It’s already mid September! I am realizing the more kids I have, the faster time flies (meaning, if I don’t start making Christmas gifts now, they won’t be done until February). Times are a wee bit on the tight side, so being extra creative with the funds is an exciting challenge this year. But I need help. I’m running out of ideas.
A couple years back, I made little family favorite Christmas recipe booklets, which has been my favorite idea yet (complements of Organized Christmas), and just about every year I make little plates of goodies, but I need new ideas! Can you help me, please? ANY ideas!
Adventures in Riddledom 
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September 11, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Camille
Can you sew? Blankets are always fun, napkins, table clothes, placemates, etc. Or knit? scarves? Are you creative with scrapbooks? You can make mini premade scrapbooks (Holly and Chris can benefit from that for babies first year!)
A mini photo album (Costco and Shutterfly and other programs…you can make a fun coffee table type photo album and have it printed and sent to you).
Also, you seem to have very creative kids. You can ask them to make up a story, you can type it or write it, and they draw the pictures, you can have it printed nicely at Kinkos.
If you go with homemade goodies again, you can have your kids decorate a few plates each, and give those out.
I’m a fan of theme gift baskets. Like a movie night out would include a few movie tickets, popcorn and candy. (Or movie night in). Or Garden Lovers basket (put everything in a terracotta pot, gardening tools, seeds, a gardening book or magazine, etc), chocolate lovers basket, etc.
September 14, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Laura Depaola
I have one..I have one! O.k. last year someone gave me 2 gifts I LOVED- One was a Pre made scrapbook that was marked Christmas 2007 and decorated sooo cutely! It was done with all the scraps from her scrapbooking year but as cute as anything I have ever seen. And sooo nice for me to take my 30 photos and insert and it was just DONE! It wasn’t even a real photo albumn…if you look up how to make one you will see that carboard, material and shoe strings or twine suit us just fine!
Favorite number 2 last year. A friend of mine made a book (similar to the one above) and it was 8.5×11 and had pockets. It was just like the ones you buy that are filled with different holiday greeting cards and she made me a bunch of cards. They were wonderful and were made with pressed flowers from her garden, buttons, paper ..you name it. I LOVED it all year long and took pride in sending out those cards. She didn’t have the $$ issue so she added a book of stamps in the front…amazing! Favorite by a longshot!
September 15, 2008 at 8:38 am
Rachelle
Okay…now I’m addicted…and procrastinating! Chris Lizotte is staring at me on my iTunes, but I will comment instead!
I’m right there with you…gifts to provide that are low cost…cause there are tons of neighbors, etc., to give them to. It’s fun being creative in coming up with low-cost stuff. So, here are a few that I’ve been impressed with…some that I’ve implemented myself…
*packet of cards (like Laura described) with initials specific to the person you are giving to. The Dollar Tree & Michael’s often has similar, matching items that you can purchase, as well as a cute little plant & vase ($1 each at D.T.).
*the same bread every year…I got tired of making 10 kinds of cookies, so now am focusing on one large thing of festive christmas bread. You’re baking all day, but washing less dishes.
*My neighbor put hot chocolate mix into a canning jar, topped it with marshmallows, wrapped it nicely, and gave it to all the neighbors.
*Frozen cookie dough (I might do this one this year)…ready to pop in the oven when they need a family treat. And it’s easy to pull out of the freezer, throw in a container and haul to the neighbors, friends, wherever. I always make extra cookie dough, put them in balls (thanks to my handy-dandy pampered chef melon baller!), separate them in groups of 12-18 and freeze so my kids can feel like they’re getting freshly baked cookies every few days or so. Or, bring to neighbors, etc.,
*I’ve started making tie fleece blankets for friends of friends. I was not a fleece blanket lover until my kids fell in love with one of their friends’ blanket. So now I buy the fleece either on clearance from JoAnns.com or downtown, and have some on hand for birthdays, Christmas, etc. AND, I don’t have to worry about Cooper playing with my sewing machine! I just have to make sure to hide the scissors, and he can help me measure.
Good luck finding your workable idea for this Christmas! It’ll be great!
September 18, 2008 at 10:39 pm
allie
Thanks for asking this question, Katie. I got so many ideas from people’s comments! Love your blog, by the way. 🙂
September 21, 2008 at 11:41 am
Camille
After seeing all your recipe posts, I think I’d like a copy of your homemade recipe booklet! Where do I buy? =)
(Seriously, that’s a nice way for a stay at home mom to make some cash!)
September 22, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Katie Riddle
Ha! You’re sweet, Camille! I’ll post all the recipes in it as we get closer to Christmas. 🙂