Inexpensive/homemade gift ideas

[carissanboys]

After just spending $2100 for van repairs and our Disney trip coming up in March, I'm trying to think of ways to reduce spending at Christmas. I have a few ideas for inexpensive and homemade gifts for Christmas and thought it would be great to share our ideas with one another. I'm looking for some ideas for gifts for the grandparents especially.

Here's a few of my ideas:

Make up batches of homemade playdough of different colors. Put in small, disposable containers (kind you can purchase at the grocery store). Include recipe for the playdough along with some cookie cutters or other playdough toys.

Print out coloring and activity pages and make them into a book. Include a new box of crayons (recently bought some at the store on clearance for 30 cents).

I make dolls using the felting technique. I gave these as gifts to two girls last year and will make a family set for my niece this year. The initial cost to get the materials was a lot of money, but I bought the supplies over a year ago and I've made quite a few with them and can still make many, many more.

I have the materials to make a special quilt for the grandparents. I did the kids handprints on squares of fabric many months back using a fabric paint and let the kids draw on some other squares with fabric crayons. I have the material and batting to finish the quilt, but really need a sewing machine to put it all together.

Next?

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

This year I am making everyone candy. Last year I got a chocolate maker and molds, so I am putting it to good use (it was great for Easter too, no need to buy candy, just make it).

I will be making:

chocolate and peanut butter pretzels (regular and sticks). I will probably have some plain and then roll some in sprinkles or nuts.

chocolate covered strawberries

molded candies and lollipops

 

[JandJ]

I'm trying to do Christmas on the cheap, but still nice, this year.

We're doing homemade Basil Pesto. DH started a garden and the Pesto he makes is incredible! We're going to freeze it in 1/4 cup popsicle containers and give everyone a few "squares" with a recipe for Basil Pesto Chicken and Pasta (a favorite at our house).

Last year I found a small scrapbook on sale at Target and made the in-laws an album of our wedding. MIL almost cried, she loved it so much. I already had all the scrapbooking supplies and it only took a day to do a small album, so the gift was basically $8. That would work for a new baby or a special vacation or anniversary too.

I always bake cookies as gifts for friends, neighbors, and co-workers. I get Christmas themed boxes at the dollar store or Big Lots and wrap the cookies in tissue then into the box and it makes it look really special.

I found small blank holiday cards at Michael's in the dollar bin. I needed 35 Christmas cards this year and they had 8 cards for a $1 so for $5 I've got all my cards and I'll run them through the printer for a holiday message.

 

[disneyred]

Are you able to share your pesto chicken recipe ??

tia.

 

[PaulDavid's mom]

Love the candy idea! I usually do cookies for relatives but candy would be a nice change.

 

[java]

on the candy idea one that I gave to my neighbors last year that took about 30 seconds to make- melt chocolate= spread in a wax paper or silpat lined pan-let cool. Then melt white chocolate- mix in broken up candy canes spread ontop of the chocolate. Let harden. Then break into bark pieces. Tastes like chocolate mint. (some went as just white choclate with candy canes because I didn't quite get it right the first time )
I make some pound cakes for the holiday- in those throw away tins-but I wrap them up nice and this year I saw a recipe for a berry/lemon glaze that I may jar and send along with the pound cakes.
I saw some ideas for making bath salts that I may try out- to include with some bought beauty goodies.
One year I made these yummy candied nuts(from my martha stewart cookbook) and I bagged them up and gave them in these holiday mugs I was able to get on clearance for a $1. These went to all the "extra" teachers in my children's life- like the librarian, the music teacher, the art teacher, the secretary at school(she helped me tons that year) the janitor ect..)

 

[gdulaney]

Speaking of candy making...we recently attended an Octoberfest celebration --- and of course, we had to go in the candy store. Next to the chocolate dipped pretzels (which looked pretty tasty) were chocolate dipped marshmallows. Three-four big marshmallows, dipped in chocolate... some were then rolled in nuts or sprinkles. They looked really tasty and easy to make. They also had chocolated dipped bananas and some really great candied apples and caramel apples.

