The economy right now has made it so we can't do as much for people gift wise
like we used to...people are really on a budget - watching every dime that goes out
of their home. I know for Del and I - we've been that way since he was taken out of
work in 2003! I wanted what everyone else had - all the stickers and die cuts, papers, ribbon and such - but I couldn't afford it. I learned every trick in the book to make my pages look good by learning how to spend my money wisely. I used every part of the
papers I could, whether it be for backgrounds on cards or bookmarks, or used as an embellishment like punches or paper piecing's! (Make sure you check out yesterdays post for more ideas on using scraps.)
Today I wanted to give you a few "gift" ideas that can help you to be able to save
a bit of money on not only the gift itself, but also the ways to present the presents!
Now, if you spend a little bit of time every month to look at things upcoming - you can
stay on top of the things that needs to be made. Gifts you make from the heart more often will be displayed in an attractive format, take a little time to really create
something your gift recipients will enjoy!
One of the first things I like to make for people is an altered notebook - I use a basic composition notebook that you can find at the $1 store, or more often than not on sale when school supplies start to go on sale for a very cheap price! Stock up on a few while they are on sale in order to save money later on! If you need directions on how to make an altered notebook, make sure you check out this post for directions! You can add a simple bookmark and an altered pen to go along with a nice book for someone (or without the book if you'd like)! Very simple gift that can be customized to the person you are giving it for! I have also made one of these to plan Christmas gifts for people - very versatile!
Another fun gift I like to make is my mini albums - my most recent album was for my sister Allison, given to her
on Mothers Day - but I have made many styles and types
that is for sure! Mini albums can be created with a kit you might have already, or by making your own type of kit. Basic directions can be found here with plenty of ideas if
you just look towards the bottom left side of the page
here to get even more ideas!
Framed pages - making a 12 x 12 page, adding a $5 frame you can get at Michaels
craft store (or any craft store) allows you to really make something more customized for the gift recipient. I have a few that I am planning on doing this weekend in order to
give them to my mom and for gifts for a few people!
Make a set of gift cards with a few different themes and styles for someone. This way - they don't have to go to the store to purchase cards when they need them. Make a box of cards that are categorized in themes that are needed - such as Babies, Birthdays, Thinking of You, and Thank You cards to name a few.
Gifts are made from the heart - take time to make a gift for someone to enjoy! I know for the first time, I made my sister an album - Allisons Legacy for Mothers Day and my brothers will get something
special I make for them for Fathers Day. When they look at it - they will know their
sister thinks about them and loves them... I challenge you to look at the gifts you
need to buy for and see what you can make instead!
like we used to...people are really on a budget - watching every dime that goes out
of their home. I know for Del and I - we've been that way since he was taken out of
work in 2003! I wanted what everyone else had - all the stickers and die cuts, papers, ribbon and such - but I couldn't afford it. I learned every trick in the book to make my pages look good by learning how to spend my money wisely. I used every part of the
papers I could, whether it be for backgrounds on cards or bookmarks, or used as an embellishment like punches or paper piecing's! (Make sure you check out yesterdays post for more ideas on using scraps.)
Today I wanted to give you a few "gift" ideas that can help you to be able to save
a bit of money on not only the gift itself, but also the ways to present the presents!
Now, if you spend a little bit of time every month to look at things upcoming - you can
stay on top of the things that needs to be made. Gifts you make from the heart more often will be displayed in an attractive format, take a little time to really create
something your gift recipients will enjoy!
One of the first things I like to make for people is an altered notebook - I use a basic composition notebook that you can find at the $1 store, or more often than not on sale when school supplies start to go on sale for a very cheap price! Stock up on a few while they are on sale in order to save money later on! If you need directions on how to make an altered notebook, make sure you check out this post for directions! You can add a simple bookmark and an altered pen to go along with a nice book for someone (or without the book if you'd like)! Very simple gift that can be customized to the person you are giving it for! I have also made one of these to plan Christmas gifts for people - very versatile!
on Mothers Day - but I have made many styles and types
that is for sure! Mini albums can be created with a kit you might have already, or by making your own type of kit. Basic directions can be found here with plenty of ideas if
you just look towards the bottom left side of the page
here to get even more ideas!
Framed pages - making a 12 x 12 page, adding a $5 frame you can get at Michaels
craft store (or any craft store) allows you to really make something more customized for the gift recipient. I have a few that I am planning on doing this weekend in order to
give them to my mom and for gifts for a few people!
Make a set of gift cards with a few different themes and styles for someone. This way - they don't have to go to the store to purchase cards when they need them. Make a box of cards that are categorized in themes that are needed - such as Babies, Birthdays, Thinking of You, and Thank You cards to name a few. Gifts are made from the heart - take time to make a gift for someone to enjoy! I know for the first time, I made my sister an album - Allisons Legacy for Mothers Day and my brothers will get something
special I make for them for Fathers Day. When they look at it - they will know their
sister thinks about them and loves them... I challenge you to look at the gifts you
need to buy for and see what you can make instead!
Lynda Jeffs
Memories in Tyme
nice! love the cheery colors :)
ReplyDelete"Thrifty" is my middle name, so I really appreciate ideas like these. Great work!
ReplyDeleteI stock up during the back to school sales at Staples and the clearance at Walmart. An altered notebook does make a nice gift. :)
ReplyDelete