FRUGAL HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS ON A BUDGET

Good evening,

For all of us who are on a very tight budget and
just L O V E a good bargain...
Frugal Gift Ideas.

"The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed."
~Henry Ford


BATH SALTS GIFT RECIPE

2 cups of Epsom Salts
30 drops of your favorite essential oil
(dollar store has them $1 a bottle)
5 to 8 drops food coloring
whatever color you prefer.

Pour the Epsom salt into a wide-mouth jar
and add the essential oil.
Stir or Shake vigorously.
Add in the food coloring, mixing
until the color is evenly distributed.

Cover tightly and let stand for 2-3 weeks,
stirring every 2 to 3 days.
You can either make a label for the jar
or a small card to tie around the top with
your special greeting and the Bath Salt directions.

tag example:

"Merry Christmas Vicky!
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon in
a tub of hot bath water.
Grab a book and Enjoy."

These salts can be given in small Mason jars,
you can tie green or red rafia around the lid.
Decorate them any way you like, Have fun!
or
Buy a box of clear, glass Christmas ornaments
from the Dollar Store.
Fill the ornament 1 /2 with the bath salts,
attach a Holiday colored ribbon or bow at the top.

This makes a perfect Hostess Gift, party favor or
great gift idea for a teacher, newpaper delivery person,
postal service employee, your favorite bank teller
or someone at the office.





HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS - CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

You can buy inexpensive baskets at second hand stores
like Salvation Army or Goodwill and wash them in the kitchn sink
with warm sudsy water..
Let them air dry, spray paint them gold or silver if necessary.

After you fill your gift basket, wrap them with cellophane
and tie on some curly ribbon.
Be sure and attach the gift card with the theme for the basket.
If you would rather not use a basket,
most dollar stores carry tons of cute theme bags for a dollar.

You could do any theme you want.
If you take a few minutes and look around you will be
surprised at all the 'goodies' you can get.
You can fill a basket from $5 - $10.

Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Everything's $1, Deals,
All of these places are filled to the brim with goodies at frugal prices.
If you shop at the larger stores, they usually have an area over in
Health and Beauty aids for trial size products.
Great for stockings or gift baskets.

Theme gift baskets / bags can include:

"A Warm Winters Night"
2 coffee cups, each with a packet of cocoa mix.
(2/$1 at Dollar store)
box or bag of cookies
The recipients favorite Magazine
or Garden seed catalog
pair of fuzzy slippers
or cozy socks.


"Movie Night"
a blank video tape,
gift certificate for one free rental at the video store.
a couple of bags of microwave popcorn
box or 2 of milk duds, thin mints, etc...
(also at Dollar store)
At party stores I have also seen
some popcorn bags that look like the old
fashioned ones.
seasoned salt.


"Let's Build a Snowman Kit"
2 mugs with cider packets
or 2 mugs with cocoa packets
marshmallows
a pair of mittens or gloves
chapstick
Your snowman ingredients:
a carrot, 2 large buttons, snitch some of the
cocoa marshmallows for a mouth,
a toboggin or old scarf.
Dollar General has toboggins for $1 each or you can
make a hat from newspaper.


"Think Spring Gardeners Basket"
seed packets
garden bulbs
pretty vase
garden gloves
trowel or small garden goodies.
(whatever you can find)
a personalized coupon from you
for example:
"I owe U 1 hour for help with Spring Garden Cleanup"
Wall Calendar
(Family Dollar has canvas ones for $1)
old farmers almanac


"Book Lover's or Writer's Basket"
Peppermints, any kind of munchies,
cute bookmarks
(again $1 at Dollar General)
novelty note pads,
( I bought some today shaped like 1950's dresses for $1 each)
Journals, Pencils, pencil sharpener,
Pens, stationery,


"Basket Of Beauty"
Hankies, perfumes,
bath salts, soaps,
body lufas, shampoo,nail polish,
lip gloss, emery boards,
face mask, scented soaps,
new brush, barettes,
brooches.


"Teachers"
one shiny apple
lapel pin or brooch
hankies, bookmarks
Blank Cd's, red pens,
pencils, pencil holder,
magnet, journals


"Kitchen Helper"
measuring cups, apron,
bowls, mugs, candy dish
glasses, utensils,
potholder, dish rag,
dish towel,
jar opener,
flashlight & D batteries,
refrigerator magnets,
spices (2/$1 at DG)
pastas, the possibilites for
this basket are endless

Here are a few more themes,
You'll have so much fun and the
person who receives it is always
surprised and overwhelmed thinking how special it was
you picked out items especially for them !

"Scrapbookers Basket"
"Sewers Basket"
"Handyman's Basket"
"Sportsman's Basket"
"Children's Basket"
"Night of Romance"
"Pets Basket"
"Coffee Lover's"
"BBQ Chef"

Use your imagination,

Ask yourself these questions:
What hobby do they have?
What hobby are they wanting to start?
maybe scrapbooking or a craft...
Would I like to receive it ?

Have Fun and have a blessed and safe Holiday Season.