| ||||||||||||||||||
|
Living a Better Life®
Budget Friendly Frugal Gift Ideas for the Holidays
Buying gifts on
a budget can be somewhat of a challenge but I've always loved the old saying
"It's the thought that really counts!" The key is
to take some time to think about some things that your gift recipients might
really enjoy and with a little creative energy thrown in you'll be able to
create the perfect gift--without spending more money than you can afford! More...
Here are some terrific "homemade" holiday gift ideas we've received from our readers that are very budget friendly! "We received a great gift last year that I just thought was the most wonderful idea. We received a 6-pack of Microwave Popcorn and a $5 gift certificate to Blockbuster. It didn't cost much, but it was a full night of entertainment for us!" - Andrea R. "This is a gift that keeps giving through out the year and you can easily make in minutes. Items needed: Index card holder, index cards, stamp, ink, pen, recipes. Use a rubber stamp that says 'From the Kitchen of:' and then stamp about 10 cards. On the cards write out your favorite recipes and then gift wrap. Each year I buy new kitchen tools for gifts and with them I send new recipes. This is great for new cooks and can even be used to get kids involved with the cooking. Also, when we are tight on money for gifts we purchase something nice but inexpensive and add an extra gift with the wrapping. Instead of a plain ribbon and bow, add a broach or pin to the knot in the bow. Or tie a piece of costume jewelry to the ribbon. To save even more, we make the jewelry ourselves with wire and beads." - Sarah C. "This is a gift that keeps giving through out the year and you can easily make in minutes. Items needed: Index card holder, index cards, stamp, ink, pen, recipes. Use a rubber stamp that says 'From the Kitchen of:' and stamp about 10 cards. On the cards write out your favorite recipes and then gift wrap. Each year I buy new kitchen tools for gifts and with them I send new recipes. This is great for new cooks and can even be used to get kids involved with the cooking. Also, when we are tight on money for gifts we purchase something nice but inexpensive and add an extra gift with the wrapping. Instead of a plain ribbon and bow, add a broach or pin to the knot in the bow. Or tie a piece of costume jewelry to the ribbon. To save even more, we make the jewelry ourselves with wire and beads." Sarah C. "I have a great frugal idea for a kids project. I run an at-home day care and I am always looking for ways to keep the costs down on supplies for the kids. Well, my 'kids' and I just made gel potpourri jars for their parents. I got a quart size bottle of liquid potpourri (on clearance for $.70!) heated it until almost boiling and added 2 packs of non flavored gelatin, removed from heat, stirred until dissolved, and then poured into baby food jars that the kids decorated with stickers or decoupage with tissue paper. While it's still wet sprinkle on some glitter, then cover with a paper doily and some ribbon and there you have it. I made 9 gifts for the parents for less than $1.70. I hope you enjoy the holidays as much as I do." - Linda A. of PA "My husband has about 15 employees under him. I thought it would be nice to give them something for Christmas. I found mini ceramic loaf pans with holiday patterns on them for $.99. I am going to bake Amish Friendship bread in them and give the bread starter with the bread for the gift. I will wrap them in brown lunch bags tied with a holiday ribbon. The whole set of the gift per person is about $1.75 and the gift will keep on giving, because the point of the Friendship bread is to keep passing it on." - Kristen from TX "While talking to my sister-in-law just the other day, she mentioned that she loved last year's Christmas gift. Our families live away from us (actually we're out of state), so I took the King Arthur Flour's Cranberry Orange Muffin recipe which we had tried (it was very yummy and not overly sweet) and I gathered all the ingredients. I mixed the dry ingredients together and placed them in a small baggie, then measured the dried cranberries and packaged them, and zested the orange (the new press n seal wrap was perfect). These items were then layered in the red & green Ziploc® boxes. The gift card had a recipe note telling to add eggs, milk and orange juice, and how to bake. I included a bag of hot cocoa mix for them to fix and serve with their muffins. And their Christmas gifts were packaged and sent. This was extremely simple, inexpensive, and traveled well. Each family member had something fresh and quick to prepare for their meal, which they enjoyed, and it brought them fond memories of my cooking. This idea can also be taken and packaged in an embroidered sewn bag, in a jar or other creative ways. The Ziploc® boxes worked well for shipping in our case. They fit well in each box and arrived in good condition." - dmb5775 "This is a great idea for inexpensive Christmas gifts. I found a great deal
on glasses at a local outlet store (Crate and Barrel), really cute with snowmen on them. They are also available on-line. I'm filling them with
Christmas candy, which I purchased at a markdown store. I thought it would be nice to put in a candy cane and wrap with green
plastic wrap. It makes a nice little gift for anyone that you'd like to say Happy Holidays
too! All added up the cost per gift was about $2! TRY IT, SPREAD THE CHEER,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!" - Laurie P. "I'm going to hit the thrift stores and find some inexpensive cookie jars and/or canisters (actually, I'll go back to the stores, since I saw some great ones today) fill them with homemade cookies the kids will help me make, and give them as gifts." Ron K. of AZ "We love to give books. I find Amazon.com discounts books and music. If you spend $25 the shipping is free on books and music and some other things as well. Saves time, money and gas. Plus, it is delivered right to your door!" Melissa A. of PA * * * Copyright © 2008 by Michelle Jones. All rights reserved.
|
|
|
