Frugal Holidays 2008 - Page 6

[Satori]

Originally Posted by 1growingsprout

Now is a great time to get school/art supplies for almost free... back to school sales... stock up

lol, Believe me I did

[brightonwoman]

My DH is a school teacher and we have never had a holiday that was NOT budget!
First of all, I sew, so that's been a great help...a couple of years ago I bought fleece on sale (in october) and made my DH a reversable fleece vest (patterend off his old threadbare one) and it only cost me $8!
The year before that I bought a whole bunch of remnants of bright calico prints plus about 4lbs of lentils, and then I made beanbags for DS who was then 5. Let me tell you 20 beanbags can entertain a little boy for HOURS! Especially if you let him pull apart the couch to make forts and you are willing to have battles with him! And they only cost about $10 plus my time...and seriously, beanbags are about the easiest thing in the world to make!
One year I bought 2 yards of canvas and sewed roads and buildings and made a city for my DS to drive his cars all over.
One year when I was a kid my mom made us several puppets plus a little curtain on a spring-rod that we could mount in a doorway and use as a theatre.
I have found that dress up clothing is almost always a winner. I worked in costuming for a couple of years and when we had a large scrap of something i'd save it, plus I had scraps from all my own projects, so I used them to make little hats and capes and whatnot. I only have boys so no pretty princess stuff, but I did a jesters cap (out of several colors of satin leftover from formal gowns), and I made a knight's tunic with the shield emblem on the front. When DS opened that one he put it on rigth over his jammies and we had to beg him to take it off to get dressed to go to grandmas for dinner. And that tunic was made all with leftovers--didn't cost me a penny.

I am someone who hates waste and froo-froo. If it's not practical, I dont' want it. I am constantly decluttering, and I am staunchly against buying (or giving) things that are without purpose...so I don't do knick knacks or cutesy things, I do practical...last Christmas I gave my sister some cloth diapers I'd made becase I knew her stash was getting old. I make cloth drawstring giftbags (which is what my family uses) and I have given those as gifts too! A bag full of bags!! I just hit the christmas clearance sales to get the fabric cheap. I've been known to give cloth pads as gifts too...you just have to think about who your recipient is, and what kinds of things they would like (or need or use), and then figure out a way to do it cheaply!

Now, obviously I don't make everything. I do watch sales though, and I buy over the whole year, not just in the last two months (or two days!). I have gotten things on ebay, but I don't really like that...I always end up spending more than I meant to there. I like etsy, but it's not usually budget...I LOVE that it's all handmade and supporting the little guy, and there are some AWESOME things out there, but often it costs a little more. Not always, but often.
Let's see, some purchased budget things...
A mug (or a set) with cocoa mixes, or a box of tea
Tea makes awesome stocking stuffers (it's what I get DH often)
Scrapbooking supplies (stickers or pretty paper) for a scrapbooker, or beads/supplies for a jewelry maker.
Homemade jars of jam, salsa, etc
'cookies in a jar' (a mason jar with all dry ingredients + directions for adding egg/water etc) or 'soup in a jar' (same idea)
coupons to do stuff with you--date night with mom (kid gets to go to a movie with just mom) or backrub from dad. This was something we as kids often gave to our parents--backrubs, footrubs, help-with-dinner coupons, etc. It could translate into older kids--one night taking out the family car without having to refill the gas or something
The experience gifts are great--zoos, museums, etc. Annual passes or single tickets.

One thing DH and I always try to remember is that we don't have to spend the same amount on each person. Right now we have an 8yo and a 18mo...the little one will be excited about opening stuff, but we can give him socks and he'll enjoy the unwrapping as much as anything. The 8yo on the other hand is going to notice how many things he gets--not necessarily how big each one is, but how many there are in total. Actually my DH is the same way--he doesn't mean to, but he totally counts presents, and he notices if he runs out early. So even on a budget I try to get him a bunch of little stuff rather than one or two big things.

[Satori]

I'm wondering if anyone has ideas for stocking stuffers? I want to start now, last year I ended up getting them at the last minute and dang it was $$$. Only thing I can think of right now is bubbles.

[brightonwoman]

Originally Posted by Satori

I know they will appreciate I got them something they will actually use rather then another piece of something to clutter up the house.

: a million times over!

I've been starting to explore the world of making shampoo, and once I get the hang of it I think that will cover gifts for all the extended family/friends one year. :

[brightonwoman]

Originally Posted by Satori

I'm wondering if anyone has ideas for stocking stuffers?

Some of these are more frugal than others...

bubbles is an awesome idea!
play dough
a pair of earrings (Avon always has sales on cute holiday stuff)
chapstick (Avon always has holiday ones for 99cents or less)
a box of tea
an EO or an aromatherapy blend
candles
socks (holiday ones are fun!)
kitchen utensils (seriously, a good wooden spoon can take over the world!)
sewing trinkets--seamripper, needle threader, bobbins,
makeup--a lipstick/gloss or eyeshadow or a bottle of nail polish
stitch markers (for knitting) (these are easy to make too)
hair trinkets--clips, hairsticks, etc
beanbags!!
finger puppets
tiny lego sets (they have ones that are just one guy with his horse or things like that)
bookmark
matchbox cars
tickets to something...

