Christmas gifts on a tight budget?

Question

I am on a tight budget this year and I need to get gifts for 2 sisters, 1 brother, a sister and brother-in-law and two sets of parents(grandparents). Does anyone have any ideas. I would also like to have my 2 year old son make something for his grandparents and aunts and uncles. Any ideas?

Answer 1

How about something handmade. Grandparents love to receive those type of gifts and so do everyone else. You can go to Michaels or an arts/crafts store and buy things by the dozen. From there you can make a lot of gifts without spending too much money. Go online for some craft ideas.

Answer 2

If you can bake, baked goods always go over well. If not, good luck getting inexpensive gifts. I would start shopping now and just look on all the clearance racks.
As for your 2 year old. I think an idea that would go over great would be to get some inexpensive frames and have him decorate either the frame itself or a photo mat (usually black or white that frame the photo within the frame). Then put a picture of him or even better him with the family member in the frame and viola! A gift that any grandma/pa, aunt or uncle will adore! (I'm an auntie, so trust me this would go over big!)
Good luck!

Answer 3

Go to Target and get stuff from the $1 bin. I bought about $15 worth of makeup stuff and Chinese-inspired things for my sister and put them in a nice bag. The gift went over really well. I'm broke but I still wanted to get her something nice and I got really cute stuff there.

For the grandparents, check the backs of the aisles where they shove all of the clearance stuff and find some cheap frames. Have your son paint a picture and frame it. Do one for each grandparent. Target also dumps a lot of good quality frames off at GoodWill. You might try there too, but sometimes the clearance stuff in the store is actually a better deal. I saw a box of 10 frames for 10 dollars. You might even be able to give each person a collage of your son's artwork. The only problem is that it will be difficult to give up.

Answer 4

If you can bake, then bake muffins, cakes, breads, fudge, and/or cookies. I have celebrated many Christmas's on a budget, and it's so inexpensive to bake, and give as presents. I would go to the local Dollar Tree, and buy the small bread pans, that where 3 for a $1. You could also, buy paper sacks, and let your 2 yr old decorate the bags, the goodies are in, as well as a card with hand print instead of a signature in it. Grandparents love that stuff. You could let him help stir the batters, so he could say that he helped. If you are going make anything for gifts, watch the local papers for sale ads, and make sure you buy when it's on sale, and use coupons, too. If you don't want to bake, then make miniature scrapbooks, and give as presents. There are lots of free scrapbooking sites online, where you can download papers, and embellishments.

Answer 5

The adults in my family stopped buying gifts for each other at least 15 yrs ago. Instead, we take turns selecting a charity and we each give the selector $25 per person. The grandchildren are considered adults when they graduate from high school or college.

We only buy gifts for our students, minor children and nieces and nephews. Some friends of mine take it a step further and have the children draw names - not a bad idea for large families.

We save a bundle plus we are giving to a needy cause. Maybe you could give $10 (or whatever you can afford) to a charitable cause for each adult and give them a card telling them $10 was contributed in their name. Send the $10 in separately for each person (or couple) & give their name and address so that the statement of the donation will go to them.

Ask your family if the adults would be willing to do what ours does; maybe they'll think it's a good idea then everybody could save money; not too mention time spent shopping.

Answer 6

Well does he like cross word puzzles? Does he drink coffee? Does he like nuts? See my step-father liked nuts, so I would get a bag or a canister of his favorite ones. Or is there a certain kind of candy he likes? You can make a creative card as well, not one of those pre maid ones. This way he will know you took some extra time and thought about him. Besides do you have to spend 10$ on everyone? I would seriously think about cutting back a just giving out cards and cookies? This way you can spend a few extra bucks on your step-father? Make a a few batches of cookies or brownies and you will make their day because it's all theirs and they don't have to share. I don't have a lot of money too, so I just make cookies and cupcakes for my family and give gifts to my father, mother, brother, sister, best friend, etc..... Good Luck, but try to cut Conner's where you can and save your hard earned cash for the ppl that your close to.

Answer 7

you know those stores where everything is a dollar have some nice stuff. you can make a gift basket of dollar items suited to the individual, whatever they happen to like. a friend of mine did that one year for co-workers, she bought little metal baskets there and put in bath items and wrapped with cellophane, it was cool, bubblebath, bath brush, cute little soaps etc.

or other items that the person might like are puzzle books,knick-knacks, candles, candy, lotion, puzzles, manicure sets, pocket knives, books, toys, photo albums, frames, dog toys, so many options for a "care package" or "basket"

another idea is a catolog called collections etc. that is also online that has a ton of great gift items all under $20. many are under $10. great,great gifts.

also, those tins of cookies and popcorn are nice and cheap.

as far as the two year old and a gift for his grandparents and aunts and uncles, ummmmmmm maybe something with his hand prints on it, like just a piece of paper with his hand prints and a nice poem, in an inexpensive frame. or if affordable a sweatshirt and some fabric paint, add his handprints,etc. be creative.

also, you can buy magnet sheets that are for your printer at wal-mart. avery products. they are about $2 a sheet but they are great for printing out family pictures etc. for the fridge. other avery products for your printer are sticker sheets, fabric sheets,canvas sheets, iron-on transfers are good on pillow cases, shirts, anything. a lot cheaper to print your own pictures on these and apply than to get some company to do it.

as you can see, the wheels are turning in my head too when it comes to affordable christmas gifts.

Answer 8

How about imprints of your child's hands for his relatives? Wal-Mart carries kits, for around $6, in the Infant department or another idea is have your child's picture taken at Sear's, JCPenny, Wal-Mart, or some place like that. Then, get some inexpensive frames and wrap them up as gifts. This is what I plan to do for my little girl's gift to her Aunts and Grandparents.

As far as your siblings, how about popcorn tins, a nice box of cookies from your bakery (you could set the price limit), tickets to go and see a movie, a gift card to their favorite restaurant, grocery store, or discount store. Inexpensive jewelry, golf balls, a basketball, fishing stuff, or themed calendars to hang in their home or office

Answer 9

Socks Calendars Gift certificates

Answer 10

Did you ever stop to think of what would be the most important gift you could give???? It is something you have made with your own 2 hands...is priceless to them. Is what was shared in the old days and has been totally forgotten in this new age.. Yet those things are what seem to be handed down from generation to generation.