3 Steps to Thrifty Gift Giving - 3 Ideas For Frugal Christmas Gifts
There's no doubt we spend a lot of money at Christmas time. Times may be tough and your budget may be stretched to the limit, but, there are ways to come up with frugal Christmas gift ideas without looking like a scrooge. Here are three ideas to get you on your way to thrifty gift giver.
1. Incline Toward The Spontaneous or Bizarre.
You can become tired of giving the same old expected gifts and getting the same old predictable response. It may be time to get resourceful and begin thinking outside the gift box.
Buying land on Venus, Mars or the moon goes into the bizarre but it's being done. You get a deed to your land with a map and location. Stars are also being named for both adults and children. A certificate is provided with the star coordinates. Several extraterrestrial real estate companies can be found on line and in big city newspapers.
2. Make A Homemade Gift Basket
Sure you can buy gift baskets from a professional but wouldn't a basket fashioned personally by you send a more meaningful message? Not to mention it's a lot cheaper and more fun. Homemade foods from your kitchen for example are the perfect gifts for your basket.
Choose a theme based on their interests, hobbies or an upcoming event in their life.
Wicker baskets are probably the first choice to use because they're easy to work with and can be found inexpensively at dollar stores and even yard sales. Other containers work as well such as plastic pails (best for kids), coffee mugs, flower pots, and if the person you're giving to happens to enjoy cooking, use a baking pan or bowl or even a colander.
Place your main theme gift in the center or high enough that the eye is drawn to it. Additional gift items go around the sides and then add filler material such as colored paper or straw available at hobby stores. If you have a paper shredder and colored paper make the filler yourself and save. Remember, an overflowing basket looks better than one that's sparsely filled.
Set your basket inside a cellophane bag and tie a bow with colored streamers flowing down. Attach a card and you're good to go. If you need to secure items inside the basket to keep them from flopping around, clear tape works well - or use a glue gun. Be neat with your work, not sloppy.
3. Personalized homemade gifts are some of the best.
These depend somewhat on your particular talent but others can be made with just a little creativity and imagination. Ideas could range from something you've sewn or knitted such as scarves or sweaters. Handcrafted jewelry or wood art would be a special gift of your talent.
Frame a picture of your family or the recipient. Frames aren't that hard to make or buy an inexpensive frame and personalize it with your own handiwork by adding shells, brass corners or names. A personalized gift with someone's name is always appreciated. Calendars can also be made from photos taken throughout the year.
Food dishes you've cooked yourself are wonderful gifts. Prepare whatever is your specialty such as jellies, breads, candies or cookies. Make it personal with a label that says "From the Kitchen of..." Decorate it with a colorful bow or ribbon and include the recipe.
Plants you grow yourself can be an inexpensive yet thoughtful gift and a magazine subscription keeps giving every month. Coming up with frugal Christmas gift ideas isn't hard with a little imagination and impulse.
Frugal Living - 3 Steps to Thrifty Gift Giving - 3 Ideas For Frugal Christmas Gifts
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