[NFB-Krafters-Korner] Christmas On a Budget Chat Notes

[Courtney F. Smith]

 Below are the notes from a chat I  led  in 2018 about how to do Christmas on a budget. If you have any questions, please feel free to post them.

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Christmas on a Budget
Monday, August 27, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Presenter: Courtney F. Smith
CREATE A CHRISTMAS SPENDING PLAN
How many people do you feel you can give gifts to this year?
 ~ Make a list of all the people you want to give gifts to. Don’t forget Great Aunt Mable who stuffs $5 in that pair of fuzzy socks each year!
What is the total amount you can spend on Christmas gifts?
 ~ Start saving now! There are less than four months until Christmas. How many checks will you receive in that time period? How much can you save from each check to buy gifts?
Shop your Stash
 ~ Got a gift closet? Shop your closet first for gifts & label them as you go.
 ~ Now to the craft closet. What craft items do you have that you can use to make gifts?
- Yarn – With cotton yarn, make a dish cloth or scrubbie & pair it with a small $0.99 bottle of dish soap; make a bath cloth & pair it with a bar of handmade soap; a set of pretty coasters. With other yarn types, make hats, scarves (you have four months!), fingerless mitts, dish towels with crocheted or knitted toppers & a cute button; Christmas ornaments; plastic bag holders; book marks.
- Fabric – Got scraps of fabric? Make quilted pot holders, mug rugs, quilted book marks, needle or hook holders; cut strips & tie to a wreath form to make a unique door hanging; Christmas ornaments.
- Pretty Paper – Make a beautiful quilled picture & put it in a frame from the dollar store; origami items (ornaments, boxes, bowls, seed packets); book marks.
- Plastic Canvas – Coaster set; Christmas ornaments, book marks, tissue holders, needle or hook holder; mug rugs.
- Duck Tape – Wallet; designer bags/pouches; jewelry; Christmas ornaments, book marks.
 
~ On to the kitchen….. Most of us have a stash of bottles & jars for “in case I need it for something.” Now’s that time! Make different spice blends/mixes, compound butters or flavored oils.
- Seasoning mixes – Taco Seasoning mix, Italian Dressing mix, Ranch Dressing mix, Cajun Seasoning mix, Onion Soup mix, Seasoned Salt mix, Fajita Seasoning mix, Poultry Seasoning mix, Pumpkin Spice mix, Garlic Pepper mix, BBQ Rub mix, Cinnamon Sugar mix. For spices in bulk, check out www.atlanticspicecompany.com.
- Compound Butters – Honey Butter, Garlic Butter, Maple Butter, Lemon Butter, Orange Butter, Cinnamon Butter, Smoked Paprika & Rosemary Butter, Jalapeno Lime Butter, Gorgonzola Sage Butter.
- Flavored Salts & Sugars– Chili Lime Salt, Sriracha Salt, Vanilla Salt, Lemon Rosemary Salt, Roasted Garlic Salt, Orange Vanilla Bourbon Sugar, Lavender Sugar, Vanilla, Rosebud Sugar, Peppermint Sugar, Ginger Sugar.
Other Gift Ideas
 ~ Handmade Soap, Bath Salts, Bath Bombs, Lotion Bars, Bath Scrubs
 ~ Mason Jar Gifts (Cookie Mix with a cute cookie cutter; Soup Mix with a soup ladle or soup mug; Russian Tea Mix with nice coffee mug; Hot Cocoa Mix with a bag of marshmallows & a mug Brownie Mix with a brownie pan etc.)
 ~ Homemade Flavored Truffles – Package several in an origami box
 ~ Designer Plate – Fill with homemade cookies
 ~ Dinner for a family
 ~ Cookbook with your family’s favorite recipes.
Gift Wrapping Ideas
 ~ Packing paper – wad it up (or get the kids to do it!) & then straighten it out for wrapping gifts. Decorate with ribbon, bows, ornaments, etc.
 ~ The Sunday Comics
 ~ Unique Gift Wrap – Fabric, Beautiful Scarf, Blanket, Bath Towel or Wash Cloth, Dish Towel or Dish Cloth, Bed Sheet or Pillow Case, Table Cloth or Fabric Napkin, Shower Curtain
 ~ Make your own gift bags