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I am so excited about this week...
I have been offering a new give-away each night this week in honor of Thanksgiving right around the corner! I am showing my readers (like YOU) just how thankful I am for your readership, comments, and your help! I enjoy reading your comments, and linking your great finds!Tonight is no exception... I have yet another give-away for you!
Today's give-away is thanks to Walmart!
That's right, Walmart has generously given me and my fellow Elevenmoms a $50 gift card to share with our readers! Who couldn't use an extra $50 bucks this time of year? Walmart has a ton of items for decorating and "gussying" up your home before the relatives arrive! Just check out all the hot items in their Holiday Entertainment Guide!
Here's how to enter:
Tell me one creative way that you "home-make" gifts - or give gifts on the cheap. This can be a tip for cute wrapping or gift packaging, a tip about what you give or make for others, a special recipe, etc. Think outside the box and give us something original! It doesn't have to be for Christmas either... you can share a gift giving idea for any time of the year! =)
Want an extra entry?
Blog about this give away, my blog in general, or my week of thankful giving and come back here and leave a second comment telling me what you did and leave a link!You have until November 29th at midnight to enter! I will pick a random winner using random.org and announce the winner here on November 30th! Good Luck
*Don't forget to also enter my other two give-aways going on this week...
The Mattress Protector - or Pillow case protector from Protect a Bed HERE
An organic Plush Animal from Peter Rabbit...Naturally Better HERE
A pair of shoes from See Kai Run HERE
And don't forget to check back - at least once a day because the give aways just keep comin'
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331 Comments:
I crochet. And I can sew, but I mostly crochet things for people!
Last year for Christmas I made placemats in a Christmasy fabric combined with a pound of coffee for an inexpensive gift.
thanks for the chance!
georgyct@aol.com
Instead of buying gift boxes for small items just take the gift wrap cardboard core, cut off pieces. insert the items and wrap using curly ribbon to tie the ends shut. Sure keeps folks guessing as to whatis inside.
Nancy Ward (nanbob06_76@yahoo.com)
I like to make cards and hair bows.
One year for my mom, my siblings and I made a memory jar. We filled a pretty (inexpensive!) jar with memories of growing up written down on little pieces of paper edged with pinking shears and tied with pretty yarn. She had a great time seeing what really stood out from our childhood.
I make a batch of homemade liquor every year. Everyone always asks for it. This year I am making raspberry liquor. I buy small glass bottles from Cost Plus World Market. Each bottle is roughly about $3 a piece. Paired with some chocolates makes a perfect gift.
Gearbox304@hotmail.com
I have had an ornament exchange with friends instead of buying gifts for each other. Ornaments can come as low as $.50! So this is a very cheap and fun alternative!
For the grandparents, I have my children make something for them whether it be an ornament they decorate or a t-shirt they help design. The papas and grandmas always love them.
I love to bake. I have a starter for the Amish Friendship Bread. I Wrap it up and put a pretty bow on it and give it as Birthday presents. My friends and I all love baked goods, and we all don't always have the time to make them.
reobrien3@yahoo.com
I cut up last year's Christmas cards to use as gift tags on this year's gifts.
I bake cookies
This year, I'm sewing simple tote bags with fun fabrics that I found on sale. Inside the tote bags I'm making homemade gifts like scented bath salts, cookie mix in a jar and personalized stationary.
nothing better than the smell of mulled cider in the house...last year I made teacher/hostess gifts of mulled cider - - I buy a gallon of apple cider and attach a sachet of cloves and cinnamon with directions on heating
Instead of buying gift bags I usually get my sisters/girlfriends a handbag as part of their gift and use it as the wrapping. Stuff it with another part of the gift and some tissue paper and it's sure to please!
Ashley F.
s.ashley63 AT yahoo.com
Something new, something old. My family and I buy a new gift for each other, while giving something we already own. It's very fun and very inexpensive.
i have my kids draw pictures or take their artwork and use it for wrapping paper
pjane38 at yahoo dot com
We bake goodies like homemade marshmallows and cookies.
This year I am going to wrap some of our presents in brown paper bags and tie up with a ribbon to save on wrapping paper.
lyndibailey2@att.net
My husband and I have beehives in our pasture so we fill up a mason jar with fresh honey and give that away as gifts. We have also made homemade soap and given that as well. It's fairly inexpensive and fun to do as a family!
twocuff@precisionvarminting.com
Drugstore shopping has been so helpful this year. I have made so much profit at CVS and Walgreens that I am buying gifts there. I will be using my Walgreens gift card, so I won't have to spend anything out of pocket either.
I like to make homemade edible gifts. Chocolate and white chocolate dipped spoons are super easy and yummy! Thanks for the giveaway!
Heather
One year I made a arts and crafts tote bag for my little sister-in-law. I used all kinds of school supplies I got on clearance (crayons, paper, paint, glue, scissors, etc), and put it together with other crafty stuff, then put it in a tote bag that I painted myself.
I have also made gifts in a jar and photo calendars.
I make all my own bows from gifts. Reuses paper and so much cheaper than store purchased ones.
Pictures and directions below
On Our Way
Meg
meg at onourwayonline dot com
I love using my scrapbooking supplies to make recipe books for friends and family. They usually include some tried and true recipes that my family has been enjoying for years.
:)
ndisilvio @ gmail . com
I buy Christmas decorations after the holidays on clearance and keep them to give away the next year.
