The Christmas holiday season should be filled with joy.  Not a time when people feel overwhelmed and disappointed, because they can not afford to give store bought gifts.  A homemade gift is often a priceless treasure that may have people remembering for decades to come.  No more wandering aimlessly through obscure stores or web pages searching for Christmas gifts as the hours before Christmas tick down to zero.

With the economy being like it is this it the year for you to make the gifts you give for Christmas.  

Below are some of the gifts that I discovered can be made with little or no money:

1. Make Personalized Hand Made Gifts:

Example #1:

I did not know my in-laws very well at that time, so I thought I had to buy something special for them.  On Christmas Eve I still had not been able to buy them anything. I thought & thought about what I could give to my in-laws, finally I came up with a few last minute ideas. I did not have a sewing machine at that time, so anything I sewed would have to be by hand. I dug thru my old fabric scrap box I came across a small piece of red organdy.  I began to think of what I could make for Morene out of it.  Then, I remembered that my mother in law always wore aprons when she cooked. 

Then I started to work on something for Harvey (father in law), I found some red and blue plaid fabric pieces, I thought he might like.

·     I worked on it almost all night, but by Christmas morning it was a very presentable vest.

Each year we had Christmas breakfast at my in laws and then they went with us to my parents for Christmas dinner. When we arrived at my in laws on Christmas morning, I put the gifts from us under the tree with the massive amount of gifts that were already there.  For a few minutes I felt bad thinking how small our gifts were in comparison.  But, I did not feel bad for long.  After the children had opened all their gifts, it was our turn to open gifts.  I handed Morene her gift and Harvey his.

When Morene opened hers she began to cry and then to hug me.  Harvey opened his and immediately went in the other room and put it on.

Harvey passed away a few weeks ago.  But, if he were here, he would have on his vest this Christmas Day.

Example #2:

My former daughter in law (Mellissa) was only about 21, she made me a baby size quilt by hand.  She embroidered a tree with branches and leaves on it.  The grown children’s Dad & I are the tree trunk.  Each of our children are branches, and each of the grandchildren are the leaves. She embroidered all of their names and birthdates on the leaves.  It is a Wonderful and Unforgettable gift.  It hangs on my wall today.  (I’ve had to add a few leaves.)  :>)

Example #3

Shortly after my Dad passed away, my daughter in law (the same one) gave my mother a gift that she treasured for the rest of her life, and I treasure it now.

•2. Treats:

Homemade treats always make the perfect free Christmas gift. I like to make gift baskets or tins for my neighbors and friends. 

People you give these gifts to will really appreciate them.  I lot of women work and do not have time for baking homemade goodies.

When you give these free Christmas treats, the receivers will be thrilled.  Whether they are family, friends, neighbors, your mailman (woman), they will love treats for a Christmas gift.  The candy and cookies are much more precious than any Christmas gifts that you could afford to buy.  PS:  If some of them are diabetic, be sure you make diabetic treats…

3.  Babysitting:

4. Run Errands for Friends, Family, or Neighbors:

5. Make Crafts:

I have a grand daughter in law (Amber) who crochets knits, sews, etc.  She is always making something for somebody.

A homemade Christmas gift that they can keep forever means so much. When you put your time into a gift, your receiver does not think of the gift as free.  That is a gift of love.

6. Get freebies from the Internet:

These are just a few gifts that you can give; all come from the heart and are filled with love.  Chances are your friends or family member doesn’t need what you could afford to buy for them anyway.  What you could buy may not fit them, maybe they already have the item, or as my Grandson said to me “We don’t have room for it!” and they may just have to exchange what you bought for them.