Occasionally some one's Christmas budget goes out the window because some extravagant gift, like a new car is purchased. More often than not though, it's the little extras that add up to overspending. The neighbor's show up with a small gift, you find out your cousins will be joining in the holiday party and your husband has to bring food and a gift to the office party. You can prepare for these by making small gifts. (These also come in handy when you would like to give someone more, yet can't afford to to so.)
Purchase simple craft supplies and make gifts
Ornaments, Bead Jewelry, Scrap Books and other items can be made well in advance and kept for the big day. Watch Michael's Ads HERE for great deals on kits for adults and kids. Smaller items (like ornaments) can be secured to packages with curly ribbon.
Stock-up on baking ingredients.
Purchasing sale items and use coupons.
- Make Homemade Candies
- Dip pretzels in melted chocolate and sprinkles
- Coat popcorn with melted chocolate
- Coat crushed peppermint with white chocolate
- Make stained glass candy
- Bakes loaves of bread (i.e. banana, pumpkin or other)
- Bake Cookies
- Mix cookie dough, shape into balls, freeze on cookie sheets then transfer into zipper bags
- Add Sprinkles or sugars to packaged dough for more festive cookies
- Place 3-4 red and green M&Ms on each chocolate chip cookie to add color to your cookie trays.
- Sprinkle Jimmies on Brownies prior to baking for “Christmas” brownies
- Mix Cut-out cookie dough. Double-wrap in plastic wrap and freeze, or cut and bake prior to freezing. (Defrost to ice and decorate.)
- Bake gingerbread men or houses (use ginger snap recipe, however roll out ¼ in thick)