I make freezer Pickles and give them as gifts....i also do the handbag thing... Use it as a wrapper for my freinds gifts.I make handmade cards. And decorate candles.
Thank you for the great giveway! I LOVE Walmart!
Marie H.
ReeRee220@aol.com
this year, I am having DD do a few pieces of art work - I will then transfer them onto an iron on - then put it onto a reusable bag --- we are also handing our Christmas cards to people this year instead of mailing them (for those people that we see)
thanks for the chance to enter
jpkittie315 at hotmail dot com
Honestly...I have always bought gifts. This year however I have been bitten by the frugal bug and I have been busy collecting ideas for homemade gifts. Thank you for all the great ideas!
I use old maps or pretty calendar paper for gift wrapping. That way I get to reuse paper instead of buying new.
My daughter loves to paint. We use her paintings for our wrapping paper. Looks cute and she feels proud when she hands people their gifts.
aburns0213@hotmail.com
We play dirty Santa with two different families so I have to have 7 $5 gifts per game. I don't know how creative it is but I buy all year for these gifts. I bought most last year right after Christmas. I got a throw, a set of stainless steel travel coffee mugs, a big flashlight kit, and a set of two photo books covered in a deep red and one is a black fabric with red in it(very Pottery Barn looking) that I will give. Each one was origionally $14 or more but I paid $5 or under. Kirklands marks down their cashmere throws to around $5 or $6. Look for nice frames, ornaments,patterned socks, knives. I found three sets of snowmen/Santa plates that come with a wall hanger still in the box at a garage sale for $2 each. I fill in with tubs of popcorn, a Blockbuster $5 gift card attached to a bag of popcorn, wrap a $5 around theatre candy or a king size Hershey bar, Chic-fil-A, Starbucks or Target gift cards for $5. It is okay to get some Christmas stuff but I try to buy the pretty green,tan or maroon throws instead of a Christmas plaid. I like the items to last all season, not just for a month. Oh, I found 3 cafe curtains at a thrift store. They have coffee names printed all over them and are a turquoise print over a beige background. I am adding a brown trim,a pocket,ruffle bottom and tie and making 3 aprons to give. I paid $1 for the valances so will probably add a small pack of specialty coffee with it.
My dutch grandma used to give everyone a brown paper bag with lots of random gifts she had gotten from garage sales, or store deals. Although it was a bit embarassing at the time...I loved getting a bunch of gifts SHE had picked out. I decided to do something similar. This year I am re-using gift bags from last year, and am giving my family things from my stockpile (that I got for cheap or free using coupons, store deals or rebates). I also have a few items that I got from garage sales-some brand new. My sister is getting at least $50 worth of stuff that I spent around $3 on.
My sisters and I make homemade gifts for each other... they are awesome! I look forward to it every year!
Thanks for this giveaway opportunity. For the last two years, I have made a family calendar. It's personalized with everyone's birthdays and anniversaries and pictures.
We are making special presents for the grandparents and teachers. For the grandparents the kids (4 and 7) are decorating flower pots and we will fill with candies and little small gifts. Also giving home made jellies and apple butter. I am excited....
Tanya
tusburn@triad.rr.com
I'm going to make homemade soaps for gifts this year!
I love after Christmas going to the store and loading up on all the Christmas Clearance! (ornaments, stockings, and other decorations) I use them as little gifts for the next year and attach a cute little Holiday treat or quote with them:)
I reuse ribbons, gift bags & tissue paper for gifts. I like to bake and wrap it (cake,cookies) up nicely with clear cello wrap
For this past mother's day, my boyfriend and I made those chocolate roses on sticks. It was a ton of fun! We made them all different colors and then stuck the sticks into a "vase" (which was a foam container from the craft store with a styrafoam ball inside) Then we covered the foam ball in silver tinsel to fancy it up... wrapped it in one of those clear plastic basket bags and tied it with ribbons. It really looked great! And our mom's both LOVED them, they didn't believe we made them!...It was cheap, tons of fun and a mom always enjoys a gift from the heart.
I bought a ton of reusable bags at Target this week on sale for 50 cents. I'm saving the funnies from the newspaper and I'll use those as gift bags and tissue. Bonus - the recipient can use the bag again and again.
I've crocheted blankets as presents, made cookie mixes in decorated jars, and put gift bags of CVS items all as presents.
Cheryl
cupcakechick72(at)aol(dot)com
I had my first daughter this year. Instead of spending tons of money for family gifts, we have decided to start a tradition to make handmade handprint ornaments for all the family members each year. This way its a personal gift, can start a collection for them and tracks her growth each year. This year we cut felt handprints and wrote her name and birth information on them and put them in a clear glass bulb. Other ideas for future years are...cinnamon ornaments, tin punch ornaments, handprint reindeers, etc. This year we made 11 ornaments (including one for us to keep) and it cost about $15 total.
Since I have learned the Drugstore game my cabinets are packed!! I plan on doing this again this year! I pack a gift bag (recycled of course) full of toothpaste, shampoo, glades, tylenol, chocolates and all other sort of goodies for my family members. It does not look exciting to a 5 year old, but most adults love getting a bag full of "necessities." Usually valued at over $50!
I love making homemade cookies for the teachers. They love them too instead of the traditional gifts teachers get.
Thanks!
