A no crap for Christmas thread. Post your ideas here.

[cali]

For many, many years now, I've spent very little on Christmas gifts- and I've had great fun with my thrift.

I've made stuff, shopped in thrift shops and used bookstores and given my time and/or expertise. I've got most of my Christmas list checked off already. I've crocheted my son a blanket and bought him a beautiful edition of Yeats in perfect condition that I picked up for 4 bucks. I've made homemade pancake mix and packed it in baskets with jams and some beautiful old linen napkins I found in little used stuff shops. I found a really neat old teapot for a tea fanatic friend and I'm packing that into a basket with a box of her favorite tea and homemade cookies.

What ideas do you have for gifts that cost under 10 bucks or so?

[rainy]

1. I gave wholefoods beautiful black banana reusable grocery bags

filled with good food items, fruits etc...one year. I included extra grocery bags in the big one with the goodies.

[WolverineDG]

28. man, those are gold

if we find a reuseable bag that's cute or means something to someone, we grab it & give it as a present, too. :)

dg

[blogslut]

2. Christmas ornament

I like to buy friends and family single, high-end Christmas ornaments that compliment their personalities. For example, I bought a beautiful hand-blown rose ornament for a friend named Rose.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Well it's corporate but I love Dollar Tree

I buy things there to give people who give me gifts I'm not expecting and wouldn't normally buy gifts for. They have adorable Christmas plates and ornaments, etc.

[blondeatlast]

8. Dollar Tree is the best. A couple of years ago I got these wonderful

rusted iron jingle bells with wheat decoration on them; I still get complements (I just about bought them out of them!)

[jmm]

77. They have great supplies for making gift baskets.

I always made gift baskets for my coworkers and I've found some good stuff there.

[Arkansas Granny]

4. A gift that I've been giving for so long that it's come to be expected from me

is a pair of flannel or fleece pj bottoms for all the adults on my list. They look forward to them every year and you can usually find them for under $10.00. I sometimes pair these with a t shirt or a pair of fleecy socks to wear around the house.

Crocheted afghans are always appreciated, but, by now, everyone I know already has at least one that I've given them in the past.

[muffin1]

44. I LOVE pj bottoms, fleece tops

and thick, soft socks! A department store around here sells socks like that called 'Stay at Home' socks. They are HEAVEN. :)

[Klukie]

5. Christmas ornaments

I like hallmark...you can usually find one to suit the person.

[blondeatlast]

6. I shop all year for stocking stuffers, especially when I travel.

In Malaysia, I got hundreds of cute handmade little bookmarks with tiny little dolls and animals on the end of them--still the most appreciated gift I give!

Great stocking stuffers cost very little, are fun to find, and generally are useful little luxuries. Great handmade soaps, exotic fruits, etc.

[w8liftinglady]

7. Can I suggest American-made?

http://www.americansworking.com/
socks
http://www.americansworking.com/socks.html
bath and body
http://www.americansworking.com/bathbody.html
candles
http://www.americansworking.com/candles.html
food snacks
http://www.americansworking.com/foodsnacks.html


you get the picture.

[catrose]

9. on the same line

etsy.com for handmade items...many not under $10, though

[blondeatlast]

13. Great minds, great minds! See below--same time! nt

[blondeatlast]

12. Ooh--another opportunity to boost Etsy! Not entirely american made, but a lot of

it is made by handicrafters right here.

http://www.etsy.com/

[w8liftinglady]

26. I have bought earrings on Etsy!..they were wonderfully made.

[Union Scribe]

75. I just found Etsy this year!

SO cool.

[yellowcanine]

10. Heifer International is a good alternative.

http://www.heifer.org/

And in spite of the name and what the naysayers say, it is not all about dairy cows.

[LiberalEsto]

11. Christmas ornaments, homemade bread

Every year I give my sisters-in-law white Lenox Christmas ornaments from Marshall's, where they are discounted to about half the original price. These are accompanied with loaves of an Estonian holiday bread called kringel. It's a slightly sweet yeast bread with raisins and candied citron pieces. My friends and one of my neighbors also get kringel.

