The boys and I are having SO much fun making Christmas gifts this year! I told you about the quilt I’m making for my nephew…and I mentioned that the boys are learning to sew (although I can’t tell you what they’re making because a couple of aunts and a Grandma are reading this right now :) ).
I love how excited the boys are to be making their gifts this year! They keep saying, “Can we make one for ______ too!?” Yay, they’re learning the joy of GIVING!!
As we come up with ideas, I’ll try to share them with you. There are SO many gifts you can make that don’t cost much money. (Does it sound like I’m being cheap? ‘Cause I’m not trying to be cheap…just trying to not spend much money while I focus on teaching my kids to lovingly give…and about what’s really important during Christmas time.)
Here are a few kid gift ideas to start off this series:
Homemade Bubble Bath
This was a great hit when I made this for Elias. It costs…pennies to make.
I Spy Bottles
GREAT for a road trip!
Thank You Card Packs
I just created these “Thank You Cards” to put in my kids’ stockings…and thought you might like to have them too. They aren’t fancy, just simple…but I’m hoping my kids (and yours) will have fun with them. There are six different cards (just cut along the line and fold the card over). Print them in black and white if you think your kids will enjoy coloring them.
For my littler guys, I’ll also print this on the back to make their writing easier (and so that the people they are written to will actually be able to read them).
Stay tuned for more fun inexpensive gift ideas…and of course for some fun holiday treat recipes! Also, if you have any great ideas to share or have blogged about it on your site, tell us about it in the comments or email me (laura @ heavenly homemakers dot com)! Share the love!
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What cute gift ideas! :D
great ideas, thanks!
Great ideas! Thanks!
What neat ideas! I can’t wait to read more. I wonder, does organic shampoo work for the bubble bath? Would Dr. Bronner’s soap work? I’d like to make an I Spy bottle for myself. :)
I used organic soap when I made it and it did great!
Yes, organic shampoo works to make the bubble bath!! I used our Giovanni shampoo, which is one of the best I’ve found, as far as “safe shampoo”.
I’ve always loved giving and receiving homemade gifts. They are my absolute favorite. I know there is so much more behind a homemade gift than the item. There’s love, meditation, and anticipation that what your giving will be cherished because it’s a gift of yourself. There’s a special place in my heart for the homemade gifts I receive. I planned a blog about this very idea soon. I’ll link your gifts. Thanks!!
I love ’em! Great ideas!
I can hardly wait for the next part…which was the most exciting part, seeing that this was part one meant there would be more parts….. :-)
Thanks for Thanks cards too!
You put them in the kids stockings?
would love to know more about your Christmas celebration! Is my nose too long? :-) You’ve got great ideas! I can’t help but to pick at ya! ;-)
Hey…got another question/idea for you.
On Thanksgiving and other holidays, I like to make my menu in advance, breaking down items to purchase,where things are on sale and coupons if I have any, and cooking into a couple of days. Got a Celebration Menu Planner printable?
Homemade gifts aren’t cheap–they’re usually of better quality than what you buy in a store, and unique, besides. Have you seen the blog “Sew, Mama, Sew”? It has tons of tutorials, and everyday this month she’s posting links to handmade gift tuts! (I’m making my nephew a fishing game–I only had to buy the magnets and a dowel for it!)
I have a question about home made gifts like these–they are very nice, and I am sure the gesture of making them is much appreciated by the receiver. At the same time, I wonder whether giving these kinds of gifts requires a certain agreement (perhaps even unspoken) among the group exchanging gifts. What I mean is this: if a friend gives me a nice gift card to a favorite clothing store, isn’t is somewhat unacceptable on my part to only give something that cost me a few dollars? I would like I cheated that person. Of course, I am aware that homemade gifts take thought and time, but often they do not take all that long, and often I just enjoy making them anyway. So to claim that my homemade gift is equal or better than a gift I really wanted from a store strikes me as a bit problematic…I am struggling with this, because I want to be wise with spending money, but I also want my friends to know that they are valuable enough for me to give them something that they really would like to have (rather than always thinking about how I could spend the least money possible). You may have addressed this elsewhere, but I did not see it–so if you could share with us your opinion about this, I would appreciate it. Thanks!
Here’s something that I did last year, not original:
http://momsfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/01/simmering-jars-frugal-gift.html
Found a couple more that you might like….
For the pet lover in your life:
Homemade Doggie Treats-
http://momsfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/05/homemade-doggie-treats.html
The other day I sent someone a box of homemade gingerbread men:
http://momsfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/12/gingerbread-men.html
with a small jar of homemade hot cocoa:
http://momsfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/11/homemade-hot-chocolate.html
****These recipes are not very healthy but they are frugal! :-) And everyone loved the gingerbread men, even my “I don’t like spice cakes and such” kiddies!
Another idea is to give a jar of homemade jelly (very cheap to make) with a package of homemade biscuit mix, with instructions and in a cute little basket.
i am totally inept at crafting but these ideas look great for me! i love the thank you cards, i could stamp some for my grandkids
My favorite gift to give during Christmas day is a fruit basket with toys and gift certificates. they can really put a smile on someone’s face*:~