Every year, we get invited to several parties that involve some kind of “Pollyanna,” or “White Elephant,” Gag Gift kind of gifting game. Adults are welcomed to bring a gift under $50, which gets thrown into a big pool. Different families/parties have different rules to make these games interesting (competitive/humorous/mean, whatever you want to call it). I have to admit that my least favorite part about this game is FINDING THE GIFT!
Something under $50 that can appeal to multiple parties is hard. Sometimes we separate the ladies gifts for men’s gifts. Sometimes we don’t. Since Hubs and I tend to be a little competitive, we struggle to find A GREAT GIFT that will grab some attention from perusers.
Here are my top suggestions this year for anyone looking for gifts under $50. You know I’m shopping on my phone, looking for PRIME deals that will get delivered immediately. Here’s what I found!
rose gold Wine glasses
Sometimes, picking the winning gift for these games comes from aiming my shopping at particular people. There are couples I can invision LOVING these cute little glasses for a romantic night at home this winter. (Side note: Hubs wants to know what makes something feel romantic. Spoiler alert: it’s cheesy/fun/silly glasses like these!) It helps that I have seen these glasses all over Reality TV shows like Love is Blind (OMG……my secret vice is this show, and I don’t know how you came up with it, Nick Lachey, but it is genius and incredibly entertaining). These glasses are sweet and simple and serve a purpose, so I’m down.
Weekender bag collection
I don’t know about you, but I NEVER feel like I have the right bag for the weekend or a night away. I have a huge Vera Bradley duffle, which I love, but if we need to sneak away for a beat, it would be nice to have something besides the orange L.L. Bean backpack I used in college (although, it is nostalgic and makes Hubs all squishy with love for those days long ago). This overnight bag is just the right size and even has a separate compartment for shoes. It looks cute and serves a purpose. I love gifts that will keep on giving. I feel confident in this find!
bluetooth key finder
This may seem like a weird suggestion for a gift, but my sweet Hubs loses his keys, wallet, and phone on the regs. I have encouraged him to place them in the same spot every time for somewhere in the neighborhood of the past 18 years. To no avail. Given that apples usually don’t fall too far from trees, I KNOW there are other family members who share his propensity for key loss. This sweet little bluetooth key finding tracker is inexpensive and practical. Color me excited!
Electric s’mores maker
Here’s the thing about a s’mores maker. I don’t know anyone who will not like this. Who doesn’t like chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers outside of the .5% of chocolate allergy people out there?? We love building a beautiful fire in our outdoor fire pit, but there are times when I don’t have the time/energy/wood supply to get this taken care of. Especially in winter, I only want to snuggle up with my favorite blanket and slippers. An electric s’mores maker takes the extra hassle out of my favorite treat. An electric s’mores maker is also ideal for my city-dwelling brethren. Those folks who maybe don’t have a backyard or a firepit to light up cannot be denied the joys of melted chocolate! This is a fun, silly, entertaining gift that may not get use 100x a year, but it will certainly get use.
Leak-proof snack container
I can hear you laughing as you read this recommendation, but I am definitely “a woman of a certain age,” who knows the importance of (1) meal planning and (2) not leaking weird goopy crap all over the inside of my car. Planning and packing my meals and snacks ahead of time keeps me healthy. A cute little container such as this Bentgo Snack Cup is a practical, useful, life goal. If no one else grabs for this bad boy during our Pollyanna game, I am all in! I love the cute colors, too.
If you’ve found ideal Pollyanna gifts this year or in years past, please, share the wealth! Leave a comment below or on FB. I would love to know what is working for you! Share the peace, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
4 the Love of Peace 