Grab Bag Gift Ideas
December 10th, 2009 by Rodney LeeOkay, with the Triad blogger Christmas party coming up on Saturday, Paula and I need to get a Grab Bag gift each. $10 not to exceed $15.
Ideas?
Jamba Juice gift cards always work. Plus, if you buy $20 (or is it $25) worth of gift cards, you get a free Jamba juice. "White gummy, please"
What Grab Bag gift ideas can you throw out there? What great Grab Bag gifts have you received in the past?
I remember getting an umbrella once. Very practical, but not much fun.
Food stuffs always usually work: Arare, Macadamia nuts, bottle of wine, etc.
Movie tickets used to work, but nowadays - who wants to receive just 1 ticket? 
Books, CD, DVD... Help me out - before I end up at the "As Seen On TV" store. LOL
Party this Saturday at Hawaiian Brian's! Free pool and ping-pong between 7 - 10. Dance to a live band playing music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Bring a Grab Bag!
Tags: Arare, As Seen On TV, books, CD, DVD, gift ideas, Grab Bag, Hawaiian Brians, Jamba Juice, Macadamia nuts, midlife crisis blog, movie tickets, party, ping-pong, pool, Rodney Lee, Shining Star band, Triad bloggers, umbrella, White Gummy, wine
December 10th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
First
December 10th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Got lot's of good stuff at "As seen on TV" store. BI snacks are a good thing.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Yeah, I'm seriously thinking of the "As seen on TV" store. It has those things that you think "I wouldn't mind having this, but I wouldn't pay money for it".
The perfect gift. LOL
December 10th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Or Costco you can get a ton of snacks for your $$$$$. That should make anyone happy.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Wow, everyone went to sleep early tonight? Borders card is another good one, most people like to read or even get an e-story for their e-book.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Rod you so sneaky again!
Last year I found lots of stuff on Craigslist. New... not used. Ceramics, decorations, etc. I really get off on finding a bargain esp when the tags are still on.
WalMart has that $5 DVD bin with some really good titles. If the recipient already has the movie they can easily exchange it.
Jamba Juice, like you said, always works! (Orange Dream Machine for me)
Ross has nice stuff for cheap.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
pssst, sally. I think I'm going to start posting my Friday blog entries when I'm done entering them on Thursday night.
But don't tell anyone, okay?
December 10th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
@sally - Paula likes the Orange Dream Machine too. We used to order one and have them split it into two cups.
But the Fem-Boost...
December 10th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
okay Rod, your secret's safe with me.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Longs or WalMart gift card attached to a bag of kakimochi would work for me!
*I'm obviously not very creative.
Maybe Creative has good ideas.
December 10th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
NOT asleep early. This is an EARLY!!! post.
Rodney you snuck this one in.
Have a good time saturday night.
December 10th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
How about iTunes gift cards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 10th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
gift card to one of the fro-yo places
December 10th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
When I use those Jamba buy one-get one free, I freeze a bunch of little cups and keep it for future thirst quenching. I'm quite the squirell at home. I freeze extra cookies and stuff from Christmas baskets too.
Back on-topic: Being green is in! Holiday Mart (and other stores) have those nice printed shopping bags you can fill up with goodies. Then, the bag becomes useful for stuff like the beach, pot lucks, hauling cr@p to work, l'dat.
December 10th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
eh, itunes would be good. can purchase songs, or even other stuff, like tv show episodes.
December 10th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
crazy idea, but how about just plain ole cash?
December 10th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
D in O: I would luuurve a Menchies Gift Card!
Okay, this is it gang, I gotta get to sleep. My eyeballs are burning.
Good night! See y'all in the morning.
December 11th, 2009 at 12:16 am
Thanks folks. Keep 'um coming.
@DIO - Cash always works. Not as much fun, but useful!
December 11th, 2009 at 3:01 am
Hand Massager Thingys...
http://images.luckyvitamin.com/mgen/merchandizer:72097.jpg?is=400,400,0xffffff&cvt=jpg&tl=1
December 11th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Good Morning!
Cash is good, but at least get creative in the giving. Like folding them into origami type stuff. Make ten $1 bill shirts and tell them it's a "wardrobe". Or ten lucky frogs. Or ten flowers.
If you're creative (not Creative) you can make ten paper flowers with $1 coin in the middle.
Glue a $1 coin to each end of a Lifesaver roll or similar and make it look like a dumbell.
You get the idea.
December 11th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Some of my relatives are comedians so there will always be something funny...
can of corned beef and a head of cabbage
pillow shaped like women's breast (my grandfather got that one!! At his age he thought it was hilarious!)
can of spam, spam musubi maker, nori
December 11th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Costco has some really nice 2010 calendars. I got one with Vintage Hawaii pics and there's a really cute Snoopy one.
