abc123

I assume there is a cafeteria on campus; if so, why not solicit free lunch coupons from the caterer. Everyone likes to eat! Also, since all of you work at the campus, I would contact the front office and ask if they would be willing to donate anything since it is an employee function. Also, if you do community charities, contact your local businesses for donations. Typically, most will be glad to assist - good for their business.

I do commend you on taking on the responsibility of this function, it is not an easy task especially when there is no budget. Perhaps in the future, you could increase the cost of the show tickets and $s allotted for the gifts for the following year. I'm sure whatever you are able to do will be appreciated by all. Good luck!

raedar63

http://www.eleanorburns.com/search/?search=z1w

I like these little screwdrivers 90 % off . She has lots of cute little gifts on sale if you search under gifts . You could make up little gift bags with some other black friday deals you may find online , I found plenty just on Quilt in a day for just a few bucks or less for each item .

marymm

Needle books would be easy and inexpensive...

Gladys

What great ideas guys. Thanks so much.

charsuewilson

<quilt themed note cards<quilt themed="" note="" cards="">>
Maggiemae mentioned these. I've made my own notecards. In your word processor, create a table (2x2) and make the lines invisible, and reduce the margin to 1/2", and make the 4 squares equal size, filling the page. Take a photo (I've used sunset photos at my grandparents house, but photos or drawings of quilts would work equally well). If the photo is portrait orientation, place it in the lower right corner of the page and make it fill the square of the table. Print out a sample. Fold the paper in quarters and you have a notecard. Buy envelopes in quantity at your local office supply store.

If the photo is landscape orientation, place it sideways in the upper right corner of the page, so that the bottom of the photo is at the right.

Figure out how many notecards fit in your budget and make them.

The directions written out make it sound harder than it is. If you want writing in the cards (probably don't for this purpose,but you could write your own birth announcements, make your own birthday cards, ...) either the writing or the photo has to be upside down in opposite corners of the page.</quilt>

winia

Fabric boxes. Two fat quarters and some buttons. A little bit of batting. Can't get any cheaper than that.

pennylynne

I received a screwdriver tool last year that has been a very useful gift so I like that suggestion. I have also attended a quilt show where a vendor had taken small pieces of red fabric with wire and florist tape and made roses to give away. They are very pretty and long lasting. If you google or youtube this you can get directions.

justflyingin

I think that retractable tape measures are a great idea and not too expensive.

Pennyhal

I have a friend who takes the front of greeting cards and glues them on to the top of cardboard box and sells them. She recycled boxes this way. I don't know how much those boxes are to buy at Michael's, but you just spray paint the outside of them, cut up some old greeting cards, and glue them on. Perhaps put a few peppermint candies inside too.

KalamaQuilts

My favorite giftie for sewing friends.
http://kalamaquilts.blogspot.com/search?q=assembly

Have the members/employee's save their odd bits them selves and bring them in to you. They'll get a good laugh when they get them back.