Planning Homemade Holiday Gifts

Homemade gifts are fine, but, lets be honest we all get those things that we just look at and say, "what were they thinking?" or "how could someone spend so much time on something this ugly?" OK be honest you've thought that a time or two. But when you get that handmade item that you really loved, it was special and there is no way you'd part with it, ever! So remember that feeling when you are putting together your gifts this holiday season.

I'm assuming you have your list made up of who you have to give gifts to, don't forget the teachers, the neighbors and other people that you like to give a little "something" to, and what about hostess gifts when you attend all those holiday parties, plan ahead!

Next you need to set a price limit for each gift... teacher gifts $5-$10 is about right if it's nicely spent money (sales, coupons, etc.). Most teachers don't want another "I love my teacher" item... believe me, if you ask they'll have a list a mile long and that won't be on the list. Most do appreciate something that is unique but not too unique, lol. A nice tote bag along with a pen and pad of paper... making a homemade tote bag is rather easy and can be done in just under an hour. http://henriettashandbags.com/free_handbag_pattern.html

OK now the neighbors, set your price then plan well, you probably know most of them pretty well, so if most to all are diabetic or on diets, don't make a batch of cookies, it's just plain ol' mean! Most everyone enjoys a special cup of coffee or tea, or a nice bowl of pasta with a nice sauce... why not get some nice mugs (again in clearance or with a coupon) and add some quality coffee or tea bags (one box of expensive tea bags can be divided among 4 or 5 gifts!). Or a pasta gift for a family... add in some quality pasta noodles, a yummy recipe for pasta sauce and maybe some garlic (fresh cloves), and put it all in a large serving bowl (bought on sale or clearance). Another great family gift, is a family movie night, purchase a gift card to the local video store in the amount of one rental, add a bag of popcorn (just plain kernels is cheap!), a couple packs of fun candies in those theater sized boxes and put it all in a big popcorn bowl (again bought on sale or clearance!). Get the idea now?

How about a dear friend or family member. Your mother-in-love loves to knit, how about a carrying case for her needles? http://www.moonarts.com/blog/free_patterns/pages/needle-print.htm this can be made in very little time, add that to a nice set of needles for her, maybe even a skein of pretty yarn and you have a great gift. Your best friend is a scrapbooker, how about putting together a great gift for her! Buy a unused paint can (available at most paint stores and large hardware stores) fill it with fun scrapbooking items, bought of course on sale or clearance!

Your kids... they WANT, WANT, WANT! if they are teens make them a certificate for 1 (or more) CD's a month for the next year or if they are into some other thing, set a price limit like $75 towards jeans/movies passes, etc. whatever it is that they really want, but is expensive. If your kids are younger (Santa age), don't get it all for them, they won't appreciate it anyway. Ask them what is the one thing you really, really want? if it is within your price limit, then get that one thing, don't have the ask for 20 items.

Lastly, I know you want each year to be the "best ever" the one the family will talk about for years. I'll let you in on a secret, it often is the year that was the simple gifts or the year with the ugly tree that will be remembered, not the year that the kids got every item on their list and you gave all your friends and neighbors elaborate gifts. Cut back, make it simple and shop sales and clearance... you can do it for less, it just takes planning and ingenuity!