I recently requested a Holidays Handbook — you can get one by submitting this form.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised with the information and worksheets in the pamphlet.  Everything is laid out exactly the way I make my little “holiday list” with very simple directions.

One section I liked in the handbook included several low-cost gift ideas.  We all know about the ubiquitous cookies-in-a-jar gift (which I personally really love if it’s from someone I know and trust).  I thought it would be fun to share some easy to assemble, yet tasteful and worthwhile homemade or low-cost gifts.  Please add yours below!!

Here are some that I have either given or received……
1)  Recipe swap:  my college roommate and I exchange our family’s favorite recipes each year.  I try to make it personal by adding pictures of my kids from that year’s events.  The first year we did this, I sent her a binder with my printed recipes inside.  Now we send this via email or on a CD and she just adds the printouts to her binder.
2)  Collect the freebies and samples you get for a few weeks, then pack them in a pretty reusable tote or basket.
3)  When Amazon runs their awesome deals on DVD’s, snag some extras and wrap one with a box of popcorn to give as a movie-night gift!
4)  When you order that box of band fruit (oranges, anyone?), tuck a few in a pretty bowl or basket, then  add a neat story about The Christmas Orange.
5)  Print out  Christmas stories and share them with your friends or family as Christmas approaches.
6)  If you want to give a bag of Snowman Soup (hot cocoa) or Snowman Poop (marshmallows with the cocoa) or anything similar, check out these free printable tags that make the ordinary into something custom!!
7)  Consignment sales are still going for fall/winter items.  Stop in and you’ll be surprised how many quality items you can find at rock-bottom prices—-often the items are new or like-new!  My kids receive consignment sale gifts all the time.
8)  Enter some giveaways!!  Spend a few minutes to enter and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to win.