Tuesday, August 8, 2017

FRUGAL Homemade Gifts

It seems Sunday's post about me thinking about making Christmas gifts, got lot's of us talking!  Basically it is just a little over 4 months till that special day.
I know that some people that read the blog, maybe don't have any funds for gifts, and that can make the holidays so stressful and miserable.
I don't want anyone feeling that way.  That is supposed to be a magical time of the year, so I want to offer a few ideas (thank you Pinterest) that can be made at home with ONLY what you have on hand!

Money doesn't have to be spent to have some wonderful and thoughtful gifts to give.  I love homemade gifts, and I would gladly take any of these.
Enjoy and hopefully someone will find something they can use.

I love these wine holders.  It's simply the sleeve of an old sweater and some yarn.  You don't have to give wine (that costs money) - you can make herbed oil, flavored vinegars, or homemade extracts.  Shoot you could even add a cheap (Dollar store) bottle of bubbly fruit juice.

How cute - a button tree.  Could be any solid color or it could be done in miss matched buttons (how pretty).  Use an old frame - maybe paint it up, and a piece a plain fabric in the back.  We all have a button box don't we?

Love this idea for a young gal.  Any old picture frame painted (to match their room), and either back it with some chicken wire, or simply add some wire rows.  It could also be done with a corkboard back and stick pins or thumb tacks to hold jewelry.

Here you go - use some older balls or a Styrofoam ball and twine and pieces of ribbon.  These are the cutest country looking ornaments.

Anyone that has a fireplace or wood stove (or knows someone who does), can make these cute little snowman ornaments.  Twine could be added to the tops to hang - but I think they look cute for table/mantle decorations.

If you are anything like me, you have a pile of worn out jeans in your sewing stash!  Jeans make great pillows, potholders, quilts, etc.  Use your imagination on the decoration.  I see tooth fairy pillows - just made on a smaller scale!!!

Here is a cute way to use the rest of the sweater (from bottle covers).  Stuff with the guts from an old pillow, or old panty hose, dryer lint, or even shredded grocery bags.  Do a cute little rope stitch around the edges with scraps of yard and add a tiny ribbon to the top.  Cute decoration.
***You could even use old sweaters cut in squares to piece together a warm and cozy lap throw!!!!

An old mason jar can become anything!!  A little stuffing (cotton or batting) or a sponge, a little piece of fabric and some pins.  You can toss a couple spools of thread in jars, a tape measure, some needles,  buttons, etc..  I think this would be a cute idea for a college student - Momma isn't always going to be around!

Check the trash for 2 liter pop bottles.  A little paint, glue and imagination and you have the prettiest little bird houses.  I'd love to see these hanging about my garden!


Ok, there you have it.  Many gifts that can be made for nothing - nada -  zip - zilch - FREE!!!
There are so many things we can all do for little or no money.

I will try to give LOT'S more ideas over the next couple months or so. 
Let us all challenge each other to see just HOW FRUGAL we can be this Christmas and still give nice gifts!!!!
Get creative and crafting!



 



16 comments:

  1. Lots of good ideas. I like looking at the Bluebird site too. Now if only I could get more done! Nancy

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    1. Oh I love looking at her site too. Lots of pretties!
      A little at a time - start slow and be steady!

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  2. I love some of these ideas. I will do the sewing kit with my little girls here.

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  3. In Australia we have $1 and $2 coins. I empty these out of my purse each weekend and put them in a vase. Over the year this adds up to quite a bit of money. I use this for extras that would normally be out of my budget at Christmas. I also make gifts for my large and extended family, using what I have. Australia is going one use plastic shopping bag free mid next year. I am using this as the basis of making simple market bags for a number of my family members. I have been purchasing old tablecloths in op shops for these. I am looking forward to seeing Simple cheap and easy ideas.

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    1. Jane I save a lot of my change as well. it does add up.
      Home made shopping bags is an excellent idea - especially since they will be doing away with plastic. It is helpful to the environment as well.
      Love it!

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  4. Oh, some of these are the best ideas. Thank you for sharing them, Cheryl. I've been looking for sweaters at the thrift stores to make a blanket out of the squares, and now I know what to do with the sleeves and leftovers. :)

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    1. Thanks - Glad it helped. I think a sweater blanket would be so warm. I bet it will be lovely. Good use for everything.

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  5. So much beauty and ingenuity there. Love it!

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    1. Some people have the best ideas. I see lots of wonderful things - but my mind doesn't originate many!!!

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  6. I was reminded by watching a television show (Alaska, the Last Frontier) about using up fabric scraps on a 9-patch quilt, that would be a little bit at a time over the years and then voila, one day a quilt top to sew together.

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    1. Love it! quilts are a wonderful way to use what we have - even old clothes can be cut up. I love that show too!
      Thanks.

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  7. These were great ideas.I think this year I will be making simple patchwork placemats. I get so many good ideas and information from you,thank you!

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    1. Thank you Karen.
      Placemats - that's a neat idea. Crap, now I have another thing to put on the maybe make list!
      I bet they will be pretty!

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  8. I am in love with the pillows made from old jeans!

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  9. Great ideas. I've had some broke Christmases. It's all in how you approach it. You must be creative and think positively. There's plenty of time to prepare!
    Be blessed!
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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