Frugal gifts

**winner** · 10-23-2008, 03:44 PM

Hi there,
I am very new here so a nice welcome will feel good.
I am so happy reading all your tips and would like to thank you all, for taking time to share it. I just had a surgery and recovery might take up to 3 months. In meantime since I can't move too much I am trying to do things with my hands (writhing, organizing paperwork, picture albums, knitting). Money will be very tight during my "forced vacation", so I would like to get ready for Christmas with making gifts, not bying, but coming from my heart.
I will give away knitted scarves
Tri-color pasta jars wrapped with raffia with meat sauce (person can freeze the sauce and pasta store for a while.

If you have any ideas, tips, suggestions please share with me, I am very crafty.

**madhen** · 10-23-2008, 04:01 PM

Caps and scarves are easy to knit and might be a fun thing to go with those scarves.

You could make flavoured vinegars. Basically just bottled vinegar with herbs added. You'd want to make them a few weeks before X-mas, so the flavours have time to blend. Also pretty in bottles or small, leakproof jars with raffia or fabric ties.

**Momto2Boyz** · 10-23-2008, 04:05 PM

*Stamped stationary or cards are always good. You can stamp on names or quotes or anything.
If you have a Micheal's Craft Store near you, they have $1.00 stamps near the front of the store, which I love! They are just as good as the expensive ones!

**Momof3girls** · 10-23-2008, 11:13 PM

I think ornaments are nice too.

**Radish4ever** · 10-23-2008, 11:24 PM

My grandmother made us all embroidered stockings one year and that's been just a wonderful tradition kind of thing for us using them! She used up a lot of her quilting scraps for this and it was wonderful

What about dish towels or dish towel dresses/skirts?

I love the ornament idea too!

**steelergal** · 10-24-2008, 08:23 AM

For children:
a snowman kit- you can make hats, scarves and mittens (you can paint a few stones black to make the face!).

For a little girl I would make a baby blanket, baby doll hat and maybe an outfit.

I am always a fan of cookbooks, I would compile a few things that you really like that you make, a few tried and true recipes and gift that to someone.

Also instead of a typical Christmas card you can write out a Christmas Greeting.

**MomK** · 11-02-2008, 12:19 PM

All great ideas! Welcome, Winner!

**rainbowgc** · 11-03-2008, 09:44 AM

Welcome, home baked goods are always welcome!

**Jskell911** · 11-05-2008, 04:01 PM

I have had good reception with my HM bath salts. All you need aere Epsom Salts, essentail oils, and food coloring. Put them in mason jars or any other cute displays you might have(glass works best)