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My Frugal Holiday: Homemade Gift Ideas

Our family on my side has decided to have a completely "homemade Christmas", due to the economy. Since not all people like "crafty items", my daughters and I try and make items I already know they like (or requested) and will be used. I also make cloth gift bags that can be reused-easy to make from pillowcases or old jeans (that can them be used as a purse or tote bag)My Frugal Holiday

I thought I would share some of my ideas we are using or have used in the past, and hopefully get some others to add theirs!

  • Homemade salsa

  • Homemade bread

  • flannel nightgowns

  • flannel PJ pants

  • candles

  • rose water perfume

  • knitted and crochet hats, mittens and scarfs

  • warming pillows (the kind with rice/beans inside that you heat up)

  • Embroidered personalized pillowcases and tea towels

  • crochet afagan

  • patchwork quilt

  • family photo of all the grandkids

  • sweatshirt/tee shirt with kids/grandkids handprints

  • scrapbook of family events with photos taken throughout the past year

  • fleece PJ with matching blanket or pillow

  • matching doll nightgown

  • stepping stones with kids handprints

  • Puppets

  • pot holders

  • poncho

  • fishing flies

  • couch/recliner organizer; it goes over the arm of the chair or couch and holds the remote controls

  • birdhouse

  • computer cover sewn with clear vinyl

  • certificates for the kids for a week stay at our place during the summer

  • photo calendar for the upcoming year

  • placemat/coaster set

  • my daughters make bead jewelry and are rather good at it; ear rings, bracelets and necklaces, and also matching hair accessories

  • sock monkey

  • stuffed animal or PJ animal

  • swimsuit cover up and matching tote bag

  • Raggedy Ann and Andy doll

  • doll house

  • coupons for free babysitting, cooking a meal for them, or washing their car.....

  • holiday potholders for all year, made of fabric scraps; a white snowman, red heart, brown gingerbread man, green clover, Easter egg, flower, firecracker burst, horn of plenty.....for patterns I used drawings from coloring books

  • family recipes written on cards in a recipe box (great for new brides or one who just left the nest)

  • door snakes (keep out the cold)

  • decorate a clay pot with broken tile (mosaic) and add some flower bulbs, or packs of herb seeds

  • plant starts

  • Christmas ornament

  • dog treats for the dog

  • holiday pillow cases for the kids; this requires planning ahead as the holiday fabrics are not always available all year around, one pillowcase for each month

  • food gift basket; good item for those who have everything all ready, or those who are having trouble making ends meet-you can theme it, such as everything needed for spaghetti night, or chili, pizza, or items for smores....

  • interview an older family member on tape or video. Have them ell family stories and give to younger family members. It will be more cherished as years go by and they are gone.

  • picture book for babies or toddlers. Use old magazines for pictures and photos of family members, pets and animals along with favorite places.

  • sachets

  • jams/jellies I canned

  • meat (we farm and hunt)

  • fudge (all time favorite)

  • "gone green" shopping bags
By April from NW Missouri

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