Photo OrnamentsI buy clear plastic balls available at craft shops. Then I look for photographs that have meaning to the person to whom you will be giving the gift.
Work in a Soup Kitchen on ChristmasWorking in a Soup Kitchen for the homeless on Christmas would show our kids what giving really is. I am planning on doing this with my family this Christmas.
Decorative Wreath Made From Puzzle PiecesMany years ago, my son made this craft at school. It looked really cute! It's a hanging holiday wreath decoration or an ornament. You can make it any size, but the one he made was about 4 inches wide.
Christmas Gifts for $10 or Less?I have a huge family. I start shopping for Christmas presents early. Does anyone have any good Christmas present ideas for 10 people for $10. or less. These are extended family members.
Present for a Sailor?My brother is in the Navy and will be gone for Christmas. This is his first Christmas away from home. Does anyone have any good suggestions for gifts for him?
Drawing Names for Christmas GiftsMy family has decided to draw names for Christmas gifts this year. My retired parents were still buying for myself and my four sisters, our husbands and 10 grandchildren.
Photo GiftsThis gift would have been fine for Christmas or a birthday. As it happened it was for a sort of, what I call an "unbirthday" gift. Every now and then I find an item or idea for a gift that fits someone so nicely that I send it as a real surprise.
More Gift IdeasHere's my idea for inexpensive holiday gifts. It saves me some money to make many of my holiday gifts this way, and people seem to like them.
Christmas "Shower Curtain"?Help! I am looking for a holiday, Christmas "shower curtain". Any tips? Thanks.
Your Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes?I am looking for some exciting cookie recipes that I can make for Christmas. Does anyone have any recipes or know of some good resources to find some online? I plan on going to the library, but I thought it might be interesting to see what others are baking this year.
Don't Pay Too Much for Hot ToysAvoid the temptation to go online and spend a lot of money on the hot toys your kids are clamoring for. All these toys will be available in January for their retail price.
Thrifty Gift Ideas for a Friend?I have a friend that I met online and we've been emailing back and forth for almost two years now. I wanted to send her a little something for Christmas, but don't have a lot of money to spend.
Shopping Without a PurseBe safe, don't carry a purse, use your pockets! Organize your multi-pocket jeans, and slacks.
Christmas Stars, Frames, Wreaths, and MoreGather small twigs from your yard (leave in a natural state, ones with lichen are especially attractive). Arrange these in a 5 or 6 pointed star. Hot glue where twigs join and attach a twine or string loop as a holder.
Holiday Winter Bean Soup MixThese can make a great gift. Take a pint jar, layer the different beans, put the spices in a small Ziploc bag. Print cooking instructions on paper and glue to a recipe card.
Thrifty Christmas Ornaments?I want to make some Christmas ornaments. Does anyone have any good, thrifty ideas?
Christmas WrappingsDon't buy new Christmas wrapping paper if at all possible. There are lots of things you can use instead; try to recycle and reuse instead.
Paying Attention (Gift Giving)Last year while Christmas shopping my best friend and I stumbled across a used books store. I found lots of things I wanted, and she found a couple of vintage black and white film noir movies.
Reused and Recycled Christmas WrappingsMore Christmas wrapping ideas. Small gifts like gift cards, small toys, jewelry items, etc. fit inside toilet paper rolls nicely, and then you just wrap overtop of that, twist the ends of the wrapping paper, and you have a cute little "Christmas cracker."
Christmas Tree TipsIf you buy a natural tree, check the ends of the needles. Rub some of the sprigs between your fingers. Cut 1 inch or so off the bottom before you put it into the stand, this will allow it to soak up more water and it will last longer.
Don't Wrap Santa's GiftsTo start our new tradition, Santa sent a letter to our house, telling our family that he and the elves were concerned about the waste of paper, and the trees. So, he was putting all our gifts in this special sack.
Looking for Tiered Circle Boxes?I am looking for a company that would sell boxes at a thrifty price. I am planning on making 3 tier snowmen as gifts for co-workers and friends. Does anyone know of a company that sells tiered circle boxes for a cheap rate?
