Taking the Little Ones ShoppingWhen my niece was old enough to save money, which was about 4 or 5 years old, I took her and her cousin Christmas shopping the day school dismissed. By the time she was in first grade the number of "guests" had grown to 4. They may have had a total of $2-$3, I would give each of them $5 each
Help Out Your Adult Kids Who Are Parents During The Holiday SeasonPlan to pick the grandkids up after school and take them to your home. Spend time with them playing cards, games, reading or just chatting.
5 Tips for an Easier Holiday SeasonUse gift bags instead of wrapping gifts.So much easier and you can still use cute little package tie ons for the bag handles such as candy canes, ornaments or anything you can think of.
Address Labels Inside and OutsideBe sure to put an address label inside and outside of any packages your are sending. If the exterior gets ripped or is illegible, the postal department can still figure out what to do with it.
By Linda
Homemade Breads for GiftsFor nice homemade Christmas presents try making pumpkin or banana bread loaves to give out. Wrap in plastic wrap then with curl ribbon wrap a big plus sign all the way around the bread, pop on a matching bow and walla.
Help! I can't afford ChristmasThe less money you have to spend on Christmas the earlier
you have to get started. Bargains go quickly as we all know.
Firstly, make sure you get along to any car boot/garage/yard/tag
sales in your area, looking out for baskets that you can package
gifts in, pretty china, toys in excellent condition with all the pieces
present, inexpensive hand made crafts and second hand books
that look brand new.
Cheap Christmas Present for Small ChildrenToday I was sitting with my 2 year old in front of his easil. One side has a chalk board and the other is white metal - for dry erase markers. My son came up and placed a magnetic on it. Light bulb goes on - why not make my own things out of the magnetic sheets you can buy at office supply stores?
Holiday Gift for a Co-WorkerI found cute snowman glass jars at the dollar store. I filled with home made hot cocoa & put mini-marshmallows into the lid (snowman's hat) I attached a card that was made from an old xmas card front that I cut with decorative scissors, tied with a ribbon & done. No large expense & they had a re-useable cute jar.
By Mary S
Thinking Ahead - Save Money Next ChristmasMake your Christmas list in January. Then shop all year round when you see something you think the person you are shopping for might like.
Bronco BrowniesHeat caramels with 1/3 cup milk to melt. Set aside. Combine cake mix, butter, and remaining 1/3 cup milk...
Country Christmas CandlesFor a country Christmas idea take old fruit jars and fill half way full with salt then place a little votive candle inside. Tie a gingham ribbon around the top rim. When the wax melts the salt will catch it. A bunch of these clustered together in different sizes is very adorable.
By Melanie
No Sweeter Gift Than One Made By YouI would rather have a gift made from the heart than any gift from a store. Just make any object and tuck it in a gift bag you have made from gift wrap. One thing I have always treasured is a card. I know that person sending it has chosen it just for me. And if it is hand crafted it is even more precious.
By Gladys Hill
Thrifty Christmas GiftA thrifty Christmas gift I have given in years past is to buy bread dough shaped into dough balls. I arrange them on a baking sheet in the shape of a tree or a wreath and bake according to package directions. Then I drizzle powdered sugar frosting over the rolls and decorate with red and green cherries and small bows. These are well liked by everyone!
By Robin
Help, I dont have a whole lot of money and it's Christmas time!It's Christmas time and I'm low on cash. I've asked my mom if she will pay me a little extra money if I did odd jobs and she agreed but i still need more to cover my family. I was also thinking about making my own gifts for everyone but I'm not sure what everyone would want. I have the pickiest brother in the world, he asked me to buy him a 100 dollar chair for him, so far that's all he wants. I don't have that kind of money. Should I make him something? Any ideas? He's 19, we are an irish family, he likes rap music and progressive rock (OAR and Wheezer). He also has a white Ford truck. If you have any homemade ideas, let me know.
Thanks,
Molly
Need Help with Gift Ideas?ok I'm a kid. I have a problem. I'm 14 and I can't drive so I have to get my mom to take me places to buy her stuff? hello! problem! My dad is in Iraq so basically I am screwed i get $40 a week if I do my chores for everytime. If I miss a chore my mom takes off 5 bucks! I need that money to buy stuff for her and for her stocking and Domi (foreign exchange student, 17, can't drive) and Max and the dogs and Grandma
what i got my mom so far is:
~a beauty basket
~a snowglobe
~cookbooks
~rich chocolate for her stocking
but thats it! I need help please how can i get cash for gifts?
chelsi
24 Days Before Christmas GiftsDuring garage sale season, I buy small items for my grandchildren for 25 cents or less. I wrap 24 for each child and put them in a tote bag for them to open on the first 24 days of December. It makes looking forward to Christmas even more exciting.
By Marylin
Recipe Book for a GiftThis year I haven't worked very much so I've been trying to get creative. One idea is for my granddaughter Bailey, a recipe book. She just got married this year so I'm going to get a photo album and some clear protective pages at the Dollar store. I am going to go through my recipes, picking out a bunch of good ones, I will make copies on the computer. Then I will punch holes and use dividers for "sections" like casseroles, desserts, soups, etc.
By Pat S.
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
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
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...
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!
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
"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
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!
Gift For The "Impossible To Shop For" PersonThe following is a great gift for anyone but especially for that impossible-to-shop-for person.
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.
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.
Unique Christmas Gifts?What are your ideas for unique Christmas gifts. Something that is either handmade or reused or consumable.
- rockytopp
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?
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.