December 11th, 2009 at 6:18 am
I have two grab bag/white elephant gifts sitting in my closet - luckily they don't spoil. One is an old f@rt's chili mix, complete with dried beans. The other is a bottle of Jim Bean BBQ sauce. I think I got both of them at Ross Dress for Less - there are some interesting things in the housewares' section of that store.
I like Seattle Gail's idea of compiling the ingredients for a dish - spam musubi is classic. One year, I got a nice ceramic bowl, a can of spam and furikake as the basis for a saimin set (from a friend who lives in Sweden, of all places!) Nice serving bowls (from Marukai, e.g.) with holiday candy are also good.
December 11th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Seattle Gail: your family picture is getting really clear now. hahaha!
As a joke I once gave my brother a "Rubbah Slippah complete with Repair Kit".
Ball of string and a scissors.
December 11th, 2009 at 6:51 am
KAN: yes, Ross has "name brand" goodies at great prices!
December 11th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Good morning Rodney and MLCers!
Snacks and gift certificates always works for me.
Masako and I are gonna be a little late for the pah-tay. My son has soccer game earlier.
December 11th, 2009 at 7:02 am
I'm headed for some shopping after work today. I must have the shortest gift list and yet I take the longest time to find stuff.
Have a great day everyone! And Rod, you have a great day off! Shopping?
December 11th, 2009 at 7:18 am
@seattlegail, my naughty aunty used to make these made-to-order x-rated dolls and bouquet of flowers...flowers were either long stem boobs or male organs.
I once got a jar of sour pickles as a Christmas gift...didn't think much of it but got to thinking it was a message about my sour personality...hmmm? It was from my MIL's neighbor and my late and beloved MIL got all huhu. In-laws relationship with neighbor was going downhill at that time, think they stopped exchanging gifts after that and rarely spoke.
December 11th, 2009 at 7:18 am
I bought a couple of Xmas decorated Gift Card tin boxes from Ben Franklin while I was in HI. You can put your gift card(s) in them and use that as a grab bag gift. It was on sale for $1.99.
Since I'm in HI before Xmas, I stock up on Choc covered Mac nuts, Kona coffee bags, and Long's calendars for Xmas grab bag gifts. Probably not a good idea since you're in HI and you see this stuff everyday
One year I received from GF a tin container with a picture of old St. Nick on the cover, inside was a neatly wrapped piece of coal
I must have been Shaunaughty that year 
How about iTunes gift card
Best Buy gift cards are always nice to receive.
One year I received a can of SPAM since my job involves email and spam prevention.
How about one of those key chains that you can load with digital pictures
A stack of blank CDs/DVDs that can be used to burn music/video onto...everyone has a computer and a CD/DVD burner these days.
Victoria Secrets gift certificate
A "cooler" tote bag to keep things warm/cold. My sister saw it at the Crafts Fair at Blaisdel and peeps were buying them up......Ynaku gave me one and it's pretty cool
The umbrella gift is not so far fetched since it rains so much in HI, depending on where you are on the isle...always handy to have one...just throw it in your backpack/brief case/ murse/car.
A dust buster for wiping dust off your car is another idea for the car guy/gal..
Certificate for da works car wash
December 11th, 2009 at 7:21 am
I know some people think cash or gift cards are impersonal, but I like giving and getting them because they *will* be used. Everyone can use cash, and even if you get a gift card you can't or don't care to use, someone in your family or circle of friends almost certainly can. Same with food items: someone in your circle is bound to like something you can't/won't eat.
I like sally's idea to do money origami to make it a little more fun and personal (I just made some of the hearts with starbursts yesterday).
As for best and worst grab bag/Secret Santa gifts... best was a mug with an assortment of teas from someone who actually noticed that I was one of the few people in that office at that time who drank tea rather than coffee. Worst was a mug that said "Kathy with a capital K" from a very unobservant person who never bothered to notice or care that I sign my name all lower case (since high school and still do) and spell it with an "i" at the end, not a "y". Not that I am usually unappreciative of any gift but to me that just smacked of total obliviousness (is that even a word?).
December 11th, 2009 at 7:42 am
@ Sally & Kathi - I like the origami thing, but with my fingers it would become "Trashigami".
December 11th, 2009 at 7:43 am
:B
December 11th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I usually go with the practical gifts. Flashlights are always useful.
I am not really creative when thinking of grab bag gifts.
December 11th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I got a battery charger for five buck...the reading light for a dollar fifty..this light thing is cool it goes up and curve so you can read good for flashlight .. I get those tiny screws for glasses to fix glasses or any toys...then a box of ziploc!