Unique Christmas Gifts?What are your ideas for unique Christmas gifts. Something that is either handmade or reused or consumable.
- rockytopp
Family Present?I'm supposed to send some friends a "family" present. A gift for the whole family for under $20. Any ideas? There are 5 in the family, mom, dad, and 3 kids 5-9.
Pattern For SnowflakeHere are the directions for the Soda Pop connector/holder Snowflake! Special thanks to Sue L.
Instructions for Reindeer Ornaments?Does anyone have instructions to make a reindeer ornament using a green christmas tree light bulb and pipe cleaner for antlers, wiggly eyes and a pom pom for a nose? Would sure appreciate help.
Christmas Ornament Question?Does anyone have any cute ideas for making Christmas ornaments using the acrylic ball ornaments that pull apart?
Need Directions for Snowflakes?I need directions on how to make snowflakes out of soda can plastic rings---please I need your help.
Living Christmas TreeA living Christmas tree is ecological, practical and saves you money year after year. You can enjoy it year round on your
balcony or in your garden.
Gift in a Jar - Food MixesHere are some great recipes for Mix in a Jar recipes for gifts this Christmas. Jar mixes include: Sand Art Brownies, Spiced Tea, Hot Chocolate Mix and Gourmet Vanilla Sugar.
Caroling or Tree Trimming PartyAfter a night out caroling with friends and/or relatives,
invite everyone back to your house to help trim your Christmas
tree and serve up the following drinks and snacks.
Preserving Mistletoe and Magnolia Leaves for Christmas Wreaths?I need info on preserving mistletoe and magnolia leaves for making wreaths and other Christmas items.
Egg Nog IcingServe on any cake you're serving for the Christmas Holidays, topped with the fresh grated nutmeg.
Christmas Wreath With a Bicycle TireA beautiful Christmas wreath can be made by covering a bicycle tire with chicken wire, then weaving pieces of evergreen boughs through it. Then attach a brightly colored ribbon and anything else that you wish to add.
By Katz
Craft Ideas Using Wooden Spoons?I need craft ideas using wooden spoons. I have saved several wooden spoons (the long ones, not the little ice cream spoons). I would very much like to turn them into gifts or crafty decorations that I can give as Christmas gifts. I would prefer no santas.
Thank you,
L Shine in CA
Pine Cone Christmas CraftNext time you take your kids out for a walk or you visit your local craft store, get yourself some pine cones. Take plain old white glue and coat just the tips of the pine cones. Take silver, gold or the new iridescent white glitter and sprinkle on the glue.
Gazing Ball Yard DecorationsSoon the stores will be putting out their Christmas decorations for sale. You need to find the huge balls they sell to decorate the outside of your house or trees.
Fun Snowman ProjectThis past weekend, I went on an excursion to the craft store with my daughter. Boy, what a way to have creativity spark within your children as well as yourself.
Wooden Spoon Reindeer?I need the directions for making Christmas Reindeer out of wooden spoons. You use the whole spoon. The handles make up the legs and the spoon makes the body. You then decorate them with felt saddles, ears and googly eyes. I just can't remember the placement of the spoon for the face.
Precious Placemat Gift IdeaThis is especially nice for Grandparents. Have your children draw a picture of grandpa and grandma and then sign their names to this work of art. Cover with clear contact paper. If you have a baby you could coat one of their little hands and one little foot with paint and then press on the paper and then sign it for them.
Keeping a "To Buy" List for GiftsEvery time you need or want to buy something, write it down on a To Buy List. Go through your calendar for the next few months and add any gifts you plan to give.
Buy for Items for Christmas Gift Baskets All YearThroughout the year, after Christmas and until before Christmas of the next year, whenever you see a bargain gift, buy it -- whatever it may be. Put the bargain in storage or in a gift closet or space. Then during Christmas time, take the bargains out and separate them by his, hers, and unisex. Buy some big, cheap baskets in a thrift shop and fill them up with your bargains. Use tissue as filler, then wrap the baskets up with cellophane and put on bows. Your receivers will have a unique bounty of goodies. Don't worry if the bargains aren't part of a theme, as long as they are appropriate to the gender, it won't matter.
