Frugal Christmas

**paperlady** · 06-24-2008, 06:55 PM

Who among us has started making Christmas gifts? I learned to knit this year (taught myself) and I'm making camo watch caps for all the men in the family since they all like to hunt and fish. I'm doing cotton knitted dish cloths (with pretty designs in them) for some of the women. And I just thought today about using some of the plums and apples a neighbor is giving us to make jelly and jam to go with the cloths. What are you doing? We can all share frugal ideas!

**FrugalMomof3** · 06-24-2008, 07:07 PM

I havent made any of my gifts except I will for my one awesome friend BUT I have almost completed Xmas shopping for the family (except DD and DS) and I am soooo happy about that

**geckoace** · 06-24-2008, 07:10 PM

i plan to make a few car seat organizers for adults/ wall organizers for kids, maybe fabric bowls for my mom and aunt

last year i baked some quick breads so i may do that again

but so far this is all on paper i need to get on the ball

**sunshine** · 06-24-2008, 07:37 PM

I've made a few gifts - plan to do many more while off for my surgeries. I have a list, I have materials. . now I should have the time

**DonnainME** · 06-24-2008, 08:03 PM

I don't make many gifts, but I have started buying a few. I plan on doing up a few "family" gifts. I.E. Colander, spag sauce, spag noodles, jar of parm, Spag fork - then put it all together for a Family Spag Night.

**nandmsmom** · 06-24-2008, 08:29 PM

I've already knit some socks for gifts. I've also done some strawberry jam that will be given away as well. There will be lots more knitting and sewing before then. At the last minute lots of baking as well.

**heartofmine** · 06-24-2008, 08:33 PM

I haven't been making any gifts but right after Christmas I hit a sale and did the majority of my shopping for other family other than our immediate family.

**PrairieRose** · 06-24-2008, 08:36 PM

I've not made any yet but my dkid's lurve my taco sauce (made from home grown tomatoes, onions and peppers---grown by their dad and canned by moi') so I'll be giving them 1/2 dozen jars each as their stocking stuffers....how's that for practical?

(we were talking about practical gifts on another thread, sorry didn't mean to hijack)

I've already bought about 1/2 of the gifts that our dk's will get...the other 1/2 will be gift cards. I'm almost done with Christmas already...

**MommyBliss** · 06-24-2008, 08:58 PM

I've made some bracelets for the women and girls in my family. I plan on sewing some pillows and aprons as well.

**rsbs** · 06-25-2008, 11:05 AM

I try to make as many gifts as I can each year. I prefer to both give & recieve homemade/ handmade gifts.
As I'm working on a baby afghan right now, Christmas gifts haven't been started... but I'm almost finished & am actually picking up some materials for christmas gifts today!!! I found an awesome sale on some trendy yarn.
I'm thinking all the young girls (DD, step-DD, & neice) are going to get "fur-trimmed" ponchos in BRIGHT colors. As they are 9,8 & 5 - they will LOVE them!
For my sister's birthdays (which are in the fall) I've found some awesome patterns for crocheted bath accessories. I'm thinking DD & I may even try our hand at making soap to go with them.
Afghans for both sister's families & Mom & Dad too.

Gotta get this baby afghan done - I have a lot of work to do! Yikes!

**Moor** · 06-25-2008, 12:28 PM

i have made all my sil's and my sister all flavored instant coffee.
for the guys, the ones that hunt are getting hand and feet warmers that slip into gloves and boots. i got them on sale for a quarter for a pack of three, so i bought a BUNCH!
for the ones that don't hunt, they are getting some homemade jerky that i made from my deer that i got. lol
for in laws, they are getting some books and a dvd that i got as a gift. the books are not things that i am into, but mil loves those, so she is getting them. the dvd is something that they will both watch and watch and watch and watch. both of them love little house on the prairie, so i got them the whole set, ON DISCOUNT! so that helps.
for the kids, we are getting them all gift cards. i have been putting 10 a paycheck on each child's giftcard, and dh is putting 20, so by christmas, they will each have a fair amount. ds is getting one for blockbuster's. dil is getting one for starbucks. oldest dd is getting one for walmart. two youngest dd's are getting ones for walmart also.
we are also going to get them something useful. but it will only be one gift each to open. then we will give them the gc's. so they will be happy!
dh, i have no idea what i am going to get for him. last year, i got him several games that he likes to play on the xbox 360, but not sure about this year. want to make something, or give something a little more personal this year.

**imforpeace** · 06-25-2008, 12:37 PM

I'm making dessert stands for each of my extended families and will also bake for them. {to put on the plates} I'm making scrapbooks, for my 4 kids, of all of their extended family.

My extended family decided to do a white elephant exchange this year, {many of us} so I will most likely make something to enter into that game. We did it 2 years ago and everyone had so much fun and it cost MUCH less!

**Maine Girl** · 06-25-2008, 04:00 PM

For my co-workers i am knitting (knifty knitter)scarves out of yarn i already have. I have two scarves done hopping to get eight done before christmas. For one of my grandfathers i have two books about the civil war that i know he will love. I have plenty of material but not sure what to make yet. That is not bad so far...

**bumplett** · 06-25-2008, 04:07 PM

I was planning on a 'baked' christmas this year, so it can all wait.

**iida** · 06-25-2008, 04:23 PM

I have been knitting a lot. I have socks for everyone, some hats and scarves and mittens. I also crochet amigurumi -style toys. This year everyone is going to get something selfmade.