Gift baskets are expensive to purchase but frugal to assemble yourself. I like to make them myself for that reason. From holiday gifts to friends, family and neighbors, to baskets that can be auctioned off for charity, holiday gift baskets will help you give more this year for less money. Here are four different ideas that you can use to put together holiday gift baskets. 1. Holiday Baking Basket This basket is always a hit at our school auction. Most people love the idea of baking during the holidays but don’t have the tools or don’t know how to get … Continue reading →

Is your heart bigger than your wallet this year? Don’t go into debt? Instead put your creativity to good use creating one of these no cost holiday gifts. Thank you book Here is a frugal gift idea that should be very much appreciated by those you really love. You can make a thank you or appreciation book. The nice thing about this book is that you can adapt the style and the amount of detail in it to the gift giver and receiver. For example, an appreciation book to a grown sister might consist of a journal with thoughts about … Continue reading →

Gift cards can be great. In fact, my father likes to collect interesting or complicated ones in an album like baseball cards. I just picked up a two-piece one of a cat on a fence for him at the store. But gift cards come with a risk that you or the person you are giving the gift card to might not ever see the money that is put onto them. This is why retail stores just love gift cards. Used the right way, gift cards can be very frugal, because the person who receives them can take advantage of the … Continue reading →

There is a company that makes the most beautiful flower-like arrangements out of edible fruit. They are as expensive as they are beautiful. In addition to this gift being expensive, the perishable nature of the fruit used in these baskets necessitates consuming the gift immediately, or allowing it to go to waste. While these ready made baskets are beautiful and make great gifts for dinner parties and other special occasions, they are also very expensive. It occurs to me that should you want to give a gift of this type you can both make it yourself and use a combination … Continue reading →

Kids love getting the chance to purchase their own gifts for family and friends. It is a great practice to get into and can teach kids about the real meaning behind giving gifts to those we love and admire. Most kids naturally have a limited budget. Finding ways that they can stretch that budget will also help them learn about money and financial choices. You can give your children the opportunity to make their gift dollars go a long way when you guide them to shop smartly. Right about this time, holiday bazaars should be popping up around your community. … Continue reading →

Whether you have a brand new neighbor or good friends who are moving to a new place, you can provide a wonderful and special housewarming gift that won’t break the budget. Here are some ideas. Fresh from the garden Why not take a look at your garden and divide some of your perennials? New plants and flowers might just be the thing to provide a nice welcome and give the new owners something special that they can plant right away. You can also offer to help plant, as part of the gift. Picture perfect Find a special picture of the … Continue reading →

Fathers day is coming up fast. If you haven’t started shopping for your husband and/or Father, then you may end up either paying too much for with a gift that will scream “last minute”. Buying for men is a hard job. First of all, most items for men are either expensive, or not something a woman would think about. We walk into electronics stores and our eyes glaze over. Go into the hardware store and and feel exhausted. So how do we find a good Father’s Day gift for the men in our lives? Don’t worry, I have a few … Continue reading →