We usually do lots of baking but I like to try out fun new recipes each year.
I make coupons for my family like a free ride to school(my kids walk), pick out dinner, opt out of chores for the day, etc.- these are inexpensive and can be tailored to the recipient.
i use reusable grocery bags to wrap gifts in to encourage others to use them
Hello again. Hope everyone liked my idea... I really suggest it to anyone!... Well hope I'm doing this right, I linked your give away to my page... which everyone feel free to check out too... I have no followers! haha Thanks so much!!!
http://frugalici0us.blogspot.com/
One year for Mothers Day we had our girls put one hand print on a small canvas and since our youngest was very small we put her footprint in the middle with their names and ages. My MIL absolutely loved it. And I saved one for myself too. :0 . We also use plain white gift bags and after I put the persons name on it I let the kids decorate the bag with whatever they want. And I am also doing the "purse thing" as someone else had mentioned above and filled them with make up for my teenage niece and my friends teenage daughter. And all of the make up was less than $10 Thanks to CVS and Walgreens. And the purses were less than $5 each on clearance.
I love to scrapbook. So with all those doubles I make a scrapbook for someone special. Its something cheap, yet homemade with lots of love and time.
I buy pretty new tins and trays at thrift stores throughout the year and fill them with my own baked goodies for gifts - I have friends who beg me for these every year!
One of my favorite gifts ever was a plate with my kids handprints on it. I guess it's not totally homemade, because you have to have it glazed and thrown in a kiln...but I love anything that preserves memories I won't remember years from now...like the delicate shape and size of my babies' hands.
This year I'm making some hairbow holders for the girl cousins. The boy cousins are getting wooden train cars painted by my son. I'm making glass magnets and fabric coasters as well. I LOVE making gifts! But I need supplies for all of those gifts too....and I can always find them at Walmart!!
I bake cookies and poppy seed cakes to give to friends and family. I also make our own photo cards, instead of spending $1+ each, it costs about 0.17.
Thanks!
I shopped early this year at Wal-Mart and when school supplies were at their lowest price, I stocked up for Christmas presents. Crayon, colored pencils, and markers for all my nieces and nephews.
I took old candles,melted them down and took pine cones from my front yard. I let them dry then wrapped them with Wicks. Dipped them in the candle wax and that how I made adorable log starters for family members with wood stoves. They loved them so much!!! It was all things I had on hand. FREE&EASY.
a.lichtenbarger@yahoo.com
amelia Lichtenbarger
My dad is the world's hardest person to shop for. He needs nothing, but he adores my son. For his birthday, we went to a nice park and took pictures of him and my son. They were both in overalls. I made a photoshop collage and framed it for him. He loved it.
We get our family pictures done every year at Thanksgiving time. Then we give them to all the grandparents (all 4 sets) for Christmas. Very inexpensive when you think about how many gifts you are covering and the grandparents love it. They start asking about them ahead of time, making sure they are going to get new ones each year.
During the year, I look for free photo codes and coupons. I order 4x6s throughout the year and place them in envelopes for the various family members. During the holiday season I compile them into colleges or little mini albums for each family member.
I buy solid color wrapping paper (cheaper than printed wrapping paper) and gussy it up with bright colored tulle. Then I print gift tags with a cute design and corresponding colors on card stock and voila - an inexpensive way to wrap (and no buying a card!).
For kids birthdays, I've also found that art supplies (crayons, markers, coloring books, big coloring pads, etc) are a great gift, and you can keep it simple and cheap.
Thanks for the giveaway - I'll let me readers know!
I cross stitch patterns for my family.
This year I am helping my oldest dd make gifts from her american girl doll book "kit's friendship book." one of the gifts will be a little scottie dog for her cousins!
This is a cute Christmas Gift--a candy sundae Here is a link to an article that I explain. Very cheap but cute! http://www.ehow.com/how_4602211_homemade-christmas-gift.html
My mom taught me how to make homemade jams and jellies, so I'm planning to give those out to friends and preschool teachers.
While its not ultra original we are baking mini sugar cookies and giving them as gifts in those $1 tree plastic Christmas containers.
wahm_online(at)yahoo(dot)com
I shop at Goodwill Blue Hangar - basically a Goodwill outlet. I found a Dooney and Burke, Kate Spade, and The Sak purses for $3 each...BRAND NEW!! No smells, tears, or marks.
Won't my gift receivers be happy?!
momasaves@gmail.com
We make calendars for the next year using family photos.
In the past I have tried many frugal gift ideas, but I have to say my favorite was making jewelry. Every time I see one of my family wear something I made for them, it makes me smile.:)
ggp42304(at)gmail(dotcom)
I have made scarfs in the past when time allotted, but this year I'm going to make cookie dough and freeze it for my brothers so they can impress their ladies with fresh baked home made cookies!!!
I think a nice gift a Christmas time is a family recipe with a new utensil to go with it. Like a special cookie recipe with a new cookie sheet
couponcupcake@gmail.com
I make my own soap and bath products. Then I create gift baskets for the women in the family and extended family. The guys get food baskets with at least one jar of home canned peaches.
I am using some of the freebies that I got in the mail to make care packages from some friends. I am also making Hot Chocolate mixes to put in fun mugs to give to my fellow students!
tallblond1@gmail.com
I sew, and like to give homemade "headache" bags to co-workers. These can be heated in the microwave and put on an aching head, muscle or back.
