With Christmas less than eight away, it’s not too soon to start planning and budgeting. If you are struggling to put food on the table and/or fill up the gas tank, you may be wondering how you will be able to give gifts to everyone. If you have taking advantage of many of the sale and rebate opportunities I’ve listed for the past few months, you may already have a great start to your Christmas needs. If you’ve just begun to shop for nearly free items, don’t worry because you still have time to pick up a lot of little things that can be used for the holiday season. The secret to giving great Christmas gifts really has little to do with how much you spend and more to do with whether you truly consider the recipient when you select the gift. Stay within your budget and start planning. If you need some ideas to use up things you’ve already purchased, read on!
Baking Supplies
- Bake cookies, brownies, quick breads etc and give to home bound relatives, SS teachers, neighbors and/or coaches etc. (Bake and freeze brownies and quick breads. Mix cookie dough in advance, freeze and bake just before giving or bake and freeze in advance.)
- Create a family gift using a basket lined w/shredded red and/or green paper. Add ingredients for making cookies (or other treats) and Dollar Tree finds such as spatulas, measuring cups etc. Include a favorite recipe
- Make cookie or brownie mix jars. Select a recipe based on the ingredient costs. http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmas/gifts/cookie-mixes.htm Don’t forget to include the cost of the jars when determining if this will be cost effective.
- Make gingerbread houses or gingerbread house kits to give away.
Candles
- Give to school teachers or others.
- Wrap for relatives, if your family exchanges small gifts. (Pair with another item or gift card, if your family exchanges larger gifts.)
- Use in gift baskets. (For example, candles could be paired with bubble bath, a bath pillow, lotion etc. for a stressed-out mom.)
Candy
- Use as stocking stuffers.
- Include in Samaritan’s Purse Shoeboxes (hard candy only).
- Toss into a mesh Salvation Army Stockings if you are filling one.
- Fill goody bags for parties.
- Fill cellophane bags and tie with ribbon attaching a candy cane or simple home made ornament and give to SS teachers, coaches, neighbors, extended family members, etc.
- Decorate those gingerbread houses mentioned above!
- Use chocolates for baking (Hershey kisses can be unwrapped and pushed into warm peanut butter cookies. M&Ms or Reese’s pieces can be used instead of chocolate chips or used to top brownies or decorate cookies. Chocolate bars can be chopped and used instead of chocolate chips. Etc)
Cleaning Supplies
- Arrange nicely in a Dollar Tree bucket and wrap w/cellophane. Give to relatives or friends and try to include items you know the individual regularly uses. (If you want to upgrade this gift, use your computer to print a coupon for a free house cleaning, window cleaning, etc.)
Cold Medicines, Tissues, Hand Sanitizer
- Make a basket teacher or relative. Thanks to Melissa G. for this idea!
Groceries
- Create a basket for a special meal (include a gift card for the purchase of meat and produce, if you desire.)
- Using your computer, print a certificate for a Home Cooked Meal (or a meal each month). Deliver the meal when it is convenient for both you and the recipient.
- Cook dishes for potluck meals based on the ingredients you already have. (OK, this is not a gift idea, but attending family get-togethers and other activities can really put a pinch on your budget, so plan to take dishes that can be made by using at least some ingredients that you will not have to run to the store to purchase.)
- Cook or bake gifts from your stash on hand, for example:
- Make
Carmel - Adapt snack mix recipes to utilize cheese crackers, cereals, pretzels, chocolate chips or candies, nuts etc.
- Use nuts to make brittle
- Buy blocks of Almond Bark or Candy Making Bars (best price is usually at Sam’s Club) and use to dip pretzels, cover nuts and/or make peppermint bark.
Infant Supplies
- Fill a stocking, basket or gift bag with baby-wipes, Johnson & Johnson Buddies soap bar, baby food, pacifier, spoons or other items purchased inexpensively. Give to an infant or to an expectant mother.
- Include Johnson & Johnson Buddies soap bar in Samaritan’s Purse Shoe box for any age
- Include spoons or other items in a shoe box for 2-4 year olds
- Fill a Salvation Army net stocking for an infant. (Parents select a stocking when picking up Angel Tree donations for their child.)
Make-Up
- Use as stocking stuffers for teenage daughters.
- Buy an inexpensive make-up bag (Dollar Tree, Walmart, etc) and fill with nail polish, tweezers or clippers, and other make-up for babysitters, nieces or your son’s girlfriend.
- Make a “Pamper Yourself” type gift basket including nail polish, lip color, bubble bath, candles and a book or magazine for a friend, sister, aunt or mother.
- Help your teenage daughter fill goody bags to give friends for Christmas.
School Supplies
- Include in Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Boxes.
- Use to fill Salvation Army Stockings.
- Put into your children’s stocking (big hit if you happen to find items your kid was eyeing at full price in August)
- Fill a gift bag or basket for a college student who is paying his own way and would appreciate these basic items.
- Make a basket for a teacher. Thanks to Melissa G. for this idea!
Snack foods & Beverages
- Create a gift basket for someone who is living in a nursing home.
- Buy an inexpensive football (or other) shaped bowl and fill with bags of chips, nuts, candy and/or soda for sports fans. (Look for bowls in the Target One Spot or the Dollar Tree)
- Fill a popcorn bowl with shredded paper and theatre sized boxes of candy, a 2L of soda, microwave popcorn and an inexpensive DVD then wrap in cellophane.
Toiletries
- Add a bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and/or deodorant to a Samaritan’s Purse shoebox (select items based on age rage chosen).
- Purchase an inexpensive toiletry bag and fill with travel sized items for someone who travels frequently or has planned a trip in the near future.
- Save favorite razors, tooth paste, tooth brushes or other items for your own children’s stockings.
- Purchase an inexpensive plastic basket with handle and fill with toiletries for a college student or a senior who will be going to college in the fall.
Many of these ideas require you to purchase a basket, bag, stocking, bowl or other container. Others leave you searching for a good price on cellophane wraps, goody bags or extra items for containers that may not be full. For each of these needs, make a list and go to the Dollar Tree. If you aren’t successful, head to Big Lots, Dollar General or Walmart. Nicer containers can also be purchased at Michael’s using a 40% off coupon.
When creating a basket use these basic steps:
- Run red and/or green paper through a shredder
- Line the basket with the shreds
- Arrange items neatly
- Wrap in cellophane
- Tie w/curling ribbon
For more gift basket ideas, go to
Merry Christmas!