By Reinhardt
Gift For The "Impossible To Shop For" PersonThe following is a great gift for anyone but especially for that impossible-to-shop-for person.
Beautiful Beaded SnowflakesThese are quick and easy to make. You should be able to make quite a few while you watch TV. It is also easy enough for older kids to make them. Hang them on your Christmas tree, in your windows or tie on to packages.
Chocolate Marshmallow Holiday TreatsA quick and easy snack/treat that you can customize for any time of year is MARSHMALLOWS. I just made a batch for my girls' Halloween party at school.
Making Your Own Cards?Has anyone here, had their kids make the Xmas cards and maybe make copies on cardstock at Kinko's? Is this expensive? I figured it would creative for the kids. What do you think?
Gift Wrap With Sewing RemnantsGift wrap can get expensive, plus it tears easily if you are wrapping an odd shaped, or sharp cornered gift. I used cloth remnants from sewing projects instead of wrapping paper and found they were oohed and aahed over as much as the gift was.
Christmas Decoration - Recycle a SledDo you have a small sled that you used to ride your little ones around in but now they have grown it? Well take that sled and paint it red and then using stencils add holly or something Christmasy to the top of the sled. You could also do this with old wooden skis that are not being used.
Lavender Pillow Stocking StuffersToday I harvested my lavender and put together about a dozen pieces in each bunch and tied them together with a piece of string and hung them in my garage to dry well. I will then remove the little pieces and use them in small pieces of cloth that I will sew into little pillows.
Need Christmas Gift and Other Ideas?For several years now, when I do an internet search for "Homemade Gift Ideas". I come to your site, and see all the great ideas, like Jar, or basket gifts etc.
Looking for Christmas Photo Ornaments?Looking for Christmas photo ornaments. I have snowflakes and like them but would like others.
Inexpensive Christmas Gifts With Tin CansFor inexpensive Christmas gifts, I've started saving tin cans, from 13 oz. cans of coffee, large pears/peaches cans, etc. I wash them out well and use them to put homemade candies/cookies in for gifts.
Wire Outdoor Christmas TreeThe lighted Christmas decorations for your yard can be pretty expensive, but here is a way to decorate with little money. Take your tomato cages from your garden, clean with the hose and then tie the tops together with electrical tape.
Snow Man Candy JarSave your glass mayonnaise jars. Stuff a dollar store winter cap with old Walmart bags. Glue edge of cap to the rim of the jar lid. Next, using some "snow in a can", spray almost all the way around the jar with the fake snow.
Gifts for ChristmasOne way to make a great Christmas gift is to take pictures of the children in the family unbeknownst to the family. This is tricky, and then make a photo album. Add a page in the album where you write a poem or your favorite time spent with the child was.
12 Days of Christmas Ideas?Several friends and I are planning on doing the 12 Days of Christmas for a lady who really needs some pampering right now. We are wondering what are some things we could give her to correspond to each of the 12 days, just something to let her know we are thinking about her.
Make a Keepsake CollectionWhen my great granddaughter was born, I wanted to give her something special, she could cherish for her lifetime.
Finding Plastic Snowflake Photo Ornaments?For 13 years I have gotten plastic snowflakes photo ornaments, but the business I got them from went out of business. I was wondering if you know where I can get similar ones. The space in the center for the photo is 3 inches. Please let me know as I would like to get a couple dozen.
Christmas Basket Food Wrapping?I have decided to make baskets of homemade goodies this year - brownies, cupcakes, cookies, etc. I am trying to come up with a festive, inexpensive way to wrap them and keep the food fresh. The easiest (yet less-thrifty) method I can think of is red and green cling wrap courtesy of Glad, but I'd really like to do something less expensive. At the same time, I plan to make them several days before Christmas (and gradually), so I don't want the food to get stale/yucky before delivery.
Thoughts?
TIA!
Looking for Lightweight Gift Ideas for Family Overseas?I have a daughter and son-in-law living overseas and need gift ideas for Christmas that don't weigh too much. These could include novelty, fun ideas from the good old USA, and also nice gift ideas.
