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Frugal Gift Ideas

December can easily be the most expensive month of the year. We all know the reason for the season and what really matters, such as time with our loved ones. But most of us like to give gifts to show our love and appreciation for each other. How do we do so without breaking the bank?

Here are some frugal gift ideas to help you give meaningfully without spending a fortune!

I also talked about these ideas on WCCO This Morning!

Here’s the video:

10 Gift Basket Ideas (from my earlier post, Frugal Gift Ideas)

Themed gift basket ideas are frugal, fun and fully customizable.

How to start? Go to your local thrift store, where basket selection is usually pretty good (there are plenty in the Twin Cities – I like Unique Thrift Store, as you may already have read). Buy a simple basket there for cheap.  Then come up with an appropriate theme for the recipient. Here are some ideas for themes and suggestions for contents, though the possibilities are endless:

1. Coffee-lover’s basket
   Coffee mug (purchase cheap at thrift store, Michael’s craft store, home goods store)
   Packet of coffee (Marshall’s, grocery store)
   Biscotti
   Powdered Creamer
   Chocolate-dipped spoon
2. Movie Lover’s Basket (can use popcorn bucket/bowl)
   Gift card/certificate for movie rental
   Microwave popcorn
   Candy bar
   Sodas
3. Child’s Rainy Day Basket
   Play dough
   Crayons
   Mini coloring book
   Silly putty
   Puzzle book
4. Relaxation basket (for woman)
   Shower gel or soap
   Lotion
   Shower pouf or sponge
   Scented candle
   CD of relaxing music
5. Baking basket (use mixing bowl as basket)
   Dry ingredients for baked goods (just add milk, eggs, etc)
   Mixing spoon
   Apron
6. Get-well basket (can use big soup bowl as basket)
   Chicken-noodle soup mix (dry, from supermarket)
   Tissues
   Vitamin C
   Comforting book
7. College student’s basket
   Change for laundry
   Cocoa or coffee mix
   Prepaid phone card
   Anything relaxing (book, scented lotion)
   Gift card/certificate for local pizza place
8. Book basket
   Books you love yourself that the recipient also would like
   Tea or hot cocoa
   Blanket
   Candle
9. Goodnight Book Basket (for kids)
   Bedtime stories
   Cute nightlight
   Small stuffed toy
   Pajamas
10. Guy’s gift basket
    Cured meats
    Craft beers

Other Frugal Gift Ideas

• Coupon book
  -“One Saturday Night of Your Choice of Movies (or Games)”
  -“This coupon entitles the bearer to one choice of one Sci-Fi book” (redeem at a thrift store, flea market)
• Handmade Christmas ornaments
• Some of your favorite recipes and a gift card to a grocery store
• Candy filled canning jar
• Your own monthly “subscription” box (you send to the recipient yourself!)
• Think about your favorite but simplest gifts that you’ve received!

Bible Money Matters has a great list of “100 Frugal Gifts You Can Give This Christmas.”

Saran Wrap Ball

This has been circulating around the Internet as a new party game, but I think it works equally well as a gift.

Basically it’s a big ball of Saran Wrap with goodies layered throughout the ball and a big prize in the middle, like a $20 bill.

You basically wrap up small gifts in plastic wrap and then keep wrapping to make a ball, adding new gifts along the way. I think it makes a great gift just like this for one or more people to open up.

There’s actually a game you’re supposed to play with it – basically 2 or more people take turns opening it while the next person rolls dice until they get doubles. But you can either do the game or just give as a gift, I think.

Great items to put in a Saran Wrap ball:

• Candy
• Gift cards
• Dollar store or other small toys
• Ornaments
• Cosmetics
• Lip balm
• Tissue packs
• Fuzzy socks
• Jewelry
• Cash!

We put one together (above) and filled it with little dollar items from Target and ornaments.

Here’s an instructional video:

You can learn more at this website, awesomejelly.com.

Homemade Gift Ideas from Fellow Bloggers!

How to Make the Best DIY Homemade Bath Bombs Recipe – from SavingsLifestyle.com

Make Your Own Lotion Bars – from utensi.com

Homemade Finger Paints – from easiepeasie

Have a “Scent”sational Holiday Gift Basket Idea – from Mission to Save

How to Make a DIY Pedi in a Jar Gift (Including Free Printable Tags) – from Mission to Save

Here are some articles from other bloggers about how to give gifts and save money!

Christmas on a budget: $250 for six kids – from AtlantasFrugalMom.com

13 Gift Ideas That HELP Save Money – from InspiringSavings.com

Add fun FREE printable photo booth props to your gifts! Just print on thicker white paper and attach to a stick or straw.

Miscellaneous Holiday Photo Booth Props

Santa Hat on a Stick

Santa Beard on a Stick