Do-it-yourself ornaments and gifts
From food and drinks to gifts and decor, the buying never seems to cease during the festive season. This year, trim your holiday budget with some simple yet creative cost-cutting tips.
1. Hang homemade ornaments
It’s easy to get caught up in the desire to decorate like a professional, but classic and simple ornaments are items even Martha would approve of. Instead of searching far and wide for the perfect (and probably pricey) set of crystal icicles to delicately affix to your tree, gather friends and family and get crafty!
Make garlands out of popcorn and dried cranberries, decorate small pinecones with gold and silver glitter glue, embellish old CDs with sequins, buttons and ribbon or dip corks into red and green paint -- all for fun and affordable ornaments to hang on your tree.
2. Gift outside the box
Even if you don’t consider yourself crafty, there are creative ways to give without spending too much. Make several batches of your best cookies, squares or fudge and stock up on festive tins from the dollar store to house your homemade goodies.
If you've got a skill (you play an instrument, sports or have a hobby) offer lessons at no cost to children of friends or anyone you know who has ever expressed interest in your skill. Create a coupon book full of favours (babysitting, car wash, cooking dinner, etc.) your recipient can "cash in" whenever it suits them.
You can also make a recipe journal. Buy a simple journal, write some of your favourite recipes in it (ideally, items you’ve made for the recipient) and then the rest of the space is theirs to fill with their favourite recipes.