[kristenok18]

This is such a great thread. Hopefully it'll motivate me to start now instead of waiting until holiday season, where I then become overwhelmed too quickly. Between my sister's family and my sil's family, we've agreed to only buy for kids, but I still give to my parents and inlaws. At least we're a small bunch!

I am planning on making purse/bags out of scraps for the women, and maybe some aprons that ds can help me decorate. I found some free tutorials online, and I also bought some patterns for 2.99 a while back. If I can find fleece/flannel on sale, I'd love to make bathrobes for the men (probably just my dad), or maybe just flannel lounge pants.

I love the 4-gift idea. Ds is an only (not by choice), and it's way too easy to go overboard simply because we are trying to make the gifts under the tree not look so empty and sparse (dh and I don't exchange gifts). :

For my new nephew, i'm making a beanbag frog. For my niece and nephew, dress-up clothes from scraps (they'll be 2 and 4, so not too big yet!). For my 15yo step-niece, I haven't a clue. Probably a bag or something, but I don't know what the style trends are for girls that age in that part of the country (NE Georgia). I've noticed when we visit that the popular trends are nothing like they are in WI!

[MrsSurplus]

Bumping because I LOVE this thread! I can't think of anything to add just yet, but I'll try.

[brightonwoman]

people keep talking about the 4-gift idea...what's that?

I have heard of just doing 3 gifts (because the magi brought 3 gifts). One family I know does:
1 thing for Jesus (a scripture story book for example)
1 thing to share (like a game or movie)
1 thing for me
I think that's a fun way to do it, although I don't know if i'll be able to talk my DH into it...he's a big kid through andthrough and he LOVE making christmas a huge big deal. Plus I run the school christmas play here and I get a stipend for that, so that's kindof become our christmas budget, and DH is not one to come in under budget..... :P

[Paxjourney]

I'm planning on making all of my nieces and nephews (13 total) throw/snuggle blankets as part of their gift. I plan on using my Joann's 40% off coupons on fabric. I plan on crochetting scarfs for my MIL, SiSter, SILs (3) and my Mom. Dh will get some lovely wool socks crochet by me (hopefully). I will be finishing up nursing school that month... and we will be so broke, but happy

[sweetfeet]

Originally Posted by homefrontgirl

For those looking for a cheap, chocolate-free idea, we do a story advent calender. I've been collecting holiday stories for years and for DS's first Christmas I wrote the titles of my 25 favorites and put them in numbered envelopes. We read one story every night until Christmas. The library would have tons of books you could check for this purpose if you don't already have a collection.

Love this idea!

[weliveintheforest]

We always have too many people to buy for. This year I am making jars of chai spice and jars of mulling spice. Some people will get both, some will get chai with a bottle of organic vanilla, some will get mulling spice with wine or apple cider. The people who wouldn't appreciate it will get something else, don't know what yet. Probably tea or coffee. I'll get most of the ingredients from Frontier co-ops, and while I'm ordering I'm going to get some teas and stuff for cheap because they make good hostess and extra gifts.

[1growingsprout]

FYI JOANN'S still has the sugar and creme cotton yarn on sale for $2, this is what i use for the washcloths and kitchen towels..., since its a sale coupons dont apply but if you have a teachers discount that does apply... i think the sale is thru saturday...
Mine had just re-stocked today so it was very difficult to practice self control but i didnt buy any... i have TWO rubbermaid containers for my yarn stash...
MUST START CROCHETING... must use what i have ....

[Penuche]

Originally Posted by Satori

I'm wondering if anyone has ideas for stocking stuffers? I want to start now, last year I ended up getting them at the last minute and dang it was $$$. Only thing I can think of right now is bubbles.

I take advantage of the school supply sales and tax free weekend and stock up on crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc.


Heh, just noticed that's exactly what the post at the top says. Sorry for the repeat!

[1growingsprout]

For stocking stuffers, ::::

if its for kids, right now i stock up on back to school sales for art supplies, crayons, markers, colored paper etc...

for adults i stockpile from bath body works all year long via coupons and sales and i end up with a pretty good stash of stuff.

I also cant seem to stay outta michaels and jo'anns and the like so i have tons of crafty stuff to gift out this year. (they have a great $1 section for kids plus you can use the 40% off coupon making it 60c)

but i have to be careful not to blow the budget on 'stuffers' ya know??
usually stuffers are under $1 and it takes 3-4 for a stocking...

