The discussion board will have more detail about ideas for a memorable Christmas that doesn’t require spending untold thousands, but here is a list of some gifts that are very inexpensive–or nearly free:
Epsom Salts scented with herbs in attractive empty glass bottles decorated with beads makes a pleasant gift of bath salts.
Give works of art and literature that are in the public domain because of expired copyrights: you can burn e-book CDs, record audio CDs by reading aloud, and place public domain works of art on canvas totes or cotton clothing with ink jet transfer paper.
Film a DVD of a family event, or have the family perform a dramatic rendition, burn copies of the video onto DVD, and give as gifts.
Fleece scarves made from inexpensive Christmas-patterned fleece at the fabric store make snuggly gifts. All you do is cut the fabric into scarf size and fringe the edges by cutting with a scissors.
Grunge chic gifts can be achieved by visiting local thrift shops. You may find some treasure, or things like candleholders or baskets that can become treasure when you decorate them with beads strung on wire.
Used records and video can sometimes be purchased for little more than a song, and make great gifts. Check out Second Spin.
You can make photo gifts on your computer. Family photos can liven up calendars and other household docs and booklets. You can even make family history booklets. “Who Am I” books that tell about childhoods of parents and grandparents are great gifts for kids as they grow up.
Estate costume jewelry can be picked up at thrift shops and given as-is, or taken apart and re-worked into new designs.
Here are some creative staples to use for your made-with-love gifts:
BeadRoom.comHewlett-Packard Color Inkjet Printer Paper
