Crate and Barrel has beautiful votive candle holders, tea light holders, candy dishes and bud vases for $3-4 and they look MUCH more expensive. Plus, they will wrap them in their nice box for free and it looks really great when they are done!
I like giving a reusable bag (Kohls has some nice ones that doesn't have "Kohls" on it or I like Trader Joe's ones) and something to go with it like candy or a candle.
Re: NBR: $5 gift ideas
I don't know how your group is, but there were some funny ideas at stupid.com
But, I love the scratch off idea too.