Cheap Christmas Gifts

This time of the year we are all exited about the Christmas holidays that are coming. For some of us though, those of us on a budget,Christmas gifts present a problem. Everyone starting to Think about cheap Christmas gifts ideas to get through the holidays without ringing up more debt.And who of us are not in trouble with this recession?

Have a look at these cheap Christmas gifts ideas

1. Bake a large batch of your favorite cookies.

Set the cookies on a lovely plate, and use color cellophane to cover the entire package. Tie the cellophane at the top, using ribbon, and make a large bow. Homemade cookies are a great present anyone would enjoy, and the cost to you is minimal.

2. Make some jam.

If you enjoy making jam, why not give this as a Christmas gift? Buy a small wicker basket, and fill the basket with jars of homemade jam. Decorate the jars with bows or ribbon. Put the jars in the basket and either decorate the basket with ribbon, or cover the basket with color cellophane and tie the cellophane at the top with ribbon. You may choose to add a small box of special crackers as well

3. Dolly up some candles.

Candles are a great gift for anyone, and are inexpensive as well. Purchase about a dozen small scented candles and one or two candle holders. Put the candles and candle holders in a small basket. Cover the basket with colored cellophane, and tie the package at the top with different color ribbons.

4. Give something practical.

With the winter approaching, a hat and glove set is also a popular gift. These sets come in a variety of colors, fabrics, and styles. Hat and glove sets are sure to be a welcomed gift by your friends or family members, and are inexpensive as well.

5. Decorate some picture frames.

Why not purchase picture frames? For instance, buy two each of a 3-1/2 by 5 inch; 4x5 inch and 5x5 inch picture frames. Decorate them with a bow at the top center of the frame, or in the center of the frame. You can even make it a fun craft with the kids by decorating it with fingers dipped in paint.

6. Stuff Christmas stocking with all kinds of handy stuff.

Here is another inexpensive idea. Take a Christmas stocking and stuff it will incidentals that most people need, but never buy. For example, nail files; nail polish remover; q-tips; cotton balls; samples of hair shampoo; conditioner; body lotion; shower caps; shower gel; hand creams, etc.

Christmas isn’t about expensive gift giving. It is the thought behind the gift that counts. Put a little thought into these cheap Christmas gifts ideas and your friends and family will really appreciate the trouble you took with their gifts. Cheap Christmas gifts ideas does not mean inferior gifts!

When gift giving began, presents were small and hand delivered. Most weren’t even wrapped. Getting a gift was sentiment enough. Nobody looked down on cheap Christmas gifts and loved receiving them. As the cliché says, it was the idea that counted. If money is an issue or you just want to create a holiday budget and stick to it, here are some ideas for cheap Christmas gifts.

1. Use your Christmas stockings as gift wrapping:

Put those Christmas stockings to good use. Stockings now are so ornate that they are hung for decoration and not for use. Use Christmas stockings to hold your gifts. Instead of buying lots of wrapping paper, the stocking can act as the wrapping. Along with the gift, the recipient will also get a stocking to hang for the holidays next year.

2. Give a subscription to a magazine:

For the magazine reader in your life, give them a one or two year subscription to their favorite magazine. By opting for a two-year subscription, you’ll usually save money. The magazines will be sent directly to the recipient, but you will receive a confirmation card that you can put in an envelope and present to them on Christmas morning.

3. Do not scorn gift cards:

Some people don’t know what they want for Christmas. Kids seem to be the ones that have their gifts picked out down to the serial number. For finicky people or those who seem to have everything, purchase gift cards. Gift cards can be bought in any amount and most are rechargeable, meaning more money can be added to them at a later date. No need to throw the card away when they are done. Gift cards can be purchased for restaurants as well as retail stores. If you know someone who wants to try the new place for dinner in town, reduce their bill a little by giving them a gift card.

4. Give a little pampering:

Everyone wants to be pampered – men included. A facial for her and a massage for him that they can use any time fits into even the busiest of schedules. These gifts are not as expensive as you might think either. You don’t have to pay for an entire package, but instead purchase a gift certificate for individual or buy one package for a couple to share.

5. You save on wrapping paper:

The best thing about these gift cards is that you don’t have to buy wrapping paper for them. They fit into envelopes, many of which are already decorated or come with their favorite character or scenery on them. Gift certificates are also great stocking stuffers.

6. Have a name exchange:

Another affordable gift idea is to exchange names. If your family spends Thanksgiving together, exchanging names then gives each person ample time to purchase a gift. The piece of paper should contain the person’s name and three items they would like to receive or interests they have. The point isn’t to purchase all three, but to give the person who drew their name a choice. A name exchange saves money for everyone in the family. You may still buy for children, but as far as the adults go, you will only have to purchase a gift for the person whose name you pulled.

Forget the commercialism this year and make things easy on yourself. Choosing affordable ways to bring Christmas cheer doesn’t lessen the joy of the season. In fact, it gives you a chance to get more personal and creative which can make it even more fun for everyone involved. Cheap Christmas gifts ideas can actually be a lot of fun if you apply a little creativity to it!

 

All those gifts under the Christmas tree and guessing what is inside them, is one of the great fun things about Christmas. The bright colorful paper that we buy each year is not the only way to wrap a gift. Gifts come in all shapes and sizes and not all of them are suitable for the traditional wrapping paper. Some things are oddly shaped and need a bit more creativity to get them wrapped. This year investigate some other ways to surprise those special people on Christmas morning.

1, Sew something:

For anyone that loves to sew, gift wrapping is a wonderful opportunity to show your stuff. For instance, think about a bottle of wine. We’ve all seen the pre-made bags to hold them, but let’s save some money and have more fun by making a cloth bag. Have you ever seen the bag that Crown Royal comes in? A drawstring bag can hide a bottle of wine, a bottle of bubble bath, or other accessory items you want give as gifts. The bag itself doesn’t have to be festive. It can be of a solid color and decorated with bows, string, beads or anything else your heart desires. Best of all, the packaging can be used as a carrying bag at other times of the year.

2. Decorate paper bags:

What’s wrong with paper bags? We all have some hanging around the house so let’s recycle them this Christmas. Carefully cover large and small boxed gifts with the brown bags. Decorate the bag wrapping with glittered Christmas shapes. Use glue to create the shapes of stars, ornaments, reindeer, and snowmen; then add glitter. This is a great way to get kids to help you with your decorating for grandparents, family and friends. Let them decorate the bag with anything they choose, making the gift even more personalized.

3. Save your gift wrapping for next year:

Make use of that gift wrap you are about to throw away. This idea won’t take effect until next holiday season, but it is a good idea. Save the areas that are not crinkled beyond recognition. Those pieces can be used to wrap stocking stuffers and small gifts like jewelry boxes next year.

4. Put the gifts in a box:

If you’re like me, you save empty boxes from electronics and other things you purchase just in case you need them. Since “just in case” doesn’t seem to come, use them for odd shaped gifts that need to be packaged. A great example is a stereo box which is perfect for wrapping up several pieces of clothing. If you don’t want to wrap those odd shaped plastic packages, make it easy on yourself - put them in a box.

5. Put them in the shoes!

Take up the tradition of European countries when Christmas was newly celebrated. Leave several smaller gifts in everyone’s favorite pair of shoes. Place the shoes in front of the fireplace or at the foot of their bed. You may want to line the shoe with tissue paper since they probably aren’t new “unscented” shoes.

There is more than one way to present a gift. If you have an idea, try it to see if it works. No one ever turned down a gift because it was in a shoe box or wrapped in brown paper. Besides, it’s the thought that counts remember?!