"In Memory Of" Gift Ideas?My brother died back in December of 1976 as a newborn. (We have no photos of him or any personal memory items from his birth.) For the past few years I have started the tradition of getting my mother something (usually a tree ornament) in the memory of him on his birthday. As most americans, I am broke around Christmas time. I want to make his birthday special for my mother, but need some tips on some inexpensive, but special gifts. Any ideas?
Barbara Floyd
Always Ask for Gift Boxes and CardsWhen I buy an item at a store, I always ask for a free gift box and card. Even if the item I purchase is something for me. I store them until I need a gift box for articles that I had made or purchased at a backyard sale.
By Jean Sterling
Small Christmas Gift Ideas?I need to make 20-60 small gifts for my families for Christmas. Any inexpensive ideas? It's all for ages 10 and up. Can anyone give me any ideas?
Kristen
$5 Gift That Helps Teach a Child About MoneyI give children money: a dollar bill, 4 quarters, 10 dimes, 20 nickels and 100 pennies. I then teach them about money, showing them that the change is equal to the dollar bill.
By Jean Sterling
Ornaments from Argo ClayI make Christmas ornaments out of Argo clay. I then fix a gift basket or bag with the ornament and paints. I also, include the ornament hangers.
Strategy for a Must Have Toy - Buy It EarlyIf there's a "Must Have" toy on your child's Christmas list that you've decided to purchase, here's a strategy to make sure it's under the tree Christmas morning.
Christmas Tea Party Menu and TipsHere are some easy ideas for a Christmas time tea party. Serve hot spiced teas (Celestial Seasonings have some great ones), cucumber sandwiches are traditional tea party fare but take it one step further for Christmas and try some of these easy sandwiches...
Sourdough Coffee Cake RecipeI saw the request for the sourdough starter and it reminded me that I have a nice Sourdough Coffee Cake Recipe. I have already sent a starter recipe to feedback but wanted to share this recipe with you too.
A New Holiday Tradition... Homemade GiftsStart a new holiday tradition in your family... no gifts unless you sew it, grow it, make it, bake it, draw it, saw it, or write it! See how creative everyone can be, while at the same time, trimming everyone's budget!
Sample Sizes for Stocking StuffersSample sizes and travel sizes of shampoo, lotion and the like are good stocking stuffers for little ones. They love the little sizes!
By Linda
See's Candy Gift CertificatesSee's candy gift certificates can be bought from some charitable groups, in the stores, or online. These are nice to have on hand and to give as gifts because they don't have any expiration date!
A Meal As A Christmas GiftI love to cook, so for Christmas I will buy ground beef and potatoes when they are on sale and make up meat loaf ahead and freeze it. Then the day before Christmas I make up my favorite mashed potato recipe and put them in a pyrex casserole dish and present the meat loaf and mashed potatoes as a gift.
Christmas Cookie PartyWant to have a large variety of cookies to give away for gifts for Christmas yet only have to make one batch of one kind of cookie?
Photo Tree OrnamentThis is a great Christmas present for people that you don't want to spend much money on or just to include with your Christmas cards. Completed, this makes a beautiful unique ornament for your tree.
Alternative to a Christmas Tree - Decorate House PlantsI'm not going to buy a tree for just myself this year. Instead, I am going to put all my twinkle lights in every houseplant (and that's a lot) I have. I may hang a few favorite ornaments with fishing line here and there or in the ficus.
Frugal Christmas Gift Wrap For GuysMany companies are now using crumpled plain brown paper instead of styrofoam peanuts when they ship merchandise. Instead of putting the brown paper in the recycling bin make Christmas gift wrap. Iron the wrinkles out of the paper, using the highest setting.
Finding Time For Christmas Card NotesLove to write notes inside Christmas cards? Carry a few cards in your purse and do these in those few odd minutes that we all have-waiting in line, picking up kids, waiting for take-out, even waiting in traffic for a train to go by!
By Linda
Chocolate Mint Candy PiePrepare brownie mix according to package directions and bake in a greased 9 inch round cake pan. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, dissolve the coffee powder in the water...
