What frugal items did you give, make, or fix for Christmas presents 2007?

**perSue** · 01-07-2008, 12:05 PM

what a great post!

i crocheted pillows, knitted scarves, crocheted some baby clothes/toys... and am planning my next year.

i was going to make my own clock (but not having that drill or time to stain/paint some wood threw that idea away).

but local craft stores always have neat ideas!

i'm making a list now of what i want to work on for the next year.

**tbs727** · 01-07-2008, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by mcphlips

The purse organizer looks really cool! Was it difficult to make? I am a really beginner sewer!

I'm very basic with my sewing skills, it's very easy. If you can sew basic curtains or pillows, you can do it. The instructions are very good.

**freyadog** · 01-07-2008, 01:12 PM

I made quilts for everyone on my list last year except my gd and my niece. This year I am making stockings for everyone(I.E. boot, slipper, regular stocking, elf shoe etc) and stuff with things that I gather free or in expensive.

**catzz64** · 01-12-2008, 01:47 AM

We had a very frugal Christmas this year! A few months before Christmas I started watching Craigslist and was able to find an almost new Little Tikes kitchen for $25 for my 3 yr old son (yes, my son, he LOVES it); and I also got him a Star Station on eBay for $10.

I made appliqued name pillows for all the 7 nieces and nephews, and they were a hit.

And I made peppermint bark, chocolate pretzels, and misc cookies and chocolates for the adults.

Stockings were filled with fruit and dollar store goodies.

And one of my favorites was a valet I found at the Thrift Town for DH so he won't throw his uniform on the floor when he gets home...that was only $7.99! (AND it actually is working!!!

**foxxyroxie** · 01-12-2008, 06:01 AM

I made a few gifts....

For BF's sisters I put together some photo albums. Found some at a discount store and put pics in it.....I had found several rolls of undeveloped film and realized it was from several years ago because of the contents. So many unhappy times since then, so I knew it would bring bittersweet memories and they seemed to really appreciate them.
I also made the cute little whisk craft -- take a kitchen wire whisk, fill it with candy kisses, wrapped it in cellophane and labeled it with a cute cut-out Christmas tree with the printing on it of MERRY KISS-MAS.
Unfortunately, the either didn't get it or didn't appreciate it. It was meant for decoration, but they opened it up and ate the candy.

For BF's niece, I made a little purse. It was a scaled down version of the blue jean pants purse I made. I took a pair of kid's elastic waist khaki shorts, sewed up the legs to make the bottom of the purse. I had legs and a back pocket left over from another pair of jeans I took stuff off and sewed the pocket on the back and made a handle with the legs. I didn't make a fastener to close the bag like I usually do -- didn't feel it really needed it. BF's sister (her aunt) gave it to her -- aunt filled it with make up and hair stuff. Was really cute and niece loved it.
Hopefully next year I'll have a sewing machine so all of the sewing I can do with a machine rather than by hand.

**kaykwilts** · 01-12-2008, 09:07 AM

For my kids Christmas stockings they received some free after rebate items that I got from Walgreens, Riteaid and CVS. I got their big Christmas present on Black Friday at a greatly reduced price.

**momto6** · 01-17-2008, 08:48 PM

I made cookie trays for all the teachers, bus drivers, and grandmothers. My oldest dd exchanges gifts with lots of her friends and we couldn't afford to buy even a $5.00 gift for all of them. (Would of added up to about $40.00) We made peppermint bath salts and put them in decorated mason jars that I had left over from canning from my garden last year. I was nervous about 12 year old girls liking them, but dd was thrilled that they all loved them and even girls she doesn't hang out with came up to her asking where they could get some.
Locally we have a email loop that is a lot like freecycle but it is called cheapcycle. It is like a constant yard sale that goes on all the time that people are selling things locally and you can sell or buy from. I sold a lot on there to raise money for Christmas gifts. (with no shipping fees!!) I bought 4 John Grisham hard back books for my dad for $4.00! I bought my 4 year old a V-smile game system with 4 games for $25.00. I found a brand new Aeropostale sweatshirt ( a trendy store in the Mall) with the tags still on at Goodwill for $2.00 right before Christmas. I bought my oldest ds a refurbished ipod from Apple for a lot less that still had some warranty on it and was packaged in the same way as a brand new one for a lot less. My kids had a great Christmas with spending a lot less this year. This is a great thread to get ideas for next year!!!! Amy

**MandaRenee** · 01-18-2008, 05:29 PM

Sunshine you are my idol! You did an excellent job. I am aiming for that good this year. Last year was pretty last minute with the new baby so I didn't get much made at all.

Most everyone got framed pictures of the baby. So not very expensive but this year will be much better. In fact I'm already 50% done with Christmas! Woo Hoo.

**sunshine** · 01-18-2008, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by MandaRenee

Sunshine you are my idol! You did an excellent job. I am aiming for that good this year. Last year was pretty last minute with the new baby so I didn't get much made at all.

Most everyone got framed pictures of the baby. So not very expensive but this year will be much better. In fact I'm already 50% done with Christmas! Woo Hoo.

I'm always on the lookout for a good deal, and I always have a crochet or knitting project in my car, in my locker at work, and at home. That way I can do a few stitches when I get a minute or two.

**POOTERSMOMMY** · 02-07-2008, 07:53 PM

I made cookie and candies for all DH family. (we agreed no store bought presents)
I made 2 blue jean purses for teenage neices. We got a free HotRod clock w/DH subscription - gave it to teen nephew.
I made baskets for my Brs & Sis. (Baskets came from thrift store) This years theme was comfort food. Bought (onsale of course) chick & noodle & tom. soup, cocoa wheats, bean soup mixes, split peas, and many indiv. pkts of hot cider mix & hot choc. (got boxes onsale & split up) They were a hit.
Care pkg. for neice in college. Many free items from freebie sights & hmd. goodies.
Others got baskets with homemade goodies and books from yard sales (25 cents ea)
One basket was for a newly married neice. One years worth of Betty Crocker small monthly cookbooks (I rec. subscription as a gift year before) and a couple pretty towels and hotpads (bought after Christmas 2006 for 25 cents ea.)

Everyone looks forward to their baskets each year. They even ask if I'm doing it again. My brother counts on it - as he's a bachlor - he says he knows he will have lots of goodies for a couple months.

Year before I made all neices & neph. fleece throws. They LOVED them.
Little ones got many items from $1 store. They are 2 & 3 - so everything if great to them!!!
I got several baskets for 2008 Christmas already at Big Lots after holiday sale for 90% off
I love the holidays and work on gifts all year long!