[Lilcrunchie]

Stocking stuffer ideas:

-Felt/felted wool playfood
-Balsa wood airplane (family tradition dating back to my childhood. These are $1-2 at hobby or craft stores)
-Playdoh, homemade playdoh, or small pack of clay (Alex makes really small packs). Or silly putty.
-art supplies in general (watercolor paints are really cheap during back to school sales, ditto gluesticks, markers, crayons, etc. as the PPs mentioned)
-Books (we often buy 2nd hand and give as a stocking stuffer or gift. My kids don't mind. My local Goodwill has a freakishly good selection of quality kids books usually).
-DS loves mints. He remembered that right around when he was 3, Santa brought mints for his stocking. All year after that when I'd ask what he wanted for Christmas that year, he'd say "all different kinds of sorts of mints" (LOL). He got a pack or two the next Christmas, when he was almost 4. That night we were in bed and I asked him what his favorite gift was he said "the mints". Despite all of the fancier, more expensive gifts, that was what he was looking forward to and appreciated the most.
-inexpensive small hairbows or clear hair elastics for DD
-Kid music CDs
-small travel or card games
-small train (use a 40% off coupon to Michaels or AC Moore to get things like Thomas trains for about half of retail price) or small toy car
-gemstones/small magnifying glass from local museum (usually can fill a bag for a certain price, or buy a handful individually).
-Prism to hang in window

I'm also big on things you'd buy anyway. Underwear, socks, PJs, etc. can be stuffed into stockings. I also use Christmas as our excuse to restock our art supplies anyway (new paintbrushes, paint, glue/gluesticks, markers, stickers, foam shapes to glue, etc).

eta: for stockings, I've given the Aura Cacia Kids foaming bubble baths (the ones that come in a paper packet and are powdery until you add them to bath water). They are really inexpensive through Frontier. Even at full price, at Whole Foods or my local co-op grocery they are maybe 2 or 2.50 a packet (and we stretch one packet into about 3 uses)

[homefrontgirl]

Originally Posted by sweetfeet

Love this idea!

Thanks!

[papschmitty]

I used to struggle so much with my IL. FIL & step-MIL are fairly wealthy so they don't need anything and the stuff they want is way outside our budget. Once DD was born I decided to simplify things. All of her sets of grandparents and my SIL get a customized photobook with pictures of DD from the previous year. I get them off Snapfish, where I upload my digital prints, and with the coupon codes that come out, the price is pretty decent. The books are nice quality. They all love seeing pictures of their grandaughter and they have a pre-made photo album that they can use to show her off to their friends!

The greatgrandparents get little photo calendars that I can pick up in the $1 bin at JoAnn's or Michaels.

Last year, for close friends, I made a Happy Hippie Cleaning Kit. It was a nice basket (on clearance) filled with my homemade, nontoxic, and cheap household cleaners.

I buy stocking stuffers for DD and my nieces throughout the year when I see great bargains (stickers, electric toothbrushes, charm bracelets, crayons, etc.)

I got my DD a Melissa & Doug art easle for her birthday last year but never got around to putting it together so she's getting it again for Christmas. She's only 2-1/2 so I doubt she'll notice. :

For DH this year, I'm cashing in some frequent flyer miles to get gift cards and will buy us a new vacuum. We ALWAYS do practical gifts. Last year, I got a fire resistant safe. How romantic!


I want to do more homemade stuff this year for my sister, nieces (4 & 18 mos) dad, DH, and obligatory friends so I'm watching closely for inspiration!

[MrsSurplus]

Originally Posted by papschmitty

Last year, for close friends, I made a Happy Hippie Cleaning Kit. It was a nice basket (on clearance) filled with my homemade, nontoxic, and cheap household cleaners.

Great idea! I love it!

Originally Posted by papschmitty

For DH this year, I'm cashing in some frequent flyer miles to get gift cards and will buy us a new vacuum. We ALWAYS do practical gifts. Last year, I got a fire resistant safe. How romantic!

DH and I are practical...but apparently he more than me...since I wasn't nearly as thrilled to find an ENORMOUS roll of duct tape in my stocking as he was with himself for thinking of it!

I did finally think of something we do. About 2 years ago I downloaded a free DVD maker offline. We have used it the past 2 years to make slideshows on DVDs for our families. (It does have a sales pitch at the end of every DVD...a little 2 sentence blurb or something, but I'm okay with that!)

[papschmitty]

Originally Posted by MrsSurplus

DH and I are practical...but apparently he more than me...since I wasn't nearly as thrilled to find an ENORMOUS roll of duct tape in my stocking as he was with himself for thinking of it!

A few years ago, DH got me an insta-hot (it mounts next to the sink and dispenses 190 degree water). At first it was hard to hide my disappointment but it turned out to be one of the best gifts I've ever gotten. I drink a ton of tea and use my beloved insta-hot every single day. I do have to say that duct tape is pushing it though!

[cjr]

Originally Posted by weliveintheforest

We always have too many people to buy for. This year I am making jars of chai spice and jars of mulling spice. Some people will get both, some will get chai with a bottle of organic vanilla, some will get mulling spice with wine or apple cider. The people who wouldn't appreciate it will get something else, don't know what yet. Probably tea or coffee. I'll get most of the ingredients from Frontier co-ops, and while I'm ordering I'm going to get some teas and stuff for cheap because they make good hostess and extra gifts.

I am also giving chai mix with a bottle of home made organic vanilla. I am really proud of the vanilla I have brewing. The people who get it will appreciate it. I never thought of the mulling spice with apple cider or wine, that's also a great idea.