Frugal Holidays (ideas, budget, buy, work)

[RHB]

I know it's early in the year, but frugal living requires planning...so do you have a plan for the gift giving holidays yet?

For years now (as everyone is getting older, and don't need stuff) I have shifted to food gifts. I have tried to use things that I have grown and harested here. I've done pasta, a dessert a month, things that you make in a mug, spice/season mixes, ice cream sundae kits...I don't know what I will do this year. I'm thinking of making totes to "wrap" them in this year.

As far as the meal goes, we usually decide when it gets closer as to what this years menu will be.

Have any of you thought about, or have started preparing for this years holidays?

[AlfredB1979]

I cheat. Not necessary.

The parents take up the Jewish way (no gofts involved) and we're all just happy to make it to the next get-together.

[KonaKat]

I like to create gifts that are thoughtful and are something that I know the person likes, no matter what my "budget" is for that year. For instance I will pair a gift certificate to the local community theatre with a small but excellent quality box of candy, or an orchid and nice card. A new deck of cards and a jar of change for the poker playing friend, exotic BBQ spices for the grill cook, thing like that. Small inexpensive items together in a pretty tin or basket that can also be used later by the person. Makes the "shopping" almost as fun as being the recipient!

[NCyank]

We're nearly done for Christmas this year. I have some little things to get still and plan on making some rice heat packs for a few folks and I need something personal for my SIL. We shop for bargain items throughout the year so are usually done early. This was a very good year, we have almost everything already.

[Iamanne]

I need to work harder on shopping throughout the year for gifts. For some reason that is really hard for me. Last year I made homemade dinner napkins from fabric store remnants. They were the most positively received gifts I've ever given. Now I have to figure out how to top that!

[hollylu]

I have ideas and suggestions for celebrating frugal holidays: decorating, recipes, and holiday budgeting on my website, <a
href="http://www.frugal-living-now.com/frugal-holidays.html">Frugal Living Now</a>
I welcome input of more ideas to add to my site!

[Herbrocks]

I look for wrapping paper/decoration deals all year, and don't have to buy any at the holiday when they are expensive. Now, in July, is a great time to check out thrifts and yard sales for the stuff, people are giving it away!

Christmas stuff makes nice gifts too, add pictures to holiday frames, fill decoritive bowls/continers with food, customize items, whatever

[Fat Freddy]

We celebrate Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and all the other "Buy Crap Nobody Needs" holidays in the most frugal way possible.

We just ignore them.