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Creating cheap homemade Christmas gifts is not only an economically sound move, it's fun too! The value of a gift isn't found in the cost but in the thoughtfulness of the giver who created it especially for you. Try one of these ideas.

SEWN GIFTS

*Cut and sew 6 X 10 inch pouches from cheap flannel, leaving one end open. Pour in a few cups of rice and sew closed. These are great foot warmers that can be warmed in the microwave repeatedly. Use a Christmas print and there's no need to even wrap it, just tie on a bow.

*Braid old scraps of fabric into long ropes and sew the ropes together to create a one of a kind rug.

*A homemade crib quilt made from scraps of fabric would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a new mom. Most of your cost would be in the batting, which is less than ten dollars.

*Handkerchiefs, aprons and throw cushions made from a yard of inexpensive cotton with embroidered flowers are quick, easy and cheap to make. If you crochet, you could even add some edging.

*A pocketbook made from an old pair of jeans and decorated with beads would be welcomed by any teenage girl and could be made for about five dollars or less.

FREE GIFTS FROM THE GARDEN

*Cut and dry weeds, such as Queen Anne's Lace, Joe pye weed, teasel, cattails and various grasses gone to seed. These can be dyed, spray painted or used in their natural colors to create wreaths, arrangements, pictures and many other crafts for gifts.

*Hydrangeas, bachelor buttons, cocks comb, yarrow, bittersweet, baby's breath and straw-flowers are a few of the hundreds of flowers that can be dried and used in their natural color for a stunning bouquet.

*Small tree branches, from trees such as the Winged Elm and willow, make beautiful eye-catching arrangements when sprayed silver and gold and placed in a vase with a few round ornaments in matching colors.

*Seed pods of okra, thistle, magnolia trees, paw paws, gumballs, acorns and pine cones can be used as are or painted and placed in baskets. Add a Christmas bow to the handle and present to the lucky recipient.

*Other free materials are dried corn shucks, moss and lichen covered tree bark. Pressed or skeletonized leaves make nice framed art; just add a mat and frame for a lovely gift.

CHEAP GIFTS THAT TASTE GOOD

*Italian Bread Dipping Mix

One teaspoon each: dried basil, garlic powder, dried thyme, oregano, black pepper.

Half teaspoon each: dried rosemary and kosher or sea salt.

One fourth teaspoon crushed red pepper.

Combine in a blender and process for a few minutes. Pour into a decorative jar. Make a gift tag with these directions:

To serve, combine 1 1/2 tsp mix with 3 tbsp. olive oil and 3/8 tsp. lemon juice or vinegar in a small dish. Dip crusty bread in the mix and enjoy.

*Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Buy an inexpensive bag of pretzels and a bag of chocolate chips. Melt the chocolate and dip the pretzels, coating both sides. Allow the pretzels to dry and place in the jar.

You can create hundreds of cheap homemade Christmas gifts with things you already have. Christmas wasn't meant to cost a fortune, it was meant to be a time of joy and wonder, a time of peace and love. Look around you with new eyes and set your imagination free to discover many cheap homemade Christmas gifts you can make.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Kay.
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