Here it is, December 9th. That means that there are just 15 more shopping days until Christmas. If your budget is already stretched as thin as it can go - but your list is still a mile long -- there are some things you can do to give them something that will not cost you too much out of your pocket. Here are some great ideas:
LOVE GIFTS: When we were growing up, my Mom wanted to instill the true meaning of Christmas -- giving of yourself. So, each year we had to give each family member a LOVE GIFT. This was simply a note, wrapped in a box, containing a gift from the heart. My sister and I would do things such as "I will make your bed for you once a month all year long" or "I will give you a foot massage on the 10th of each month." The one rule was it couldn't involve money. So, you couldn't take someone out to eat - it had to come from the heart. As we grew, we expanded on this and included a personal note to tell the person how much we appreciated them as well -- so it was gift that truly came from within.
You can also do coupon books under this same idea. Create a book filled with coupons like "Get Out of Dinner Dishes" Passes or things like that. A few pieces of paper and ink and you'll have a great gift.
CUP 'O JOE: Purchase a package of Starbucks Via, 6 mugs from the Dollar Store, some chocolate chips and plastic spoons. Melt the chocolate and dip the spoons and then set them in the freezer to set. Place the coffee and spoon in the mug, tie it up with a bow and you'll have a gift perfect for any coffee lover.
SPA AT HOME: I love a good book. Even better - I love a good book in a warm bath of salts or bubbles. So, pick up an inexpensive book and then create your own Candy Cane Bath Salts Jar. You can find the recipe here.
LET'S CHAT JAR: If you have ever sat at the table with your family trying to avoid the sounds of bodily functions, fighting or even deafening silence, you might be in love with this idea. Type up a sheet of conversation topics. Things like -- The Best Thing About My Day, My Favorite Game, What I Love Most About our Family, etc. You can come up with all sorts of ideas. Add a few graphics to the note, print and snip them apart. Then, place them in a jar or even a pretty box, place a bow on it and you've got a great gift idea that any mother will love!
HANDPRINT CRAFTS: I will admit that my favorite gifts are the ones my kids make. We've made Thumbprint Bells, Handprint Snowmen and even Handprint wreaths. Take a look around the internet and find some great crafts that you can create by using your own children's hands and/or feet! It is a great way to give a fun gift, plus, it shows your child truly had "a hand" in the gift!
These are just a few suggestions. There are so many great ideas -- and I know you've all come up with some of your own. If so -- please share them with us!