collecting box tops and bottle caps

I do some of those things. I started to collect Coke points, but I just don't drink enough of it, so I quit that. I do some rewards programs that pay into a Paypal account, then I take that and buy Christmas gifts, besides doing MyPoints and Freeride.

www.about.com and look for the freebies newsletter. I've gotten free soap, free deoterant, and a free calendar with recipes. They also have free coloring pages, free ideas for recycled crafts, and coupons (like one free babysitting or one free car wash) for things you can provide on their main site. I've heard www.crayola.com has some great free coloring pages and other things, too. Plant cuttings and old pots and dirt from the outdoors. I had a similar discussion about gifts that cost nothing or next to nothing and I can't remember all the ideas without looking them up, but they had some great ones. Making your own chocolate lip balm really stands out in my mind. But bees was and olive oil do cost money as well as chocolate chips, but it still sounds cool. Unless you have bees and live where olive trees grow and you have one in your back yard or can get freebies for all of the ingredients. Take care.

I have collected Pepsi points in the past and have recieved some nice things. I also have heaps of koolaid points, but never see anything I like. The only other points I collect is Airmiles. I did use some of my Airmiles to get gift cards for this christmas.

We have been doing this for so long that it surprises me to think that there are people who don't know about these things. I do on line surveys and the cash or points go a long way to helping with the gift situation. Sometimes I will give a gift basket [nice basket from a thrift store or yard sale] filled with hair care samples. These always seem to be apprciated.

I got a dr pepper shirt I'm going to give my roomie's nephew

I do the coke rewards, but just did reach 106 points today. I haven't done cereal box tops in years. I joined a game recently that you play and earn points toward gift cards. If you are interested, just send me a pm with your email address and I will send you an invite. Sounds like you got a lot of nice things for Christmas presents.