Stocking Stuffers to Buy Now

It is almost October and have you done any Christmas shopping? I’ve picked up a few items on sale    and put them away. Adults like my siblings, even husband, are the easiest to shop for because their interests don’t change. I can keep my eyes out all year along for Gone with the Wind merchandise or 1000 piece plus puzzles. 

What can you buy in October that would be good for Christmas or stocking stuffers?

•           Art supplies-basic supplies are on clearance everywhere since the back to school frenzy is over. Michaels and Joann Fabrics also offer coupons in the Sunday ads that allow you to buy one item 50% off. If you start doing this now, you can get a half price item per week.
•            Socks- Depending on the recipient you can go for zany ones if they’ll  be appreciated. You are looking for sales or clearance items, not full price.
•  Small games-not the electronic type.  These can be found often are the clearance table of book stores and discount stores.
• Jewelry- cruise the jewelry section every time you shop for bargain basement finds. Earrings are usually the most popular.
•  Toiletries-this can work for both young and old. The Dollar Tree will yield fizzy bath balls and bubble bath.  Higher end is Bath and Body Work. Keep your ear open for the buy free, get three free. You can even use the coupons you made have form the store. I’ve walked out with $90 of toiletries for $30.
• Wind-up toys-I actually found a few in Kohls that I applied my 30% discount too. 
• Gloves can be amazingly expensive. You can also order them online. 
• Candles—I am always looking for these on clearance. Krogers usually has a few on clearance.
• Kids Toy and puzzles-do you have a ton of stockings to make? Try Oriental Trading and order items in mass. Often, you get free shipping.
•  Unusual or quirky items-can be found everywhere from yard sales, street festivals and curio shops.
• Design a photo mug on Vista Print or Walgreens.com
• Ornaments are popular, especially personalized ones. Create your own on Zazzle.com. They are always running specials. Be sure to take advantage of them.
• Quality headphones can be picked up for less at T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. I used a Groupon to buy Skull Candy headphones.
• Gadgets-A foodie would appreciate corkscrews, garlic press, or even a food thermometer.
•  DVDs-these go on sale on a rotating basis. