15 responses to “A homemade Christmas”

1. 

   Cara November 20th, 2008 at 08:21

   This year I am not exchanging gifts with too many people…my daughter, my husband, two neices and my mother-in-law and then my husband and I each buy for one other person that we drew names for! Sounds nice and simple!

   As for making gifts….I am not too crafty but there is a website called ehow.ca, I think. It can give you ideas on how to make pretty much anything. I think I have come across a website about spending nothing for Christmas that had some great ideas on it too!

2. 

   Money Minder November 20th, 2008 at 08:28

   Yay! Another Canadian Woman blogging about money – our voice keeps getting louder! Great Blog!

3. 

   Brenda November 20th, 2008 at 09:38

   I love to make gifts for Christmas. I enjoy baking, so baking cookies, loafs, and squares, make excellent gifts, done up in a nice container (that you decorate). Another great and easy gift is Gift in a Jar ideas. Layer in a jar the ingredients for cookies, etc., and give as a gift with a recipe card. You could make the actual gift as a sample, along with the jar. I also knit, so enjoy making socks, hats, scarves, or for my kids, Barbie clothes! Another great idea is to get a polar fleece throw – only $5.97 at WalMart, and then make scarves, mitts, or headbands with it. Polar fleece does not fray, so it is easy to cut, sew it, and you are done. Do a search online for polar fleece craft ideas and you will find a lot of them! I enjoy going to craft websites and looking at TONS of ideas to do. You are only limited to the time it takes, and your imagination. Good luck – and have fun!

4. 

   Saver Queen November 20th, 2008 at 11:44

   Money Minder, your URL is wrong – you put moneyonmymind.com – should be moneyonmymind.ca!

5. 

   Chetan November 20th, 2008 at 12:22

   I’m from India and though I belong to a different religion and don’t eat meat, I have always tried to preach (and practice) to mu family that religions and festivals are meant to unite us (rather than divide).

   In line with that, we’ll be “carving” a chicken on Thanksgiving. We also celebrated Diwali – the Indian festival of Lights; with equal energy – our apartment was the only one with Christmas Lights around Halloween (28 Oct this year).

   And of course, we’ll have presents under the tree at Christmas!! Keeping in line with frugality, they will be either hand made or low-cost.

6. 

   Saver Queen November 20th, 2008 at 13:06

   Chetan, what a wonderful philosophy. I can’t tell you how much I love this approach. Teaching your children tolerance, peace, and unity are values that they will share and live out for the rest of their lives and no doubt that they will treasure each holiday and festival you celebrate with them in your unique way.

   Brenda, great suggestions, thanks!!

7. 

   Amber November 20th, 2008 at 14:18

   Last year I did a lot of knitting and sewing. With a new baby this year, I just can’t pull that off. With little kids, though, I can get away with doing photos and giving those to everyone. Not exactly home-made, but really cheap per person. And I’m already planning for homemade gifts next year, when the baby isn’t so young.

8. 

   Nancy November 20th, 2008 at 14:50

   I applaud Chetan for encompassing other traditions throughout the year. It allows us to learn more about cultures and religions and expands our minds and hearts. This time of year is perfect for doing a little research, as many cultures throughout the world take part in diverse and interesting traditions. Yet there seems to be a common underlying message to many of them which unites us all..caring for each other.
   Thanks for sharing, Chetan!

9. 

   Katie November 20th, 2008 at 19:50

   Just found your blog and I am soooo excited. I have been looking for a CANADIAN savings/couponing etc blog for a while.

   As for homemade christmas gifts, this year I am making Cookie mix in a jar.

10. 

    Saver Queen November 20th, 2008 at 20:34

    Welcome, Katie! Glad you could join us!

11. 

    jpkittie November 20th, 2008 at 22:22

    That is great! We aren’t exchanging many gifts this year either – and much to my surprise, after I brought it up to a few people, they were also pretty relieved! dh & I decided that we will have dd make us each a gift & wrap it, so she has something to give us – I am excited! I love when she makes me things! lol

12. 

    Saver Queen November 20th, 2008 at 23:21

    Jpkittie – what a great idea to have your daughter make the presents for you and dh. You will always treasure those gifts and she will have some very happy memories. Good for you. Do you find it tough to stay out of the stores or does it feel entirely natural?

13. 

    sharon rose November 21st, 2008 at 03:51

    I have to research this more, as I’ve not made gifts before!! I’ll keep my eye out for some other bloggers ideas!!

14. 

    jpkittie November 21st, 2008 at 09:10

    it is very tough!!!! but you just have to, you know? I get caught up easily in the ‘deal’ it is all so thrilling to me, like a rush! – but I am working on it being a ‘rush’ to add days to my calendar that I spend $0!!!

15. 

    Melaniesd November 23rd, 2008 at 14:47

    This year I have bought gifts, but I also am giving homemade preserves. I made a ton of jams,apple butter, marmalade and cranberry sauce. I’m excited to give it along with my gifts.
    I also plan to make sock puppets for a few friend’s children. And some pretty ornaments.

    I want to encourage my son to create gifts for people and learn about giving. We are going to make suet balls to give so that his recipients can enjoy watching the birds enjoy their Christmas treat! My son is 3 and I think it’s a great time to teach him to make things. He’s also going to paint picutres for his grandparents.

    Next year I plan to make the kids personalized aprons and cookie mix in a jar.

    I find that a lot of people get discouraged with thinking about making something for someone else. Stop and think about what you are good at. Lots of nice homemade gifts are not complicated. You just have to give it some thought and find something you feel good about. Here’s some ideas:
    Make a nice mixed music cd.
    Bake a nice treat.
    Homemade bath salts in a nice jar.
    Christmas ornaments.
    Something out of wood? maybe a bird house?
    Sock puppets.
    Frame a nice picture of a loved one.
    Can you paint or draw?
    Create a nice photo album or CD slide show.
    Homemade doggie cookies for yoru favourite 4 legged friend.
    Cupons for a carwash & vacuuming done by you, or some housework for someone, cook a meal for them. babysitting or dog walking service.