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Special Inexpensive Gift Ideas
by Beth Fisher
Being on a tight budget, normally we
make most of our Christmas gifts. Over the years I've found that you can
come up with a more personal, and more appreciated gift this way.
I wanted to share a few ideas that we
are using this year that are great for last minute gifts.
Recipe File Box - This is a great
activity for the whole family. Take an index card file box (3x5 or 4x6),
and let the kids cut out small pictures of food from magazines. Cover the
box, one side at a time with white glue, and glue pictures on. When box is
completely covered (outside only), let dry thoroughly. When dry, mix
2 parts white glue to 1 part water, and brush this mixture over entire outer
surface of box. Let dry. Include a package of index card dividers marked
for different food categories, a package of plain blank cards and about 25
of your favorite recipes to get their collection started.
Christmas Memories Book - Another
great project for sharing memories with family. Let kids cut out pictures
from wrapping paper. Cover outside of 1-1 1/2" 3 ring binder with glue, one
flap at a time, and glue pictures to outside. Let dry. Use same glue
mixture as above to seal the surface. Add a package of tab dividers
marked: Christmas stories, Christmas gifts, Christmas giving, Christmas
thoughts,and Christmas recipes. Add package of notebook paper.
Fill out first page of each section
as follows:
-
Christmas stories (put your favorite
fictional or true Christmas story here)
-
Christmas gifts (this is to list gifts
received by the person receiving this gift, so at the top of the page write
1998, then on the first line put "Christmas memory book" from "your name".
This way they can remember who gave them what gift.)
-
Christmas giving (this page is for the
recipient to write what they gave as gifts, so just write the year at the
top with instruction to fill in what they gave to whom)
-
Christmas thoughts (this is the section
for them to write special happenings, so fill in a few memories that you
have of Christmas with this person, or their family)
-
Christmas recipes (this can be an ongoing
collection, but add one or two of your favorites)
(This gift is especially appropriate
for a newly wed couple, or a new baby, but can be great for anyone.)
Foaming Vanilla Bath
-
1 cup oil (any vegetable oil)
1/2 c. liquid soap
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey (optional)
Blend the ingredients together. Shake
well before using. Use 1/4 cup per bath.
You can be very creative with the packaging
of bath products. Take an empty wine cooler four pack (complete with box).
Spray paint the box white (or gold or silver). Sponge paint with contrasting
color. Wash labels off of bottles, keep lids. Decorate the bottle with paint
pens, with designs like squiggles, etc. Pour foaming bath in each bottle,
close lids and put in box. Gifts for the Kids You don't have to break the
bank to give kids practical and fun gifts that they will actually use.
Go by what your child likes to do and
be creative.
Coloring book - Take a 3 ring
binder, add a zipper pouch with crayons, and print out coloring pages from
the internet. FamilyCorner.com has several coloring pages.
Coloring Pages
Just print out the pictures, and punch
3 holes and put them in the book with the crayons.
Craft Bag - This can be
done very reasonably. Take a large shoe box, and fill with odds and ends
that can be used to make things. Cotton balls, tissue paper, glue, markers,
paper, etc. Be creative. Even things like buttons and ribbon.
Makeup Kit - This idea is great
for teen girls. Take a shoe box and fill with nail polish, polish remover,
cosmetics, etc. You can cover the shoe box and write on the top "Beth's Box"
(use appropriate name, of course).
Garden Gift "Basket" - For
the garden lover. Use a large clay pot for your "basket" fill
with seeds, gloves, tools, plant food, etc.
Of course, we are baking a lot of gifts,
as we always do, but recipes are easy to find. I thought I'd share some "new"
ideas.
Hope you enjoy them, and have a Merry
Christmas!
More You Might Like:
A Child's Letter to Santa
The Five Best Gifts to Give Your Family
What Do Kids Really Want For Christmas?
About the Author:
Beth
Fisher is a 33 year old wife and homeschooling mother of 3, ages 12, 10,
and 3.
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