photo by Thomas Pix

Are you prepared for the holiday season? Yes, I’m going there. What’s the matter? Too early for you to think about the holidays? If you’re always kicking yourself for waiting until the last minute, this nudge is for you. This year, it’s going to different. You have plenty of time to get organized. Grab a paper and pen and make a master gift list. Afterward, you can budget in a gift each week or month or make some gifts yourself. Planning ahead and buying throughout the year will save you money and stress. How do you plan throughout the year?
Here are some ideas to stock that gift closet:

HERBS AND FLOWERS: Start an herb or flower garden. Once they’re grown, cut and dry them. Place herbs inside tiny fabric sachets. Herbs that give nice scents are mint, lavender, thyme and lemon balm. Perennials can be split and shared. Dried flowers can embellish frames and wreaths. Look for discount garden seeds and supplies.

CONTAINERS: Shop for secondhand tins and baskets for baked goods and goodies to fill gift baskets. Look for mason jars and mugs, too. Assemble homemade mixes such as cocoa, instant coffee or soup. Once they’re assembled, store them in a cool, dark place.
My community forums contain hundreds of gift-in-a-jar ideas (www.frugalvillage.com/forums).

Cocoa (fits 1-quart jar)

1 cup sugar
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

Directions: Add 1 cup boiled water to a mug that contains 1/2 cup of mix. Stir.

Cinnamon-orange cappuccino

1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup instant coffee
1 teaspoon dried orange peel
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Place all ingredients in a blender. Cover and blend on high for 30 seconds or until well mixed. Store in an airtight glass jar. For each serving, place 2 teaspoons mix and 2/3 cup boiling water in mug. — submitted by Kathy

Soup mix

1 cube beef bouillon
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup dried split peas
1/2 cup uncooked twist macaroni
1/4 cup barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/3 cup long-grain white rice
1 bay leaf
1 cup uncooked tricolor spiral pasta

Using a funnel, layer ingredients in the following order: bouillon, onion, split peas, pasta, barley, lentils, rice, bay leaf and enough tricolor spiral pasta to fill jar.
Directions: Brown 1 pound ground beef or stew beef in olive oil. Remove tricolor pasta from top of jar and reserve. Add the rest of the jar contents to the pan and add 10 cups water. Boil and simmer 40 minutes. Add tricolor pasta and simmer until pasta is tender. Optional: Add a can of diced Italian-seasoned tomatoes. — submitted by Lori, Illinois

HANDCRAFTS: There’s time to knit, crochet, sew or quilt handmade items. Popular gifts are scarves, hats, blankets, socks and dishcloths. You can put together a photo album or scrapbook or assemble a recipe book to give as a gift.

BOOKS: Take the time to explore used-book stores, garage sales, thrift stores, etc., for used books in excellent condition.

SELL: Have a garage sale or use eBay to sell unwanted stuff. Build up your gift-giving and holiday-planning fund.

SEASONAL SALES: Shop clearance items starting now for the holidays. Look for kitchen linens such as place mats and dish towels, clothing or baking supplies, to name a few. Keep in mind that items sometimes go on sale early in the season and are put on clearance at the end of the season.

See also my previous article on stocking a gift closet.

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