Any Suggestions?

I would just like to say - I am open to suggestions! If you have found a really great cheap Christmas present idea - why not share? I'm sure my readers will love to hear from you, just post a comment here or anywhere in this blog.

The Gift Cupboard

A really great idea when you are looking to give cheap Christmas presents is a 'gift cupboard'. This can be a drawer, cupboard or box that you fill with gifts. Throughout the year, you can pick up items on special to fill up your gift cupboard so that you have a supply of gifts ready when Christmas time comes. This is easier than trying to save money throughout the year in my opinion.

So what should you buy? Depending on the age of those that you buy for, it could range from colouring books and pencils to hand creams, shower gels, costume jewellery, novels, chocolate etc. You can buy items that would be good to make into your own gift baskets (I have posted a few ideas for that previously). The best things about this idea is that you always have an excuse to shop! and that if you have forgotten somebody's birthday, you might be able to borrow something from your gift cupboard to make a last minute present as well :-) (not that any of us have ever forgotten a birthday!!)

Vouchers - give the gift of time

We live in a time poor world and sometimes the best gift you can give is a little of your time. I have included a blank printable voucher that you can save and print, then fill in and give. Some examples of what you could write in are: 'one hour of gardening', 'one massage', 'two hours of baby-sitting', 'coffee and a chat', 'a home cooked meal', 'one car wash', 'one hour of dog-walking' you can add anything you like and the possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Print one or more of these and pop inside a nice Christmas card for a cheap and easy Christmas present.

Photo presents

Photographs can make great cheap Christmas presents. You can take photos of yourself, your kids, your pets or any combination of these (Grandparents seem to love getting photos of their grandkids to keep a record of them growing up). Most department stores offer cheap photo processing and the more photos you get developed at once, the cheaper it is per print. Depending on your budget, you can choose to simply print them and give them to the recipient in a Christmas card, or do something a little more fancy.

You may choose to give your photos in a simple and affordable, yet stylish frame, buying a set or bulk lot is the cheapest way to go with these. 10 black wood frames
 A great practical idea is to print small photos and put them into glass photo coasters - I found some nice ones at Amazon -  Global Decor Photo Frame Glass Coasters in Wood Stand, Set of 4.

Your own gift baskets

I find gift baskets and hampers very exciting! Once you unwrap your gift, you find many more surprises awaiting. Pre-made gift baskets are generally quite expensive when you consider the contents, a much better idea, of course, is to make them yourself. This not only saves money, but makes sure that all the contents are useful to or wanted by the receiver. While everyone's tastes are unique, I would like to provide some theme ideas to get you started, you can customise them with your own ideas too.

Firstly, even though I have referred to these as gift 'baskets' you don't necessarily have to use a basket to contain all the gifts. You can use a variety of cardboard or metal boxes, bowls or plastic storage containers to hold all the gifts. It is even better, in my opinion, to use a container that the recipient can reuse, so it forms part of your gift too.

Gift Basket themes:

Stationery - could consist of small notebooks, funky coloured paper-clips, highlighters, a refillable pen or stickers.

Bath & body - could consist of bath bombs, bath salts or crystals, a face mask, aromatherapy candles, massage oil, a pumice stone (for scrubbing feet), talcum powder or a deep conditioner for hair.

Food basket - could consist of canned nuts, pretzels or potato chips, chocolate in a block or box, beef jerky, marshmallows, nuts still in the shell with a nut-cracker, a can of soda or caramel popcorn.

more to come...

How to make rum balls

Rum balls are a Christmas treat that just about everyone loves. They are quick and easy to make, and, of course cheap. Here is a very simple recipe to use:

Ingredients

• 1 packet crushed sweet biscuits
• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 1 tin condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons sifted cocoa powder
• 4 tablespoons rum (can be omitted if you have children)
• extra coconut for rolling

Directions

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl and mix.
2. Take large teaspoons of mixture and roll into balls using your hands
3. Roll balls in coconut and store in an airtight container.

To present as a gift, place 6 in clear cellophane and tie up with a ribbon.
These can also be kept in a container in the freezer for 2-3 weeks.