The "Holidays on a Budget" tips thread

[ThreeMusketeers]

For us, we do a combination of the things I have been reading. We cut down our holiday gift giving list last year.
We only buy for people we have seen regularly that year...* we live a ways away from family..and it upset me that noone would bother calling or writting all year..anyway..thats another post.
So we buy for my parents, ( usually spend about $100 on them. combined) My sister and her fiance, we get a gift card to every year for their favorite restaruant..$$ is tight for them right now, so a gift card to eat out is a nice thing, usually around $30. We do the same thing for hubbys father and his wife..not too close to them. For the kids in the family. We asked everyone extended to not buy for her. She ends up with too many gifts anyway..dosen't know what to do with them all..and it gets us out of buying for their kids as well. Terriable but true. The kids that we do buy for we get $5 gift certificates to Toys R' Us or more if we are closer to that child. We don't get into buying for co workers..found that everyone was releived when we mentioned cutting out holiday spending. Hubby's work will have an office party though and everyone will chip in some money to buy a nice lunch together. Which I think is better anyway..gives people some time to chat outside the office and get to know e/o.

Our dd, we are cutting down major this year to $250-$300. And hubby and I will spend $200 a peice on e/o. But we mostly get things for the house or for the family that we need or wanted.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Just had another comment...

Many of you have posted wonderful crafty/creative ideas. Sad to say, but I am not even a little crafty...LOL. Oh, how I've tried over the years, but I have finally come to admit it that I simply cannot give away anything I make and not be totally embarrassed.

Nor am I a gourmet. I would love to make the gorgeous holiday candies and cookies, etc. and put them in a tin, but sadly, it is not to be.

However, one thing I CAN do (and so can anyone, believe me) is make jams/jellies/applesauce, etc.

We go fruit picking with the kids and the local U-pick farms during each season (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and apples). There are likely places like this near you...look for them.

First, this is a GREAT family activity. The kids all love it. All ages. And if you have a good U-Pick farm, there are usually hay rides, etc. Again, a fun time for the family. Then we come home and the kids help make the product (jam or applesauce). I use the Sur-Gel brand stuff that you can get in every supermarket and it is FOOL PROOF. Remember that I am craft and cooking-challenged, and I can handle it. And so can your kids.

This kills 2 birds with one stone...a neat and different family activity, and good gifts for teachers, Sunday School, something the kids can give to their grandparents, etc. You can even print cute labels on your computer to put on the jars.

With 3 little ones and a FT job from home, I don't have a ton of time for make-it-yourself projects, but since I consider this a family activity (which we do regularly), it is already built-in in terms of time.

 

[barbeml]

One thing that I have gone to doing (and asking others) is to get my kid/family non-clutter type of gifts. Let's face it, when you have kids, you have tons of "stuff."

It's the same for all the adults we know. I try to stick with "consumables" since everyone has enough "stuff"! I prefer to give things that can be eaten, drunk, burned (candles) or read.

 

[barbeml]

However, one thing I CAN do (and so can anyone, believe me) is make jams/jellies/applesauce, etc.

Homemade jam is like gold!!! A guy I used to work with made peach jam every fall and gave it as Christmas gifts. I felt honored to get some and I rationed that jar to make it last as long as possible.

The folks on your gift list are lucky indeed!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

since everyone has enough "stuff"! I prefer to give things that can be burned (candles)

Whew ! I'm glad you gave the example there.......I'm laughing thinking of all the possibilities from cigars to just plain "I didn't like that gift...let me burn it!"

 

[gemjoy]

However, one thing I CAN do (and so can anyone, believe me) is make jams/jellies/applesauce, etc.

Ya know... that is something I have never made, but would love to... Jam! And what a nice gift to give. So sure gel? Okay - tell me... how easy is this? And peach jam sounds yummy... how would you make that? It would be kinda fun to put together a homemade basket for neighbors... jam, a small homemade bread... tea. Anyway ~ great idea! ThAnKs everyone!!!

 

[barbeml]

Whew ! I'm glad you gave the example there.......I'm laughing thinking of all the possibilities from cigars to just plain "I didn't like that gift...let me burn it!"

I thought of that as I was typing, had to add "candles"!

