Who Says Christmas Has To Be Expensive?

Not every gift around the holiday season has to be elaborate and fancy. Many people nowadays actually prefer homemade gifts over high end jewelry, especially if they know it was made with a little TLC. With Pinterest being such a big hit, many people have looked to the internet to find ideas as to what to make, instead of get, for their friends and family this Christmas. There are many stores out there such as Hobby Lobby, which is my personal favorite, where you can buy all the materials you may need for homemade gifts for a very low cost. 

Something as simple as hot chocolate and marshmallows can make someone smile as big as the moon. Instead of handing them a couple of packets of hot chocolate mix, you can make it creative by putting them in a huge coffee mug. Or you can get a Mason Jar, fill it half full of hot chocolate mix, then a layer of or two or marshmallows, then a layer of chocolate chips, and a layer of little peppermint candies to top it off. Make sure you seal the lid so everything doesn't come tumbling out when you hand it to them.  Being creative can turn a simple gift into a smile. 

Something very similar to the hot chocolate in a jar, could be as simple as a jar full of festive candies. It doesn't have to be just festive candies either. It could be someone's favorite type of candy or any kind of candy you think they might enjoy. Fill the Mason Jar full of whatever candy or goody you have decided on, then seal the lid and you can decorate the outside however you would like. You can wrap it in an assortment of ribbons and bows, you can put stickers on it, you can paint it, you could even bedazzle it. As long as you made it yourself, your loved on is going to love it. 

Handmade Christmas ornaments are always a big hit with the grandparents. If you have little kids, or even if you're a college student, no family member can say no to a cute make-it-yourself Christmas tree ornament. You can buy just a plain bulb ornament at Hobby Lobby for a couple of dollars and decorate it with sparkles, paint, ribbon, etc. When it comes to decorating a Christmas gift, the possibilities are endless. 

If you have someone going off to college, their Christmas list might look something like this: décor for the walls, command strips, towels, a shower caddy, lotions, a loofah, a flat screen TV, a microwave, etc. You can buy a lot of these kinds of things at the dollar general store; obviously not the more expensive items, but almost everything else. Buy a couple of these essentials they will need for college and put them in a cute little basket. Slap on a bow and a card and you've got yourself a present.  

For a Secret Santa gift, if you don't know the person all that well, it can be kind of tough. However, if you know a couple of their favorites, it makes things a whole lot easier. Things such as their favorite candy, favorite color, favorite movie, favorite kind of gum, etc. You can easily go out and buy some of their favorites and not have to spend a whole paycheck by going to your local general store; they're bound to have what you're looking for. You can put all these items in a cute little box or bag and viola! You have your Secret Santa gift.

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