[polly7]

14. I've made a few things for gifts ......... memory boxes out of cardboard

then covered in paper bags and stained, lids that open, lined with velvet, real tacks and hinges that were pretty cheap. They're actually really nice. And photo books, cardboard covers again using the paper bags and white printer paper pages stained with tea, then ironed. It was fun, and they look antiquey, (for those who like that sort of thing).

[TNDemo]

15. Our white elephant Christmas.

We are down to buying only for our children, who are all grown (no grandkids yet) and not into stuff except for the youngest. It gets smaller every year. We have extended family we get together with on the holidays and a few years back quit buying for each other. We all wrap up something we already have and don't put a tag on it. Then we do the Dirty Santa thing. This has proved to be much more fun than regular gifts. The more hideous something is, the funnier it is, but sometimes you get good stuff. And some things keep making a return appearance every year.

[Earth_First]

16. Here's a GREAT website for DIY gifts

www.instructables.com

[Peacetrain]

17. Cookies and cakes go flying out of my kitchen..

I make up flour and spice packages in October and when it is time to start baking, I just add the wet and I can turn out enough goodies to feed the hordes..

[Raschel]

35. One year I hand-painted a recipe box for my daughter. Then I filled it with my recipes

(hand written) which I bordered with art.

[Peacetrain]

64. Oh what an awsesome idea.. May I borrow that.. the recipe part

The art part well.. be a little bit difficult for me

[Raschel]

76. Thanks! The art part doesn't have to be hard.

Just doodle something pertaining to the recipe.

Christmas recipes: little xmas lights around the border, little stars, trees, snowmen etc.

Thanksgiving: autumn leaves, pumpkins etc

summer drinks: strawberrys, a sun with sunglasses.

I bought a cool little doodle book. It helped a alot.

Also, I didn't do it, wish I had, but it's a good idea to laminate the cards. Then your family members will have something personal from you for a long time.

[peace13]

18. Layer dry cookie or brownie ingredients in a mason jar.

Add a note with baking instructions and accent with a ribbon. This gift is not only pretty but tastes good. Very inexpensive to do!

[Arctic Dave]

20. +1. That is what we do.

Some years we give pizza boxes with a gift certificate to a local restaurant and movie gift certificate inside too. Dinner and a movie for a family night.

[w8liftinglady]

23. Cool! can you give me recipes?I'm clueless...

[peace13]

61. I saw this in the Bob Evans Restaurant on the holiday shelf.

If you take a regular cookie recipe, say chocolate chip and put the flour, salt and baking soda on the bottom of the jar and then layer chips, white sugar and brown sugar it looks very cool in the jar. On the label name the cookie and instructions such as add two eggs and mix well, drop onto cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes. You can do this with a regular brownie recipe or any cookie recipe. Simple, good looking and it is useful to the receiver. Sorry I can't give you the exact, I just saw this on the shelf at Bob Evans Friday. Best to you, Kim

[ChairmanAgnostic]

66. make sure you remove all the seeds and stems, too

otherwise the brownies get unpleasantly crunchy.

what? not THOSE kind of brownies? What other kind are there?

[KarenS]

19. We've talked to our adult children already this year,,,,

and we've asked for "time" ~ rather than things.

Come visit ~ take us to lunch or dinner ~ but come spend some time with us.

on edit:

And we will be extending the gift of "time" to our parents as well.

[blondeatlast]

24. My sister was diagnosed with cancer in October--that's all she wants as well.

FWIW, so far she is responding to chemo very well (knock on wood/pray).

I get more caught up in decorating and just getting everyone together with good food and music anyway!

[Raschel]

39. I was diagnosed in 2008 and responded well to chemo too. I'm still here!

My prayers go out to you for her healing!

[left coaster]

21. The last two years, I've given gifts in someone's name, here..

I only buy gifts for immediate family, and a few friends, and most everyone I know doesn't need more "junk".. besides buying a pig, or some trees, or a flock of geese, for some poor family/community in need somewhere on this planet, feels pretty good.. Heifer International is a great organization!

