Seeing as I’m a Member of the Tribe, I’m done with my holiday gift giving for now. So here are a few ideas for gifts for children that are (a) not hideously expensive and (b) passed the my-two-year-old-loves-it test.

The LeapFrog Fridge DJ. It’ll drive you nuts, but Freebird LOVES to dance to the music and play all the songs. Just don’t hate me when “Annie Ooo” gets stuck in your head.

We are...The Laurie Berkner Band DVD. Catchy kids music that encourages dancing and stomping. And if you can figure out why the HELL Laurie Berkner is wearing espadrilles and high heeled shoes in every. Freaking. Segment. I’d be very grateful. Is she 4’11”? What the hell is up with the shoes?!

And finally, the most treasured piece of clothing in Freebird’s wardrobe - and I’m nervous that I had a hard time finding one outside of the Wiggles site selling them in Australian dollars - the blue wiggle shirt.

It’s time time of year for the ‘Oh, shit, gift’ feeling - when you realize that it’s time to acknowledge all the people who do stuff for you with a little something that demonstrates that you remembered them for the holidays. Hence the “oh, shit, gift” feeling because I don’t remember jackshit, much less to go shopping for a myriad of nice and appropriate little gifts that are kind and thoughtful but do not make me exceptionally without money. Because I have gifts to buy! All! Freaking! Month!

So - let’s talk about those people who need a nice little something. For me, that’s daycare folks, work folks, and if I remember, the mailman, the paper delivery dude, and the UPS man who comes to my house on a daily basis thanks to Amazon.com and my incredibly clicky fingers.

For work folks this year: homemade hot cocoa mix! I found this recipe on cookscountry.com and back in an earlier issue this year, but you have to pay to get it or get a free trial to get it. If you want it It’s very inexpensive: nonfat dry milk, cocoa powder, white chocolate chips, and confectioners sugar. Add to food processor, then enjoy.

I’m going to try to go to Big Lots or a similar store and buy mugs and maybe bags or cheap fabric, and put a ziploc bag of cocoa in the mug with instructions - or I might not want to carry mugs to work, and will use nice bags instead. Either way, yummy and easy and not too much money per gift.

Another idea? QVC. QVC loves you and wants you to be happy. And they sell collections of awesome dipped apples from Mrs. Prindables in sets of 12 or 16 or more, and with shipping they work out to about $3 per item. That’s a great amount to spend on teachers and crews of people where you want to make sure everyone gets something without your going broke in the process. And who doesn’t want to immediately eat an apple that’s been hosed down in caramel and chocolate and decorated with candy? It’s awesomeness in the guise of something partially healthy. Most of it’s an apple, so eat the whole thing!

So what are your ideas for necessary and creative gifts? It’s hard, isn’t it? I mean, you don’t want to spend too much, but then, a gift card for $5 is just… not good. So you have to come up with something that looks like more than it is.

Yet Another Gift Guide! I love finding cool stuff on the internet, and instead of actually spending my money on it, I encourage you to do so! I know, most evil.

Know a mom who is working full or part time, or a mom who needs to organize her life (that’s pretty much all of us): there is an entire website devoted to products for the busy Mom (like I said: all of us).

See Jane Work has office supplies, organizational tools, and other cool items to help master control over all facets of a Mom’s life.

My favorites: aside from anything on sale:

Letterpress file folders in sets of six to keep you mad organized. The Dream House set has a folder for every room in your house, so you can keep all those magazine remodeling pictures and junk mail flyers for landscapers that accumulate. At least, they do in my house.

Do you forget things that you’re supposed to bring with you when you leave? Try a door knob pad that is really, really hard to ignore. Or, if your things-to-remember is more than just a list of items and includes matter of three dimensions or more, try the doorganizer which has pockets and a keyring for everything you need.

Presenting the first installment of Mórag’s Any Time Gift Guide.

Need a gift for someone just because? For a “thank you” or “nice job” or “hey this made me think of you?” occasion? Look no further for quirky weird gifts from vendors I’ve ordered from before. Mórag tested, recipient approved.

For the computer literate: Blogito, Ergo Sum. I blog, therefore I am.

For the person who likes organic food and also breakfast: organic honey set 60% off! Also, local honey is great for people who have seasonal allergies, so I’ve heard. So if you look for a local honey vendor, it might help your sneezy friend.

A fun, funky house gift for the casual decorator: “Hand painted sign” on eBay. This is not for the antique-silver-everywhere-never-stains-the-furniture type, but for a funky casual person? Some of the signs are a hoot. We have one over our bathroom door that says, “Nobody gets in to see the wizard. Not nobody. Not nohow.”

For the desk jockey:Got someone in your world whose job is opening the mail? Let him or her do it in formidable style. I’m partial to the barbarian style - but who wouldn’t want to invoke the honor of Grey Skull while opening the mail?

STFU. Aside from my BA from another school, I also went to this university.

Someone you know got a new job? Treat their inner 10 year-old to a gift - this is especially appropriate if you’ve known the promotee since you were kids.

Throw pillow: not manly. Throw pillow with remotes? Slightly more manly.

These are more expensive for a gift that’s just-because, but they’re very simple and very cute.

Know a somewhat arty-farty silver-wearing person? They might like this.

Want words on your walls but no stencil talent? Boo yah.

For the consummate hostess - a totally neat way to serve spreads, dips, or mark places at a table.

And finally, I need to talk myself out of ordering this.