I love making candy as gifts...chocolate covered pretzels and peanut butter balls are always gobbled up quick.
I also have made my own gifts tags a lot...sometimes by printing out pictures on the front of them and attaching them to the package with ribbon.
Love your blog!
I buy inexpensive frames and frame the fronts of pretty cards. There are some beautiful pictures especially around Christmas but you could use any card. This makes a gorgeous gift and you can purchase a very pretty frame for under $5.
Crochet an amigurumi animal. They are so cute! Just google for tons of free patterns. They make great gifts all year round!
mrs.frugal(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I like to make photo collages for my friends and family. I will make the collage and print it from my printer. Then I will buy a pretty frame to put it in. They always love to see it because it is so personal and I put lots of love into it.
For the family this year, since my kids just started drawing "real" pictures, everyone is getting one of those $1.50 Ikea dishtowels with a picture embroidered on it with embroidery floss.
I have a stencil maker (about a $10 investment is all) - I make signs or blocks of all kinds on scrap wood. I can customize family names or quotes. It's a lot of fun and VERY CHEAP!
Thanks so much!
teamhanni at yahoo dot com
I love to make handknit dishcloths for people! Everyone uses them and always says how much they enjoy using them!
This year for family members I am making photo blocks for them with pictures of my kids. I already have the glue, the pictures will be free from a Rite Aid coupon so the only thing I need to purchase is a 4x8 wood post which is about $5!
I am going to make applesauce cinnamon ornaments with my son's handprint on them. I still have the cinnamon ornaments my mom made when I was a little girl.
One year for my mom, we made a book called 20 things to do with scrubbies. My mom crochet's dish sponges she calls scrubbies and to be creative we thought of all the ways you could use one-some practical, others not. We all got a good laugh
http://justniftythrifty.blogspot.com/search/label/quilt
Im making lap quilts
I will be making cookie batches-in-a-jar. They are very simple with each ingredient (sugar, flour, choc chips, raisins etc.) layered in a jar with a piece of fabric tied with a ribbon over the lid and the recipe on an attached card. Thanks for the giveaway!
Last year I wrapped up a box and put a picture of each of my family members inside the box. I put a label on the outside and it read
"To:Lindsey From:God" I opened the box in front of all of my family and as I took each photo out of the box, I told each person how special they are to me and how much of a gift they are to me just by being in my life. I know this is not a "material" gift, but the real gift is the gift of love I receive from my family and I want them to always know that I appreciate them!
Peppermint bark! All that is needed is peppermint candy and white chocolate. It is simple and a big hit! I love to make this with my niece each year.
I am making doll blankets for my girls with leftover material that I have. I'm also making hair bows for all of my nieces.
livelarge4less(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Thanks for doing this! I buy the kids toys at thrift stores. If you wash these toys with a MAGIC ERASER you would not believe it but most of them end up looking brand new! Now everyone is happy for Christmas!
Jodi
jodifhg@merr.com
I just posted my favorite inexpensive gift idea - homemade scented bath salts. Another thing I do is when I have to give a huge number of gifts that don't have to be expensive, I'll just buy cookies in bulk from Costco's bakery and package two in a treat bag from the party store. Everyone always thinks they're homemade ;)
Last year I made calendars for my parents and my husbands parents with all their grandchildren. It was super cheap and I think one of their most treasured presents!
rankin1997@hotmail.com
A few of my mom friends like my scrapbooks but don't have time (or enjoy) making have their own. This year I offered to take their unused albums, pictures, etc. and do the work for them. They're going to each have a completed album for the family to look through by Christmas. All it costs me is time and creativity plus I get to share a hobby I love with those I love.
I have a friend who makes homemade, super-yummy chicken noodle soup and freezes it for friends and family. It's a time-consuming but delicious recipe, and it's always appreciated. I thought i might "borrow" her idea this year and do the same for xmas presents - I thought it was enough different from the cookies that everybody makes, and it means somebody will have to cook one less meal!
We do a lot of baking and make a lot of the fun ideas found in Family Fun magazine. Everyone likes sweet treats. These make great Sunday School teacher gifts.
I love involving my kids in my gift giving. Letting them color on brown butcher paper and then using it for wrapping gifts is fun for them and all of the family loves it!
Kristy
rnkristy1@gmail.com
This year the girls and I are making hot chocolate mix in a canning jar for our family. I'll let the girls create a card on the computer and add the recipe to it. It should be fun.
I left a message on my blog for my family/friends... http://ctgirlinks.blogspot.com/2008/11/centsible-sawyers-giveaway-5.html#links
Thank you!
We make special calendars (using grandkids pictures) for grandparents. Its easy to see at a glance whose special month it is.
itsme10151(at)yahoo(dot)com
My kids and I make cookies, then they decorate gift boxes. We give these to neighbors and friends.
When I need to save money on gifts I make hand crocheted items, gloves and scarves.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
We made placemats from Xmas cards and photo cards that we had gotten the previous year or that came early in the season. My daughter then adds in her own touches.
laura.m.hutchcroft AT uscg.mil
One year when money was tight for several family members, we just had and exchange of something that each of the family is known for making food wise...like fudge or a certain cookie. It took the ease off of baking lots of goodies because each one brought their specialty. We then ate dinner together and just had fun sharing family memories.
