For some reason - maybe post-Thanksgiving brain drain - I cannot think of an idea for my book club holiday gift swap. The rules are: $20, no gift cards, no books. Although not a rule, there are so many people with varying food issues that I’d prefer not to do any sweets/candy items. All women in the group, all middle-aged. Has to be something that can get here quickly (Amazon Prime) or bought locally (we have tons of shopping here).
Coming to the brilliant and creative group here for ideas! 
Go!
How about a nice scarf or a pair of gloves, assuming you don’t live in a tropical area?
I love l’occitane hand creams.
Every time I have a gift swap, I give a super cozy blanket. Everyone loves them. I just got this one for my work gift swap and it is super cozy! And only $19.99 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B4X2M3O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I love packit freezable bags. I found many at Home Goods and Ross had prices < $20. Pop them in the freezer and throw them in car when I leave. I don’t have to squeeze my lunch in the crowded fridge @ work and I use some to keep cold groceries cold. Nicer than having to carry ice packs. Husband even uses a small one to keep 2 waters when golfing.
I like the blanket idea. Seems in our house we can never have enough of these blankets to cozy on the couches with. It’s nice to have different weight ones. Even a “winter” (as opposed to truly holiday) one. TJ Maxx and HomeGoods have lots of them and they can be had for $20/under. Pop a gift receipt in the bag/box just incase.
Yes, last year I chose one of those cozy blankets and it turned into everyone wanted one…including myself.
I have my book club holiday gathering this coming week. This year we decided to do a white elephant exchange and instead of buying a new gift we will donate to a charity instead. My white elephant is a beautiful cookbook that someone gave me that while pretty is mainly seafood and recipes that don’t appeal to me. For someone else it would make a great addition to their cookbook collection.
In the past we have done the $20 limit. Gifts are always surprisingly diverse. Some I can recall- small throw tv blanket from Pottery Barn. Nice hand cream, water bottle, cashmere socks, wool socks, candles, pretty dish towels, olive oil, vinegars from a local store, scarf, small zippered pouch for travel or purse, hand soap from William Sonoma, apron. We do the pick a number and the gifts can be stolen two times.
A stationery set that is generic but with postage stamps, pens, etc.
I do love the blanket idea!
I just saw some at Costco.
Are you up north? Perhaps a wool,scarf.
This is timely. I was about to post the same question for my tennis league’s party. What to get for a diverse group of women, that almost everyone will like.
In the past I’ve gotten some real duds. Kitchen towels, ugh. Tennis ball shaped cheese spreaders which have never come out of the box. Last year I got fancy post it type notes. A real dud.
Things I’ve liked: Bottles of wine, scarves, cute earrings, fuzzy soft blankets.
I was surprised last year when the Vera Bradley make up case I bought wasn’t too popular in the ‘gift stealing’ game. I think they are very nice.
One year I brought colored pencils in a nice cloth case and one of those adult coloring books. Last year I brought a nice bottle of local wine. What is sometimes annoying is one member always brings something Christmas themed knowing that half the group is Jewish.
That’s one problem with food items in our group too, and wine, if they are not Kosher.
I’ll add another dud to my list - one woman believes in the healing powers of crystals and whatnot and gifts these items.
Also last year a book about dogs (recall this is a tennis group) was in the gift pile. Really, one year I gifted Andre Agassi’s autobiography, but then this is a tennis group. It was a hit.
Everybody loves pin art. I had one out at Thanksgiving and everyone agreed they’d like to find one under the tree. Pin art is my go to in these situations.
I had to look up pin art. Sorry to say it would not be a gift I would use! Seems to me to appeal to smaller audience.
We are proof that this is hard to figure out! I would hate a blanket, have given a million scarves away, and my most treasured work gifts were a gorgeous linen dish towel and a hardwood spoon. Go figure. Also, candles are just headed to the trash.
A beautiful bowl. A nice picture frame. Warm gloves. Deck of cards and fancy tea. Wool socks. Bracelets. A nice vase. Origami flowers ( I get mine from Etsy, they never fail to produce gasps of delight)
Agree with wool socks (Smartwool is nice). We get so many of the smaller fleece blankets that I give them away with my clothing donations. But that Costco one looks better than most. Penzey spices or hot chocolate. I would not want coffee mugs or a scented candle.
Socks are sized.
I brought a throw blanket last year and it was stolen twice. The year before I stole a blanket. I love cute dish towels. One year at my tennis group I got a really nice pair of tennis socks, a tennis towel and a cute vibration dampener.
I first heard about these utensils on cc and love them. You could get a pair (these or others) from Prime for just under $20 before tax.
https://www.amazon.com/Epicurean-Kitchen-Utensils-Natural-015-40201/dp/B002Z14FZ8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1543180490&sr=8-5&keywords=epicurean+spatula
https://www.amazon.com/Epicurean-Gourmet-Utensils-Natural-016-3020103/dp/B003IP6CC4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543180490&sr=8-2&keywords=epicurean+spatula