely suggest something like the popcorn and movie card or things that they might not 'splurge' on. I came from a family of 7 and we didn't tend to buy or make a lot of meals that would be expensive for all of us to eat. I'm sure you'll find something!

[Birddee]

I have the same problem with my BIL in VA. Never know what to get his family. One year I did a cookie theme. I bought several cookie mixes, sprinkles, frosting in tubes, cookie cutters, a wooden spoon and a big mixing bowl to put it all in. It was a big hit with the kids and parents! I've done the popcorn and movie one too.

[Melissa Hannant]

I'm liking the popcorn basket idea. I can only imagine what trying to feed and entertain 9 people must be like. Even if they are receiving funds from the state each month to care for these kids, its still not cheap. Last year I made some of my husband's employees a similar thing with a Netflix gift subscription, bottled root beer, movie theater sized boxed candy and micorwave popcorn. I think I got away with $15 per gift. I know with 7 kids, you need more, but I thinks its fun and a thoughtful idea.

[Jillgunter]

You could make a popcorn one for the kids and maybe a coffee one for the parents(god knows they need it with that many kids ).

[stampin_heather]

We got personalized coffee mugs and hot cocoa one year from family. The idea was to have the cocoa together and have some "family time". It was a cute idea.

[Vee]

Once you find the coupons, go to the skating rink or bowling alley and get gift cards there for pizza or snacks to go with. Add in some of those light stick, glow bracelets for the kids and they are set for a great winter day family activity for free! IT is so nice of you to think of helping a foster family, they are so important.

[scoutpup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampin_heather

We got personalized coffee mugs and hot cocoa one year from family. The idea was to have the cocoa together and have some "family time". It was a cute idea.

You could do this and add in a rubbermaid container of homemade hot chocolate mix along with the recipe to make more of it. I only have 4 kids but I love making the homemade hot chocolate mix because it is so inexpensive and easy. Just scoop a few spoonfulls in and fill with hot water. Even my 8 yo can make it. I make a huge container of it and it lasts a while.

Here is the recipe that I got from a girl scout source. I add a bit of cocoa to it as well. Enjoy! We made some today!!

1 clean grocery sack
> 1 unused plastic trash bag big enough to fit in the grocery bag, and
> fold out over the sides
> (Do this now. This is your mixing bowl)
> 1 Large box of powdered milk (at least 16 qt.)
> 4 c. powdered sugar
> 1 jar (11 oz.) dry non-dairy creamer
> 1 container (at least 16oz.) of NesQuick
>
> Dump all of this into the bag, stirring with a wooden spoon as you
> dump. Close the plastic bag, and tie it shut. Fold the grocery bag shut, if you
> can, and shake REALLY HARD. Portion out into baggies, cello bags, mason
> jars, or any other airtight container.
>
> To serve, mix about 1/3 cup into 1 cup of very hot water. Stir until
> dissolved.
>
> We usually added extra Nesquick, because we liked it really
> chocolatey. I have used flavored creamers, and would recommend
> splitting the total amount between flavored and unflavored, or it can
> get really strong. I have also mixed up a batch, then just added some
> extra flavored creamer to
> part of it when I was making it for gifts. Other yummy
> additions...miniature
> marshmallows, crushed peppermint candies, some instant coffee, and my
> personal favorite, William Sonoma Sweet Ground Chocolate. Yum!
> My other tip....if the powdered milk is really clumpy, sift it in. (I
> buy
> the cheap stuff for everything but the NesQuick, and have found sifting
> the
> milk makes it dissolve better, as well as look prettier in jars.)
>

Jodi

[Debra Cherney]

You're so nice!

We have four children, two still at home (two teenage boys with healthy appetites). Anything useful is always appreciated and anything that is a treat is especially appreciated. There are so many things that we like but don't always buy like fudge, carmels, and even things like cashews. If they are coffee drinkers, really good coffee is a great idea, you could also add hot chocolate and marshmallows for the kids.

A frozen meal is great and so is a coupon for a few pizzas, if that's not to spendy. When I buy a few frozen pizzas my sons love it. I usually only buy them when they're on sale and they go fast.

Let us know what you decide.