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.qtJXJ7MKIoE/b.5643379/k.F7DB/Heifer_Gift_Catalog.htm



http://www.heifer.org/

[ThatsMyBarack]

22. For my folks:

1. Mom: A new pair of blue jeans I got off eBay that didn't quite fit me but will probably fit her better.

2. Dad: A new pair of gloves I crocheted yesterday from leftover yarn.

;)

[OneGrassRoot]

25. Love this thread. Bookmarked, K&R. :) n/t

[WolverineDG]

27. Passing on family heirlooms

my cousin's daughter is getting a necklace originally bought during WWII & given to my great-grandmother. It's nothing fancy, but the fact that the name of the jeweler was blacked out (due to blackout regulations) & the letter I got from my great-uncle (who bought it in the first place) make it interesting.

Another cousin is getting my grandmother's hair pins. I'm thinking of shipping them, since they might cause all kinds of fun at the airport. :)

dg

[Denninmi]

29. Well, I made 20 some quarts of maple syrup in 2009.

I gave most of that away to various relatives and friends. It cost me nothing except for the price of my canning lids and bands, which is minimal since I buy those on clearance every year at the end of the season. It was a tremendous amount of work, but I really enjoyed spending all of those crisp March evenings outside under the stars boiling sap in a big open pan over a wood fire. Alas, this past year, we had an incredibly SHORT season due to the weather, and I only got 4 quarts. But, it will be sap time again in about 3 months, maybe even a little less, and I've been stockpiling fire wood all summer for it.

[blondeatlast]

31. Did I mention that you are my new bestest friend?!

Yuuuuuuum...

:hi:

[Renew Deal]

30. Hey, it's nice to see you roaming the halls again.

:bounce:

[pansypoo53219]

32. estate sales are a WHOLE nother level

of thrift sales and recycling. and this is how antique shops get all their awesome stuff. i have found gifts, but what family needs and feeds my collecting and OMG the books you can find. you stuff is worthless when you die. except some stuff. tho, one 'antique' dealer's estate sale showed he did do thrift shops.

[prairierose]

33. I just made a big batch of instant chai tea mix...

for my mother. For many people I bake cinnamon raisin bread and I make microwave heat packs and I shop at thrift stores for family and friends. I do not spend very much for Christmas but I have a good time. This is the way I have shopped and celebrated Christmas for many years. I never did buy into the consumer Christmas.

[KC]

50. I would

love the recipe for the chai tea mix !

[prairierose]

58. I got this from all recipes...

I used what I had on hand...I didn't have french vanilla coffee creamer so I doubled the regular creamer. I cut the sugar back a bit and I didn't have ginger or cardamom but I added nutmeg. It turned out pretty well. I had to test it of course. ;) I put the ingredients in a gallon ziplock bag and rotate it until all ingredients are mixed. It works pretty well and you have it in a simple storage container. You could then put some in a pretty jar or something like that.

Ingredients

* 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
* 1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
* 1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
* 2 1/2 cups white sugar
* 1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
* 2 teaspoons ground ginger
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

[KC]

59. Thank you

so much. I think I'll do that this year for Christmas !

[GoCubsGo]

71. And, FWIW...

You can probably find some really cool mason jars or other decorative containers at your local thrift store. Our local Goodwill always has a ton of them. They also often have fancy bottles for those who like to make flavored vinegars or oils. Spruce 'em up with nice ribbons, and maybe some dried or silk flowers, jingle bells, or whatnot.

[Raschel]

34. Maybe a handmade or painted birdhouse? Some suet balls?

[pinboy3niner]

36. For friends with dogs, I've made dog biscuits

I'd use food coloring to dye half the dough red, half green, then cut it with bone-shaped cookie cutters and bake. I think the dog biscuits (packed in cookie tins) were a bigger hit than the gifts I sent to the humans. :)

[Raschel]

38. I like that! Where did you get your recipe?

:hi:

[pinboy3niner]

56. You can find recipes on the web

I think mine came from a newspaper. It used wheat flour, lard, garlic powder, onion powder, powdered milk, granulated bouillion.... I even made a low-fat version for chubby dogs by substituting shortening for some of the lard, but these days they even have vegan dog biscuit recipes. And the cookie cutters are available in different sizes, so you can tailor the size of the biscuits to the size of the dog.

