A Practical And Affordable Gift Idea
Elaine Q.
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Do you have a large family or many friends with families that you would like to give a gift for the holidays, but your purse strings just can't afford a gift for each one? How about surprising them with your own special box of holiday treats? No, not the same old tin of cookies with a candy cane on 
top, which we all have loved, but why not something more unique. Mix it up and make it special, personalize it for each gift package for a whole family.
What you will need, where to get it, and how much it may cost:
1) a small box, box top or basket (free or up to $1 each)
a) You can often find a variety of baskets for $1 apiece at the local dollar store
b) Your local grocery store will have many shallow boxes (such as those that transported canned goods), or shallow but sturdy box tops (like the top of a tomato box), and most will gladly set some aside for you for free if you ask.
2) Pretty wrapping paper or scraps of cloth (free up to $2 each)
a) Local dollar store usually has inexpensive wrapping paper
b) Buy the ends of fabric rolls at local fabric or craft stores
c) Talk to local quilt makers and see if they have left over fabric
d) Reuse last years Christmas wrap (save the big pieces from year to year)
e) Check out a local thrift store and look at older bedding in the bargain bins, often the worn out or stained area can be removed and the fabric reused for crafts such as this
3) Make a gift in a jar (personalize for each person) ($2-5 per gift)
a) Mason Jars can be purchased in bulk from most grocery stores, as well as Wal-Mart, Kmart and the like.
b) You can also reuse your own washed and sterilized jars at home (boil in water for 20 minutes after washing-let dry completely).
c) Take your favorite recipe, say for bean soup (or chocolate chip cookies)
i) Buy dried beans, dried herbs & spices, and whatever other dry ingredients you can (flour, sugar, chocolate chips, etc...)
ii) Measure out how much of each ingredient you need
iii) Add the ingredients to the jar in layers (to make it look cool)
iv) Decorate the lid with fabric and/or ribbons, add a tag that details the cooking instructions (and any non-dry ingredients that need to be added)
What you will need, where to get it, and how much it may cost:
1) a small box, box top or basket (free or up to $1 each)
a) You can often find a variety of baskets for $1 apiece at the local dollar store
b) Your local grocery store will have many shallow boxes (such as those that transported canned goods), or shallow but sturdy box tops (like the top of a tomato box), and most will gladly set some aside for you for free if you ask.
2) Pretty wrapping paper or scraps of cloth (free up to $2 each)
a) Local dollar store usually has inexpensive wrapping paper
b) Buy the ends of fabric rolls at local fabric or craft stores
c) Talk to local quilt makers and see if they have left over fabric
d) Reuse last years Christmas wrap (save the big pieces from year to year)
e) Check out a local thrift store and look at older bedding in the bargain bins, often the worn out or stained area can be removed and the fabric reused for crafts such as this
3) Make a gift in a jar (personalize for each person) ($2-5 per gift)
a) Mason Jars can be purchased in bulk from most grocery stores, as well as Wal-Mart, Kmart and the like.
b) You can also reuse your own washed and sterilized jars at home (boil in water for 20 minutes after washing-let dry completely).
c) Take your favorite recipe, say for bean soup (or chocolate chip cookies)
i) Buy dried beans, dried herbs & spices, and whatever other dry ingredients you can (flour, sugar, chocolate chips, etc...)
ii) Measure out how much of each ingredient you need
iii) Add the ingredients to the jar in layers (to make it look cool)
iv) Decorate the lid with fabric and/or ribbons, add a tag that details the cooking instructions (and any non-dry ingredients that need to be added)