This year many families are struggling to buy Christmas gifts because times are hard. Last week, I read a really great article called Christmas on a Zero-Budget.  It really got me thinking about what kinds of things people could give for gifts that cost little or no money using items already around the house.  I think these homemade gifts are more special when I receive them.  Anyone can go out and buy a gift, but only a few will take the time to use their talents to make an item with you in mind.  Here are a few ideas of some things you can make to give as gifts on a limited budget.

Homemade Bath Salts

This past year I was able to get together with a group of friends and make several items.  One of those items was Bath Salts.  I was quite surprised how easy they were to make.  Look around your house for jars or other containers to place your bath salts inside.  You can also use leftover ribbon and fabric to decorate your jar or container.  Here is the recipe I used.

Homemade Bath Recipe

3 cups Epsom salts

1 tablespoon glycerin

Food coloring

A favorite perfume or cologne.

Use a glass or metal bowl (not plastic-because it will stain). Pour the Epsom salts in a bowl, then add 1 TB. glycerin, a few drops of food coloring and some of your favorite cologne or perfume (or you can mix the glycerin and food coloring first), Stir the ingredients until they’re combined and the color is just right! You can add more color, too. Place in an airtight container. A tight-fitting lid is key to keeping the fragrance and moisture intact. Attach a small card or tag to the container with instructions on use: Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup to a warm bath.

Homemade Jelly

Last Christmas I made small gift baskets for family and friends. One item inside them was a jar of  homemade jelly.  You can easily make jelly at home using 100% fruit juices.  Look around your house for jars to place the jelly inside.  You can keep this jelly in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.  If you want it to last longer you will need to use the proper canning jars and process in a boiling water canner.  After the jars have cooled, you can use scrap ribbon and fabric to decorate the jar.  This jelly is easy because it is made with fruit juice.  I like to add Red Hot candies to the apple juice jelly recipe to make it a pretty red for Christmas. This recipe is for Cheater Grape Jelly.  Just substitute the grape juice for with apple and add 1/2 cup of the red hots to make the jelly a pretty red color.

Rice Filled Heating Pads

Several years ago, I decided to make rice filled heating pads for Christmas presents for my family and friends.  This gift does require some sewing, but it goes together really quickly and is a great way to use scrap material from other projects.  You can also use old clothes that are still usable to make this project.  I made several with some old flannel shirts. These rice filled heating pads can be microwaved and placed behind you neck to give you some relief. 

Homemade Mixes

Another great idea for a homemade gift is placing mixes in a jar or other container. This makes it so easy for another person to make some food item quickly. I love this EZ Bread Mix idea to place the dry ingredients for a loaf of  in a container bought at the Dollar Tree.  These containers already have Christmas decoration on them so all you have to do is add a bow and the instructions for making the bread.  Here are a few other items that make great mixes to give as gifts.

Homemade Pancake Mix

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

The Master Mix

Hot Cocoa Mix

Freezer Meals

After reading another article this weekend from Once a Month Mom, I added freezer meals to my list of something I could give as a gift.  They have some really great ideas on giving freezer meals as gifts as well as some great recipes.  Busy families or new moms would love this gift.

So figure out your talent and decide on a gift you can give without spending a lot of money.  After all the season is not all about gifts or even how much we spend on them.