Frugal Christmas Gift

[RobertaD]

gcombs, That was a priceless gift.

I'm trying to copy from a DVD onto a VCR tape for my Dad, haven't gotten the cords figured out right yet. The kids sing once a month at church so was going to copy that part of the DVD which really shows how the kids have progressed in singing and dancing.

Roberta

[bluebird]

I have three birthdays coming up plus Christmas. I need to get ready! We don't exchange gifts with the enlaws anymore and I will mail gifts up to my nieces. Dd has been busy beading so she will makes necklaces and bracletes for the neices.

[AnnaInOhio]

bluebird

Beading is a very economical gift idea and even more frugal if you can combine the purchase with sales and coupons.

Anna

[bluebird]

That is what I was thinking! I will be watching the sales at HObby Lobby when I go thru the city. Today JoAnn has a 40% off coupon online too.....

[stardust12]

I wished we had a hobby lobby where I live. When I was in Texas last yr we went to one and I fell in love!!! I like reading everyone elses ideas.

Rosey

[ellenmelon]

Raggd3 - I use denim jeans, with 4 of us, we always have a supply, at least from the knees down after we cut them off, I just kept them to repair knees and the supply grew!

The purse size was based on one my daughter got at Target (a cloth one). Something like 14 x 18 inches? The handle, a long one/shoulder strap, was cut from the side seams, trimmed and left a little raggy/no finished ends. This one we decorated with diagonal stripes of different widths of rick rack/different colors too. The rick rack was given to me by my mil when she cleaned out her basement, which was given to her when her mil cleaned out her basement....

We slipped in a small draw bag of the same and put some money in it and then another small gift, forget what it was, inside the bag.

[Raggd3]

Ellen, thanks for all the info. I have 2 teenage grand daughters and would love to make these purese for them.

They are very much into "homemade and crafty" items. Maybe I can get them to come help make them.

Rosey, is there an A C Moores around you? They have better prices and sales than Joann's. I know you can also get good prices from manufacturers on line. Especially on beads and jewelry findings.

[janet]

Creating Homemade Products for men

Aftershave
You can create your own aftershave with my simple recipe. One cup of Witch Hazel and 1 Tablespoon of apricot oil. Witch Hazel is a mild astringent that is all natural and only contains a touch of alcohol, which is much better for your skin and will not dry it out. Most store brands contain over 50% alcohol! Mix the Witch Hazel and apricot oil together and then add an essential oil of your choice for your dad. Lemon Verbenna is very refreshing and has a sophisticated lemon scent that is not typical. Also try mixing lemon verbena oil with a touch of lavender. You should add a total of 10 drops to the one cup of witch hazel and 1 Tbsp. of Apricot oil. Pour this mixture into a cool bottle, such as a flask with a label. Because Witch Hazel contains a small amount of alcohol, the product has a shelf life of 2 months.

Face Moisturizer
Purchase a quality moisturizer that is unscented. Kiehl's and the Body Shop have nice ones. Add the same essential oil combo as above for a complete set.

Soap and a Loofah
Men need to exfoliate too - create his own personal soap with a loofah built in and his own fragrance.

To make: Using an old cheese grater that you will no longer use for food, grate two 8 oz bars of unscented glycerin soap, or just chop up the bars in small pieces. Add 1 cup of water and gently simmer in a pan. Keep on very low heat until melted. You can also microwave in a heat proof glass bowl on low. Heat for 1 minute, stir, then keep heating until almost melted.

Once liquefied, add a few drops of food coloring if you would like color. You can also add oils such as Apricot Kernnel oil for extra moisturizing. For fragrance, add 15 drops of a favorite essential oil.

Create a mold by using the bottom of a half gallon paper milk container. Just make sure it is rinsed clean. Cut of the milk container in the middle so you have a square mold with sides that are about 4 inches tall. Inside the container, place a dried loofah sponge (you can purchase these at the drugstore. If it is too big, cut the loofah down to the size you need. Pour the melted soap mixture on top of the loofah and let it cool overnight. When hardened, peel away the milk carton for a perfect square bar of soap.

I love great smelling guys in my house. lol

[Raggd3]

Janet, terriffic ideas. Thank you.
I hope people will continue to post their frugal gift making ideas here.

I will too.

[AnnaInOhio]

Janet

Have you actually used food coloring in the loofahs? I make melt and pour soaps and have always used soap coloring.

Anna