11 No-Cost Gifts You Can Give Them Right Now
(That They'll Love Even More Than Gifts You Pay For!)
by www.SixWise.com
Seeking to avoid the financial "holiday hangover"
that often comes in January, many consumers are planning to
spend less than they did on holiday gifts in 2005. In fact,
although overall
holiday spending is expected to increase this year, a
survey by Prinicpal Financial Group found that just 9 percent
of workers and 5 percent of retirees planned to spend more
money than last year.
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Looking for a thoughtful gift idea? A pretty package
of your homemade Christmas cookies is sure to please
(and you get to enjoy the moments you share with your
family while making them).
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Further, fed up with the increasingly prevalent materialistic
aspects of the holidays, many Americans are seeking ways to
bring back the real meaning of the holiday season.
Finally, some people are just plain old very last-minute
shoppers, and are therefore, well, pushed to consider alternatives
to typical purchased gifts.
One such way is giving gifts from the heart, which cost no
money but impart a lot of meaning.
1. Give a family heirloom. The holidays are an ideal
time to pass down grandpa's toy train to your son, great grandma's
engagement ring to your daughter -- even your favorite baseball
card to your close friend (and baseball fan).
2. Give a "Freebie Certificate." Give your
neighbor a "get out of snow shoveling" free certificate.
Give your spouse a free day to play golf while you watch the
kids, breakfast in bed for week, or a back massage. Just choose
your FREE favorite certificate at this
excellent and free website fill in the blanks, chose "Make
My Certificate" and then print it out! You can also create
your own "coupon" out of construction paper, glitter,
sequins and whatever else you have around the house.
3. Create a painting or poem. Use your talents to
paint your significant other a picture of the view from your
hotel balcony during your last vacation, or write a poem telling
mom how you really feel.
4. Baked goods are always welcome. Most people really
appreciate the time and effort that goes in to giving homemade
cookies, fudge or Christmas cakes. Package them with a pretty
doily and ribbon, and you're ready to go! And if they're not
into sweets, something like a frozen container of your famous
chili or minestrone soup will likely be just as well received.
(NOTE: Be sure to grab this FREE "55
Top-Rated Healthy Party & Get-Together Recipes"
cookbook for a host of easy, delicious and healthy recipes;
also check out the other free e-books below!)
5. Share your plants with an avid gardener. If you
have a garden, make up a basket of clippings that your gardening-enthusiast
friend will adore.
6. Give the gift of your talents. If you're a computer
genius, give your friend the gift of helping him back up his
computer. Expert piano player? Offer to give your relatives
free lessons. Make jewelry? Gather up your nieces and nephews
for a Saturday of jewelry-making.
7. Plan a special outing. The gift of your time is
the most cherished gift of all. Plan a day at the zoo with
your kids, a day hiking with your nature-loving spouse or
sleep outside in the backyard for a campout with your grandkids.
When you "give" this gift, draw a picture of it,
or create it out of construction paper, cut-out magazine photos,
etc., wrap it up, and present it.
8. Make a scrapbook. New parents will adore a scrapbook
of their new baby, but others also like to receive scrapbooks.
Consider a scrapbook for grandma that chronicles her life,
one for your co-worker showing all of her work achievements
-- even a scrapbook for your favorite pilates instructor,
with photos of everyone in the class, and comments about how
the course has helped each of you.
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Give Them -- and Yourself -- a Truly
Worthwhile and FREE Book Such As ...
One great gift idea -- perfect for everyone on your
list, including yourself because they are FREE -- are
these no-cost books. Download them now, either directly
or via free subscriptions, and then print them out (and
perhaps create your own personalized covers for them,
with your personal sentiments right there on the cover)"
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9. Send a video. This year, instead of sending out
Christmas cards to your relatives, make a video. You can describe
what's new in your life, let them in on "a day in the
life of … " and even use it as an opportunity to
tell the recipient how much they mean to you. This is an especially
touching gift if you won't be able to spend the holidays with
your family.
10. Homemade dog treats for a pet-lover. Don't forget
about Spot during the holidays. Here's a recipe you can use
to make your own dog treats, an excellent gift for your friend's
(or your own) pup.
Homemade Dog Biscuits
Biscuit dough:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup oatmeal
- 1/4 cup wheat germ
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup water
Glaze:
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tablespoons milk
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 275°.
- In a large bowl: combine the flour, oatmeal, wheat
germ, peanut butter, vegetable oil, honey, baking powder
and water.
- Mix the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Roll the dough out to a 1/2-inch thickness on a lightly
floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and place on
baking sheets.
- In a small bowl, mix together the egg and milk. Brush
the glaze on the biscuits.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the pans, and bake for
an additional 20-30 minutes, until biscuits are golden
and firm.
11. Make Them a Salt Dough Ornament (Perfect for Kids)
See our Basic
Recipe for Salt Dough Ornaments for this simple recipe!
Recommended Reading
How
Much Should You Spend on Holiday Shopping?
The
10 Worst Gift Ideas to Keep in Mind This Holiday Season
Sources
BusinessWire.com
December 5, 2006
Literature.org
Faith
Heinauer, "Homemade Food Gifts and Gift Wrapping Decoration
Ideas"