Brainstorming for affordable Christmas gifts
@cassandralynn (1084)
United States
November 22, 2008 6:11pm CST
I thought this would be a helpful discussion for everyone who can't afford to spend as much money this year for Christmas gifts as they did last year. I also would love some suggestions from fellow MyLotters on where the best Christmas bargains are this year(Online and Offline). Like which websites have free shipping,coupon codes & etc . I have a large family to shop for and I haven't started my shopping yet because I would like to find the best deals before I start shopping..Input is much appreciated!
4 people like this
12 responses
@camomom (7535)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I'm going with homemade and handmade gifts this year. I'm only shopping for a few small odds and ends. We are doing recipes in a jar and making T-shirts with iron ons made on our computer from a picture that my 2 year old drew. We're also printing copies of a family photo from my digital camera. I have some old frames packed away to frame them. My stepson is designing CHristmas cards to make online also.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I'm going to the dollar tree store and get some nice looking glass containers and making some bath salts. Also going to do some recipes in a jar for those that like to bake or like home made soup. Then will add a little something on the side after decorating the jars.
http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmas/gifts/jar.htm
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I'm pretty much in the same boat that you are. Last year I was able to get some free things by shopping on Amazon.com. They have a 4 for 3 promotion on a lot of items and what happens is, you buy 4 items that are all from the same thing (it says eligble for 4 for 3) and you get the cheapest item free. I know it's not a lot but it does help. I think this year I'm going to do some home made things for a few people. Specifically I'm thinking about making some cookies and other sweets and goodies for my grandmother and packaging them really nicely. Other than that, I'm out of ideas.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
23 Nov 08
You can go to walmart in the electronics department and get some cd holders..they have a clear window in them...decorate the corners with stickers or stamp them...add a ribbon to one corner and put your cookie inside. They make great cookie holders.
@cassandralynn (1084)
• United States
23 Nov 08
Last year I did some shopping on Amazon but I didn't do the 4 for 3 promotion because I mostly brought items for amazon's venders/sellers then from amazon. I think I only brought 2 actual items for amazon and one of the items I brought wasn't even in stock and they kept on putting me on hold for this item and I waited until Feb of 2008 for them to get it stock then I got tired of waiting and told them to forget about it..LOL..They refunded me for the item.. Sometimes shopping threw their venders/sellers is quicker and cheaper to buy from then Amazon. But I do like to shop threw Amazon regardless and I never have had a bad experience shopping threw them..I like the ideal of making homemade gifts and I know I could make some nice stuff but because I'm a jewelry maker and crafter but I really don't have the time to get all of my crafting stuff organized to make things ( I have a lot of my crafting stuff stored in boxes at the moment)But I do like the baking cookies ideal or making homemade candy. I have this recipe for peanut butter fudge I plan on making and if it turns out great I could possibly make a lot and give it away as gifts. I have a collection of Christmas holiday tins I have been collecting so maybe I can use some of those to put my fudge in.. I have other recipes I'd like to try also..I'll just have to see if my recipes are worth gifting before I try that option..lol
@cassandralynn (1084)
• United States
23 Nov 08
Jillhill, Do you have a picture of these CD holders? I keep on thinking of the zip-up or jewel case CD holders for some reason..LOL.. And I know you probably have some other type of CD holders in mind.. I like you're ideal actually, I'm just not sure what style type of Walmart CD holders you are talking about..
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I do alot of little handmade items....Buy a whisk at the dollar store..fill the bottom with candy and add a tag that says..Whisking you a very merry Christmas....you can do a soup ladel..wishing you a souper holiday season...or a large serving spoon...dishing up Christmas wishes. I also take a 12x12 piece of holiday paper.....cut it 8x9 and make a candy bar holder out of it...just a couple of ideas. Or you can recycle your spaghetti or jam jars....make labels for them and stick on the front..add a bunch of candy and you have a very cute...affordable gift.
@cassandralynn (1084)
• United States
23 Nov 08
Aww, I love the " Whisking you a very merry Christmas".. That's very creative! And the spaghetti & jam jar made into a decorative holiday candy jar is a great ideal also. We already have a lot of jars like that and we usually buy tons of holiday candy anyhow.. Thanks for the suggestions.. All are great affordable holiday gift giving ideals!... Thanks! :)
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
23 Nov 08
I think it has to be amazon.. Because one of mylot fren has been earning amazon vouchers from those survey sites, and that she's using them.. It really saves her alot and there are quite a lot of cheap deals too, i guess.. hehe ^_^ MAybe u can try it out, and even joining those survey sites ,to earn those vouchers, so that u need not pay from your own pocket.. hehe
@cassandralynn (1084)
• United States
23 Nov 08
Thanks for the info..I'm already a member to 5 survey sites that offer Amazon gift vouchers, but I don't think I will be able to collect enough points or money from any of them this year in time for shopping for Christmas on amazon. I wasn't online for almost half a year and because of that I wasn't able to collect enough money or points to get any amazon gift vouchers this year, I'm usually able to do it every year, but not this year :(
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
24 Nov 08
I found a site called artscow.com and it has personalized items...all sorts. It looked very very reasonable to me for prices as well as found a couple coupons for things listed right on their front page.
i'm going to be ordering a set of personalized playing cards (front and back personalized) and a personalized pretty clock.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
23 Nov 08
Did you check Ebay? Even there it is hard to find a good bargain but you never know. Something good might turn up.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I would have to suggest baking some cookies or something like that. That is a nice gift and a great snack for them also. You can also find good deals at the Dollar Store or Dollar Tree, where everything is one dollar and no more.
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
23 Nov 08
This is a time of year when craft and dollar stores come in handy.. i can buy a basket at the craft shop for 4 bucks, coffee mugs at the dollar store, make cookies and baked goods and have the kids make the card. This is wonderful for aunties teacher and ect. freecycle is also an amazing source if it is available in your town.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I have been thinking about support gifts, like batteries, green light bulbs, fancy green night lights, all those little things that it is hard to find cash for when you have working similar things at home. Go Green