Have fun! :hi:

[Raschel]

57. Thanks!

[stubtoe]

63. What a great idea!

:headbang:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

67. there's even versions for anti-fart and greenie cookies

given that my two dogs total over 260 lbs, any antigreenie snack is welcome

[dixiegrrrrl]

37. Depending on who the person is, we do the following:

Mr. d is a wonderful woodworker. He makes large planter boxes for some friends who have a huge deck and love to grow things.
Every year they get 2 planter boxes, but last year we gave them a hand made bluebird box nest.
All from scrap wood.

They also do not cook often, I bake a few special breads,or pie, or cheesecake, for them.

I have a friend who sells marvelous home made jams, so I order some from her, she mails them to friends across the country,
double win!

[asdjrocky]

40. I give cannabis gift packs to my friends and family that enjoy such things.

That saves me some money and it is a gift that keeps on giving at least until it runs out.

[SayitAintSo]

41. I want one of those...

:)

[asdjrocky]

48. Come to Cali and see me my friend.

No one leaves my house with empty hands.

[uncommon]

43. That is AWESOME.

Seriously. I may steal that idea.

[asdjrocky]

47. For me, it's like a gardener showing of his/her flowers.

Some people like to draw, some like to knit, some like to grow. I do, many times, with many friends, pick up a new small glass piece from my friend Carlo or Gus at Ziggy's to go along with it, and I gotta tell you, more than one person has told me it's the perfect gift.

Don't get me started on my Christmas joint program for the homeless and poor.

[shanti]

70. what a kind friend you are!

;-) :smoke:

[uncommon]

42. Embroidery and crocheted aliens :)

:shrug: That's my plan anyway lol. And some baked goods in a 75% off clearance basket from Joanne Fabrics.

[JuniperLea]

45. I'm a beachcomber...

Nearly every weekend (unless it's raining) I take my dogs to the beach. I do it for exercise, and because I love the beach. While there, I collect on average 20 shells of varying size and shape. I have no idea how many shells I have now, but there must be well over 100 lbs.

I have to admit, you gave me the idea last year when we discussed home crafted gifts. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with all these blasted shells!

Little recycled cardboard boxes and picture frames run $1 at most craft stores, styrofoam wreaths about the same, and woven vine wreaths a little more, but well under $10. Styrofoam balls (for ornaments) are very cheap, so are ribbon, lace, and fabric remnants. I found some lovely bits to use as liner for the boxes and backing for the frames! Glue, some minimal glitter, or sequins for the balls, a couple of strands of little craft pearls... and voila! A little bit of the California coast, assembled with love and care.

I also crochet. I want to get back into embroidery and crewel too. I really need to move and get a bigger kitchen. I would love to put up preserves, jams, and jellies!

I'm going to use some of your ideas. Great stuff!

[malaise]

46. I bought lots of plain baskets during summer

and spray painted them. I'm filling them with sachets, locally made herbal soap and hand lotion. I'm using lovely tissue paper, ribbons and bows. Those are for the secretarial staff and our office attendant.

Yesterday I made two dozen bottles of hot scotch bonnet pepper sauce as well as bottles of scotch bonnet and onion pickles.
Those will also be packaged in baskets with tissue and bows for our close friends who demand my pepper sauce and pickles.

[GoCubsGo]

72. Our local Goodwill is always overflowing with baskets.

Those who want to use your great idea might find some nice, inexpensive baskets at their local thrift store.

[NoPasaran]

49. Fruitcakes

Everyone loves 'em, right?

[GoCubsGo]

73. I sure do!

Especially the ones with dried, rather than candied fruits. Oh, and lots and lots of brandy. ;-)

[Dinger]

51. Pictures In A Frame

Always goes over well.