This year, we will not have it done in time, but we are in the process of scanning old pictures that we found after my father died. We then will put them on dvd for each family. It is time consuming but not expensive...so in the meantime, we will just give them a coupon good for the dvd.
pscole3467@gmail.com
I like to bake and give the goodies on a fancy plate/platter that I find at yard sales or thrift stores.
I am making several gifts on the cheap this year - first is a set of Jesse Tree ornaments from leftover felt that was in the house and I am also watching out for great deals like the free photo book from Snapfish (from Oprah!) to personalize a book for shipping. What deals!
We make all our own wrapping paper at my house and the kids have a BALL! We go to the store and buy a large roll of the brown shipping paper which usually cost 2.99 and get super creative. We use paints, stamps, stickers....
We do this for all gift giving, not just Christmas! Super fun family activity!
Last year I made a lavender spray so you could spray your sheets before you went to bed - lavender is very relaxing. Everyone loved it including my brothers!
This is the first year that I have been couponing and getting items for practically free. I have made up gift baskets from my stockpile and added a few personal items depending on who the basket if for. I also sew and have an industrial embroidery machine so I made homemade makeup bags and filled them with all the free makeup I have gotten. I know my family is just going to love this stuff!
TNCM@twlakes.net
I am going to put all the ingredients for a certain type of cookie in a jar and decorate the jar.... very cheap since we already have canning jars... and most ingredients I have got for cheap or free! :-)
mandalyn927@yahoo.com
My kids and I make these turtles out of rolos, pretzels and pecans every year and everyone we give them to Loves them!
This year I spent the entire year accumulating "free stuff" - either freebies I have gotten online or all the free stuff I get at CVS and Walgreens. I plan to create a box for each person, 20 total! While I am still giving small gifts. I should be able to give them enough toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, cleanser, makeup, mouthwash, and other stuff to last a year! I sat down and tried to add it up the other night (just out of curiousity) and I had over $3,000 in my Freebie stash! Talk about saving a lot on Christmas and giving people stuff they need!
My family does a white elephant gift exchange. I'm playing to wrap up many of the good drugstore deals I have found throughout the year. Thanks!
Let your kids decorate butcher paper and then wrap your gifts in their masterpieces!
I make homemade gifts. I sew, crochet, bake and cook. One of my best friends loves my homemade spaghetti sauce, so I make a huge batch, can it, and give it to her for Christmas with some homemade bread and pasta. Nothing says love more than something homemade. Anyone can shop!
I've made all sorts of food gifts, but those can get expensive with the ingredients. So probably the cheapest, most well-received gift I made was a DVD of my son's first year. I took the movies on my regular old digital camera...then used a program that came with my computer to convert them and burn them to a DVD. All I paid for were the blank DVDs, and everyone LOVED it!
give_me_a_latte at yahoo
This is a great giveaway! Thanks!
The best way we are able to save on gift giving is to make gifts. I am a crafter, so we decide fairly early in the year what we want to give to each person for Christmas and then shop for the supplies when they are on sale or when Hobby Lobby has a 40% off coupon. The gifts tun out to be less than $5 a piece when I am through with them but mean so much more because they were handmade with love!
I dress up all the Glade candles and candleholders I get free with coupons and Catalina promos and give those out as gifts to neighbors, teachers, etc.
Everyone loves Christmas cookies so we give these to quite a few people on our list. My son decorates the bags and they are ready.
We resuse gift bags within our extended family all year long.We get ones that can be used for several holidays. We even reused Christmas ones with the kids for several years when they were little. Thanks to a great generic dollar store, we never pay more than .50 each.
Not the most original answers, but we buy our gift wrap for the following year the day after Christmas. Great bargains! And we make cookies for our friends that "have everything". They always seem to enjoy the cookies more than anything we would buy them.
My children exchange Christmas ornaments with my friend's children. They can be homemade or bought but they can't cost more than a couple of dollars. This makes it easy on everyone and the kids put more thought into what their friends are into and try to find an ornament to reflect it.
I am going to make up hot chocolate mix & put it in cute baggies inside some nice coffee mugs I am planning on finding somewhere like Wal Mart or even a thrift store. Then I am going to attach the directions to the handle of the mug & make them look all cuted-up! nathanielcswife@yahoo.com
This year I made Cinnamon Ornaments. Mix about a cup of cinnamon with about a cup of applesauce. Make a dough, cut out with cookie cutters and let dry. Hang with ribbon... they smell great!
And the gift card would be so appreciated. Thanks for the contests.
I made my nieces bead accented necklaces for Christmas, I bought the trendest the craft store had, then went simple with colors.
When a friend or family member are expecting a baby I make sure to keep an eye for clearance on baby items as soon as they let me know they are expecting. Then in 8 months or so when they have the baby I have a huge stockpile on hand to make a beautiful basket, diaper cake w/ accessories, or even a few times I am able to get a great deal on a registry item they have registered for at another retailer for a fraction of the price!! I have been doing this way for quite some time now and the mother-to-be's always say Wow....Thanks so very much!!
My husband and I cut out snowflakes from white card stock (I'm a stationer, so there's always plenty!) to use as tags on our gifts. Sometimes we'll cut out small ones and put them all over a gift that's been wrapped in brown kraft paper.
First of all, I love reading your blog! You always provide great information and I am appreciative!
