I’m not sure if it’s all the catalogs landing in the mailbox or the ads on TV, but I decided to get a head start on buying this year’s gifts. One way to stretch you holiday budget is to make a few homemade gifts. Whether it’s food items or just something that costs around $5, here are some things that have worked for me.

Breads and Cakes
Instead of wrapping them in foil or cling wrap, buy an inexpensive tea towel, wrap it around the bread and tie the ends into a bow.

Gift Certificates
Not ones you buy, but the kind you put together yourself. You can make them on the computer, or even get your children to create some. Try giving an invitation to afternoon tea at your house complete with tea sandwiches, scones etc. Breakfast in Bed…always a nice gift for your spouse. Get out of Making Dinner card for someone who’s been under the weather. It also makes a nice gift for someone who’s taking care of someone who’s ill.

Mittens, Mugs and Cocoa
I was thinking about this while I was raking leaves and how welcoming it is to come inside and wrap your hands around a mug of hot cocoa. Give a cocoa mix along with a pair of mittens, you can also opt for dry soup mixes, or go with mittens, mix and a mug. Another idea is to put some cocoa mixes inside the mittens.

A Good Book
One of my favorite ways to pass a lazy Saturday afternoon during the winter is to curl up with a good book and something warm like a mug of tea. If you’re going to give someone a gift card from a bookstore, or just a book, why not include a box of tea, or even coffee.

Cookies
Everyone loves sampling holiday cookies, but try to think of novel ways to pack them. Maybe an old lunchbox, a Chinese restaurant takeaway box or if you have a lot of cookies to give to one family, a pizza box… just make sure it’s free of pizza sauce!

Indoor Garden
A year ago I won a set of candles that were stored in a really attractive canister. I kept thinking about what I could do with it and where I could display it. When summer rolled around I had my answer. I made holes in the bottom, filled it with soil and planted four different herbs in it. It sat on the patio table all summer long, supplying me with herbs for lots of meals. It might be a bit early for herb gardening, but look around for a decorative container or can. Buy a small bag of potting soil and put it inside, along with packets of various herb seeds ready for spring planting.

PB and J
How about the gift of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Not the actual sandwich, but a jar of peanut butter, jam, and a bread mix. Most companies are now making organic or natural PB and at budget friendly prices. If you’re a PB fan like I am check out this site for some ideas and for less than $7 you can buy a jar of gourmet PB. www.pbloco.com.

Car Emergency Box
This is something I’ve been thinking about putting together for my own car. Buy a file box or maybe you have one sitting around the house. Add a flashlight, some first aid supplies, maybe even a blanket, some energy bars etc.

Cream Cheese and Bagels

Here’s a cream cheese mix I made last week. It was so delicious I’ve not only been eating it on toast for lunch, I’m thinking it will make a great gift too. It’s simple to make and all you need is 8 ounces of cream cheese, about ½ cup of sun dried tomatoes that you’ve soaked in hot water. (I buy mine in the bulk bin section at the supermarket) and about 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning mix. I used the Mediterranean Grinder Rub mix from The Spice Hunter www.spicehunter.com. Just put everything in a food processer and blend.
Other mixes I’m going to try are roasted red peppers and chopped garlic. Salmon and dill. And I also thought about a spicy mix using chili powder and cumin. Put the mix in a container, buy a package of bagels or a gift certificate to a bagel store and it’s an inexpensive but tasty gift.