$5 retreat exchange ideas
 

I'm new to quilting -- actually a re-entry quilter -- and I'm going to my first retreat soon. I'm quite excited because I really like these people, have a ton of projects to work on, and look forward to learning from everyone else.

There is a $5 exchange where each participant brings a brown paper lunch bag with $5 worth of quilting things in it. The suggestion was to be creative using coupons etc. I gather that people go beyond the $5 amount. My question to all of you is for suggestions on what to include. Although I haven't made full size quilts in about 20 years, I do make paper pieced miniatures and thought I might make a teeny Christmas ornament to include. I just don't have ideas for the "store bought" item(s).

Have you seen that big ric rac. My LQS has it for $1 a yard. Five yards of one color or one yard of five colors.

I'd probably go for something like a cute scissor fob and a piece of dark chocolate; a cute pair of small scissors; a packet of machine needles and a spool of thread; a cute mug rug and maybe a matching mug (or again, anything with chocolate.)

PS--just re-read my answer. I have "cute" on my brain! Sorry!

Great ideas, thank you. Chocolate is my favorite quilt notion...

If it was me on the receiving end ... I'd sooner receive quality than a lot of junky things! \
So what I'm going to suggest ... Less is More!
Not that you can't get a LOT of good things for $5 ... just to consider the merit in what you choose.

And yes, I'd appreciate something you made!!!

I agree with QuiltE and would love something someone made.

Fat quarter, thread, needles, pins, all these are pretty inepensive

I would love to recieve something you made such as a holiday ornament! Also I imagine people really try to find great deals, using coupons, marked down items. $5. is a small amount so if you make something the value would be much more than what you actually spend. Also most people would probably love a piece of chocolate included. Have fun, and don't stress over this.
Kat

My idea would be a pound of homemade fudge. It's homemade and chocolate. Wrap it in a fat quarter. Best of all worlds.

Fat quarters are always welcome, maybe in a cup with a package of hot chocolate mix.

All good suggestions here! Yep, chocolate always fits the bill. I would also like to suggest printing out and including in the bag the instructions for one of your favorite small projects to make...maybe a home decor item? And, definitely would appreciate a homemade ornament! Have fun at your retreat!

Tanya has an excellent idea, do you need my addy??????
Id make a cute pincushion, wallet , key fob, needlecase, quilt angel, ornament and chocolate.
Then id buy something, fat quarters, good quilt thread, needles, i always need a blue marking pen, directions or a copy of your fav patterns, make a small kit with epp and fab sqs to go with it.
Make a small kit and put in zip loc bag, eyeglass case,,some thankyou cards made by you, a fabric post cad for an upcoming holiday, homemade soap with a crocheted 100% cotton wash loth, potholders, mugrug,

How about nice fancy pins, you could make them out of beads, fimo clay or shrinky dinks

Thanks for all the great ideas.

something handmade would be my favorite thing in the whole world.

A new seam ripper and needle threader are nice too as an addition to your handmade item. If you make a Christmas ornament, you would want to be sure that the recipient actually celebrates it, just a thought.

Making an ornament would be a big hit at the retreat! I think I would add something else inexpensive so as to not outdo everyone else. Thread or needles or pins or something simple would be perfect. They aren't going to care about anything but the ornament anyway. And, you don't know if they go overboard on the $5, so try not to. Chocolate is a great addition. But it sounds like you make ornaments and if I was going to that retreat, I'd want to get YOUR gift!!! A homemade ornament is totally the best gift I could think of.

The best little goody bag I got had a 120" quilter's tape measure, and a sewn small log cabin chicken pin cushion, and lots of Dove chocolate pieces to fill the bag.

So many great ideas. Thank you all.

Take something they can use. Or eat. EdieClay has a good idea.