by Pamela Kay

Created on: November 14, 2008   Last Updated: November 25, 2011

Create hundreds of cheap homemade Christmas gifts with things you already have. Christmas doesn't need to cost a fortune; it needs to be a time of joy and wonder, peace and love. Look around you with new eyes and set your imagination free to discover the many cheap homemade Christmas gifts you can make.

*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.

*Foot Warmers

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.

*Braided Rag Rug

Create a usable gift that will last for years. Braid old scraps of fabric into long ropes and sew the ropes in a coil to create a one of a kind rug.

*Baby Quilt

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.

*Embroidered Gifts

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.

*Denim Pocketbook

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.

*Dried Flower Arrangement

Cut and dry weeds, such as Queen Anne's Lace, Joe Pye weed, teasel, cattails and various grasses gone to seed or flowers such as hydrangeas, bachelor buttons, baby's breath and straw-flowers. These create beautiful dried flower arrangements.

*Gift In A Jar-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.

Creating cheap homemade Christmas gifts is fun and will help stretch your Christmas budget. 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 or imagine your own.

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