What Are Some Good Cheap Holiday Ideas and Gifts?

By Mrs. Accountability on October 22nd, 2009

I know, Halloween hasn’t even gotten here, but my boss is already buying Christmas gifts. When she starts doing that, I know the winter holiday season is right around the corner. I need some new ideas. I’ll share some of mine, and please help me with sharing some of yours.

One of the most loved gifts that I share at this time of the year is fresh produce from my garden, and in Arizona it’s our best planting season of the entire year. I pick lettuce and Swiss Chard, wrap them with a pretty red bow and the recipients are always very appreciative. I bring bunches to work, and to church and everyone just loves to see me coming.

Check out my Make Your Own Vanilla post, and make up some vanilla to give to friends and family. Hurry with this gift idea, because the vanilla beans have to steep in the vodka for at least one month to make nice vanilla. Once you get the vanilla steeping, shop around for some small bottles at your local thrift store, and pretty red ribbon.

Do you serve turkey at Thanksgiving? Don’t forget to keep the carcass and make stock when you’ve picked all the meat from the bones. If you’re fortunate enough to have purslane (a common weed) in your garden at this time of year, it makes a great soup.

Do you have a holiday potluck at your job? This is the recipe I brought to last year’s potluck Christmas party at my job: Kittencals Baked Potato Salad Casserole. I deviated from the recipe by using 3/4 cup mayonnaise and 3/4 cup plain yogurt, and although I love butter, I eliminated it from the recipe altogether. It was fabulous, even with my modifications. I had several people ask for the recipe and my boss said I will probably be asked to bring it again this year. This Pear Crumb Cake recipe which I modified so it’s 100 less calories per serving makes a perfect holiday brunch treat.

One year I gave away microwave marmalade and quick bread and butter pickles. It was so simple and easy and well received.

Another year I participated in a cookie swap. That was really fun! You just find some friends who want to get together and exchange cookies. Everyone makes a dozen or two of their favorite cookies, and then everyone shares. You leave with a dozen or so different kinds of cookies.

Mrs. Money shared some great do-it-yourself gift ideas last year, I am definitely going to make some of her candy cane scrub.

Would you take a moment to check out my Cafepress shop, Herdqueen Productions? I have two Christmas cards that are unique and adorable, check them out: Christmas Chick and Christmas Kitty.

I really love the Christmas Chick, so tiny and precious in the safety of my son’s warm hands. I also have a great selection of romantic note cards with a slant toward the men in our lives. You know how most men don’t like anything too mushy, so check out a few in my shop: Hooked On You, You Light My Fire, You Rock My World, and Would You Be Mine?

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Please share your holiday ideas! I need some new ones for this year!