December 11th, 2009 at 9:24 am
I get nail cutter for those people that has long nails for a buck ! GRAB tin for a buck can then put ten bucks ...!
December 11th, 2009 at 9:28 am
I got tin can shape like a Christmas sock I got for my cousin then I put this picture thingy photo keeper that you can put pictures download picutres from copmputer ..I add pictures I took of her from going out here and there about cost $7.50 ..then I just put money add those reading flashlight voila ...I am done
December 11th, 2009 at 9:37 am
great! now i gotta go
shopping"buying" for a grab bag now!cash is sounding better and better to me!
wait.........aha! Sensually Yours!
be right back! well......maybe not THAT fast. heh heh
December 11th, 2009 at 9:39 am
how about a passpost pouch thingy that yoru strap around your body ..if they travel they can use that..or just the passport wallet thingy..
December 11th, 2009 at 9:39 am
yeah! even better......a box of Ziploc! brilliant!
December 11th, 2009 at 9:55 am
One year I got a luggage scale.
At first I was all: "Damn, what a LAME GIFT!" But you you what? I use it all the time, and it's surprisingly accurate!
So, sorry for thinking it was lame, to whoever I got that from.
I bought a bunch of LED flashlights at Home Depot on Black Friday for grab bags this year.
December 11th, 2009 at 9:59 am
opso is going to Sensually Yours to pick out a grab bag gift?
That could be pretty amusing!
"Yay! I got a flashlight! Hey, I clicked the switch, but there's no light, only vibrati- uhhhh, never mind."
or maybe
"Yaaay! I got a flashlight! Oh no, wait. It says fleshlight."
December 11th, 2009 at 10:19 am
@RBB: You should have seen my very first attempts at money origami. They looked more like wadded-up paper balls than hearts or frogs or butterflies
December 11th, 2009 at 10:24 am
BF - heh well......not a "grab" bag gift per se. but maybe something more like "fondle". heh
yeah.....maybe get "fleshlight" key chains!
December 11th, 2009 at 10:51 am
opso & BF- Too funny! Eh, hahcome dis flashlight no mo light? hahahahaha!
December 11th, 2009 at 10:52 am
bhahahaah boy, this may be quite an interesting Triad Christmas party....
December 11th, 2009 at 10:52 am
@kathi - my origami money look like wadded up balls too. We must have been in the same class....hehe.
December 11th, 2009 at 10:54 am
eh wait, how can be a Triad Christmas party? BL stay up here? hehe... neva mind.... still gonna be fun!
December 11th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
eh, I hope you folks take plenny plenny pictures, especially of opso's grab bag gift.
December 11th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Rodney:
Too bad lottery is illegal in HI...I always buy the scratch lottery tickets as one my kids stocking stuffers. The only gift that increases in value....most times
December 11th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I received a neat gift today....it's called Bathroom Golf. It included the green mat, club, cup and a ball. I guess you can sit on the throne and practice your putting
I'll have pictures up on FB soon.....
December 11th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
DiO - huh? what's so exciting bout a Hickory Farms salami gift pack?
ankles - you better not get too comfortable and adept at that Bathroom Golf.......or else you might have to assume da doo-doo position in order to make some putts.
December 11th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
opso:
I could become famous, like with Shauna's head tilt
Me: OK everyone, time for a group picture..everyone in putting position .....CLICK
December 11th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
opso: dangit, now I really feel I going miss out not going to the party!
BananaFysh: "fleshlight"??? Are you going mining?
anklez: I'm just wondering how long you'd need to be in position to practice that Bathroom Golf game.
*OL has a gift idea for his benjyo friend at work
December 11th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
sally:
I think "practicing" every day should be sufficient....your putting will never be out of "tune"
December 11th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
anklez: so you a "regular" putter?
December 11th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
what I find you shop like a fool then it is usuelless for them so money is better..less stress..they cna do the shopping I relax...if I go to the store I pick all I need then out I go...grab something small..we argue with my husbnad the toy is noisy for my nephew put that down do you want to drive my brother crazy..
December 11th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
how about a walkie talkie ..if you lose your phone you can use that as emergency...if you are in different country I think you cna still use that if you are both not too far from each ohter.
December 11th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
a kitchen towel..or beach towel..or towel just towel...with cheaP dollAR STORE RADIO....happy now....!
December 11th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Missing in action again. Sorry. Had my annual check up today and a little shopping at Ala Mo's. Found a good grab bag idea. Will go back tomorrow for it. And one for myself.
Thanks for all the ideas and for sharing your grab bag stories.
It's not too late to come to the party tomorrow. That's okay if you didn't RSVP - just show up anyway.
* Here's a tip - ask the family if they want to go Ala Moana for some Saturday night Christmas shopping. Drop them off at 7 and come to Hawaiian Brian's for the party. I know Macy's is open until 11:00 PM. That's plenty time to party!
