I feel your pain! Since relocating back to VA 5 years ago, I don’t have to mail Christmas but did so for some 18 years--packages to 5 states!
I always did homebacked cookies and jams. I also sew… but if you are truly convinced you have no “artistic talent” then pick something you would like to receive as a gift yourself… something to make their life easier or perhaps make them smile.
Oh boy. I am going to keep checking back in on this post to see if you’ve gotten any brilliant ideas because girl, I’m in the same boat you are and it sucks! I feel you. *hugs*
I’ve never been too good at the unexpensive gift ideas, myself. You’ve mentioned family on the East coast, so what I would suggest is to try and find something affordable and specific to your region, that could remind them of you(admittedly cheesy, I know).
something I did that was really easy and didn’t require too much creativity.
Go to the craft store and get some small brown paper craft bags. Use Christmas stamps or markers to write/draw christmasy things on one side. On the back write ‘love 3T’s family’
punch two holes in the top to tie with ribbon or raffia. Fill with candy/hot chocolate/mini candy canes/and a Christmas poem.
My niece helped me to stamp all the bags and I filled them later. I made 50 bags for about 35 dollars. I have an office and neighborhood full of people that I wanted to let know I was thinking about them and appreciate everything they do.
I’m going to bake this year. I went through a magazine that had holiday food ideas and tore some stuff out. I’m making pretzles and candy cans dipped in chocolate and rolled in sprinkles and I bought thouse little celophane bags at the craft store. I’ll rubber stamp some cute tags and voila. The whole think will cost me less that $10 and make about 15 little gifts that the kids can give or for teachers and all that jazz.
I have to admit that I got to the point where I asked friends if they minded not giving gifts and just saving the money for family or ourselves. I think just about everyone seemed relieved. I was talking to my co-workers today about how $50 can barely get you a non-t-shirt type of shirt nowadays. It seems like we have to spend “more” each year, just to keep up with the last.
This might sound corny and/or cheap, but I used to make homemade mix tapes, then cds, for my parents when I was low on money. Sometimes I still download something and give it to them. I might make a mix of Christmas music, anniversary, oldies..you choose. Then again I always found making mixes to be oddly therapeutic. I miss it sometimes:( lol
I find most people appreciate gifts like these because they took time and thought to make. Just my 2 cents!
I thought of something else last night that is really easy and lots of people like. Get a gift card for a local bakery. Lots of us have almost too much right at Chrismas, but it’s all gone by new years.
In the past I’ve given ‘free loaf of bread’ cards from Great Harvest with a jar of huckleberry jam. It’s something they don’t have to worry about eating right away and can use at their convenience.
I don’t make the jam either, just pick up cute jars from a local store.
I feel your pain! Since relocating back to VA 5 years ago, I don’t have to mail Christmas but did so for some 18 years--packages to 5 states!
I always did homebacked cookies and jams. I also sew… but if you are truly convinced you have no “artistic talent” then pick something you would like to receive as a gift yourself… something to make their life easier or perhaps make them smile.
Oh boy. I am going to keep checking back in on this post to see if you’ve gotten any brilliant ideas because girl, I’m in the same boat you are and it sucks! I feel you. *hugs*
I hear you, girlfriend! You need to tell everyone this:
“Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.”
Hope you and the family are doing good. Miss you and love you lots.
I’ve never been too good at the unexpensive gift ideas, myself. You’ve mentioned family on the East coast, so what I would suggest is to try and find something affordable and specific to your region, that could remind them of you(admittedly cheesy, I know).
Ok, what are the ages of the folks you need to send to? Email me and I’ll see what I can come up with for ya
I’ve already bailed my mom out with about 15 of the people on her list (for damn near no money) so mebbe I could be of some assistance…
Hmmm, how about specialty baked items in a gift container? Something YOU bake, of course.
something I did that was really easy and didn’t require too much creativity.
Go to the craft store and get some small brown paper craft bags. Use Christmas stamps or markers to write/draw christmasy things on one side. On the back write ‘love 3T’s family’
punch two holes in the top to tie with ribbon or raffia. Fill with candy/hot chocolate/mini candy canes/and a Christmas poem.
My niece helped me to stamp all the bags and I filled them later. I made 50 bags for about 35 dollars. I have an office and neighborhood full of people that I wanted to let know I was thinking about them and appreciate everything they do.
Good luck, I hope this helps!
I’m going to bake this year. I went through a magazine that had holiday food ideas and tore some stuff out. I’m making pretzles and candy cans dipped in chocolate and rolled in sprinkles and I bought thouse little celophane bags at the craft store. I’ll rubber stamp some cute tags and voila. The whole think will cost me less that $10 and make about 15 little gifts that the kids can give or for teachers and all that jazz.
Good luck on your gifting.
I have to admit that I got to the point where I asked friends if they minded not giving gifts and just saving the money for family or ourselves. I think just about everyone seemed relieved. I was talking to my co-workers today about how $50 can barely get you a non-t-shirt type of shirt nowadays. It seems like we have to spend “more” each year, just to keep up with the last.
This might sound corny and/or cheap, but I used to make homemade mix tapes, then cds, for my parents when I was low on money. Sometimes I still download something and give it to them. I might make a mix of Christmas music, anniversary, oldies..you choose. Then again I always found making mixes to be oddly therapeutic. I miss it sometimes:( lol
I find most people appreciate gifts like these because they took time and thought to make. Just my 2 cents!
I thought of something else last night that is really easy and lots of people like. Get a gift card for a local bakery. Lots of us have almost too much right at Chrismas, but it’s all gone by new years.
In the past I’ve given ‘free loaf of bread’ cards from Great Harvest with a jar of huckleberry jam. It’s something they don’t have to worry about eating right away and can use at their convenience.
I don’t make the jam either, just pick up cute jars from a local store.
That reminds me...I haven’t even given a thought to Christmas shopping yet...uh oh.
I love your layout!