Homemade Christmas  

My wife always gives me pleasant memories for Christmas. It only takes imagination and costs nothing. Of course, our anniversary is only 2 days before Christmas so this gives her a reason to make the memories,... memorable.

I took a family picture using my digital camera, and printed it out using my photo quality printer. All I need to buy is a frame and voila, I have MIL's gift. I also sent a wallet sized version of this picture to a few friends who we haven't seen in years.

I'm also giving a mix in a jar. I'm giving "Almost Hamburger Helper that I found at http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76381491.tip.html My granddaughter is making fudge and cookies. I might make some cranberry fudge too. Here is a site that has some fun things to make as gifts too for some one with a sense of humor.
http://www.thefunplace.com/crafts/chrgag.html

We did most of our Christmas shopping with pepsi points. We were able to get some great gifts just by checking garbage can for pop lids. We also saved our change all year for buyinf gift cards for people. The rest of the gifts will be homemade cookies,fudge and gifts in a jar mixes. I made hot chocolate mix and put it in baggies inside coffee mugs for all the guys. I made chocolate dipped spoons to go with them. I made spiced cider mix in mugs for the ladies. The kids all got candy and alittle gift. So I think everyone will be happy,and we did'nt break the budget.

I usually give out jams and jellies for Christmas. But this year I will add pickles of various kinds to the bounty as I have seen that they are very much appretiated by everyone. I save and recycle all kinds of jars and put my homemade goodies there. I pack them hot and put a plastic film over them and seal them that way. Then I put on the recycled lid.
I the cut round pieces of cloth ( it doesn´t matter if it´s recycled also as long as it´s bright)and put them over the lid with an elastic band.
If you want to give an assortmen of eatables, you can use the tomate sauce jars
Merry Xmas!!!

What a great way to celebrate Christmas. By everyone helping out and making homemade gifts. I bet that this will be a great Christmas for your family.
Homemade fugde is always a good gift to make and get.

Cards with a something on like one back rub. will clean kitchen. you use post it notes and stick in side of card and they can use it all year. When they want to use the gift. Like you got a back rub one from your husband and you don't use it until july it is still good. Have a nice time and a wonderful Christmas. Your friend onlydia

I'm on a free printables group where we make all kinds of things. A few ideas along those lines are stationery, envelopes, and a nice box to hold them in... all customizable and printed from your own printer. Another thing would be recipe cards or a family cookbook with all of your families recipes in it. Bookmarks are also a fun little project. Print out a book mark and cover it with clear contact paper. I used tape before I got contact paper, but it wrinkles easier. You can top it off with a tassle or leave it without. I love bookmarks.

Well, I did the family photo thing and took the pictures in the early fall. We are also making scrapbook cards with the pictures and I picked up tons of frames at a garage sale that just need to be spruced up. I made some gifts for my kids: sock geckos, gecko bookmarks, and crocheted aliens. If your crafty, check out Lion Brand yarns patterns. They have a lot of quick easy ideas and they are free. Also, making cookies or bread and wrapping in colored Saran Wrap with a bow is a nice idea. And, if there are family members with small children, offer to babysit for them while they go out: as a mom I could really appreciate that!

www.CleanAndGreenMom.com

That's so thoughtful!! I would love to receive homemade gifts. It's so heart warming. Christmas is all about sharing. It's never how much we spend that matters. Hope you have a great Christmas.