December 11th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
i GOT THIS DOLLAR STORE RADIO ..IT WORKS good SO WHY NOT USE THAT FOR EMERGENCY! THEN BUY DENTAL FLOSS AND TOOTHBRUSH....go hang at dollar store you will spot all sorts of stuff...see with your umbreall stick your dollar store radio sit at the beach with the towel relax...ARE YOU HAPPY THEN? get your buck binocular and yourcheap walkie talkie >>RELAX....see CHEAP TO OCCUPY YOURSELF ..then be happy.
December 11th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
just think you get a cheap dollar bag stuff that will all sort of junk relax at the beach ...YOU GOT YOUR HANDY UMBRELLA FOR YOUR WIFE since you are bored with your umbrella...funny! for ten buck you are in heaven..buy your drinks and snacks...RELAX.
December 11th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
HOW ABOUT THOSE CHAIRS THAT FOLD..I think they are ten dollars..you always need that to sit if you are out and about ... I stick chair on a boat ...I tell my husband okay don't even think I sit in that stinky foam he got for me..I bring my own folding chair plus umbrella ...while the fool fish!
December 11th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Solar Lily Flower Stake..oh pretty for $15.00...Exhart 53534 Solar Lily Flower Stake
December 11th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
OKAY how about this thing here you can stick that at the beach at night and you can use that as a flashlight... relax enjoy the night and stars.
Plastic Solar Light Set of 4 $14.95
http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/40-pl3022.html?c=19
December 11th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I think I like the solar lilly oh that would be so nice stick the lilly flower sitting at the beach... with the folding chair relax....!
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-83547458988818_2081_49559571
December 11th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Table Fan ..if you sit outside in terrace and you need cooling you put on the fan
http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-Lasko-Lasko-6-Personal-Fan-2002-W
Lasko 2002 Table Fan $13.99
December 12th, 2009 at 4:43 am
@M #26, I'll save some candy for you
@David in Oregon #48, I have camera on me and I've got Eileen to take pics too (she shoots at the 70s Night Club Reunion gigs).
Here's a thought...whoever comes tonight and receives a grab bag, return back to this BLOG and find out who gave it.
"Super Santa" will dispense grab bags just before the last set.
I'll be at Brian's 4pm to setup, may even get in a few rounds of pool and ping pong. We have dart boards in the lounge, bring quarters for that.
Also, I pulled out a few items from the Pro Shop for door prizes. Everyone will get a ticket when you arrive, and for each drink purchased you get another ticket.
Come wearing sparkly / Christmassy stuff if can. It'll be a casual night...perhaps put an ornament on your head? Eh...whatever makes your Christmas spirit chime.
There's also Karaoke when Shining Star pau. So, Sally when you're done with your party, come over afta. I'll be running the system till 1:00am-ish.
Ooh...and let's take a Christmas photo. It'll be available to download Sunday.
December 12th, 2009 at 4:47 am
...that's FREE Karaoke...choke songs to choose from...
For whatever reason you can't make it tonight...come Sunday night 7pm~11pm...it's FREE Karaoke night and I'm hosting that. All night happy hour.
December 12th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Good Morning Everyone!
@Supes: You really know which buttons to push. ha! 1am we'll probably be just starting to clean up. Group pic is a must! Have fun tonight everybody!
December 12th, 2009 at 9:16 am
@Largo #59, I like the way you think!
December 12th, 2009 at 9:53 am
December 12th, 2009 at 11:48 am
@c0hiba
@Rosette - lots of great ideas! Thanks
December 12th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Too late for me to fly over for the pah-tay
Y'all have fun tonight
December 12th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
FILL THIS TOTE UP WITH TOWEL..TOILET PAPER KLEENEX... ALL SORT OF THINGS YOU CAN FILL THIS UP...YES HERE RE GIFT YOUR UMBRELLA..funny.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/storage/bins-totes-containers/nest-stack/industrial-tote-10-gallon-blue?utm_source=nextag&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Containers-NestS-nextag&infoParam.campaignId=WI
December 12th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
yes just think you can fill that plastic storage with water for emergency when they shut the water off ..you can use that to bath or ..you can drag that to the beach full of junk..YOUR 10 dollars goes a long way.... then fill it up with sand ..funnny!
December 13th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Supes did a pitstop at "Hello Kitty" Castle...now I'm off to the Marathon...
Pikchas coming early evening.
December 13th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Supes: Something for Lois? : )
Good Morning everyone. Who went to the Triad Party? I heard you folks stayed for karaoke.
December 13th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
@ sally - not really, I had to drop off a load. We had to do the Marathon this morning.
Something for Lois will be later tonight