Inexpensive or Free Homemade Gift Ideas

Inexpensive and free homemade gift ideas are a great way to spread the cheer this Christmas, and these are just a few ideas for the gifts you can make this year.

They are not complicated, and they can make small and enjoyable presents which will bring a cheer to everyone this Christmas.

For example, if someone in your family loves cooking then why not give them a homemade recipe book? For a more personalized touch, you can theme the recipes around their favorite foods.

Writing them out by hand or printing them on a printer the choice is yours but the end result will be the same, a happy person this Christmas with lots of new recipes to try out.

Making The Recipe Book

Inexpensive homemade gifts can be fun to make and making the recipe book is no different, most of the things you need should be things you have around the house.

What You Will Need

Color Printer or Pens
Plain Paper
Colored Folder

Method

Print or write out the recipes you have chosen then put them inside the colored folder.

Glue a sheet of paper onto the front of the folder with the recipient's name and type of recipes inside for a more professional look.

Homemade Calendar

With the digital age everyone it seems has a digital camera so making a calendar with some of those pictures you have stored is an ideal and inexpensive homemade gift.

If you have pictures from the past of the person receiving the calendar, then why not use them to create a thoughtful gift?

A personalized and personal calendar like that is a great free homemade gift and will be warmly received no matter who you give it to.

What You Will Need

Color printer
Software on your computer that will produce a calendar with your pictures
Plain card (Can be colored if you prefer)
Pictures, minimum of 12 if you want to use 1 per month
Nice colored ribbon
Hole punch

Method

Find the pictures you want to use then use the calendar software to format your calendar.

If you prefer you can buy a calendar tag and glue this onto the bottom of the finished page. Print them out on the plain card. Cut holes across the top of the calendar with the hole punch and punch 2 holes. Use ribbon to tie the pages together and create a hanger so the recipient can hang the calendar easily.

Make sure you have the months in the right order!

Check out more ideas to make your own calendar

Homemade Scarves and Gloves

We all know how expensive these can be so if you are a dab hand with the old knitting needles then making your own hat, scarves and gloves will be a fantastic way of saving money.

What You Will Need

Wool in different colors
Knitting needles
Patterns for the hat, scarf and gloves.

Method

You can find lots of different patterns on the internet if you don't have your own at home.

You can while away the evening watching your favorite show on the TV, while your hands nimbly work away creating another inexpensive homemade gift. You don't have to make all 3 items either, the choice is yours.

Herbal Gifts

Herbal olive oil is always a great present to give away at Christmas is easy to make and will be well received. A great way to get started is to save any olive oil bottles you have used during the year. This will save you money as you don't need to buy any bottles or jars when the time comes.

What You Will Need

Olive oil bottles or any clean, decorative bottles - If using your own wash them and remove the labels first so you can put your own labels on.
Extra virgin olive oil - Buy a large can or drum if you are making more than one.
Fresh herbs

Method

Making herbal olive oil is even more satisfying if you grow the herbs in your garden as you can use these and save money too. It's also a good way for you to use herbs in your cooking and makes your garden look and smell gorgeous.

The choice of herbs is up to you but you can use basil, dill, rosemary, thyme, mint and even garlic to put in your oil.

Take your chosen herb and pop it inside your empty bottle then slowly fill with your oil. Put the lid on and let stand for a while before tying a small ribbon around it and giving it as a present.