Favorite items from/ good ideas for COTH secret santa packages?

[4Martini]

I'd love to hear about things you got that you really loved/ appreciated and any ideas for lower priced things to put in Secret Santa packages!

Thanks!

[KPF]

I was thinking of starting a thread like this too, to get ideas for this year's SS. I've participated for 2 years and some of my fave gifts were:

big bucket of horse treats ('cause my horses loooove their cookies)

boot socks

monogrammed saddle pad

I'm curious to see what else people got or gifted in years past... I'm trying to think of more ideas for my wish list this year!:)

[dressagetraks]

Chocolate is always appropriate. :yes: I got some delicious truffles last year.

[RolyPolyPony]

Boot socks, yes!!

Candy!

Horsey treats - even though I don't hjave my own horse, the schoolies always appreciate them :)

[Mtn trails]

Is there a dollar limit on secret santa gifts? I've always hesitated to join because I feel like I have to spend a lot on a gift. I mean, what are people spending out there. I'd hate to feel cheap after I get something really nice and feel I need to reciprocate.

[4Martini]

Great ideas!

Mtn Trails- you sign up based on $10 increments and everyone gets matched up (but the person you give to is not the person you get from.) So if you choose $20 you spend $20 (not including shipping) and get a gift that someone else shopped for with a $20 guideline. That doesn't mean people woln't go over or under- but it's the plan. I had fun shopping last year and am already getting really excited this year. I keep my limit fairly low - so it's fun- check out of the official sticky at the top though- it says some people go up to $150!

[Carrera]

Fav. gifts that I've gotten...

A stunning bag with galloping horses on it
Hand crafted tree ornaments
boot socks
CHOCOLATE!!!

I have loved everything that I;ve gotten through SS

[macmtn]

May I suggest checking out these Cother's websites who have/sell/make gifts for your holiday shopping this year?



http://www.mightythoroughbredclique.com/shopcoth.html

[Buffyblue]

Leather halter with my horse's name on it.
Saddle pad with her name on it.
Clippers.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

macmtn - YOU BEAT ME TO IT!!!


There are some incredibly gifted arteestes on this board. Jewelery, browbands, craft items, clothing (horse and people). Several of them have been generous enough to donate when I asked them for Special Horses Inc.

Some of our groups also sell tshirts and other items, with proceeds going towards their organization - some of these are cookbooks, which have great recipes and are always a welcome addition!

[Donkey]

I got a pre-gift teasing card that included a hand painted doodle of my horse. I loved it! It's now framed (Thanks Vesper Sparrow!).

[Candle]

I got the coolest beaded browband from a COTH'er in CA and I cannot remember her NAME :o It's gorgeous though, and I use it every single day. That's hands down one of my faves!

[tullyleague]

I was thinking of starting a thread like this too, to get ideas for this year's SS. I've participated for 2 years and some of my fave gifts were:

big bucket of horse treats ('cause my horses loooove their cookies)

boot socks

monogrammed saddle pad

I'm curious to see what else people got or gifted in years past... I'm trying to think of more ideas for my wish list this year!:)

And leather nameplate bracelets! :D

[Reynard Ridge]

Books. :D

[ChocoMare]

A lovely dressage rider key fob.

Brass bridle tags with my mare's names (from SmartPak!)

Chocolate!!!!

Sugar-free horsie treats

[Angela Freda]

I'm making a new version of my rice packs for the barn workers- hand warmers.
They're the size of a deck of cards, microwave them and they keep your hands warm for an hour, and then just nuke them again. I'm making a pillowcase style cover that is washable as well.

[DairyQueen2049]

Brushes with a brass name plate w/ my horse's name on them!!!!:yes::yes::yes:

[4Martini]

Great ideas - and I love the link to the COTH businesses- I was drooling over some of those web pages that I'd never been to before!

Anyone else have great ideas?

[ddashaq]

My favorites were a monogrammed sheet and saddle pad along with a big bag of chocolate. That was the BEST year!

[Penthilisea]

Mini Safety/health kit. It was all travel size versions of bandaids, neosporin, deoderant, mini hair brush, etc.

[aspenlucas]

Last year as a teaser before the big gift I got homemade soaps. I LOVE homemade soaps!!!

[ShadyLover]

Candles are a great idea! I've been able to find horsie soy ones in tack stores before, They don't ahve them anymore :(. They are super nice. They don't leave black crap on the top of the candle and burn FOREVER. I've searched online but can't seem to find any. Last year I was able to find some XMAS ones that i gave for secret santa. People loved them since they smell so GOOD!:D Plus a big one was only about $20.

Anyone have any idea on where I might be able to find some online?!

[Polydor]

Do we have a database or thread with all of the artists/jewllery /craft people on the forum?? Or is it just the matter of tracking them down.

Would love to see a list so i could support our "locals".

Only have done one year but loved what Donkey got me. Mainly canadian chocolat bars ( desperatly missed my coffee crisps over in australia), TIM Hortons coffee mix!!! lol

P.

[Jingo-ace]

Just a reminder to those sending OUT a pkg to someone else, please put a name in there somewhere! I've had a couple SS pkgs that I never could decipher WHOM they were from??? :( How can we thank our Santa's for their LOVELY creative gifts if we don't know who you are! Thanks a million!

[Showjumper28]

I always get awesome stuff! A breakaway Baker Halter, monogrammed standing wraps and saddle pad in my colors, wood picture frames with my horses show names and barn names on them. Treats for me and the ponies! So many great things... Can't wait for this year!

[Bluehorsesjp]

I loved my gifts last year! (Thank you palaminomorgan).
I got stall plates for both my horses, not just normal brass ones, but nice wood ones with pictures of my horses on them, a really cool bag with a stencil of my horse, and a leather halter.
Everything was so well thought out and personal.
Oh and the home made cookies and chocolate weren't too bad either. :D

[LisaB]

Tiempo got me a JC hoofpick that you'd have to pry it from my dead hands to get it from me.
I've also gotten some homemade chocolate chip cookies that were wonderful plus the timing couldn't have been better. They came the day the in-laws were coming and I had not one bit of sweets for them. Perfect!
I love that I got warm stuff. Headband, gloves, washable blanket.
Another year I got this backpack for picnics. I never thought I would like it but it gave us an excuse to go out on 'dates'. :D

[ChocoMare]

Great gift ideas (especially personalized items) from SmartPak's new Holiday Catalog! Smart Gift Guide (http://www.smartpakequine.com/giftguide/?cm_sp=EHP-_-feature-_-GiftShop)

[SuperSTB]

SS items given and received (this horse BB and on another):

personalized mouse pad, subscriptions, horse treats, chocolate, picture frames, matching custom color saddle pad and wraps, halters, name plates, stall plates, personalized calendar, horsey gifts from amish. Horse ornaments too... last year my giftee was expecting!

[4Martini]

There is an article in this month's practical horseman about 16 gifts that give back - proceeds donated to charities. A couple of the websites are:

www.astablesolution.com (really nice looking soaps)
shop.thesanimalrescuesite.com (very cute horse necklace)