Holiday Gifts That Cost Next to Nothing

The holidays are almost upon us! Whatever holiday you celebrate in the winter, secular or religious, it usually involves giving gifts and in these tough economic times there are many people who are dreading the holidays. Some are even becoming depressed over their inability to give the costly gifts they have always enjoyed buying for their loved ones.

There are wonderful alternatives to spending money, though. Last year I gave a few gifts that I worried would be met with disappointment but instead, received rave reviews! And they didn’t cost me more than two dollars each!

I’m not a craft-y person and I don’t have hours to spend making gifts, much as I’d like to. I prefer working a few minutes on a gift that takes no particular skill; I’m not lazy, just lacking in talent! The most ambitious gift I made involved saving my used dryer sheets all year. Yes, dryer sheets! I asked my friends to save theirs, too, and by the time November rolled around I had enough for my simple project. I bought remnant material, something the recipients would enjoy, and used large scraps at home. Sewing the plain scraps into a square, I stuffed them with the sheets and sewed them shut. The remnants became washable pillow covers, sewn on three sides and sealed with strips of Velcro for easy removal. Each pillow took me about fifteen minutes to make and I’m told they’re one of the best gifts I’ve ever given!

My next strategy was born when I saw all the neat things that companies give away-samples, coupons and gift certificates. I started saving all these freebies in October and by December I had a large box full of cereal, snacks, laundry samples, personal care items like razors and deodorant, jewelry and other odds and ends. I divided the box into two smaller boxes for mailing and was able to send a box of delightful surprises to two people. The cost of each of those gifts was only $3 in postage.

Last and perhaps the best is a gift that took little time and gave me a lot of pleasure making. I wrote down brief memories of things my father did for me and with me, wallowing pleasantly in my memories and thinking of events I’d long forgotten. When I’d finished, I cut them into strips and folded them, put them in a nice tin I got at a dollar store and wrapped it up. Dad is still enjoying reading a little something everyday that tells him how much he’s loved. I varied that theme by collecting inspirational and philosophical sayings for a dear couple who are my best friends and they, too, enjoy my gift every day. This is also an ideal gift for children old enough to read and is a great boost to their self-esteem. Older children would love to have memoirs of their childhood to read, too, from their parent’s point of view.

Whether your gift costs a dollar or several hundred, it’s the thought that counts and the love you put into it that they’ll remember. With a dollar or two, you can give a gift that shows your love and delights the recipient with no real impact on your finances!