One of my favorite parts of celebrating the Holidays each year is watching friends and family react to what I give them as gifts. As childlike as it may sound, the feeling of having worked to find just the right thing for someone you care about is difficult to compare. That said, I also find myself strapped for cash a great majority of the time. Around this time of year especially, I start to rekindle my flame with Pinterest and get outside the box in my mind when it comes to shopping online or in stores. Here are a few things to try (I have tried a few of them myself) if you're doing your Holiday shopping on a budget this year:
1. Get comfortable in the kitchen
Christmas is about the only time of year you will ever see me working with food in the kitchen. I have gotten pretty good at making snack foods, desserts, and little themed treats. I'm great at making sausage balls, dips, and some desserts. This year, I plan on trying out the recipe for this:
They call it "reindeer crack". It is comprised of a bunch of salty snacks and red and green M&M's, all stirred up together and coated in white chocolate. Basically my PMS dream. You can find the exact recipe and directions here.
2. Make your own functional art
I can vouch for these 110%. They make amazing gifts, and they're so painfully easy and cost effective to make. Plus they're sparkly and just plain pretty. All you need is a wine glass from the dollar store, some fine textured glitter, and some mod podge. Paint the stem of the wine glass with mod podge, sprinkle with glitter, and let dry. After it dries, coat again with mod podge to seal, let dry again, and you're all set! FYI- there is a dishwasher safe variety of mod podge. Take your gifting up a notch and give with a bottle of wine or as a set.
3. Design your own greeting cards
Besides being cost-effective, designing your own cards lets you put your own personal touch on every greeting that you send out. You can be as elaborate or simple as you want to be, and there is all the freedom in the world when it comes to the materials that you can use!
4. Be environmentally (and wallet) conscious
I love used media. I buy pre-owned books, movies, and music for myself and as gifts for others a lot of the time. Often, these items are in super good condition and like new. Buying used can save you money and help out the environment just a little bit at the same time.
There's no need to fret if you find yourself short on change this Holiday. It just means now is the time to get creative! You and your gift recipients will be pleasantly surprised.