My husband and I have grandparents and older relatives that are SOOO hard to buy for. They don't NEED anything and they have everything that they could possibly want. So, this year, I'm compiling a family recipe book for them for Christmas. It contains their recipes from over the years, things that we associate most with their kitchens, as well as stories of our time as a family around the table or preparing meals together.
I like making gift tags out of card stock, stickers and ribbon. They are so cute and dress up any package (which is good since I'm horrible at gift wrapping!)
I use my daughter's artwork collected throughout the year to wrap family members' presents.
This year I'm using the reusable cloth shopping bags as gift bags. I love using mine....it helps the environment & I find them easier to carry. This way the bag is also a part of the gift & hopefully will inspire others to make the switch to reusable bags as well. Most of the bags I've gotten for free or nearly free and I'm making bags for the kids with felt Santa faces on them.
My husbands family are beekeepers, so I usually make baskets with honey and beeswax candles tied with a ribbon. I'll add tea and a cup also.
candehenderson@yahoo.com
I would say that Christmas paper and bags can be really expensive but picking up paper & bags in solid colors at a Dollar Store and combining them with pretty ribbon or contrasting tissue paper is just as pretty and a lot less spendy!
I'm using my craft supplies to create gifts. I am rubber stamping on marble tiles to make coaster sets that are personalized to each person. I could use the gift card to buy the supplies to make ornaments. I use ornaments as gift tags.
I am going to make cards for my grandmother who is on a tight budget, with 6 kids, 13 grandchildren and 7 great grand children, blank birthday cards will surely we a great gift! I also plan to make some extra holiday cards to send it to soliders in the hospital.
mlalove1718(at)yahoo(dot)com
I crochet! I just finished an afghan for a friend's wedding. I also made a curlie-q scarf and matching hat for my cousin's daughter. And for my own daughter, I crocheted amigurumi foods! :)
I make rum balls and use all the great overage from the drug stores for gift bags, reused from last year or bought for 90% off last christmas
I blogged about your giveaway!
OMG this is sooo right up my alley. :0) One year I made pumpkin butter for all my family members. I also took family recipes, as well as, some quick and easy recipes from the internet and made cookbooks. One year I took the plain Christmas ornaments filled them with potpurri and personalized them. I just think there is nothing better than a personalized gift that someone has made especially for you.
Ashly
ashly78_5@hotmail.com
I almost forgot to add my inexpensive and fun way to gift wrap. I take the ordinary brown shipping paper and wrap the present. Then I either use a pretty ribbon for a bow or use stamps to stamp a design, like snowmen. It turns out really cute and sooo much cheaper.
Ash D.
ashly78_5@hotmail.com
I always save gift boxes and bags from any occasion and reuse them for birthdays, Christmas, etc. Some of those bags are $5 each! It really adds up.
I also like to give themed baskets. For Christmas this year I'm doing "beautiful home" baskets with soaps (cheap from Bath & Body Works), glade products (free from CVS and Target) and other items.
I have my son make cards for people on all birthdays.
This year I took pictures of things that would interest my family and am making ornaments out of them. For example, I was in New York City and we are all huge Beatles fans so I took a picture of the flower-laden 'Imagine'plaque in Strawberry Fields, Central Park and am using that as an ornament design.
I made photo books using several free offers recently. I just had to pay shipping.
I always try to buy stuff on clearance from the year before - gift bags, cards, etc. I also make my own table decorations, including tablecloths, place mats & centerpieces.
For my Mom's B-day, I bought a wooden kleenex box at Hobby Lobby and then let my 5 children decorate it the way they wanted. It was not very expensive and I think it is the most treasured gift we have given her.
Sarah B
allenandsally(at)hotmail(dot)com
For awhile now I have been stocking up on felt from JoAnns using their coupons. I used the felt to make stockings for my family, but I used the left over felt to make felt flower pins. Not only do they make gorgeous pins, but they also double as bow on a wrapped gift!
I like to buy the cute bread dishes for $1 at Michael's and bake all sorts of bread. Throw the dish in one of those clear treat bags and then wrap it with a Christmas Tea Towel tied with raffia.
This year I am going to buy plain, inexpensive dish towels and have the children paint their hand prints on them and then give the "hand towels" to the grandmothers for Christmas. I also found photo calendars at Target for $1 to make & give to them as well.
Instead buying those teacher gifts that most teachers get tons of. Our school pto came up with a giving tree for each teacher to to place things they need for the class to give for your teacher during the holidays.
I blogged about your giveaway.
www.momsavesmoney.blogspot.com
Great giveaway!
We made a memory ribbon for my parent's anniversary. We gathered several friends and family to write down 52 memories on similar sheets of paper. We provided them with a jar, mini clothespins, and a ribbon attached to a metal belt buckle to be hung in their room. Every week they select a memory and pin it to the ribbon! It was their favorite gift ever, and our least expensive gift ever. Good combo!
for teacher gifts, i found cute christmas felt gift bags for $1 at dollar general and put a bath and body works christmas hand soap dispenser, a can of apple and cinnamon glade, and other little freebies i got in the mail
i love to make christmas treats, but don't want them all at my house because i'll eat them. i make treat plates and my husband takes them to work and we take them to neighbors. it's always nice to get homemade treats.
-hayley
I love making gift baskets to people. Gift baskets can be as cheap or expensive as you want, you can make them look very festive and they let you really personalize your gift for the person you're giving it to.
