Homemade Holiday Gifts that Won’t Collect Dust
Posted on | December 1, 2010 | 19 Comments
Let’s face it: not all homemade gifts are created equal. Some people seem to have a real knack for making things from scratch, and we look forward to those kinds of gifts. Other people seem to not have such a knack…and our attics fill up over the years. (Yes, it is the thought that counts and we truly appreciate their efforts; we just can’t seem to make use of them).
Below are a few ideas for homemade gifts that are practical, delicious, cute, and frugal.
- Chinese Takeout Boxes and Chocolate Truffles: Purchase Chinese takeout boxes from Michael’s craft store (don’t forget to use a 40% off coupon from the Sunday paper), and make homemade chocolate truffles. You can put tissue paper in the little boxes, and then fill each with a few truffles. Make a cute tag.
- Herb-infused oil/Dipping oil: You can score great glass bottles from Marshall’s, Ross, TJ Maxx, or other discount department store. Purchase the herbs and oil, and make some beautiful and yummy gifts! You can include a long loaf of French bread, and/or directions for how to use the oil.
- Jams and Jellies: Make a cute label from your kitchen, or from your yard, and tie it around with a festive ribbon.
- Photo Calendar: Gather photos of your family, photos of you, photos of your travels, your favorite recipes, etc. and assemble them into a calendar. You can print these out using services such as shutterfly or vistaprints.
- Wine Cork Bulletin Board: Save your wine corks throughout the year, or ask restaurants to save them for you. Assemble your cork board using particle board or other scraps of wood as backing.
- Brownie and Soup Jars: This is an idea that was popular in the amish community where I grew up. Purchase bulk ingredients, mason jars (can also get these wholesale), and perhaps even a little scoop from a craft store like Michael’s. There are all kinds of neat gift in a jar ideas out there; remember to make a cute tag to wrap around it to dress it up a bit.
- Garden Marker Rocks: For friends and family who enjoy gardening, purchase outdoor paint from Michael’s using a 40% off coupon, and purchase large pebble rocks. If you can’t find the rocks there, I was able to find some at a pet store (look in the reptile aisle). Using the paint, make garden markers for different plants like basil, lettuce, spinach, corn, etc. They look so cute and will decorate any garden!
Do you have ideas? I’d love to hear them!
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December 1st, 2010 @ 7:04 am
Some of mine require a bit more skill, but I’m making scarves, hand-warmers, rice pillow, recipe books, and earrings.
For hand-warmers just take two pieces of cotton fabric about the size of a 4×6 index card, sew them together like a pillow, add rice for stuffing and close the seam. Now, you can pop them into the microwave to warm and put them in your pockets when you’re going out and it’s cold. It goes without saying that I usually make 2 of these per person.
Rice pillows are the same, just bigger. I also often put lavender or something in the rice to make them smell nice when used as a heating pad.
Recipe books are just fabric wrapped 3 ring binders with recipes people have asked me for in page protectors. I’ve also used photo albums if I’m using recipe cards instead of print-outs from my computer.
Covered button earrings are a bit more complicated but I’ve also just bought some cute flower buttons and hot-glued posts to the back of them for a fun little stocking stuffer.
Hobby Lobby and Michael’s are your friend-I get so many ideas from going there. For example, I made all of my Christmas cards this year: 50 for about $8 total.
Hope that was helpful!
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Amanda L. Grossman Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 9:08 am
Hello Lauren!
Thank you for sharing all of your creative ideas and how to’s. Great job!
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December 3rd, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
Very cute idea about using the Chinese takeout boxes as gift boxes!
Another easy homemade gift for the craft challenged is making bath salts. All you really need is some Epsom or sea salt, a bottle of essential oil (lots of scents to choose from), and, if you want to add some color, food coloring. You just mix a few drops of the oil with the salt and boom! Bath salts!
Suzanne with Laughing Wallet recently posted..How To Get the Best Deal on a New or Used Car
[Reply]
FruGal Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Hi Suzanna!
Thank you–I just love those chinese takeout boxes:).
Also thanks for adding such a great idea!
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December 3rd, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
I really need to find time and make some homemade, handmade gifts. I used to do a lot of knitting (way, way back … in another life, in another country). Now all I do in the free time is writing and blogging… Should do something less selfish and more altruistic.
Aloysa recently posted..Store Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping
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FruGal Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 8:02 am
Ahhhh free time from blogging and writing…:). Definitely need to carve some out for yourself, but it can be very difficult to do.
Thanks for the comment!
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December 4th, 2010 @ 9:52 pm
Gifts aside. I keep meaning to make a mess of jarred soup and brownie mixes (and similar stuff) just for our own use.
Insofar as filling Chinese take-out boxes with truffles, I can state definitively a box given to use wouldn’t last long at all.
Mama Kelly aka Jia recently posted..Save Money at the Supermarket by Not Going
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Amanda L. Grossman Reply:
December 5th, 2010 at 8:29 am
Hello Mama Kelly!
Thank you for your comments. I’d like a few chinese takeout boxes of truffles myself….:)
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December 5th, 2010 @ 12:10 am
[...] Frugal Confessions shares some homemade holiday presents that people will actually use and enjoy. (I cringe when I think back to some of the potholders and scarves I made in my youth.) [...]
December 5th, 2010 @ 6:53 am
[...] Staying on the theme of homemade gifts, Frugal Confessions talks about Homemade Holiday Gifts That Won’t Collect Dust. [...]
December 5th, 2010 @ 7:20 am
[...] Staying on the theme of homemade gifts, Frugal Confessions talks about Homemade Holiday Gifts That Won’t Collect Dust. [...]
December 5th, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
[...] Homemade gifts always sound good in theory, but in practice? Frugal Confessions has a list of homemade gifts recipients will actually use and enjoy. [...]
December 6th, 2010 @ 8:20 am
[...] on giving a special gift to a special someone? Read Homemade Holiday Gifts That Won’t Collect Dust @Frugal [...]
December 6th, 2010 @ 12:04 pm
good ideas! I recently saw an idea on another blog that I thought was great- making homemade ravioli and freezing it to give as a gift! I love homemade pasta
[Reply]
December 8th, 2010 @ 6:10 am
[...] the bundle with a bow.Other Articles You Might Enjoy:5 Alternative and Creative Gift-Giving Ideas Homemade Holiday Gifts that Won’t Collect Dust 11 Inexpensive and Unique Stocking Stuffer Ideas 30 Days of Homemade Gifts: Make a Gift Basket 9 [...]
December 10th, 2010 @ 8:17 am
My favorite Christmas movies are: It’s A Great Life, Love Really, The Family Man, Nothing Like The Holidays, About A Boy, Four Christmases, and Elf. The Christmas movies that I still require to see that look awesome are: The Preachers Wife, Scrooged, and This Christmas. HaPpY HoLLiDaYs everybody!!!
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December 18th, 2010 @ 11:31 pm
I would love to learn to make truffles… that seems like such a great gift to give. Kind of like giving Christmas fudge, but not as widespread?
Kellen recently posted..Saturday Stats Update – December 20
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Amanda L. Grossman Reply:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Hello Kellen!
Thanks for your comment. I am going to be making my first batch of a peppermint chocolate truffle that actually looks pretty simple. Wish me luck:).
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December 19th, 2010 @ 6:28 pm
Ways to to shed the weight?i’m thirteen and i weigh two hundred and fifteen pounds. i want to tell the truth with my own self and lose weight. i want to be healthy. how can i remove fats very well? i must goal it all over. what are the most beneficial weight loss supplements? best exercises? ideal body fat targetting healthy foods? please all answers to provide help! something!! most effective possible way!!
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