Hi all,

 Sorry if this is in the wrong area, I wasn't exactly sure where my post qualified, so I do apologize if it's in the wrong forum. Anyways, I have been supporting a group of female soldiers for the last three months or so, and I want to do something special for them for the 4th of July. I decided I wanted to make individual goody bags for each (12 of them) and put a couple of little things in there. Originally I had wanted to include some Bath and Body Works travel-sized lotion in each, but my bill would've come out to about $30+, so I couldn't do that on my limited budget, especially when I would need another item to go along with it, too. Instead, I found some $1 Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer and bought them all that. However, I'd like to include one more thing, at least, and I am just having trouble coming up with ideas that won't break the bank. Any ideas? Thanks so much for your help!!

 Ally

P.S. - I'm going to include some 4th of July decorations in the box, too.

Hi Ally,

 I hit the Bath and Body Works sale again today, and some of their travel size lotions (reg $2.50-3.50) were 87 cents (in the 75% off bin).  Don't know how long that will be going on, but I stocked up on those.  What about some girly note pads--my Target sometimes has them in the dollar bins up front, sometimes my Michaels craft store has some nice paper/notecards in the dollar bins also.  Maybe you could split up a package of different colored pens to put in with the paper...

It's late--that's all I can think of.  They will love whatever you put together for them.  Good work!

Kate

how about a washcloth or maybe a cup (styrofoam gets old fast)

 How about sending some of the ouchless ponytail bands.  Walgreen's had some on clearance recently, that were 50 cents for 18-36 depending on the thickness of the band.  You could split up the packages and tie with a ribbon.

What about lip gloss.  Sometimes you can find the packages that have 8 in them and split that up.   You could also send lip balm with a high spf in it.  Check Walgreen's.  Sometimes they have their brand on sale for 50 cents each.

That's my two cents worth.

Thanks for the great ideas everyone! I went shopping today and found a pack of 12 washcloths at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, but unfortunately, they only came in white and tan. I decided the white would show dirt too easily, so I got the tan, although they probably see enough sand colored things as it is, but the deal was just too good to pass up. I'll spruce it up a bit with some red, white and blue ribbon that I have, and then I'll also be including a little thank you note in each bag, with of course the hand sanitizer. Thanks again for the help!! Lots of good ideas that I'll have to use in the future, too.

 Ally

What I've done recently for female support boxes is to make 'shower totes' from scraps out of my sewing basket. Each one is unique and I use a pair of shoelaces for the handles. The gals love them and when possible, I include pictures of my original project for the material (mostly kiddie Halloween costumes) which they get a kick out of. Cost: zero, Value to the contact: priceless!

Do you have a photo of the shower tote? It sounds great.