So, here are some quick ideas for personalized, pocketbook friendly gifts and celebrations.
1. Make your own cards for every occasion. To make a bulk list, for graduation announcements, party invites, or holiday greetings, come up with a template that's easy to reproduce. This makes everything that much more personal.
I keep these things on hand at all times:
• A paper scalpel, scissors, and a hole punch.
• Various embellishments: decorative brads, eyelets, wire and beads, and cardboard letter cutouts (all bought on sale).
• Vellum sheets.
• Envelopes in various sizes.
• The one thing I could not live without in the craft world: double-stick "mounting squares," clear, half and full size. These are even better than double-stick tape.
• A fine-point permanent marker, and good pens in black, blue, and red ink.
• A cache of failsafe quotes for the inside.
If you have access to a design program, and enjoy graphics, come up with your own designs and print them on vellum. It creates a great layering effect that spices up any card.
In any case, a handmade card is generally one that will get some good shelf life. Or at least fridge face time.
2. Buy something simple, and spruce it up with an original element.
• A bottle of wine (can be under $10 if the recipient is a budget-friendly person like you) with a handmade or authentic ornament wrapped around the neck. This can be further personalized by sculpting wire and beads around the bottle, serving both as an attaching device and a pretty keepsake.
• A homemade apple pie in an attractive pie dish that they can keep. Remember my first post? The $4.99 red stoneware pie dish? And then the failsafe pie crust? Well, see below for my Better-than-grandma's-but-don't-tell-her Apple Pie. This is a gift that is especially great for parents who didn't know you could cook, let alone make a pie crust.
• A keepsake ornament or trinket accompanied with a personal note. A friend will always hold something with sentimental value near and dear, and these can usually be bought for less than $20 and still mean a lot to the recipient, when it comes with a special explanation. Think poems, sappy love notes, etc.
• Learn to knit. A friend at work taught me last year, and I made about 5 scarves, an iPod case, a beanie (didn't fit), and a dishtowel. For not a lot of money. Sure, not everything has been worn or employed. BUT, everyone was shocked that I'd taken the time to knit. And it makes for a great party trick. I will someday be the grandma who knits those ridiculous sweaters!
• Paint a picture, write a story, frame an original photograph yourself. Anything you can do creatively is a personal and original gift idea. Use your talents and save!
Sure, I may have just given all my gifting secrets away to my friends... "So THAT'S why I got a scarf for Christmas...and pie for my birthday...." But I hope it gets the ball rolling.
And, finally, as promised: a note about the organization makeover. We have now cleaned and organized about 90% of our apartment. We have spent about $200 on containerizing, cleaning supplies, and the like. I wish I had taken before pictures, because I seriously think that our apartment is looking more and more like the super-organized IKEA catalog every day.
It's simplicity, it's creativity, it's smart budgeting that makes this house a home.
Go forth and be creative.
-Budget Girl
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