I plan on making jar mix gifts for my son's teachers this year. Here's a post I wrote about it with some links to recipes.
http://centsablemomma.blogspot.com/2008/10/frugal-friday-homemade-christmas-gifts_17.html
one year I went to the dollar store and got some cute plain glass candle holders. With a craft embossing pen I made designs and used embossing powder as well. I wrapped that up with candles and some bath salts or anything for a relaxing night.
It was inexpensive and fun to create.
I decided a few years ago to only give handmade gifts for Christmas to our extended family. I was worried at first that they would feel "cheated". I couldn't have been more wrong. Now most of them ask what I'm making this year and others even put in requests!
I knit, crochet, cross stitch, and quilt. I make sure everyone gets a new handmade ornament each year too.
I like to use recycled materials as much as possible. I take my sister's family's hand-me-down clothes and make quilts out of them. That's always a fun surprise for them.
I also shop after holiday sales to buy bargain priced things for next year.
i make potholders from scrap cloth i already have. all i need to buy is the stuffing. i also make gifts in a jar, like cake mix or cocoa mix etc. i wrap my gifts in cloth , tied with yarn. for kids i can use the funnys from the newspaper. i also hunt yard sales for wrapping paper- i found HUGE rolls for only 25 cents each!!!
I make ChexMix for all the neighbors and my co-workers.
I also try to use coupons and sales to get stuff for family members.
This year I am making snowman soup for my co-workers. I always make my gift tags from old Christmas cards. I love to re-use things. All you need is old cards, a hole puncher and ribbon.
I'm recovering cheap photo albums and giving pictures of my two boys to family. Cheap and they'll love it!
danasaves @ comcast.net
I posted about your blog here
I come from a family to tightwads so we all agreed to tone down Christmas 2 years ago, although our alternative was my idea.
We have a one dollar limit for our gift exchange. Yup, just a dollar. But we buy for everyone in each others families. It's been wonderful fun!!
How do we stay within a dollar?
Dollar stores are easy for those of us who don't plan ahead. The ELF lip gloss is one dollar and the Cosmetic's Cop, Paula Begoun, has picked that as a superior product.
Some of us get great deals at CVS or Walgreens. Others go to garage sales and we've gotten some really nice things! We've accused the others of cheating so now some of us keep the tags on the gift!
I like to take pictures from our past and make special scrapbooks as gifts. It is so wonderful to see someones face light up as they are looking through it.
I don't always wrap gifts. Often I'll just put a big bow or ribbon on it. Especially if it's something that already comes in a pretty box, like jewelry or stationery.
We have a new baby, so this year we are giving photo gifts, by mining the good deals here there and everywhere! We have done two photobooks for FREE for the excited new grandparents. We have also decided to do an ornament exchange with our siblings, instead of the usual gifts.
Last year my husband and I enjoyed making movie night theme baskets for our two families. We picked out some snacks, drinks and a $1 movie. :-)
Thanks to you, I have been bitten by the savings bug! My husband and I have been working on Christmas gifts all year long- no small task when you consider he lost his job in March and just got back to work!
I've been stocking up on toe separators, nail clippers, nail polishes, and nice lotions. I've used my ECBs to buy the EOB gel booties, and a pedegg, for each of our sisters and our moms.
DH did the men's gifts this year- brothers and dads. He went on Ebay and bought baseball cards of each person's favorite team- and we picked up small card display cases that hold 4-9 cards. He paid under $50 for 7 gifts, and the best part- he used ONLY his paypal account funds to pay for it all! He's been doing surveys and selling a few cards- I'm so proud of him!
We also managed to find a smoking deal on Christmas mugs- 3/$1. We bought 24- and I'll be putting the freebie Target coffee bags inside them. Add a couple of candy canes, and it's a quick and easy coworker/hostess gift.
We're also not buying wrapping paper this year. I've picked up Trader Joe's bags, and we'll use that for all the adults' gifts. The kids and babies will still get wrapping paper, stored from last year.
I like to bake yummy cheddar garlic bread and give it as a gift.
The girls and I make cookies and wrap them up, then take them around to all the neighbors.
Every year on the day after Christmas I buy red or green cellophane wrap and plates on clearance to use the following year to add sugar cookies and other baked goods to to give as gifts.
I enjoy making homemade Christmas gifts for friends. I enjoy making cookie mixes, and this year I plan on making pralines and brittle and packaging them up very pretty.
munchkin501@hotmail.com
I save money by buying things all year round as they go on clearance. I'm sure everyone does that. But I'm also looking for things I can make as gifts.
Our immediate family draws names and we make that person a special gift using only things we have here...can't buy anything.
I've done handprints, used a picture and written a poem.
I've put wedding pictures in a frame.
I made a collage from pictures.
Pictures are so easy to use as gifts.
This year, as an inexpensive gift to the grandparents, we are giving photo ornaments from Artscow.com.
Crystal
sw _ 915 @ hotmail . com
I made up a mint swiss cocoa mix and mint cookies for my sons teachers.
tchalk_22@yahoo.com
got a great idea from HCW...going to make small gifts for those special teachers and neighbors using a whisk and kisses!
nlpoe(AT)hotmail(dot)com
I'm making several of those fleece tie blankets for gifts this year. I found the fabric cheap at a local fabric store, so it was relatively inexpensive to make them!
flowers7886 at yahoo dot com
I am making aprons out of old jeans. The back pockets are the top part of the apron, and the front is the botton part.
