Christmas is hard if you’re on a tight budget. If you were to search for ‘cheap DIY gifts’ you’ll find all kinds of things but most of them actually cost way more in materials than anything else. It’s almost enough to make you want to just forgo the entire thing! But don’t fret—there are some frugal options that are great for your wallet, but still will have lots of meaning to your family.
Here are 5 of my favorite frugal Christmas gifts:
1. Homemade cookies
Everyone loves cookies, and they aren’t actually all that expensive to make if you go with the simpler versions. Chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodle and plain old-fashioned sugar cookies (decorated of course!) can all make great gifts. Just add a cute box or wrapping, and you’re set! Better yet, you can do multiple people at once with one batch of cookies.
2. Recipe booklets
One of the best gifts my mother ever gave me was a plain three-ring binder that featured all of my favorite recipes she used to make when I was a kid. It cost her virtually nothing—just some ink in her printer, although you could also write it out—and it meant a lot. Every time I bake, I think of her. It’s a fantastic gift!
3. Handmade cinnamon ornaments
Cinnamon dough is really easy to make and it makes the tree smell wonderful! You can use cookie cutters to make holiday-themed ornaments or if you have kids, use their hand prints for a memorable keepsake!
4. Cocoa mixes
Who doesn’t love some yummy cocoa? Make a homemade cocoa mix using this recipe and then place them inside a cute jar or, even better, spend a few dollars on a cute clear plastic ornament! I did this last year for my sister-in-law with different flavors. She loved it, and it only cost me a few dollars.
5. Framed photo
In this digital age, I think people greatly undervalue printed photos. Go through all your images and print the best one of your family (or several and make a collage!) then frame it and give it as a gift. If you don’t have a great photo, then go snap one or wait and take one this year to give as a gift next year. All you have to do is pay for the frame, and most thrift stores have frames for dirt cheap. Add some paint, and you’re good to go!
What frugal gifts have you given? Tell me in the comments below!!