Money Saving Habits

If you’re on my gift list….please don’t read this post….or at least pretend that you didn’t see it when I hand you a gift this year.

I’ve been scouring the web for great ideas for gifts for everyone this year.  Here’s some ideas for gifts from the heart….

Homemade Bread — Last year we gifted this bread to all the kid’s teachers.  They *loved* it.  It was good and healthy to boot.  I’m going to fire up the bread machines again and make a bunch for this year.  I’m making 23+ loaves this year.

Cookie Mixes in a Jar — These are fun to receive and can be made with basic ingredients.  Add some pizzaz by tying a ribbon around the top or making a cute label.  (I haven’t made these in a long time, but have been on the receiving end.)  Great ideas and books here:

• Gifts in a Jar: Cookies (from Amazon check out the used copies too)
• Gifts in a Jar: Soups – (from Amazon check out the used copies too)
• Gifts in a Jar: Bars and Brownies (from Amazon, check out the used copies too)
• Mason Jar Cookie Cookbook (from Amazon)
• Gifts in a Jar from OrganizedHome
• Ideas from CraftBits

Return Address Labels — If you’ve got a printer and basic software, you can create some cute return address labels.  This is on our list this year.  I want each family member to have their own address labels.  It fun as a kid to have your own.  I like to use Avery labels from Office Depot or Staples.   If you don’t feel too creative, or want someone else to do it for you, check out Vista Print.

Click here to order self-stick labels.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix — We love the recipe from Alton Brown.  Guess what someone’s getting this year?  Package in a pretty jar and include instructions and maybe a nice Christmas-y mug.

Wall Calendar — Grandparents seem to love this gift.  You can make your own by printing pictures and gluing on pre-made calendar blanks, or your own card stock.  Or, if you want someone to do it for you they can be done at:

• Snapfish
• Kodak Gallery
• CVS Stores
• 
  

Ornaments – some of my favorite gifts from friends have been their simple ornaments tucked inside a card.  Here’s some I found online:

• Christmas Angel out of paper clip
• Large listing from the Family Fun Magazine (subscribe today from Amazon for $5 off!)
• Craft Stick Ornament – one year the 1st graders made these snowmen.  very cute on our tree.
• Cute Farm Tractor – watch out if you have furry visitors to your house.  They’ll smell this a mile away.
• Photo ornaments – I think these would look great on my tree

And then package your special gift in a Cereal Box Gift Bag or other inventive wrapping.  A basic box with a bow looks great.

Do you have a favorite homemade gift to share?  Or if you tried one of these links leave us a comment and tell us about it.

Happy Holidays!
This post has been linked to other great ideas at Life As a Mom.

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