Remedy for Sneaky Peeky Kids at ChristmasIf your kids peek at gifts under the tree or search throughout the house for presents, wrap them immediately upon bringing them in.
Mark them with a code only YOU know!
Wrapping Christmas Packages for Several Children?I have five grandchildren. Instead of buying one large gift, I buy several smaller ones. The children really enjoy getting to open so many gifts. I have 5 individual boxes with their names printed on them.
Ask for Christmas Gift BoxesIf you will need boxes for Christmas gifts, start asking for them now whenever you shop in clothing stores. Close to Christmas they sometimes run out.
By Linda
Quick and Easy Crocheted Snowflake Necklace and EarringsUsing crochet cotton and a size 11 hook, chain 4. Join with a slip stitch to form a ring, work 13 double crochet in ring, slip stitch in top of first double crochet.
Gifts for Teachers, Pastors, Doctors and FriendsGreat gifts for teachers, pastors, doctors, and even friends are edibles that can be frozen now to eat later. Basics like homemade bread, banana bread, muffins, are always welcome.
By Linda
Gift for Students Away at SchoolBuy a box of stationary, fancy or plain. Place sticker address labels on the envelope for your address and return address. Buy postage stamps and apply them to envelopes. Enclose a funky pen. Now there are no more excuses as to why they didn't write. Also, amazing how often you hear from them if they know a 'Care' package will follow, or perhaps extra money might get sent for a pizza or a treat, in a return letter from you. LOL. I used this on my granddaughter while she was in College! It worked!
By Gladys Hill
Mail Gifts Media MailSave postage on gifts that go long distance by giving gifts that qualify for media postage, which is much less than regular parcel post. Media postage can be used for DVDs, CDs, books, tapes, or movies, any information that doesn't contain advertisements can usually go media rate.
Unique Gift Ideas For Grandkids?I have 3 small grandkids - boys - 6 months, 2 years, and 4 years. They are overwhelmed with toys - new and passed-down. They have lots of clothes - the same. What in the world can I "wrap" up for them - when they come over on Christmas day morning?
Christmas Gift Suggestion for People Away from HomeHave a student, loved one in senior care home, kinfolk or serviceman/woman, living away from home? Give them a subscription to the local newspaper. It gives them news from their local area.
Chocolate Chip Cookie WreathHeat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with foil and grease lightly with shortening...
Gift for a Poet - Muse RocksThese are a great cheap gift for a budding poet. First you need between twelve and twenty five flat smooth rocks. Now with a paint marker or a permanent maker write words to inspire that budding poet. A quick list of words to use would be:
Plant Cuttings for GiftsI often give plants that I have started from cuttings as gifts. To brighten these up I use a water pic from the florist with one or 2 blossoms from my yard to add a bit of color.
Good Fudge RecipeCombine sugar, milk, and butter. Stir and cook until softball. Add chips, marshmallow creme, and vanilla. Beat until cold and pour into pan.
Ordering Christmas Presents by Mail or OnlineHere's something to keep in mind if you plan on ordering Christmas presents online or by mail. Using a credit card as payment gives you the right to contest the bill if the item isn't received or is returned.
Extending Your DollarsTo extend your dollars over the holidays remember the Dollar Stores. I frequent 3-4 stores every few weeks. I have found scrapbooking supplies, color books with the latest super hero in them, candles, bath supplies, baby shampoo...
Christmas Cookie SwapAt this time of year, the start of the Christmas Season, many people start thinking about what cookies they will be sharing in Holiday Cookie Exchanges. Whether you are swapping cookies with family, neighbors or co-workers, it can be difficult to decide on just what types of cookies to make!
Cookie Baking DayWhen my kids were small, I would bake several batches of cutout type sugar cookies just after Thanksgiving. I used Christmas Theme Cookie cutters and also cut Christmas shapes from cereal box cardboard.
Rolling Out Sugar CookiesWhen rolling out sugar cookies, use powdered sugar instead of flour on your board. It will have a much better flavor, and the cookies will not get hard.
By Robin
