My boss sent out an email last week that he was hosting a holiday party for everyone at his house on the 20th. He asked everyone to let him know if they could make it. I emailed him that DH and I can come. THIS week, he emails out that the 20th is a go, and that everyone attending should bring a $10-$25 gift (or, if your spouse is coming also, TWO $10-$25 gifts) to put into a gift exchange.
I feel a little blindsided because he didn't mention gifts at all when he invited us to the holiday party. Now I feel like I have to go because I RSVP'ed yes. So we're stuck buying 2 gifts for up to $50. We can afford it, but still.
Perhaps your husband can have a tooth pulled a couple of days earlier (or similar dental emergency) and you are staying home to take care of him since he can't drive with the pain meds...............coincidentally, my DH had a tooth pulled just after Thanksgiving..........a crown, a HUGE filling, or some such thing works. Or he can get a flu shot and have a bad reaction.........
If you craft - it is amazing what you can pull together with a basket, a cheap DVD from the discount rack, a microwave popcorn bag, a BIG chocolate bar ($1 right now on sale most of the places I've seen), and a couple of bottles of Coke (Pepsi if that is what you know the office drinks) and some wrap to make it look FANCY. Make two..........a Western or Action movie and a CHICK flick with TWO bars of chocolate and a small bottle of wine? If you can find Jordan almonds or some other "movie theater concession stand treat" - get one or two of those in the bag instead of the chocolate bar.........
If you end up getting your own gift back...............make sure you like the movie.........
Perhaps a nice copy of It's A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart and a bell ornament for the recipient's tree? Or one of the various Christmas Carol incarnations..........Muppets, Mr Magoo, Patrick Stewart, there is another with Scrooge in the Old West, and a newer one with Whoopee Goldberg.............
