Making a List and Giving Christmas Gifts on a Budget

The first thing to do is to make a list--a spreadsheet is even better--of who you must give gifts to. I even have a little column to check if it is wrapped or not yet. This serves a few purposes, it creates an organized space of who needs a gift, as you purchase/make gifts you know that person is done, and if you are purchasing items over several months, you have a record of what gift goes to whom.

The second task, is to come up with a realistic budget. How much can you afford to spend this Christmas without going into debt? Then break it down into a dollar amount for each recipient on your list. It is so much easier to shop and decide when you know the value you are looking for.

Now are there any gifts you can make that will suit someone on your list and cost little money? Do you have the time to make it?

Many of our friends love to receive homemade bread. When your fabric store has clearance fabric (Wal-Mart often has several fabrics for $1 per yard) buy some. With a sewing machine and very little sewing experience you can take a piece of fabric big enough for your loaf of bread, cut the top with pinking shears, sew up the sides with right sides together, turn it right side out, put a wrapped loaf of bread in the bag, and tie with some ribbon. You can also make your own little tags to go with it.

Other kitchen goodies are great too. Fudge, Peanut Brittle, Cookies, Pies, are all items that many love to receive during the holidays. You can fancy those up with colored plastic wraps, holiday containers, ribbons, bows, we have bought plates for 50 cents before and used them for a plate of cookies. There are also tons of recipes on the internet for "Gifts in a Jar" you can put together cookie mixes and soup mixes pretty inexpensively. Often times clean mayonnaise jars will work for these gifts and you can decorate them with fabric and bows and tie the instructions on with a ribbon. If you don't have jars, you can always make the mix in a zipper baggie and make a fabric bag (as above) and tie the instructions on with a ribbon.

Can you sew, embroider, take great photographs, scrapbook, quilt? All these talents could be a potential gift for someone on your list. They may not work for everyone, but most grandparents would love to get a scrapbook of their grandchildren. Are you a freebie or sample collector? If you know someone who travels a lot or a college student, you could make a wonderful gift basket with these items. The dollar store usually has baskets, just find one the appropriate size.

Now what about those that a homemade present just won't do? Keep in mind their interests, visit websites and sign up for their mailing list. Often you will get coupons for money off a purchase or free shipping. Also watch Amazon.com, they have sales everyday and often free shipping. On items I know I want, but don't need to buy immediately, I place in my Amazon.com cart and click "Save for later." Then every time I log into my shopping cart, it will tell me if the price has gone up or down. Buy the Sunday paper and skim through all the sale ads. Sometimes an item you need may be on a great sale somewhere unexpected. Watch AFullCup.com for hot deals at stores and online. Visit OrganizedChristmas.com for great ideas on more crafts, gift ideas, and ways to save money. Keep thinking and use your creativity to come up with the perfect gifts on the cheap for everyone on your list.