[Raine]

52. I've been shopping at craft fairs for years

for one thing they are things made by PEOPLE in AMERICA and they are different, not run of the mill. Sometimes depending on the item they can go for well over $10.00 but I would still rather pay more for a nice item where the money goes to an individual.

edit: added two words

[Catshrink]

53. I bake

Last year I gave my co-workers biscotti - cranberry pistachio. It was very festive with the red & green. Some got my bourbon balls. Damn I can't wait to make some of those!

[Sparkly]

54. I embroider -- vintage linens and/or vintage patterns

Like the napkins you mentioned -- I used to go through flea markets and antiques malls picking up cheap linen napkins (usually because there were only 2 or 3 in the set), then embroider old patterns on them, like monograms, florals, etc.

I've done the same with new plain pillowcases.

Even easier -- get huck toweling and embroider 50's dishtowel patterns, like Aunt Martha's (the anthropomorphic ones are my favorites -- dancing dishes and vegetables, etc.). Then hem them and add rick-rack.

However, since you can crochet, if you can make those little bed booties anybody on your gift list would be lucky!! I LOVE those things (but can't crochet)! Make those!!

[TBF]

55. Not homemade but not too much over the $10 - photo calendars -

we have young children with grandparents (aunts, uncles, and cousins too)far away. The photo calendars seem to go over really well. This week Shutterfly has the 1st calendar for $21.99, and each additional for $11.00. Photo mugs are $13.99. Other companies may be cheaper, I'm just aware of Shutterfly because I've been using them for years.

[Sherman A1]

60. I give bookstore gift cards to the nieces & nephews

7 of them under 10 years old. I save my cash back bonus from Discover each year and use for this purpose. By cycling as many household bills through it as I can (cell phone, car insurance, grocery shopping, gasoline, car repairs, etc ) on items I will purchase anyway it builds up pretty quickly and it helps cover at least this part of Christmas. This also puts them all in a bookstore to do some post holiday shopping, so they pretty much have to buy books of some sort.

Saves me money, gets them to buy books.. I figure it's a win-win.

[FedUpWithIt All]

62. Ornaments made from our home raised chickens eggs.

The idea is from Miss Prissy at the Backyard Chickens site. Hers are very lovely.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=160244&p=1

Here is one we've started.


Also this year, the kids have been working on knitting looms to make gifts for cousins and grandmothers. This year it is slipper socks and scarves.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

65. boycott this xtian perversion of a great pagan holy day

[adigal]

68. Almost everything is handmade this year

Nieces and nephews: cereal bowl and containers for brushes, etc., made in pottery class

SILs and BILS - quilted Christmas table runners

Mom - bed quilt

Mother in law- table runner and placemats, quilted
(she got a quilt already!!)

Dad - books from great used bookstore

Father-in-law - this is harder, he is in a wheelchair from a stroke. I think I am going to go to etsy.com or 10,000 villages and get him wind chimes he can hang outside the room he is in most of the day

Sister - buying a quilt top, antique, and finishing it

Husband - loves Sudoko, making him a Sudoko quilt

I just learned to quilt six months ago and began pottery classes two months ago. None of my stuff will win prizes, but it was all made with love, and non-quilters won't notice the flaws anyway.

And every year, I would give my kids' teachers homemade banana bread. One year, I bought something, when I was pressed for time, and I heard about it from the teachers!!!

This is a wonderful thread! Thanks!

[shanti]

69. presents only for the 2 grandkids

i've pre-warned my sons about this. as for the adults, i'm a knitter, so plan to knit everyone something, as well as send a donation to heifer.org (or something similar) in all their names. i absolutely hate the materialism and gimme attitude of xmas and am glad when it's over!

[reflection]

74. My family and I go to the local 'paint a pottery piece' place

and spend hours making our Christmas gifts. They are unique and we get to spend a lot of quality time with each other in a nice quiet setting doing arty-crafty things. Each piece is around $10-$15 dollars, depending.