Help please - making a gift package for a "Lazy Day at Home Because Gifter Can't Afford A Spa"

[Rabrrrrrr]

For sister and her hubby, I'd like to put together a package with some stuff in it to make a day at home watching movies. Kind of like being away on vacation, but without the expense, because I can't afford to send them off to a spa for the weekend.

So far, I have:

Champagne to have Mimosas for breakfast

old black & white movies (they love those) and some snacks:
jumbo cashews
macadamia nuts
microwavable popcorn
gourmet cheese popcorn

a package of a variety of hot chocolate mixes

Bottle of cognac
Bottle of wine

1 coupon for them to send their kids to stay with me for a weekend

I'd like to get them something that could be used for lunch, but clearly can't do anything perishable - I had thought maybe a boxed lunch of some kind, something that they could just boil up or microwave, like a box of fettucini alfredo or a couple boxes of that fancy gourmet soup, or some other prepared meal.

I thought I'd include $25 so they could order pizza for supper, and have the wine with that - or should I maybe give them a six pack of beer if I'm doing pizza? Or skip the pizza thing, and come up with something else? I thought pizza because, where they live, that's the only food that will deliver and since it's their day of being lazy at home, I hate to give them something that they have to cook up and futz around with since they'll have to do that for lunch.

So, please add your creative and wonderfully DUer ideas - what else could I give them to make the day a fun, relaxing, all-inclusive day? (and nothing sex-related, please)

[Ellen Forradalom]

1. A paperback copy of 'Valley of the Dolls'

[RetroLounge]

13. I like the way you think!

Peyton Place is good too for that...

:hi:

RL

[Shakespeare]

2. If you have a Trader Joe's near you....

They have some GREAT heat-and-eat (and not refrigerated/perishable) entrees. They're all vegetarian (but meat can be added). One is a line of traditional Indian dishes, and the other line is asian noodle dishes (satay, kung pao and pad thai). They also have some premium cocoa mixes there for about half what you'll pay anywhere else. Same for the Champagne (they have a couple of quality, but inexpensive, proseccos that would be great for the mimosa idea). Hell, they even have huge, beautiful baskets for a song (to put the goodies in).

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. Alas, I do not - I wish I did!

I've been to one once, and it was pretty cool.

[KitchenWitch]

3. Maybe a gift card for Hickory Farms

They could order online what they might like for a lunch (you know, cheese, crackers, beef stick...)

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Good idea - but they live in Wisconsin, so they can get better stuff locally.

Meaning no offense to Minnesota. :-)

But your idea has sparked another idea in my head... thanks!

[KitchenWitch]

6. Was not sure where they lived, so I was going with something that was available nationally!

:D

Glad you got an idea!

[Ellen Forradalom]

14. Wisconsin? How about an all expenses paid trip to RetroLounge's living room?

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. If they were me, that would be the gift of a lifetime! But they don't really read,

so it would be a waste for them.

[Ellen Forradalom]

24. Hahahaha! The gift of a lifetime for me, too!

I'm wondering if I should run the Madison Marathon just so I can hop over to Milwaukee and GO SHOPPING!

[hisownpetard]

7. This is absolutely the sweetest idea, ever. How adorable! I'm gonna try to think of something

to add, but you've done a great job on your own.

Kudos for your creative and thoughtful gift-i-ness!!

Ed:typo

[hisownpetard]

8. Don't forget the orange juice (for the mimosas).

How about a Genoa salami, a nice piece of cheese, some crackers and mustard?
That's not perishable (or not too), and would go well with the libations you mentioned.

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. Since it might be a few months before they use it

(I can see the dark doldrums of February being a prime time) I'm afraid of giving them stuff like salamis and cheese and so forth. Though certainly a jar of mustard and a box of crackers works perfect! Maybe some kind of fancy jelly to use at breakfast, too.

[VenusRising]

9. Maybe some cushy bath robes.

Bath salts or massage oils.

A bag of tea-light candles are quite inexpensive even if you get the scented kinds.

Chocolates or their favorite candies.



I can usually think of dozens of things, but I'm having brain block tonight. You're giving them a wonderful gift and I'm sure they will appreciate it very much.

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. Sending this around again - thanks for the help so far; how about some more creative ideas?

Thanks!

[redwitch]

12. massage oil

nice moisturizer, bath fizzies, check Marshalls or TJ Maxx for spa type stuff. Great gift, BTW.

[Gormy Cuss]

15. Something for the bath/shower-- a nice soap, a subtle bath oil

It's not sexual, it's recognizing that having the time to pamper themselves with a good long shower or tub soak is a luxury.

[Shine]

16. Wow, sounds like you're really gonna liquor them up!

;) seriously, I think your idea is creative and clever.

I'd throw in a nice candle and a CD of some nice Brazilian music. I'm all about ambiance, baby. :D

:hi:

[Rabrrrrrr]

18. How much music is a brazilian?

:rofl:

[Shine]

17. I put a "breakfast basket" together today from stuff I got at Cost Plus

nice basket filled with red curled and shredded wood fiber, as a base

two different fancy scone mixes: lemon poppyseed and blueberry

two gourmet fruit jams

traditional eggnog mix packet with it's own mini whisk

3 single-serving packets of peppermint hot chocolate

I'm gonna wrap the whole thing up with green cellophane paper and ribbon. I think it'll look classy! :thumbsup:

I'm still debating if I should throw in a bottle of expensive champagne, too.

[Rabrrrrrr]

21. That sounds pretty good, too! I like the scones and jam idea.

[AllegroRondo]

20. how about some fuzzy slippers?

always nice when laying around watching movies.

and maybe some instant pancake mix, and coffee.

[Kashka-Kat]

22. where do you live- there are massage therapists (non sex) that can make house calls

[rug]

23. They would send their children to you for a weekend?

:scared:

[Heidi]

26. We'd trust Rabrrrrrr with our cat for a weekend.

The Wiley and Excellent Cat Named Ginger could benefit socially from some quality time with a person who refuses to be subjugated by a cat, and I've got a feeling that Rabrrrrrr _might_ not be a "What? You don't like the Alaska sea perch I just boiled for you???? I apologize! Here, how about some fresh, rare, bloody deli roast beef, torn into bite-size morsels and fed to you directly from my santized fingertips?" kinda guy.

[Heidi]

25. How about "Sideways" on DVD and a nice bottle of wine?

That's what we sent to my mom and dad for Valentine's Day this year and they had a great time. As an "extra" we also sent "Waiting for Guffman" on DVD. It takes a lot to give my dad the giggles or even inspire him, but he followed our little gift up by taking my mom to California wine country for their anniversary. :)