Ginny

 

[java]

oooh oooh ! You just reminded me with the marshmallows(very cute by the way and way easy to do) I just paid $3 for 2 gummy bears on a stick dipped halfway in chocolate(my son HAD to try it. He said it tasted great and it really did look cute. OH And chocolate dipped oreos are a good one too!

 

[Hedy]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=973110I'm trying the fudge (left over chocolate chips from some strawberries I never got around to making+sweetened condensed milk) this weekend.

 

[Zoemakes5]

A couple of years ago, I "made" my step-mom something and was able to do it fairly inexpensively. I got an oven mit and two pot holders at a dollar store. I got three colors of fabric paints. I put hand prints from each of the kids on one of the pot holders. Across the top I wrote one word each: Nana's ---Helping ---Hands. She cried.
For Mother's day this year, I got a picture of the kids blown up into a 5x7. Then I got an 8x 10 matting. Nana really likes the song "You are my Sunshine", so I found some scrapbooking stickers that were sunflowers and sunshine and wrote "Nana, you are our sunshine" and then the kids's names on the bottom. She cried again!
This year, I'm thinking of doing an apron for her. My idea was to put the kids's footprints on it and then have as a saying: "No, my grandkids (or grandchildren, not sure yet) don't walk all over me. Why do you ask?"

Now, finding things for papa is another story. Anyone with good ideas there would be great. I can never think of anything for him!!!

 

[Kimkimba]

A couple of years ago, I "made" my step-mom something and was able to do it fairly inexpensively. I got an oven mit and two pot holders at a dollar store. I got three colors of fabric paints. I put hand prints from each of the kids on one of the pot holders. Across the top I wrote one word each: Nana's ---Helping ---Hands. She cried.
For Mother's day this year, I got a picture of the kids blown up into a 5x7. Then I got an 8x 10 matting. Nana really likes the song "You are my Sunshine", so I found some scrapbooking stickers that were sunflowers and sunshine and wrote "Nana, you are our sunshine" and then the kids's names on the bottom. She cried again!
This year, I'm thinking of doing an apron for her. My idea was to put the kids's footprints on it and then have as a saying: "No, my grandkids (or grandchildren, not sure yet) don't walk all over me. Why do you ask?"

Now, finding things for papa is another story. Anyone with good ideas there would be great. I can never think of anything for him!!!

These are really cute ideas!

 

[txtink17]

I found a set of four ice cream glasses at the clearance section of Walmart. I bought 4 sets and am going to make sundae baskets for all the couples. Just buy Hershey's syrup, or make your own, add a jar of cherries, nuts and sprinkles.
A few years ago, I got all the photos I had of all the grandchildren (not just my kids) and made a photo album for the grandparents.
Last year I made a date basket for the couples, with a $5 movie, popcorn, soda and giant candy bars.

 

[carissanboys]

You all have some great ideas! I think I may be "stealing" a few

Keep them coming...

 

[mickyfan1]

This year, I'm thinking of doing an apron for her. My idea was to put the kids's footprints on it and then have as a saying: "No, my grandkids (or grandchildren, not sure yet) don't walk all over me. Why do you ask?"

I love this idea!

 

[dny1112000]

Last year I was looking for a fun way to wrap up some little trinkety (is that a word?) gifts. You know, not a lot of money.

Here's what I did:

Took an empty toilet paper roll and put the item in it (hot wheel, Nail polish, McD's certificate, other gift cert's) and use tissue paper to roll around it leaving a couple inches at the ends. Then I twisted the ends and tied them off with curled ribbon. They were kind of like the holiday crackers, really cute!!

