Inexpensive ideas needed for dsd

**KatieJo** · 10-17-2010, 06:27 PM

I am starting early on Christmas this year and am stuck on what to get for my stepdaughter. I am not working with an incredibly big budget so I am needing some inexpensive ideas.

She likes

reading
movies
baking
crafts-making jewelry in particular
music

I would be grateful for any ideas that I could get.

**lisaflex** · 10-17-2010, 06:31 PM

how old is she? that would be helpful to know.

**KatieJo** · 10-17-2010, 06:35 PM

I was just comming back to post that..

She is 12 years old.

**craftypam** · 10-17-2010, 06:43 PM

You can buy movies and books online at very good prices. How about a gift card to a craft store to be able to buy jewelry supplies.

**pollypurebred39** · 10-17-2010, 06:56 PM

Here's some links that might help.

A Frugal Christmas For Kids

This link has some good ideas

Have Yourself a Freecycle Christmas...

This link has mix recipes

Holiday Finds For Token Gifts

How about a baking gift basket? I'd start with a mixing bowl, a set of wooden spoons, measuring cups & spoons. I'd make up a few homemade mixes to pop in, a baking recipe book. Maybe a homemade one with her favorite recipes printed? An apron & some pot holders. Just use the mixing bowl as the basket. This can be done dollar store or department store, so it really can work with any budget.

A movie basket? The dollar store often has large popcorn bins that could be used for the basket. Fill with a big bag of popcorn, soda & movie theater size candy. Throw in a few movies, or a gift card to buy/rent movies herself.

An i-tunes gift card?
A gift card for a bookstore?
A gift card for a craft store?

Check out a used book store, many titles are in pristine condition.

The dollar store often carries tons of crafty stuff.

**Momto5RN** · 10-17-2010, 07:09 PM

you can go to craft stores ( micheals- ac moores ) with the 50% off one item not on sale coupon and each week buy something for 50% off and put it aside - and by christmas you could have a really nice jewelry making basket to put together for her .

they also have kids that you may be able to get a nce kit or 2 for 50% off instead .

**pollypurebred39** · 10-17-2010, 07:57 PM

OH look at this! Momto5RN just posted on a kids paper crafts site and they had this page

Movies and Popcorn

You could print these out and stick them in her stocking for a fun movie night with her friends in your home. Just too cute!

**erinalexmom** · 10-17-2010, 08:19 PM

At my Goodwill you can buy paperback books for 69cents. Many of them look brand new!

**KatieJo** · 10-17-2010, 08:50 PM

Thanks!! Those are some great ideas.

**Jenibelle** · 10-18-2010, 09:12 AM

Check with your local library to see if they will be having a book sale prior to Christmas. We just had ours here and got about 20 books on the cheap for ourselves and a few gifts for Christmas.

**Gotonenerveleft** · 10-18-2010, 10:15 AM

When I was making jewelry I got some of the prettiest beads from old necklaces. I found them at yard sales and thrift stores. I just got the ones I thought were cool or unusual. Cut the strings and put the beads in little containers. You get many more than what you'd find in a little package in the craft store.

Cookbooks would be fun too. I just gave one to a niece for her birthday along with an apron I made. The cookbook turned out to be her favorite gift.

**dancemommy** · 10-18-2010, 12:54 PM

I have a 12 year old daughter and she loves everything! Fun socks, nail polish, crafty things, clothes, pajamas, earrings, posters, this is really just the easiest age- they love it all!

**mauimagic** · 10-18-2010, 03:06 PM

What great ideas!! Don't know if you'd have time to do this for the upcoming Christmas - what about a recipe book that you create of your favorite and her favorite family recipes?

**lisaflex** · 10-18-2010, 05:42 PM

defnitely agree w/ the poster on the Michael's 50% off bins and they also have some $1 bins that are worth looking over.

i would start now and hit Justice sale racks and all other sale items as that is the HOTTEST store (according to young girls). check out the $1 bins when you walk into Target - never know what you may find there! occassionally you can find decent crafting supplies at the dollar store.

does she have her own ipod/itouch? if so, get her ITunes cards so that she can download her own movies and music. my stepson always requests that as a gift!

do you have a Young Chef's near you? they are a cooking school for children/young adults. They have some really cool cooking classes. Check your local Viking store and SurLaTable for cooking classes = they both offer teen/young adult/children classes.