I
have a lot of hobbies from jewelry making to reading, writing, and
traveling, but blogging has really taken the spotlight lately. I love
the idea that I can raise money for my family while donating to charity
(Ok it's slow going, but it's going!) I also love that I can connect
with so many fascinating people. I've met other bloggers online and
face-to-face and truly enjoy each one of them.
Recently at the Social Media Mom's Mixer in Philly, I met a new blogger friend, Lauryn who is the author of The Vintage Mom.
She is the sweetest and she has created a guest post for me just in
time for the holidays. Read more about the frugal, yet thoughtful, gifts
she recommends giving.
Over
the years, I have grown into a fairly sentimental person. When I
receive a gift that is truly thoughtful and/or even created by the
giver, it means much more to me than one that is given just to give a
gift – even if it may cost a fortune. I know I began to dread gift
giving a few years ago because I felt like I was always trying to match
the cost of what that person usually gave me. Well, I gave up (I wish I
could say entirely, but I am on the road) and am now all about the
investing time in the thought behind the gift instead of only the
dollars involved.
I try hard to put lots of thought into each gift that I give. Now, for
my kids and the other children that we purchase gifts for I still stick
mostly to their lists, but for the adults in my life that I give gifts
to, I think hard. I am all about homemade gifts whenever possible and I
prefer to receive them too…it goes both ways. Bonus: DIY gifts tend to
save some money as well as being thoughtful.
Here are some of my most thoughtful and frugal gift ideas for those
special people in my life:
An “Our Stories” book:
Get a three ring binder and fill it with page protector sheets. Then
write stories about your family to your children, grandchildren, or
great-grandchildren throughout the year. Now they have a place to put
them where they can cherish them forever. ***My children received this
book last Christmas from their great-grandmother and it is one of their
favorites. We look at it and read it often.
Mini Scrapbooks:
Every year for Christmas I give my parents and my in-laws an 8x8
scrapbook filled with pictures and stories from the last year (mostly
about the kids). If we had special adventures or trips that we took with
their grandparents, I devote a few more pages to that. They appreciate
having copies of the pictures and written memories with quotes from the
children. They always show it off to their friends all year long. I LOVE
creating these because it takes me through the past year and I get to
relive those memories.
Jar mixes:
A few years ago for a teacher’s gift, I filled a Ball jar with the dry
ingredients for Pumpkin Scones from a recipe that was in a magazine that
I adore. I had a large gingerbread man punch and punched out Christmas
themed paper that I wrote the recipe for these scones on. The teachers
absolutely adored making these delicious scones that winter and they
gifts looked beautiful too!
I Love You Because Box:
Grab an index card box and a pack of index cards and get writing. I had
the kids join me. On one side we wrote, “I Love You Because”, and on
the other side a reason that we love my husband or they drew a picture
about why they love him. He LOVES picking out a card each day at work
and reading our special reasons. We give him refills from time to time,
too!
Craft kit:
For that child that loves to create, put together a kit for them filled
with the tools to make something. My daughter is one of these craft
kids. Last year she was really into scrapbooking, so I made a kit with
everything she needed to create a scrapbook. This year I am putting
everything to embroider a mini change purse in a kit. And for my son, I
am putting together one so that he can build his own snowman (a piece of
felt for the scarf, large buttons, a plastic carrot that we had, and
pieces to make a pipe).
I also like to make sure that I get down with my crafty side during the
holiday season. If you love to knit, cast-on a lovely hat or some
mittens. If you love to sew, why not sew up an apron for the special
cook in your life or maybe a dress for your little one? If you love to
craft in general, make up some easy earrings or a necklace for the
person that loves to accessorize! Here are some easy,
everyone-can-make-them earrings to try: Resin Rose Earrings.
So,
be creative this year when you are thinking about what to buy for
people. Use your talents. I am sure it will be much appreciated, maybe
even more so than that expensive gift that you may have felt an
obligation to buy. Your loved one and your wallet will thank you!

Great, fantastic, beyond awesome ideas! I'm stealing the I Love You box for my dh who doesn't always feel appreciated by his family.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! We could do this for Christmas and another update for Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteThe I Love You Because gift is so cute! We send videos to my husband each day on the phone so that he can see our little one during his workday. I should compile them at some point to make a DVD to watch her grow.
ReplyDelete