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15 Potentially Free Gift Ideas That Show Someone You Care

15 Potentially Free Gift Ideas That Show Someone You Care 1
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Tis’ the season of gifts and hyper-consumerism! So…what do you get someone when all you want to do is to show them that you care but you don’t have a lot of money to spend?

There are times that I find myself believing money steals away creativity.

We should stop seeing our lack of funds, or refusal to spend extravagant amounts, as a discouraging thing. Instead, embrace it and be thankful for it. Because those of us on limited budgets, are provided the opportunity to show someone we care by using our resources and ingenuity.

Gift-Giving Essentials

Let’s remember what’s important when giving gifts:

  • We are attempting to show someone that we care.
  • The gift doesn’t have to be expensive, big, or labeled with a certain brand.
  • Gifts should be given from the heart, out of gratitude for the life of the individual.
  • Know the person you are giving the gift to–make sure it’s personal.

15 Potentially Free Gift Ideas

Alright, here they are. Take a look around the house, and in the pantry, to find the things you can use to create, repurpose, upcycle, or reuse. Depending on the resources you already have…these gifts could potentially cost $0. This list is not exhaustive, but I hope it is a source of inspiration.

  1. Repurpose one of your old frames and insert a picture of you with the person you are gifting.
  2. By using common cooking oils, whip up some quick and easy Homemade lotion.
  3. Create a photo collage, album, or simple scrapbook packed full of memories.
  4. Make cookies.
  5. Burn a personalized CD with all the person’s favorites songs (one of my husband’s all time favorites).
  6. Give a plant or seeds.
  7. T-shirt quilt. With permission, gather the persons old T’s and create a quick, comfy blanket that will allow those great memories to be displayed.
  8. The classic homemade IOU booklet is always a winner!
  9. Crochet or knit something.
  10. Amazing reads. Pass on those great books just sitting on your shelf! The ones that you think someone else would enjoy.
  11. Homemade bread.
  12. Create a simple, blank recipe book. Be sure to include a couple of your ultimate recipes on the first few pages.
  13. Are you artistic? Why not tap into that and create your own. This could be a sketch, a painting, a nature collage, a poem, a short story…you get the idea.
  14. Encouragement jar. Fill a glass jar with multiple small slips of paper that include reasons why you love or appreciate that person. When they are discouraged or frustrated they can pull out a source of encouragement and remember they are loved.
  15. Is digital media your thing? Create a memorable music video or slide show full of special moments, edited by you. Burn this onto a DVD and walla…a keepsake they will treasure for years to come.

You all are always full of brilliantly, creative ideas! What are some of the great gifts you will be giving this year? Shout ’em out in the comments section.

Source of Inspiration:
30 Frugal Gift Ideas

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  4. Once again, we're on the same page. I'm using some of these for Christmas gifts this year. Thanks for the post.

  5. These are great ideas!! I feel compelled to comment, though, that a T-shirt quilt is by no means "quick"- it is something that should be done carefully, especially as T-shirt fabric tends to roll at the edges and stretch if not prepped properly. Get some iron-on interfacing at the fabric store, iron it to the back of the T-shirt design, THEN cut the shirt. This prevents rolled edges and gives the finished quilt block a clean, crisp (but still comfy) look.

    On another note, my mom made encouragement boxes for each of my siblings and I one year and though inexpensive, it is one of the most meaningful gifts I've ever received. Anytime I'm feeling down, I just have to go through that box and I'm reminded how much I'm loved.

  6. Thanks for the ideas! I love how you said money can steal away creativity! I'm giving a few crocheted dishcloths this year and some crayon cookies made from old crayons.

  7. Whether I have money or not, I love giving and receiving homemade gifts. I love a gift that comes from the heart and I know that if someone has taken time from their busy life to make me something, then I know they care.

    It doesn't really require much effort to grab something from a store shelf and pay for it.

    On a funny note, when I read this my brain mixed (poem, short story) together and I read (porn story!!) I was thinking WHAAAAT? I had to re-read it. LOL

  8. This year, I decided to make beanie hats and scarves for everyone. Tried to personalize them to each person. (for instance with my mother who loves UGA, I crocheted a G to put on her hat and the scarf is black, red and, white) They were cheap Christmas presents but, meaningful as well. =)

  10. Great ideas. Bread is always a hit around here! My husband is a wood worker, so he makes a lot of our gifts – it's a load off me that's for sure. 🙂 We're giving rolling pins and homemade cookies this year. A gift doesn't have to be expensive to be thoughtful.

  11. Wow … what creative ideas. I especially like #14, the encouragement jar. It does two real nice things … first, it helps us to appreciate another person as we think about all the reasons we love them. Second, imagine knowing, through a series of lovely little messages in a jar, just how much we are appreciated. It's a fabulous idea! Thanks so much for sharing it!

  12. Wonderful ideas, have did some in the past and will do more. I prefer homemade gifts. As mentioned they mean a person cares if they took time to do something for you.
    Deb

  13. These are wonderful ideas! I really like the encouragement jar idea. And who doesn't just adore home baked bread!

  14. Thank you for the great post. Im putting baskets together with saved garden seeds, sourdough starter & homemade pillar candle. So fun.
    I agree if id never been poor I wouldnt have the creativity 🙂 Ill take creative any day!

  15. That's a great list! Haven't we gone crazy from the days when an orange was such a precious gift????

  17. wonderful post ! Hugs to you !
    I love the homemade bread idea and the knit something idea and the t-shirt quilt ! I think Ill have to whip something up with some yarn !!!

    – KAT –

  18. this is great! I always encourage my elementary aged kids to make handmade gifts for their grandmas/uncle on Christmas, they usually draw of make a craft, so why can't it be the same for an adult?

  22. The best free Christmas Gift I ever gave was a recipe that my mother had been looking for for years. It was from an old Betty Crocker cook book that her grandmother used to own and she couldn't find it anywhere. I called up the number on the bisquick box and told them what she remembered about the recipe. They gave me the recipe for free and I printed it on some pretty stationary. She loved it.

  24. While not free, I think a gift of your homemade soaps would be great. I always wanted to make homemade detergent and I have all the ingredients now and plan to make some for my upcoming SIL’s birthday. I’ll include a sprayer with orange citrus-vinegar cleaner and maybe some homemade deodorant. She works hard at being frugal and I think will appreciate it..