Our economy (back in 2008) is forcing us to rethink how we do some things.  I’m always up for ideas for cheaper Christmas presents, so I thought I would share some meaningful ideas that may cost you less money.

• Give cases of cans from the Dry Pack Cannery–You can pack any number and any variety of cans with maybe some variety foods from the grocery store.
• Create a jam gift pack–You can can your own jams in the fall and gift them together in a pretty basket. You can also go to Welfare Square and pack jams there. If you perform service hours for one flavor, you are eligible to come back during the season to buy other flavors of jams. The Cannery even sells decorative boxes to gift your jams in. (It might be too late for this year, but think about it for next year.)
• Make a memory scrapbook–There is a wonderful book called One Special Summer written by the Bouvier girls. They wrote this book as a gift for their parents in sending them to Europe one summer. Scrapbooks are really nice gifts.
• Gift cards–the problem with gift cards is any amount less than $50 typically forces the receiver to pay additional out of pocket money in order to redeem their gift. Just be careful where the card comes from. Combining with several people will make the gift amount higher.
• Hand make an item-out of fabric, paper, wood, metal, food, yarn, etc.
• Gift baskets–often end up being more expensive than regular presents, but using a simple theme can help. Be sure to get your plastic wrap and bow from the Dollar store.
• Combine gift giving–give a family gift instead of buying individual gifts.  People love games, food, books, movies, household items, etc.
• Coupons–create booklets promising your time or free services. The trick is to follow through with your promises.
• Share your talents–Kurt Bestor used to write a new Christmas Carol every year and send it out to his neighbors. Minerva Teichert used to paint a small painting and give it to neighbors who tucked it in the corner of their attics. People are finding these paintings in their attics today and selling them for a pretty penny or hanging them proudly on their walls.
• Write a family history–It is very rewarding to find out someone’s personal story. Write it out, add pictures, and share this marvelous person with others.
• Family portrait or photos–Portraits and photos don’t have to be taken professionally anymore.  Digital photos can be enlarged to any size and framed beautifully with a frame on sale.  The best family pictures are often the ones where the kids are acting up.
• Pull together a family recipe book–This can turn out to be a nightmare, so be careful. Keep it simple. What if a grandma, who doesn’t cook anymore, gave her old beat up, favorite cookbooks (with all her personal notes written in them), and divided them up between her granddaughters?

I would love to hear more ideas on affordable, meaningful Christmas gifts. Christmas doesn’t have to be extravagant, we certainly aren’t going to go into debt any more for the holiday. Let’s focus on a personal touch, a deeper loving calmer atmosphere, a more meaningful, enjoyable season where we can think of the greatest gift of all, which was given to us freely, meaningfully, lovingly, beautifully, and eternally.