 

[mjantz]

We've done bookmarks with ribbons & beads. They're really cheap & easy to make. I usually do a simple pattern on one end & then a single bead on the other end. You can use beads that you only have 1 or 2 of & I've seen bead grab bags fairly cheap at craft stores. We gave them as teacher gifts as well as to grandparents & other family members. I actually made too many so we have plenty for this year!
Hair scrunchies are easy as well. Roll of thin elastic & a few remnants from the local fabric store or Wal-Mart & you can make several scrunchies.
You can also make your own fleece scarves. 1 yard will get you 4 scarves. If you're really good cutting fringe, you can leave them straight but I usually tie the fringe ends together. Two years ago, I found a ballet print for DDs dance teacher, a musical print for DSs piano teacher & a nice tie-dyed print & a blue snowflake print for the kids teachers. They all squealed over them & even last year (when I was still in contact with them) they were all still wearing them in cold weather. I've done them for the kids too. Lots cheaper than store-bought & if they lose them, its not a huge deal.

 

[swilshire]

For the candy and cookie makers, please be sure the recipient eats that sort of thing. We get tons of sweets through the holidays and nobody in my family really eats them. We wind up throwing most of it away in January and I feel SO guilty because I know the givers worked hard on it.

We aren't really home enough to have a lot of guests over during this time, or I'd feed it to them. Guess I could regift it all if I'd get organized, but usually it just sits around until it goes into the trash.

The thought is lovely and much appreciated, but people are eating healthier. Some, particularly older folks, might appreciate fruit or even veggies more. My MIL specifically ask for fresh vegetables for her birthday this year, so my husband got a bushel basket full of all sorts of veggies and a few fruits. She was thrilled with it.

I love the idea of the Basil Pesto. Wish I were your friend!

My husband gives pickled okra to several friends he knows love it. It's very simple to make if we have a good okra year (this year was not). He also makes a lot of beef jerky to give away. It's simple too, but a bit expensive.

Sheila

 

[txtink17]

Last year I was looking for a fun way to wrap up some little trinkety (is that a word?) gifts. You know, not a lot of money.

Here's what I did:

Took an empty toilet paper roll and put the item in it (hot wheel, Nail polish, McD's certificate, other gift cert's) and use tissue paper to roll around it leaving a couple inches at the ends. Then I twisted the ends and tied them off with curled ribbon. They were kind of like the holiday crackers, really cute!!

I have a similar idea: Use a Crystal Light tube, peel off the paper and it comes with a lid. You can fill it and wrap it. Same thing goes for a Pringles tube, they can even hold some coloring books and crayons. And the Pringles cans are also good for holding a dozen homemade cookies.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

For the candy and cookie makers, please be sure the recipient eats that sort of thing. We get tons of sweets through the holidays and nobody in my family really eats them. We wind up throwing most of it away in January and I feel SO guilty because I know the givers worked hard on it.

We aren't really home enough to have a lot of guests over during this time, or I'd feed it to them. Guess I could regift it all if I'd get organized, but usually it just sits around until it goes into the trash.

The thought is lovely and much appreciated, but people are eating healthier. Some, particularly older folks, might appreciate fruit or even veggies more. My MIL specifically ask for fresh vegetables for her birthday this year, so my husband got a bushel basket full of all sorts of veggies and a few fruits. She was thrilled with it.

I love the idea of the Basil Pesto. Wish I were your friend!

My husband gives pickled okra to several friends he knows love it. It's very simple to make if we have a good okra year (this year was not). He also makes a lot of beef jerky to give away. It's simple too, but a bit expensive.

Sheila

You are right! I only make candy for people I KNOW will eat it (My mom is a candy fiend)!

DH's grandfather always gets a fruit basket, because he can't eats sweets.

 

[Tree-via]

about 10 years ago, I collected a small amount of family recipes, and organized them into a mini-cookbook and printed. Everyone loved it so much, they encouraged me to do another one. So several years later, I made "The Organizer Cookbook" that had 13 weeks of "cooking for a week" kind of recipe collections. I even took digital photos of the food and put in. Took alot of time, but well worth it. My in-laws were so impressed. They all want me to do a dessert cookbook now.