Trying to keep the costs of Christmas at a manageable level (especially this year) can make you feel as if you’re having to come over a bit bah humbug. But it doesn’t need to. This first post helping you having a cost-effective and still fabulously cheery Christmas (there’s another one coming soon) is packed full of great ideas for one of the most budget-challenging elements of the festive season - the presents.

Making your own gifts doesn’t necessarily guarantee they’ll be cheaper than buying, particularly if they need loads of materials and equipment. But if you tailor your home-made ambitions to both your skill set and your budget, you can produce presents that you’ll enjoy making and that the recipients will be even more delighted to receive, knowing the effort and love that’s gone into them.

I’ve trawled the web to find some ideas that are both simple to make and a little out of the ordinary. I hope you find something (or several somethings) you’ll want to make, and have fun making for your loved ones.

Clothes peg photo wreath

As you can see, there are all sorts of ways to make this, but the basic principle and items are roughly the same. You need a backing board of some sort - either a solid or cut out circle of wood or thick, sturdy cardboard, lots of wooden clothes pegs and some strong adhesive (if you have a glue gun even better).

If you’re using a solid circular back board, it’s fun to paint it in chalk paint so that you can write a message on it, but of course you can use any paint in any colour. Equally you can paint the cut out version, although you don’t need to if you’re going to fill it with the pegs so it’s not seen (like the bottom left version).

Again depending on what you prefer, you can paint and even decorate the clothes pegs (perhaps sprinkle them with glitter?), or you can leave them plain. They are just as effective either way. And when it comes to sticking them to the backing, you can alternate the opening sides, or have them all pointing outwards. Just don’t have them all pointing into the centre. That won’t work once the photos are added.

Talking of which, if you want to make the present even more thoughtful and personal, you could get some pics printed off to have already clipped in when you give it.

Coconut lip balm

It would be hard for this to be any more simple. All you need is 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of beeswax (or carnauba wax if you want to make a vegan version) and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Put the oils and the wax into a bowl over a pan of boiling water and melt them together. Then pour into whatever little storage containers you’re using (which need to have lids) and allow to cool.

A quick point to mention before we go any further, and that is that charity shops and car boot sales can be happy, and budget friendly, hunting grounds for containers. Something that’s useful to bear in mind with this next suggestion too

A jar of make-your-own mix

Home made food treats are, understandably, one of the most popular and welcome gifts to make (there are a couple of suggestions coming up), but if you’re not a keen cook, these are definitely the next best thing. Because whilst you provide all the ingredients for, say a tasty soup, or a lip smacking mug of hot chocolate, or some scrummy biscuits, along with the instructions for how to cook/make them, either on a tag, or accompanying card, it’s up to the recipient to do the rest.

Here’s one of those food suggestions. Which you absolutely don’t need to be a good cook to whip up

Sweet and spicy coated nuts

This amount will make 10 cups worth of nuts. It’ll depend on the size of your jars how many of those that makes.

You’ll need

2 cups of whole cashews

2 cups of pecan halves

2 cups of whole almonds

1.5 cups of granulated sugar

4tsp of ground cinnamon

1.5tsp of cayenne pepper

1.5tsp of salt

3 large egg whites

Preheat oven to 300°F/180 C. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the cashews, pecans, and almonds in a bowl.
Whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, cayenne, and salt in a second bowl. Whisk together the egg whites and 2 tablespoons water in a third bowl until thick and frothy. Which will take about 1 minute. Add the egg white mixture to the nuts and stir until coated. Add the sugar and spice mixture and stir until coated. Divide the nuts between the prepared baking sheets, and spread in a single layer.
Bake, stirring the nuts and rotating the pans halfway through, until golden brown and very fragrant, which will take 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely on the baking sheets. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

If you have a sewing machine, this next idea is super quick to make, though they can be hand sewn too. Either way, they’re something the recipient will be super grateful for on cold wintry days.

Handwarmers

These can be made any size, but obviously they need to be able to fit into a pocket.

You’ll need:

Whatever fabric you choose (and the great thing is that as they’re small, you can use up any pretty scraps you happen to have)

Fabric scissors

Pinking shears (if you have them. This isn’t essential)

Rice

Cut the squares to the size of your choosing from your fabric. you’ll need two per hand warmer.

Place two squares of fabric wrong sides together and stitch a 1/4 inch seam around the outside, leaving a 1-1/2 inch opening and backstitching at the beginning and end then turn right side out. If you don’t have pinking shears or a place fabric right side together, sew as instructed.

Fill each square bag 3/4 of the way up with rice.

Pin the opening so the rice doesn’t fall out, and sew closed.

If you do have pinking shears, use them to trim the edges which will keep them from fraying.

To use, the handwarmers should be put in the microwave for 20 seconds

Barbecue spice rub

Another foodie gift that avoids the need for you to do any cooking yourself. All you need to do is combine all the seasonings and make a decorative tag.

1/3 cup sea salt

1/3 cup brown sugar or maple sugar

1/4 cup paprika

2 tablespoons black pepper

2 tablespoons dried oregano

1 tablespoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried mustard

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Can be used as a spice rub on chicken, fish, beef, or veggies.

On the tag you can explain that to add extra flavor to chicken or meat, rub thoroughly with this blend and refrigerate for a few hours or up to a day before cooking.

Other Christmassy posts you’ll find useful

Eco-friendly Christmas tips part 1…

…and part 2

Christmas games your whole family will enjoy