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