 

[solgent]

Solicited Advice: I have 5 BILs to buy for & never know what to get. We try to stay in the $25 to $30 range, but I'm not above getting something that's usually in this price range, but now on sale. None of the men drink alcohol, & wouldn't really want a basket of any kind. FWIW, I think gift baskets are great & love it when I get one. Anyway, I'm open to suggestions. Please!!!!

You didn't give us anything to go on! I have no idea how old these men are, what they do and what their interests are! Still here are some ideas that could work for anyone

Movie tickets
Gift certificates for restaurant meals
Magazine subscription
Polo shirt, other basic clothing
Baseball cap
Computer game
Thermos or insulated travel mug
Selection of fancy salsa, hot sauce, mustard, coffee beans
Pedometer
Swiss Army knife type gadget
Picture frame
Backpack
Plant (obviously, some people will not like this at all, and you can't ship it)
Pen
Scarf, gloves, hat (maybe not so useful for people in NC)
Mini reading light

I could go on and on. Just about anything can be a gift for the right person and with the right presentation.

 

[carone0318]

I get my DH and my FIL this every year, it's a subscription to Consumer Reports. They love it!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

You didn't give us anything to go on! I have no idea how old these men are, what they do and what their interests are! Still here are some ideas that could work for anyone

Movie tickets
Gift certificates for restaurant meals
Magazine subscription
Polo shirt, other basic clothing
Baseball cap
Computer game
Thermos or insulated travel mug
Selection of fancy salsa, hot sauce, mustard, coffee beans
Pedometer
Swiss Army knife type gadget
Picture frame
Backpack
Plant (obviously, some people will not like this at all, and you can't ship it)
Pen
Scarf, gloves, hat (maybe not so useful for people in NC)
Mini reading light

I could go on and on. Just about anything can be a gift for the right person and with the right presentation.

Thanks for the suggestions. More info..... My BILs range in age from 40 to 59. One is a minister. One an outdoorsman (hunting & fishing), but he now has MS so he can't get out like he used to. Another is a big Nascar fan. The oldest is into street rods (antique cars). The last is into himself. Just kidding, sort of. Seriously, he's pretty vain & really doesn't have one specific hobby. He's really into his vehicles, & home. I also have 3 college age nephews to buy for, & a niece's husband that I don't spend as much on. There's also 2 teenage boys (14 & 16, & also into sports). You are so great for helping me. After so many years, I'm out of ideas. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I get my DH and my FIL this every year, it's a subscription to Consumer Reports. They love it!

Thanks I'll look into the magazine idea.

 

[ziggystardust]

I too would love some info on jams and jellies and stuff like that. I had already decided to do the basket idea for a lot of people, but this would work with that just great.

And coming from someone that doesn't really cook, everyone would just love it!

 

[flea1267]

for the ladies you buy gifts for this is a great site and for $5.99 you get some really NICE and BEAUTIFUL gifts, I have about 6 friends at work I'm very close to and this is the route I've chosen, the jewerly is unbelievably beautiful and would retail for what they say it would.

http://www.silverjewerlyclub.com

 

[Lyn5]

last year, my home almost burned down (twice ). One event was a brush fire and one was a kitchen fire. The fire extinguisher I had in my kitchen saved my home from the kitchen fire. I was amazed how many people don't have one in their house! So, last Christmas I bought fire extinguishers in packs of two, separated them and put them in wine packages or with ribbons and gave them out as gifts to both family members and the teachers/staff and DS's preschool. Everyone seemed to like it.

I have been reading all the good ideas on this thread and I think this year I will do a hurricane kit. I am thinking of getting an inexpensive small plastic container and set it down with the container on top of the lid so that it is open. I may fill it up with some canned goods, granola bars, bottled water, a small first aid kit, maybe a small radio or non-electric phone if I can find them cheap enough. I am also thinking I can buy most eveything in bulk and just separate them. I can even make my own first aid kits with band aids, antiseptic, etc. and then shrink wrap the whole thing. Hmmm, I better start planning.

