$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.