The much dreaded neighbor gifts

I sound like the grinch don't I? I have some wonderful neighbors, and I love them to death- don't get me wrong. But I dread coming up with inexpensive yet cute and creative neighbor gifts year after year.
This year I thought I had it all figured out, and there would be no stress- ha ha ha. I had this cute candy jar/lantern idea that I found last year. It would be simple to make, and inexpensive. Tanner was providing the glass jars by being such a great eater, so all I needed were some clay pots, paint, m&m's, and stickers.
Clay pots: Who in their right mind is planting in the winter? I cleaned out the Robert's at Jordan Landing, Sandy, and South Jordan of their left over clay pots. And in case you're wondering Hobby Lobby doesn't carry this particular size, and Michaels was out of the bases (lids). I spent 3 days rounding up these lovely pots.
Paint: Easy to buy, but time consuming to paint. Not to mention having a 3 year old helper.
M&Ms: FYI-Walmart Neighborhood Market doesn't have red and green m&m's. Harmons charges twice as much as anywhere else, and two bags are not enough to fill 20 jars!
Stickers: 3 stores, no cute stickers. Finally find rub off transfers that take forever to transfer, but are cute.
Needless to say these babies ended up costing 5X the amount I budgeted for them, took a week to gather the material, and took my entire Saturday to put together. But they turned out cute and my neighbors loved them! But next year they are getting a pre-wrapped box of chocolates.
(the snowmen I made for Brad's co-workers)