 

[barbeml]

last year, my home almost burned down (twice ). One event was a brush fire and one was a kitchen fire. The fire extinguisher I had in my kitchen saved my home from the kitchen fire. I was amazed how many people don't have one in their house! So, last Christmas I bought fire extinguishers in packs of two, separated them and put them in wine packages or with ribbons and gave them out as gifts to both family members and the teachers/staff and DS's preschool. Everyone seemed to like it.

I have been reading all the good ideas on this thread and I think this year I will do a hurricane kit. I am thinking of getting an inexpensive small plastic container and set it down with the container on top of the lid so that it is open. I may fill it up with some canned goods, granola bars, bottled water, a small first aid kit, maybe a small radio or non-electric phone if I can find them cheap enough. I am also thinking I can buy most eveything in bulk and just separate them. I can even make my own first aid kits with band aids, antiseptic, etc. and then shrink wrap the whole thing. Hmmm, I better start planning.

Excellent ideas! I have 3 fire extinguishers: downstairs, upstairs & car. The Hurricane Kit is a great idea.

Practical gifts can be the best...I gave my best friend (single gal) a garden hose & sprayer (among others things) when she bought her first single family home, and she said it was the best, most useful gift she got, and something she hadn't thought of to buy herself. For friends expecting their first baby I got a bunch of "child safety" stuff like outlet covers & cabinet locks.

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks I'll look into the magazine idea.

BEtter yet, start looking on freebie sites to find free or deeply discounted magazines.

I've gotten all these mags for free:
Budget Living
Ladies Home Journal
Better Homes and Gardens
PC Magazine
PC World
Details
Stuff
FHM (those last two are DH"s)
Tips and Tricks
Interview
Giant
Disney Adventures
TV Guide
Sporting News

(I'm sure I have forgotten a few in there as well)

ALL FOR FREE!

 

[ajm1107]

CindyB how did you get those for free?

 

[barbeml]

For making my gift baskets/boxes whatever (I'm recycling all kinds of boxes & containers for gifts).

I found great stuff for cheap at papermart.com: raffia (I now have a lifetime supply!), small cellophane goody bags (for candy/homemade cookies), and cloth drawstring sacks for packing southwestern beer bread mix. I will tie up the sacks with cute "Fiesta" Christmas ornaments I got from Oriental Trading.

Papermart sells in bulk, so you may want to split an order with a friend or be prepared to be well supplied for another season or two.

 

[barbeml]

I found a great website for anyone who is making homemade candles or gifts: The Jar Store.

My company is a tiny (cash starved) start up. However, we do have a number of clients, interns and other people to thank. We want to give a small holiday gift this year, so I came up with the idea of candy jars. I ordered 72 10 oz lidded candy jars from The Jar Store. They arrived very quickly, really nice, about $1.09 each plus shipping ($24 for 72 jars). To fill them, I ordered custom color M&Ms in our company colors. I am affixing a logo label and tying a raffia bow on each. 72 nice gifts for less than $6.00 each.

How are everyone's projects going? I am going to start mixing & packaging my Southwestern Beer Bread Mix this weekend.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I think someone else asked this as well but no one answered...how do you make great homemade jams?? I've got most of xmas covered but for next year- this would be an awesome idea!

Anyone have a good recipe?

My tips are a lot like everyone else's:
-buy ahead of time,
-go to the Dollar tree (get tins and put homemade choc chip cookies in them!)
-www.silverjewelryclub.com ,

-buy stuff after xmas- I just remembered some gifts I have hidden away at home!
-wine is a great gift and if you have a wine warehouse you can get them for really cheap. We have a local winery down here and their wines are $4.99 a piece at a local wine store! (good wine too) and wine bags are $1 at dollar tree!
-stake out the black friday sales
-Christmas Tree Shops (bought a great set of 4placemat/4napkin/dishtowel/ovenmit/in an xmas canvas wine tote for only $7!

also..
I work retail part time (and of course get a discount) but I know the clearance waves- ie when everything goes on clearance (holiday line in = fall line goes on sale). The best times are around now (well, maybe a week or two ago). W/ my discount I bought great dress shirts for $4.49 a piece ($50 reg price) and a tshirt for my dad for $2.50. Last year I bought a high-end cashmere sweater for $21 (reg $140).
End of october, early november are great times to shop clearance sections because people aren't necessarily xmas-minded yet!