Maybe you’re short on money, but not on time. If so, you’re in the perfect situation to give homemade gifts. The first year Tech Guy and I were married, we had very little (read: ZERO) extra cash, so we made everything, including a wooden key-shaped key holder that my mom still had hanging by her back door until she passed away earlier this year.
No wood working skills, you say? No problem. Here are some other ideas:
Coupons
These are super easy. Just download a template from the internet (Microsoft has tons) and fill in with things like:
- Your favorite dinner
- A 15-minute back rub
- Control of the remote for one night
- A pot of my famous chicken noodle soup (or whatever you’re famous for cooking)
That Famous Dish
Go ahead and cook up a pot of that chicken noodle soup, chicken and dumplings, enchiladas or what have you. If possible, make it in a disposable aluminum pan so the person doesn’t have to bother with returning your bowl/pot/pan.
Hot Chocolate Mix
If you can sift and stir, you can make this gift. Smarty Boy and I are partial to Alton Brown’s recipe because it includes cayenne pepper (yes, you could omit it…if you’re a weenie). Mix up a big batch of this, put it in plastic bags or canning jars and tie a ribbon around the whole thing. Be sure to include the mixing instructions!
Notecards
I’m a big fan of this one. You can create them on your computer or use random leftover scrapbooking supplies like I do. Use a regular sheet of 8 ½ x 11” card stock and cut it in half so you have two pieces that are 8 ½ x 5”. Then fold those in half. You should be able to get envelopes at a place like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. Or just omit the envelopes. Tie four to six notecards with a ribbon and voila! Sometimes I like to print fun quotes inside, but blank is great too, because then they’re all occasion cards.
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Do you give homemade gifts? If so, what’s your go-to gift?
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Today is Underdog Day. In celebration, I think you should watch that cute Underdog movie that came out years ago. C’mon people, what’s not to love about a basset hound in a cape??
