Frugal ideas for this holiday season

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More and more it seems that we all are looking for more frugal ways to spend the holidays. 

Make each gift thoughtful.  Remember the preferences of the person in mind.  Try to make sure that what you give them is something they will actually use and maybe even something they need.

Do you have a useful skill?  Do you have a trade?  Give lesson coupons to young family members and friends.  Teach them your skills.  It is a gift that will be with them for a life time.

Make a gallon of homemade all purpose cleaner.  If you don’t have your own recipe here is the one I use.  You can adjust to your liking ... 64 ounces vinegar, squirt of dish detergent ... fill a gallon container with rubbing alcohol, leaving room to shake to mix.  Some people make it 42 ounces vinegar, 42 oz rubbing alcohol, 42 oz distilled water, and a squirt of dish detergent.  Divide into 4 - 32 oz spray bottles.  Attach a copy of the recipe and any personal notes you have so they can make continue to use.

If you have useful plants, you could give starts of them in homemade self watering containers.  To make an easy self watering container get a clean, dry plastic bottle or jug.  Cut down the middle so you have a top and a bottom.  Place top half with the narrow end pointing down.  Cut a hole in the upper part of the bottom big enough to water through.  Fill top half with potting mix.  Fill bottom container and wait till it has all soaked up. Add potting soil again if necessary and plant your starts.  Decorate them with scrap material or other craft items.

Sew, crochet or knit a child in your family a blanket that is big enough for them to use for years to come.

Keep your eyes open year round for useful How To books, from second hand stores, yard sales and such. Save for the holidays or special occasions and give to family and friends that can use them.

Make a batch of your fudge, brownies, muffins, cookies, or soup and put the ingredients in a jar with the recipe attached.

Make a cocoa /coffee mix  and put it in a jar ... I just use cocoa mix and instant coffee. Decorate the jar with ribbons etc.

Put some bath salts or potpourri, or bubble bath in a decorated jar.

Mix some microwave popcorn and m&ms and put in a big jar .. decorate.

Make Carpet Freshener.  Here is a simple recipe ...  32 oz baking soda or corn starch or combination of both, 20-40 drops of your favorite essential oil blend.  Mix in a large bowl and spoon into plastic, washed out parmesan shakers

Do you have a lot of useful recipes?  Are you the best cook in your family?  Make a recipe book. Give your personal notes, tips and experiences with your recipes. 

Make Chocolate Lip Balm and give to all the girls.  I use this recipe: ½ tablespoon grated beeswax, ½ tablespoon organic olive oil, 10 drops vitamin E oil and 5-7  chocolate chips. Place in microwave on medium power for 30 seconds at time stirring in-between, until melted and mixed.  Pour into clean, washed out, lip balm tubes or tubs.  A few drops of flavored extract is all it would take to turn this into chocolate mint or a chocolate vanilla.