Gedanken game time: What is the largest (in volume) gift you could buy or make for under $20? Some ground rules:

  1. You can't get anything for free. i.e. "ask family and friends for all of their packing peanuts."
  2. On the other hand, anything you can make or do yourself is okay. Inflating balloons with your own breath, for instance.
  3. No one else can help you. This is an individual project.
  4. Machines and devices to help you are okay, but buying anything you don't already own will go towards the $20.
  5. On the other hand, things you already own can't be used as a part of the end-result.
  6. You have to be able to bring the gift itself to a party.
  7. The party is in one week.