Frugal Christmas giving...?

[cata5]

Christmas shopping has been mentioned in the chit chat forum so it's time to start thinking about what we are going to do, make, or buy that is going to be nice but inexpensive. Let the ideas come rolling in!!

At this moment I'm thinking about baking for the "extra" people on my list, but don't know what to make yet...


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[kat]

Cata,

I always do a LOT of baking during the holidays & have had teachers actually ask my kids to please bring them cookies or fudge. Oh well, at least it's cheaper than having to go out and buy something & it's definetly easier (at least for my kids since they don't have to think about what to bring).

I'm also making bath salts & beauty baskets this year. They're not incredibly hard to make and you can find everything at a pretty reasonable price too - it just takes a little creativity when it comes to the jars. I've been using baby food jars - I repaint the lids & the size is just right.


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[lauseng]

I've moved to shopping year-round. Three reasons.

1. I always get the PERFECT idea for someone on my list a day or two after Christmas. I'm still in the holiday spirit after all! But by next Christmas I'm at a loss.

2. Money. I find items at thrift stores and yard sales all the time that still have tags. I constantly stash baby clothes with tags for baby showers, etc. This year my mother's gift will include two St. Johns Bay sweaters that still have their tags. I paid $3 each for them. Also, clearance sales are hardest to find right around Christmas. Last spring I picked up kid's craft kits (Christmas gift-idea leftovers) for $1 apiece...they retail for $20. Perfect for neices, nephews, and the unexpected birthday party invitation.

3. I never have time at Christmas. Time just goes faster after Halloween, doesn't it? And if I do have any time, I'd rather bake or spend time with family, not fight the mad crowds at the mall.

I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping. Those I haven't bought gifts for, I know what I plan to get them. One is getting a George Foreman grill as soon as I find a good sale. The other is getting a gift certificate (not too frugal, but we feel this is what he needs most). Everyone else is done...or just needs a few finishing touches. With a baby coming in January, I'm VERY glad that I won't have to shop in a blizzard when I'm 8 months pregnant.

Jackie


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[jersey_girl227]

I make ornaments and put them on top of baked goods. This is a great gift if you go to a housewarming party or need something for people you work with. If anyone is interested, I could post some directions for the ornaments.

[sdlee]

I buy my presents all year round also. All of our birthdays are Sept thru Nov., so if I waited, we would be hit hard by Christmas. I put aside money each paycheck and use it when I see stuff on clearance or have a coupon code plus free shipping or a promotional GC.

I also treat my Discover card as a debit card and pay it off each month. I don't pay any fees on it and get 1% cash back through the year. Previous years I've received about $80 cash back in September that I use for any gifts that I haven't picked up yet.
This year they offered to double the money if I ordered Borders or Waldenbooks GC's with my award. I just received $160 in "free" Borders GC's that I can give as gifts or buy gifts with!

I'm also trying not to give my kids too many gifts this year. They get a bit overwhelmed, especially at Christmas. There is no need to spend a lot of money on toys they don't have room for and won't play with. I think they will learn to appreciate gifts more this way too.


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[Ttulipss]

I usually start my shopping in the summer. I'm over 1/2 done and pleased. Being that I'll be having a baby anytime, the rest will either be done by telling dh exactly what to get and where or over the internet. And once I'm really getting out again, I just may take the baby and leave the girls at home with dh here and there for a few items.

As for frugality......how about the mixes in the jars? I did that last year for friends we don't normally buy for as well as coworkers.

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http://www.frugalhomemaker.com/giftsinajar.htm
http://www.dcrafts.com/giftsinjar1.htm

There are many others, but here are a few I found really quick.


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[prism68]

Jersey, please do post your ornament instructions. I'd love them!

[monapoe]

Originally posted by Ttulipss
I usually start my shopping in the summer. I'm over 1/2 done and pleased. Being that I'll be having a baby anytime, the rest will either be done by telling dh exactly what to get and where or over the internet. And once I'm really getting out again, I just may take the baby and leave the girls at home with dh here and there for a few items.

As for frugality......how about the mixes in the jars? I did that last year for friends we don't normally buy for as well as coworkers.

Check out:
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http://www.frugalhomemaker.com/giftsinajar.htm
http://www.dcrafts.com/giftsinjar1.htm

There are many others, but here are a few I found really quick.



[

The links are great (and helpful)! Thanks a bunch! I noticed some of the soup mixes required the recipient to add the veggies. Wonder if I could dry them in a dehydrator and add them to the soup mix?? Anybody know??

[3tbear]

I find the best buys off-season, like a winter vest I bought for $5.00 in the summer. Then I just hold things 'til Christmas.

All inexpensive Christmas ideas are welcome here, so if you think of anymore, I'd love to hear them. Even 'though I find great off season bargains, I still go into debt each year around the holiday. I don't want to repeat that this year.

I like the idea of making baskets with bath stuff, and the ornaments on top of baked goods, another great idea. Thanx guys. It's a start for me.


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[dlabrie708]

I take all the Christmas photo cards that friends and family sent me the year before and I cut off the card part [leaving just the picture]. I then take the pics to a print shop and have them lamenated. It really doesn't cost much at all. I then glue a trim of white lace around the photo and poke a hole at the top and tie a colorful ribbon through it. Instant ornament or decoration to hang around the house. My friends and family LOVE getting these pretty ornaments. It makes making picture heirlooms easy on them...lol!

Lori

[bargain]

Last year, we brought in our herbs from the garden and rooted them in the fall and gave away herb baskets filled with oregano, basil and other herbs, still saved some for the garden for planting. I got most of my baskets for 50 or 1 dollar so that worked well. Will do some of these again this year.

This year I think I'm going to make flavored vinegar - easy to do and just start about 30 days before hand. If you have friends that cook, you could also make up batche of emerils essence for mere pennies.

I'm also thinking of making canned cookie mix that you only add water to for cooking and added some homemade choco mocha mix with it.

I thrift buy also but haven't really been hitting many sales lately.


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[lauseng]

bargain,

Can you share those recipes with us...or where you found them? They sound really great!

Thanks,
Jackie

[Ttulipss]

I found some sites with ornament making ideas....

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[Teah]

I usually start christmas shopping in January when all the holiday stuff is on sale.
Then for those homemade items I start shopping in the summer at yardsales for baskets. If they are really pretty as is I leave them alone, or if I feel they need a little help I will spray paint them either gold, red or green.
Then come christmas I load them up with home baked goodies, mixes in jars and one homemade ornament and pass them out among my neighbors, friends family and mail some off to my internet pals. It never costs me much....baskets 10 to 25 cents a piece and the babking ingredients I buy in bulk from places like BJs wholesale. Everyone loves them and looks forward to them every year and it's something you can involve the kids in and make them feel a part of the giving season.


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[jskarp]

The links are great (and helpful)! Thanks a bunch! I noticed some of the soup mixes required the recipient to add the veggies. Wonder if I could dry them in a dehydrator and add them to the soup mix?? Anybody know??

Re-asking monapoe's question..........I would love to know the answer to this question ! Thanks!

~Joy


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