Cheap gifts
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use party streamers instead of ribbon for gifts to save money and avoid tearing issues.
Streamers are cheaper and easier to tear than plastic ribbons.
one person who lived it
Store handmade ornaments in a box in the basement to save space.
They don't take up very much space.
one person who lived it
Plan for more unexpected encounters from strangers during public scavenger hunts.
One person received about 10 offers and noted they would have planned better if they had known.
one person who lived it
Make honey lavender soap bars as a gift.
They are very easy to make and smell delicious.
one person who lived it
Heat syrup product to 180°F, fill and seal bottles, and seal bottles; invert them for 30 seconds to one minute to sterilize the neck and cap, then flip back to cool.
This process achieves pasteurization temperatures as the product cools during transfer and inversion.
one person who lived it
Create a bouquet by rolling perfume strips from magazines into spirals and attaching them to skewers.
The smell is more fragrant than roses and lasts longer; such gifts can be sweeter and funnier than traditional items.
one person who lived it
Save and reuse handmade baskets from previous years to preserve family history and memories, rather than buying new ones.
It helps keep the memory of loved ones alive.
one person who lived it
Use mini-marshmallows to fill small spaces in cookie boxes when shipping to provide cushioning.
They fit into small spaces and work really well.
one person who lived it
Make character masks from cardboard and leftover cloth for children.
Making them together can be fun despite trial and error.
one person who lived it
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String dried orange slices and bay leaves on cord to create a scented garland.
It smells great, like caramelized oranges.
one person who lived it
Give homemade salsa as a gift.
It is easy to make and everyone's recipe is different.
one person who lived it
Make homemade coffee syrup by combining sugar, water, vanilla essence, flavoring, and salt.
It allows you to customize the flavor and sweetness to your preference.
one person who lived it
Create a scrapbook filled with recipes you've previously made and loved together as a gift for someone you cook with.
one person who lived it
Use plain cinnamon in salt dough ornaments rather than cinnamon sugar mix to avoid attracting bugs.
Cinnamon sugar mix could potentially attract bugs.
one person who lived it
Purchase holiday decorations at steep markdowns following Christmas and New Year's for reuse in subsequent years.
6 people, independently
Include young children in making holiday decorations to create family memories they can look back on happily.
The memories are priceless.
one person who lived it
Make scented bath salts in jars using plain Epsom salt and essential oils instead of food mixes.
3 people, independently
Gift practical household items like dishtowels, potholders, washclothes, or embroidered pillowcases instead of generic knick-knacks.
It provides something for the recipient to remember the giver by after they pass.
one person who lived it
Hide Christmas presents and require an 'archaeological dig' to find them.
one person who lived it
Make a Christmas tree using only materials you already have on hand.
one person who lived it