Amy S.
amifer415@yahoo.com
Last year I gave homemade soap to all of my co-workers. This year, I am making up bags with the free stuff I have gotten all year at Walgreens and Rite Aid and giving it to the mission in my city, thanks
I make my own mixes, like brownies or cookie mixes and put them in cute fabric bags made from scrap fabric. They turn out cute and are pretty cheap too!
My husband and I are making personalized tv trays for the kids with their favorite team decals and mod podge. I am sure they will get a lot of use out of them for years. Each one should run under $10 but none of their friends will have one since it is personalized!
Each yesr i have my kids trace their hansa and create an ornament out of it. Santa, Angel and sheep are a few that we have made. I started this with thier very first Christmas. We gave a small tree to garandparents and the kids add thier ornaments each year. It is a great way to see how much they have grown. We have done this now for 9 years!!
I take photographs and make original cards with them and give as gifts.
These give-aways are great!!
mandaandtom@gmail.com
I use a steering wheel cover and discounted yards of fabric and cut it into 8 inch strips and tie it around the steerinf wheel cover and make country or holiday themed wreaths. The steering wheel cover is the perfect size for a wreath! I also wrap all my gifts in old newspapers and use raffia for ribbon or extra fabric strips
Jessica
aretz@shentel.net
I really enjoy baking cookies and bread, and when you package it inside something else fun like a tin or basket you can be pretty creative with how it's presented.
I do this every year. I go to my local Walmart and I pick up some popcorn bowls that are in the shape of popcorn bags. Usually a buck or less each. Then I pick up a box of microwave popcorn. Head over and grab a few of the movie size candy boxes 88 cents each. Then add some 5 dollar movies or if you get them on Black Friday they are like 3 bucks. Perfect movie gift baskets!!
We wrapped gifts in brown paper and let the kids color pictures on them. Also, I bake Pumpkin Bread and give it away. Thanks for the chance to win.
I am going to make homemade caramels to add to all of my gift baskets this year.
I put the recipe on my blog here....
http://savingourcents.blogspot.com/2008/11/want-idea-for-all-that-condensed-milk.html
It is a great way to use up all that condensed milk I snagged during the Kroger mega events.
I knitted scarves last year for the girls at work for christmas and I make blankets and little tag blankets and onesies for babies :)
Wow, with all the great comments I have a few more to add to my list of frugal gifts! I typically do many baskets and goodie bags every year with my stockpile of freebies, drugstore deals, and homemade jar gifts and then supplement with other bargains I have collected throughout the year. This year I found some wonderful chocolate and cookie scented yankee candles at their outlet store. I will be adding one medium size jar candle to a basket of homemade cocoa mix, some fresh cookies, peppermint sticks, a nice mug, marshmallows, and other goodies that compliment. I also do a manicure/pedicure basket every year with deals from bath and body works and nail polishes I've picked up for free from walgreens and cvs. Last year I did a garden basket for my mom with free seed packets, an outdoor garden thermometer, some small garden tools and a perennials book all that I had received for free thru internet clicks! Another great idea is a movie basket. I buy the giftcards from Blockbuster when they run the buy $50 get $5 free sale and then buy previously viewed movies with it. My children have come to expect the movie basket every year! hope these ideas help someone else in the quest for a frugal holiday season! Happy Holidays to all!
I posted about you on my blog. http://trumbulls.blogspot.com/2008/11/give-aways.html
mandaandtom@gmail.com
Here is the link to my post about your giveaways.
http://savingourcents.blogspot.com/2008/11/centsible-sawyer.html
I take wedding inviations I receive and frame them in a shadowbox. i include a picture of the couple and other items depending on the wedding's theme. i give to the copule as a present. so far everyone has placed them over their fireplace mantel.
I like the post on Applesauce Cake Baked in a Jar from Mommy's Kitchen. It seems affordable and super unique!
themoosehouse at gmail dot com
I like to make gift baskets filled with little things to I can pick up a the dollar stores.
Angie
aphillips374@hotmail.com
b.k.parr (at) netzero (dot) com
I like to shop all year playing the "Drugstore Game" to pick up goodies for gift baskets for free or very cheap! I just made a "spa" themed gift basket for a birthday gift for less than $3 oop. Shopping throughout the year really makes our holiday less expensive!
Now I've blogged about your giveaway and your blog.
http://mami2three.blogspot.com/2008/11/50-walmart-card-giveaway.html
Since our children have 2 sets of grandparents and 3 sets of great-grandparents...as gifts we make yearly calendars (via Snapfish or Shutterfly) with all the pictures we took during the year to send to them. They love it, it's a fairly cheap way to share the kids with them since we are across the country from most of them. =) Thanks for the giveaway!
Crissy
ballhog34@hotmail.com
I love to bake. I make dozens of small loaves of different breads, batches of cookies and candy. Wrap them in pretty goodie bags and tie ribbons on the basket. You can find baskets cheap year round at thrift stores and garage sales. Also, you can find lots of new items, including gift assortments (bath type) year round at thrift stores. I just shop all year long and keep a gift tote going.
I'm a subscriber, thanks.
This year we are making large pine cone wreaths. They cost next to nothing to make and they can be decorated to the person's taste or for the holiday.
olsonsonline@verizon.net
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