A gift certificate to a quilting retreat or quilt store are always good then you can get things as you need them. I LOVE my swivel cutting mat.
but there are cheaper alternatives than what a lot of the quilting stores offer:
Cone thread can be used but just setting the cone in back of your machine and putting the thread around the thread spindle on top of your machine. Don't wrap it around just take it from the back to the front and then to the left to finish threading.
Cutting blades can be purchased from Harbor Freight 2 for $1.99 or if your local store is out like ours, the carpet cutter can be bought for $3.99 and has three blades with it.
Grippers can be purchased in the bathroom section of most hardware/home remodeling stores for less than $5.
I use an old metal record holder (popular in the 60s) called a record worm to hold my big rulers, a small letter holder (a metal spiral with small legs) to hold the small rulers. Picked them both up for 50 cents each at a garage sale.
An oversized pressing board can be made from plywood, cotton batting and a covering made from a used sheet, extra fabric, plain canvas, etc.
I love my Ginghers but until I could afford them Fiskars worked just fine. I prefer the kind with the gray and black handles. I also love my Fiskars scissor sharpener---just don't ever use it on Ginghers, it will ruin them.
Fabric---lots of fabric is something that I'm not sure I could live without. Even the thought of trying is scary.
Also, I have to have a backup machine or two. They can be inexpensive ones as long as they'll sew a straight stitch I can manage.