Christmas gift ideas....20 - 25 dollars.

[Jim O'Dell]

I'm looking for some help for a list to the family drawing for Christmas gifts. For some reason I'm drawing a blank, not totally, but somewhat. I figure this could help many of you in what to ask for, or ideas to give to a fellow woodworker.
I have 2 things on my list so far: a 2 pack of self adhesive tape measures. I do need this for one of the table saws that has become damaged. And a contribution in my name to Sawmill Creek for contributor status. This one would be easy for whomever draws my name. The other would be ok for a some of the people who live in either OKC or Houston, but tough if the in laws from Ada draw my name as there isn't a local Woodcraft to get it from. I wish one of the magazine subscriptions I wanted would fit, but they are just over the price limit.
So, any ideas that would work for just about any woodworker? Jim.

[Mark Ashmeade]

And here I was thinking this was a thread about making Christmas gifts for others in the $20-$25 range!

[Roger Bullock]

After receiving gifts for my shop from non-woodworking relatives in the past that was totally not useful and nowhere close to what I had put down on my wish list, I now list the tool or item I would like, where to purchase it including the part number including description. I also show the catalog photo, description, or where it is at the store to my wife. Somehow the person who draws my name seems to ask her about the item on my list instead of asking me....must be that secrete Santa thing.

Last year I asked for a Japanese style double cut pull saw (you would be surprised how often it gets used) for Christmas. Low and behold, it was under the tree. When I asked the giver if they had trouble finding it " They said somehow they knew the store, the isle it was in, and the description with part number, it didn't get any easier than that!".

[Bas Pluim]

After receiving gifts for my shop from non-woodworking relatives in the past that was totally not useful and nowhere close to what I had put down on my wish list, I now list the tool or item I would like, where to purchase it including the part number including description.
I do something similar. I maintain a simple web site (via Google) that has product links, images and when possible free shipping codes. Easy to share with people, you can update it whenever you see something you like (even non-woodworking items), and it cuts down significantly on the useless items.

[glenn bradley]

I keep a running "Wish List" of low dollar items at several online suppliers. My real purpose here is to strike when they offer free shipping. The lists have come to serve a dual purpose though. I can select a few items and put them in a separate list that is available publicly and when folks ask what I want, I email a link to the list to them.

[Bill Huber]

Here are some things in that range that I have and really like and use.

Bench Cookie™ 8-Pack with Storage Rack $19.99

Incra 6" Protractor $27.95

Incra 6" Pro T-Rule $24.95

12" center finder ruler $11.29
Bench Coolies 4-pack $9.99

4 Ft. Universal T-Track $20.99

ProjectCalc Home Project Calculater $19.98

Brass Setup Bars - 5 Pc. Set-4" $20.99

Jessem Paralign Featherboards $21.99

[David Weaver]

I'm looking for some help for a list to the family drawing for Christmas gifts. For some reason I'm drawing a blank, not totally, but somewhat. I figure this could help many of you in what to ask for, or ideas to give to a fellow woodworker.
I have 2 things on my list so far: a 2 pack of self adhesive tape measures. I do need this for one of the table saws that has become damaged. And a contribution in my name to Sawmill Creek for contributor status. This one would be easy for whomever draws my name. The other would be ok for a some of the people who live in either OKC or Houston, but tough if the in laws from Ada draw my name as there isn't a local Woodcraft to get it from. I wish one of the magazine subscriptions I wanted would fit, but they are just over the price limit.
So, any ideas that would work for just about any woodworker? Jim.

DVDs and books, especially if they're available on amazon. I have the same issue, a $25 gift exchange. I've been getting DVDs and books every year. I only made the mistake of not specifying what I wanted to have one time. Someone gave me socks and gloves :rolleyes:

In years where we're together, and write out our lists, I just pop on the computer and get a website and write it on the list.

The other good thing about DVDs and books is they ship media mail, so you don't get stuck asking for some accessory that will be shipped but at a high cost.

[Josiah Bartlett]

Router bits, drill bits, pepper mill gut kits, boxes of screws, finishing supplies, Rockler gift cards, or Lowes/HD/Ace gift cards, HF gift cards.

Band saw blades, scroll saw blades

Sand paper

[David Hostetler]

I keep several Amazon Wish Lists, one I call "Inexpensive Gift Ideas", where I feature sub $50.00 items, most in the sub $25.00 range...

Actually at this point, I have most of the big $$ tools I want, okay I dream of upgrading to a 12" jointer / planer combo machine, and a SawStop cabinet saw, but for reality instead of pipe dreams, I am pretty well set, aside from a mess of small stuff, and stock to work with...

I don't think this will go very far, but my biggest wish is well over the $25.00 limit, but I would love a couple hundred board feet of oak, walnut, pecan, and mesquite...

Heck I'd be happy with a couple of cords of Mesquite firewood that is cut long, and not split that I may be able to run through a band saw jig... Mistakes can always go in the smoker...

Some examples of what is on my inexpensive gift ideas wish list...

Large flat jaws for my Woodriver lathe chuck. $25.50 (is 50 cents over okay?) http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020042/18877/Large-Flat-Jaws-Chuck.aspx
Harbor Freight Digital Moisture Meter for $12.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-mini-moisture-meter-67143.html
Steelex 25 piece brad point drill bit set. My B&D 15 piece set is getting long in the tooth, and costing me more to replace the dulled, breaking bits than a new set would be. $22.50 http://www.amazon.com/Steelex-D2305-Coated-Point-25-Piece/dp/B0000DD1UY/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IV7FQMI70PGAL&colid=634SEPLQ441P
12" Hardwood Handscrews from Harbor Freight $6.99 each http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-hardwood-handscrew-clamp-4854.html
Router Bit Organizer tray bushings. $7.00 for a pack of 20 http://www.amazon.com/CMT-03-51-0049A-Bushings-Router-Organizer/dp/B000P4HJ14/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2E100BZP6DR1T&colid=634SEPLQ441P
Peg Board basket set of 3. $12.99 each http://www.amazon.com/Bulldog-Hardware-131595-Mesh-Basket-Value/dp/B002OXOFPC/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I20NAG8GHAHTFA&colid=634SEPLQ441P
Peg Board 50 piece peg set. $6.99 http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-50-Piece-Peg-Board-Set/dp/B0009WDUDS/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I276666ERT37LL&colid=634SEPLQ441P
Big Horn band clamps. $14.67 each http://www.amazon.com/Big-Horn-19632-Multi-Angle-Nylon/dp/B001BZZ0H6/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I23VHVTB8ZIZGT&colid=634SEPLQ441P

Rumor is that Amazon will offer Free Shipping on all purchases on Black Friday...

[Eric DeSilva]

Like others, I use a wish list at Amazon. As a side note, if you use FF, they have a little applet that allows you to put anything from any retailer on your wish list. Makes it easy.

[Jim O'Dell]

Good ideas all! Thanks! Hopefully we can keep this going so others have something to refer back to. Jim.

[Greg Portland]

marking gauges & knives, clamps, incra squares & measures, and router bits

[Doug Shepard]

I use these quite a bit more than I thught I would. Very handy
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=54892&cat=1,43456,54892
http://www.amazon.com/Incra-Tiny-T-rule/dp/B003A0GTZC

[Rich Engelhardt]

pocket screws, clamps, HF digital caliper, "button batteries", sanding disks, shellac flakes, quarts of solvents (mineral spirits - alcohol)

Honey Baked Ham, Christmas Ale,,,,ummm- sorry got carried away ;)