Top Ten GIft Ideas for Family when You're Broke

I used to believe that if people were honest when asked, "What do you want for the holiday this year?" They would list costly items, unless they had a loved one serving in the armed services - then, of course, the wish would be for the loved one's safe return. But certainly big-screen televisions, electronics, designer clothes and other pricey items would be the preference. However, I learned a surprising and valuable lesson one year when my husband and I were absolutely flat broke as a young, newly married couple.

We couldn't even afford to give each other anything. But we had received plenty of wedding gifts to set up house and there was nothing we desperately needed. However, we had been told that many treasures were awaiting us back at the old homestead, and we just couldn't bear facing the clan with nothing to give in return. My husband had no suggestions, bless him. So I scoured the house, dumped out drawers, raked through the attic, rummaged through the garage, and tore through any unmarked box. I looked the pile over. I had lots of leftover yarn and a few yards of material.

Now I have never considered myself good at crafts. In fact I hated crafts. But I did like to knit and crochet and did know how to sew a little. I sat down and made a list of the people I needed a gift for and decided what each might like or could possibly use that I could make.

I made scarves and ties and socks and mittens. There was nothing designer in the batch by any stretch - just useable items. The mish-mash of colors were okay because it was the 70's.

I held my breath as everyone opened my cheap, no-cost, homemade surprise. They all said a polite thank-you and I was grateful that they were being so kind.

The surprise to me is that thirty years later, the family always tells me that the best gifts we ever gave were the ones I had made that Christmas with no money. My sister explained that those gifts were the most precious because they came from the heart. I had made them, specifically for each of them, with my own hands. I was stunned. How wonderful!
Here's:

1) Make dozens and dozens of the same cookies to give away. No one has to know that they received the same cookies. Just tie a colorful ribbon around the paper plate.

2) If you can't buy ingredients, just copy your best recipes onto cards and tie them together with ribbon.

3) If you paint or draw, create a picture for each person you want to give to, a portrait if you can manage that. No frame needed.

4) Pull out old photographs and put them in an album with a theme. Add a sentimental thought or funny gag line.

5) Take one favorite old, photo from the childhood of the person you are giving to and have it enlarged and framed.

6) Use your leftover yarn, material or whatever items you have to make one-of-a-kind items.

7) If you keep/hoard your old holiday cards, photocopy them, then cut them up into a collage, or give them back to the people they came from - cut up the originals and make a collage.

8) Write something. You don't have to be a pro. Tell someone how you really feel, what he/she means to you, how they've inspired you. Dress it up with stickers or sparkles or colored pencils.

9) Give someone time. Give a card promising to go shopping with them to make returns, cook a meal, or take care of some other task they dread. Offer a three-hour babysitting slot so a young mother can have a relaxing spa appointment.

10) Make a promise for together time. Set one day a month at a specific place to meet a family member or old friend that you never seem to get time to see. If you set it up as a date made as a holiday present, you will follow-through.