Make Affordable and Easy Gifts

There are lots of ideas and recipes for homemade gifts that you can make yourself. Some of them are very simple while others are quite elaborate and require some skill. Many times, people want to make their own gifts but become frustrated when the list of supplies is long or hard to find. Others simply feel like they don't have the time to get the gifts made in a timely manner.

Fortunately, there are lots of tips to make homemade gift-giving easier. We have compiled a list of tips and tricks that will not only make the process easier, but less expensive than you might think as well. Easy and affordable gifts don't have to take a lot of time, money or effort. Here are the tips:

Tips

Recycle items instead of throwing them away: You would be surprised how many items that you throw in the bin can actually be made into nice gifts. For example, a broken plate that you would usually discard can be cut up into small pieces to make mosaic crafts. An empty baby food jar can be made into a candle holder or office supply holder. A jar of marbles that has been sitting around gathering dust can be used in a vase for a decorative accent to your home. These are just a few ideas about turning potential rubbish into a treasure you can enjoy for years to come.

Try to keep a few basics on hand: If you love crafting, there are a few items you should always have in your home. Those would include paints in primary colours, adhesives like glue and scotch tape, different colours of paper, scissors and anything else that is needed in items you want to frequently make.

Baked goods are always welcome: Everyone loves the smell of a fresh batch of cookies or brownies baking in the kitchen. They love it even more if you are giving those sweet to them as a gift. Baking a batch of cookies and putting them in a decorative tin or a small basket is a nice, personal gift that others will surely enjoy. And it won't cost much money, as chances are you have nearly all the ingredients already in your pantry.

Use the internet: There are many Web sites (such as this one) that have great ideas for homemade crafts and gifts. Some are high-end while others try to keep it simple and inexpensive, like we do.

Make your own card: If you can't think of a crafty gift to make and are not good at baking, making your own card is a simple gift that will be well appreciated. The fact that you put thought and effort into the card instead of just buying one at the drug store is very touching. Simply take thick cardstock paper, fold in half and decorate anyway that the recipient would like. This could be with stickers, glitter, paint, stamps, scenic pictures - the sky is the limit when it comes to this type of decorating.