More *Everything for a Buck* gift ideas

Okay, I had occasion to wander into our local "Everything $1" store here recently.
Now, as I posted about a month ago, you can pare down your Holiday gift giving expenses by shopping at one of these places and still get gifts that will be appreciated and used.
Make your budget and STICK TO IT!

For the kids (age 10 and under): There are usually oodles of toys, coloring books, childrens books, childrens Bibles (at my local one!), socks, rubber duckys, infant clothes (for babies or dress up a hand made baby doll!)

For adolescents and teens: Journals, diaries, cosmetics, pocket knives (at my local store), rain ponchos (good to go in a B.O.B or E.D.C.), notebooks, pens (does anyone ever have enough pens?), bubble bath, bath fizzies, fancy soap, books (saw several good novels suitable for teens at mine), Bibles, covers for cell phones, fake tattoos, jewelry...and on and on...

Women: The aforementioned rain poncho, bath goodies, perfumes, jewelry, books, Bibles, pretty scented candles, office and stationery supplies, cosmetics, hair accessories...and on and on....

Men: Pocket knives, tools, car accessories such as cup holders--etc, computer mouse pads, Biibles, books, mens cologne, covers for cell phones, etc and son...

Use your imagination! If you only have $5.00 budgeted for Aunt Martha, go in there and get her 5 presents!
Maybe Aunt Martha likes her bath-time...
A pretty basket, some Yardley English Lavender soap, a lavender scented candle and some lavender bubble bath and lavender bath fizzies.. Crumple some tissue paper into the basket, put the soap, candle and bubble bath and fizzies in, tie a ribbon around the basket, DONE!
Aunt Martha like to write? Stack a journal, a thesaurus/dictionary, a package of nice pens, a pack of pencils and a pencil sharpener together and tie ribbon over it to tie it together.

Now Uncle Bob...you have $5.00 budgeted for him, too.
Uncle Bob like to fish?
Looking at my local $1.00 store, I actually found some fishing stuff!
So, get Uncle Bob a little tupperwear-type container (I saw a nice square one that had a handle, I think it was actually for school supplies), a couple of lures, a package of hooks, a pocket knife and (if your store has it) some pine scented soap to get *fishy* smell off his hands.

Budgetts may be limited, but your imagination is endless!

I haunt yard sales all summer long and buy stuff for presents there. Many people have no clue that I NEVER spend more than $1.00 on each present I give.
Yeah...I AM that cheap!
This year, I outdid myself.
I got presents for an entire family...6 kids and 2 parents that are friends of mine.
TOTAL cost (I am almost embarrassed to admit this): $2.50.
That's right. I spent no more than 25 cents on each person.
NOT impossible.
I went to a yard sale my neighborhood association had...they had OODLES of stuff and it was close to the end of the day.
They were almost giving it away!
For Mom and Dad, I got each a book.
For the two youngest boys I found toys (still in original packaging! Seriously!), For one child, a snowglobe that plays music, for the 3 girls, jewelry and a purse and a book.
They aren't big presents, but they are all nice and I know the people I am giving them to will use them and like them.

After the holidays I will be grabbing up wrapping paper and tissue paper and gift bags for next year!

Frugal Yule

What are you doing for Christmas, Yule, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or whatever Winter holiday you celebrate?
Do your children watch commercials and fill up letters to Santa with requests for the latest plastic whatever to be under the tree? Are you dreaming of an H.D. T.V. and a Blu-Ray player or other such electronic goodie? Is your husband or wife hinting for that fashionable name brand suit or dress or shoes or handbag to be neatly wrapped and festively beribboned?

While it might be too late for you this year, think ahead to next year.
This year I am giving to my loved ones:
Home-made fleece pajamas and home-made bedroom slippers plus a matching fleece throw for a daughter that always complains of the cold. I included in her package a store bought mug and several packages of home-made cocoa mix. The perfect "cold Winter's night" care package!

For one son, a souvenir shot glass, plus a home-made shelf to display his shot glass collection on and a home-made terrycloth bathrobe.
For another son, home made fleece covered pillows for his bed, a tee shirt he wanted and an IOU coupon for a *Mom made* dinner with all his favorite foods. (He'll cash it in before New Years, I'm sure!)
For the man in my life; a home made braided rug for his bedside, a ring, a pewter goblet, a wooden chest and a hand-made quilt (I made).
For many friends and family I made home-made cookies or specialty bread, scarves from fabric remnants, throws made from fleece bought at the after Christmas sales. Hats , gloves and scarves bought in July for 80% off. Several purses bought in February. Bath gift sets and cologne sets bought at after Christmas sales for 75% off and stored (carefully) for Christmas 2008. Home made bath salts and bath oils in pretty baskets lined with home-made back scrubbers (made from terry cloth).

I added it up...are you ready?
My total, my TOTAL, including shipping, wrapping paper, fabric...everything except my time (which I freely give)
$250.oo
That's right Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars.
Gifts for 14 people total.

I do not dread after Christmas bills, as I have none. I use no credit cards (I don't have any!).
I buy a little something or make a little something every month. A couple hours a month, or a weekends fun project. Some things require a bit more effort than others, but all the projects I have mentioned above are easy enough for everyone to accomplish.

I want you to do something...not for me, but for yourself.
Look around your living room after the celebrations. Look at the discarded wrapping paper and jumbled boxes, everything shredded and laying about. Look at the gifts.
Will the gifts profit you in any way? Will they keep you or a member of your family warm or fed or educate them or teach them a skill? If it is a *luxury item*, will you still be paying for it in a month? Three months? Six months? Next Christmas?
Think about this when you see those after Christmas sales. Clear out a closet or a place in your attic or basement and put Christmas purchases there. Make a list and buy one or two gifts a month. Make a few gifts here and there. Cross names off your list as you get your gifts.
DO NOT BUY ANYTHING ON CREDIT! CASH ONLY!

Next Winter, as you sit there basking in the glow of the tree lights or fireplace or candles....look around again. If you have followed these suggestions, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your kids are playing with toys that are paid for, your relatives will be receiving gifts made by your own efforts and you will not dread the bills coming like a blizzard in January.