Need inexpensive gift idea

[wendibird22]

You ladies always have such fun and creative ideas for inexpensive gifts. Here's the deal, a neighbor down the road is a hair dresser and has cut DDs hair 2x's now and won't charge me for it because she says it only take 2 mins to even out the back and cut her bangs. I feel guilty not paying her and would like to get her a little something as a thank you. She's just a super nice, warm, friendly person who just loves on DD. She's a pretty trendy, married 30-something who cuts hair out of her home salon and also does some hostessing/waitressing. She comes from a big Italian family and always have a ton of family and friends at their house for meals/gatherings.

I always seem to find some cute things online but the shipping and handling negates any bargains I find (like sales on Vera Bradley accessories for example).

So, any ideas? I'm thinking $15-20 price range.

[BeachBum]

How about food products? Either pick up something from Williams Sonoma,(olive oil, balsamic vinegar) or a few things from a discounter like homegoods.

Or my "go to" is a nice plant, like an orchid.

[swrc00]

I like the William Sonoma idea. What about a gift certificate to Whole Foods or a gourmet store?

[ha98ed14]

Does she like to bake? The best gift I've gotten lately was from MIL (Sshhh! Don't tell!). She got a big bottle of vanilla (the real stuff), good baking powder, choc chips and chopped walnuts. She put it in a nice gift box.

[DietCokeLover]

A gift card for Itunes?

A pretty pair of earrings?

A beach basket --- beach towel, sun lotion, book, bottled water

[CiderLogan]

Check Etsy for something that lines up with her interests, or something personalized.

[hellbennt]

French Bread Basket (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19731547)?

Blue Cloth Basket (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9935747)

4 Tin Italian Spice Gift Set (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25491196)?

[ltmommy]

I don't know, are you sure that buying her something wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable? What about if you just made her cookies or fudge or something? I think that if I were in her position, where I had an easy service I could give as a friend, it would make me feel odd if you were to buy me a gift, like if I kept cutting her hair it would seem like I expect more gifts? Does this make sense at all? IMHO, a homemade gift of food might be less awkward.

[sste]

I totally agree with the previous poster about the homemade gift. We were in a similar situation and we got the person a fancy coffee shop gift certificate . . . and they never offered the free service again! I think we made it too much like a transaction.

I would go with the home-made food and make it clear to her that you are her go-to person for collecting her mail & watering her plants when she is gone, pet sitting for a weekend or an emergency dog walk (if she is a pet owner and you are comfortable with that), lending chairs/folding tables for her big family gatherings, whatever you can think of!

[wendibird22]

Thanks for your advice. I think you are correct, I should probably make something. You know, I also thought about DD making her something.