More Simple and Cheap Gift Ideas You Can Make

Another Day . . .

and another post to help you 

s  t  r  e  t  c  h 

your hard-earned dollars at gift-giving time.

Except. . .this one is for Halloween
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/09/halloween-homemade-cheap-and-creative.html


This one smells good!
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/12/making-spicy-scents-for-cents.html

A Gift for Dad or Grandpa

Many yummy treats that aren't tricky --- for gift giving or just enjoying

Instant Egg Nog Pie
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/12/simply-yummy-eggnog-pie.html

Jams, Jellies, and Butters --- made-out-of-season and a perfect go-along  with homemade bread
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/01/making-jam-and-jelly-out-of-season.html

Quick Homemade Bread - who can resist a warm loaf of bread?
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/this-bread-sold-our-home.html

Same Bread Only Quicker!
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/04/easiest-tastiest-mixer-bread-ever.html

Speciality Pancake Syrup Mixes
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/12/replicating-specialty-pancake-syrups.html

Master Batch  for Hot Chocolate Mixes
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/solving-daily-bedtime-nightmare.html

Just Add Water Master Mixes (You can find a wide variety of  master mixes on the internet)
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/01/make-your-own-just-add-water-master.html

Amazing Microwave Bread and Butter Pickles  - just like grandma used to make!
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/08/simply-amazing-microwave-bread-and.html

Freezer Cookies - Make Ahead and Bake When Ready (A good friend of ours gift was a roll of frozen cookie with instructions on how to bake them when we were ready to have a hot cookie - a simply great idea!)
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/09/lofty-freeze-n-bake-sugar-cookies.html

Chocolate Copy-cat candies
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-love-chocolate.html

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/copy-cat-holiday-treats-1-of-several.html

Popcorns - in many flavors
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/copy-cat-holiday-treats-2-of-several.html

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/copy-cat-holiday-treats-3-of-several.html

Fudge - in many varieties
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/11/copy-cat-holiday-treats-4-of-several.html

Peanut Clusters
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/11/copy-cat-holiday-treats-5-of-several.html

Toffee, Turtles, Pralines
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/11/copy-cat-holiday-treats-6-of-several.html

The Real Costs of  Purchased Gift Packages and How to Do it Yourself
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/11/copy-cat-holiday-treats7-of-7.html

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/04/greatest-gift-for-grandma.html

Christmas Activities

Create a Family Christmas Month Calendar
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-counting-days-making-days.html

Simple Activities that Create Forever Memories
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/11/memories-are-forever-gifts.html

How we Celebrate the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/11/celebrating-most-wonderful-time-of-year.html

And for Other Times of the Year

"Just Because" 
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/05/noteworthy-holiday-just-because.html

Simple & Cheap Ideas for Making Your Own Gifts

Homemade gifts are special anytime.

During these increasingly difficult financial hard times, homemade gifts may be a life-saver.

To start off this series of possible gifts for almost everyone on your gift-giving list, I am recalling some of my previous posts.  Just checking them out---- even if they don't specifically meet your needs--- may get your creative juices flowing with ideas for adapting an idea or as a springboard to another idea.

I always look at gift catalogs and ads for inspiration on recreating their ideas myself.  Usually the prices are outrageous and often the quality isn't that great. I have learned to read the "small-print" which brings to light any attempt to deceive (especially sizes in "kits" and cleverly packaged food gifts).  

Too many times, what catalogs or ads identify as stocking-stuffers cost as much as what we can afford for our main gifts. 

With a little forethought, no matter what we can do---sew, cook, bake, craft, draw (even if we don't feel we are particularly good at any of it)---we can create simple and meaningful gifts for others.  

Getting started -- miscellaneous overview 

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/when-catalogs-start-coming.html

Gifts for Children:

Two Barrette Holders
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/diy-barrette-holders-for-gift-giving.html

Three Art Kits
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/diy-art-kits-for-gift-giving.html

Craft Kits -- sewing, sponge painting, and rubber stamping
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/diy-craft-kits-for-gift-giving.html

Simple mitten-type "My Family" Hand Puppets
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011_10_16_archive.html

Doorway Puppet Theater
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/doorway-puppet-theater-easy-diy-project.html

Simple Toys for tots and toddlers --- rattles, counting lids, photo book
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/thrifty-toys-for-tots-and-toddlers.html

Chunky Crayons
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/two-toddler-things-make-one-laugh-at.html

The Good News Bear! 
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/bring-bright-bits-of-recognition-with.html

Dress-Up Kits
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/when-catalogs-start-coming.html


Gifts for Grandparents  

part 1
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/creative-gifts-for-grandparents-part.html
part 2
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/creative-gifts-for-grandparents-part_19.html

A priceless T-Shirt for Grandma 
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/04/greatest-gift-for-grandma.html

And a Necktie for Grandpa---(will be included in my next post)

Gifts for Anyone

Fingerprint note cards
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/give-gift-of-fingerprints.html

Fabric scraps make lasting memories
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/frugal-gift-ideas-making-priceless.html

Good News Bear for a teacher gift
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/bring-bright-bits-of-recognition-with.html

A Cooling "Necktie"
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/cool-tie-for-hot-days.html

Safe Olive Oil Lights
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-olive-oil-lamps-safe-cheap-and.html

Lightweight Food Gifts for mailing ('cause postage is so expensive)
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/09/when-there-is-need-to-go-distance.html


Gifts of Self --- Not "Stuff" 

Part 1
Giving a future gift now
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/1-give-gift-of-self-not-stuff.html

Part 2
Coupons for  those who live far away
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/2-give-gift-of-self-not-stuff.html

Part 3 
Ideas, plus how to make a coupon booklet
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/10/3-give-gift-of-self-not-stuff.html



On Friday I will continue to provide the posts for my other  DIY gifts---including a variety of copy-cat candies and other treats --- all for much, much less than their commercial counterparts 
because I am . . . 

Simply, Gail the Creative Cheapskate