Thrifty Creativity – “A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart.”

We can’t allow a difficult economy to rob us of the joy of giving thoughtful gifts to those we care about. Here is a list of gifts that can be purchased inexpensively and presented with love.

*A pound of pistachios

*Child’s artwork, framed

*Teacup with box of herbal tea

*Deck of cards and book of card game rules

*Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar

*Collage of special photos

*Gel pens and pretty stationary

*Bottle of sparkling cider

*Home baked bread, include recipe

*Disposable camera or rolls of film

*Holiday serving bowl or platter

*Photo album

*Makeup tote

*Prepaid photo developing envelopes

*Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup

*Jar of pure honey with biscuit mix

*Collectible sports cards

*Books
(there are still a few for under $10)

*Set of dish towels and dish cloths

*Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns

*Colorful Post-It notepads

*Address book

*Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief

*Chocolate

*Mandarin oranges or exotic fruit such as star fruit

*Lottery tickets

*Lipstick – buy a wild shade of red

*Cozy mittens or gloves

*Personalized or Christmas print coffee mug or tea cup

*Tire gauge

*Picture frames

*Silly Putty – fun for any age!

*Baseball, golf balls, rubber ball….

*Night light

*Christmas ornament – home-made or store-bought

*Unique kitchen gadget like an egg slicer, grapefruit spoon, garlic press, etc.

*Deck of cards – search for one with unusual artwork

*Hair accessories

* A magazine

*Magnifying glass

*Gum or penny candy -
buy the stuff that takes you back to when you were a kid

*Novelty shoelaces

*Stamp pad and stamps

*Batteries

*Decorative wine stopper

*Journal or diary

*Modeling clay

*Tourque or a scarf – hand-knit or purchase in a store

*Yo-yo

*Home made cookies

*Wallet or business card holder

*Travel games

*Coupons for fast food, or admission to museums or other attractions

*Underwear or socks – racy or plain, your choice

*Slinky

*Popcorn seasoning or spices

*Nail polish

*Toothbrush

*Airplane sized bottles of liquor

*Jigsaw puzzle or other puzzle game

*Small wooden trinket box

*Small stuffed toy

*Napkin rings

*Model airplane kit

*Sidewalk chalk

*Personalized birth chart or horoscope book

*Thermal lunchbag

* Sheet music

*Gift certificate for fresh flowers

*Paperweight

*Fridge magnets

*Travel maps

*Long distance calling card

*Bird feeder

*Hand held calculator

*Packets of flavored hot chocolate or cider mix

*Die cast metal car

*Stationary or note cards

*Bath beads, bubble bath

*A copy of the gift recipient’s favorite recipe – you can add some of the ingredients, too

*Stickers

*Pencil or pen – try a pen with purple ink, a giant pencil, a fountain pen, a twig pencil, etc.

*Desk or wall calendar

*Keychain

*Soap dish

*The hottest hot sauce you can find

*Seeds – try heirloom seeds or native wildflower seeds

*Fishing lures

*Glasses case

*Coloring book and crayons

*Coasters

*Pads of paper in novelty shapes

*Craft supplies – paints, brushes, wooden cut-outs, embroidery thread, beads, doll heads, kits, etc.

*House plant tools or decorative watering can

*Sports water bottle

*Vase

*Mouse pad

*Exercise bands or hand weights

*Snow globe

*Cold mask (the kind you store in the fridge and wrap around your face to relieve aches and stuffiness)

*Travel mug

*Photos of the gift recipient as a child

*Christmas theme costume jewelry

*A tool – hammer, screw driver, pliers, etc.

*Harmonica

*Sewing, knitting, woodworking, needlework patterns

*Poster

*Kaleidoscope

*Decorative bottle opener or cork screw

*Silly straws

*Flashlight

*Address book

*Cedar balls for keeping closets and drawers fresh

Blank diskettes, cassettes, or CD’s

*Piggy bank

*Kite

*Jar of homemade jam or syrup or canned fruit