Inexpensive Christmas gifts for $10 or less

by Jennifer Forker | The Associated Press

Thursday November 20, 2008, 7:33 AM

The Utensil Pot Clip is available at Sur La Table and other retailers for $7.

Flint Journal extra: Related article: Christmas gifts for less than $25 will keep the holiday merry

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Budgets are tight this holiday season, but there's no need to break the bank for a gift that's both functional and fun.

Here are 10 worthy gifts for under $10:

• The Utensil Pot Clip ($7, Sur La Table and other retailers, www.surlatable.com) may not look like much, but it does create commotion in the kitchen. It ingeniously holds a spoon teetering above a pot of boiling water with a dash of cool.

• The Expandable Flower Vase ($4.99 to $9.99, Vazu USA, www.vazuusa.com) is a lightweight but durable plastic vase that comes in many colorful, artsy designs and sizes.

When water is poured in, the vase expands to mimic a glass vase. These vases store flat, so they're portable and easy to store. Similarly entertaining is the Collapsible Vase ($8.50, Lee Valley Tools, www.leevalley.com), which expands when hot water is added. The vase can be molded into any particular shape, which is held in place with cold water. Hot water re-flattens this vase for storage.

• Heartbeats notepads ($3.75, Heartbeats Catalog, www.heartbeatscatalog.org) are not sassy. They're not glamorous. They are simple, inspirational and to the point. There are nearly 30 notepad designs from which to choose from this nonprofit, Roman Catholic ministry of the Sisters of Humility in Mary based in Cleveland, Ohio. Several to ponder: "Wishing you unexpected surprises," "What if imagination ruled the world?" and "Beauty awakens the soul to act."

• Pastel-colored, ceramic Egg Cups ($10, UncommonGoods, www.uncommongoods.com) can do double-duty: They're intended for keeping soft-boiled eggs steady, but they also can sit quietly on a counter, holding a homegrown posey or a posse of paperclips.

• The heat generated by the small candle in the Tea Light Rotary Candleholder ($9.99, The Container Store, www.containerstore.com) spins one of two holiday shapes -- snowflakes or reindeer. The candle is not included.

Toilet Tattoos are vinyl covers for the commode. They're available for $9.95 from Lena Fiore Inc.

• Toilet Tattoos ($9.95, Lena Fiore Inc., www.toilet-tattoos.com) are vinyl covers for the commode. You don't think your throne needs decorating? Check out this company's many designs, including holiday-themed appliques.

• Candy Cane Shot Glasses ($8, www.fredflare.com) are sassy. They're also edible. This is the gift for that kooky person who really does have everything. It comes in a two-pack, so you can sip, and chomp, with a friend.

• The Luggage Scale ($9.85, Magellan's, www.magellans.com) could save your frequent flier from footing extra airline baggage charges. The lightweight device can be tucked into luggage for use before the return flight. It weighs luggage up to 75 pounds and there's a built-in tape measure to make sure your luggage doesn't exceed the dimension restrictions.

• The Sukie Perpetual Calendar ($9.95, MoMA Store, www.momastore.org) from the gift shop at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, is a charming way to keep track of the days. The dials inside this sturdy cardboard treehouse help keep track of the month and day of any year.

• The Camera Photo Album ($10, Sundance Catalog Co., www.sundancecatalog.com) has that classy, retro look that may tempt those of us who never print their images to do so just to show off this totable album.