In this economy, we are always looking for ways to save money. With the Christmas season upon us,our budgets are screaming for inexpensive, yet wonderful gift ideas. I’d like to share some gifts from Christmas Past that were big hits with the grandparents.
My parents live about 8 hours away so the visits were few and far between. For Christmas one year, we borrowed a video camera and the kids made a video. (Luckily, video camera prices have come down, so they are more readily available!) Our children at the time were the ages of 4, 6, 8, and 10. Old enough to ham it up and come up with ideas of their own. They made a 30 minute video of normal kid activities. They did a nativity play, jumped on the trampoline, read a story out of a book, washed the dishes, etc. They wanted to share their lives with their grandparents. Each time we go to visit, even though they are college-aged, that video gets brought out and put in the old vcr. Everyone watching still gets a big kick out of it. (I guess we need to move it to a dvd!) With digital capabilities, there are even more options. Cost: a dvd.
Another year, we made a sweatshirt for Grandmama. I bought a white sweatshirt; I already had lots of fabric paint. I wrote “Our Grandmama is the Best!” along the top. We used the fabric paint to make handprints of each of the 6 grandchildren, labeled each little hand, and voila! A wonderful present that was unique and inexpensive. Cost: a sweatshirt and fabric paint
Have a favorite picture of the grandkids with the grandparents? Have it enlarged to an 8×10, put it in an inexpensive frame and sit back and enjoy the compliments! Cost: frame and enlargement
A super sweet idea is to create a silhouette of each child, matted and framed. You will need black construction paper, tape, pencil, scissors and a light source. After the silhouette is complete, you will need a pre-cut mat and a frame. Aim the light source at your child so that a shadow is cast on the wall behind, tape the black paper on the wall and outline your child’s shadow with the pencil. Carefully cut along the pencil line to create a one-of-a-kind silhouette of your child. Use rubber cement to glue the black silhouette to a white or off white piece of construction paper. Place the finished product under a pre-cut oval mat and frame. Cost: a few pieces of construction paper, mat and frame.
One last idea is to make a photo book. Online photo web sites offer the opportunity to upload your digital pictures and design your own photo book. Prices range from $5 for a flip book to $30 for a nice bound book. (prices also go upward from there but this is about inexpensive gifts!) You choose your pictures and captions to suit the recipient. If you watch for bargains, these books are often discounted or even buy one, get one free. Cost: $5-30
I hope some of these gifts struck a chord with you and gave you a great idea for your own family. Merry Christmas!!
Lenora Cooper is a Christian wife and mother of 4 who enjoys participating in activities at church. Lenora is also the Preschool Director for her church Preschool Program. During her spare time she enjoys sharing her stories with mybabyclothes.com. Find the sweetest baby clothes, warmest baby hats and fashionable tutus at affordable prices this season!
cute post i like it ^__^