Give Small Crafts As TipsIn addition to giving cash as a tip to hair dresser, nail tech, etc., I offer a few additional small craft items as a Thank You.
Craft: Scrapbook Page with Painted FrameI made this inexpensive Christmas gift for my mother-in-law. I'd made two of my older children years ago and she specifically requested one of my youngest this year. It was very well received.
Fragrant Fire StartersCut lid off the carton. Melt the candles and crayons on low heat. With hand protection, pour 1 inch of wax mix into the whole egg carton. Before it hardens, add the pine cones, fruit, spices, spruce sprigs, and such.
Homemade Ornament Balls fo Under $10If for Christmas, you can buy the clear ornament balls, they are really beautiful and very cheap, especially if you get the balls at the end of season.
Give Away Excess PhotosWhile going through old family photos recently, and downsizing where I can. I decided to give photos I no longer wanted to my brother and sisters.
Rainy Day GiftMy wonderfully, creative daughter came up with this idea one year "Money for a Rainy Day". Choose 10-20 bills (use whatever denomination you want), and tape a string on each (use various string lengths).
Make a Heritage CookbookWhen the family sits down to a favorite recipe, there's a special love there. When the recipe belongs to a departed grandparent, the love multiplies.
Brown Sugar ScrubI used an empty jar of mushrooms as a container for a brown sugar scrub. The scrub recipe was brown sugar, baby oil, and body soap.
Cookie Of The Month PresentFor my Dad's Birthday last year, I gave him a cookie of the month club. Every month near his birth date, I brought him a batch of cookies, brownies, or bars.
Instead of Buying, Make Them at HomeMoney is limited for many right now. My money saving idea for holiday gifts is to make as many gifts as possible. Examples: homemade business cards...
Inexpensive (Earth Friendly) Christmas GiftI'm a bit low on money this holiday season, so I was trying to think of homemade gift ideas, and came up with this. It's thrifty, it helps recycle, and it's environmentally safe! All great things! I have a few "recipes" for natural, non-toxic cleaners that I got from a co-op natural foods store.
Making Colored Bath Salts RecipeBeautiful and cheap bath salts for any occasion.
Custom Books for FriendsI save all kinds of stickers, colored paper, string, beads, fabrics, jokes, cartoons, anecdotes, etc. I then buy $1.00 mini photo albums and make custom books for friends.
Send People Happy ThoughtsI collect the happy thoughts I read in magazines or hear on TV into a notebook. Once a month, I write them down on colorful paper and mail them to my nieces and nephews. It keeps us close even from miles away!
By Kathy
Memory Jar GiftYou can create a "Memory Jar" for a special friend or relative. Take a pretty jar and fill it with small cards on which you have neatly written (or typed) your memory of a shared experience. Add photos, ticket stubs, etc. if you have any.
By Lisa Trudeau
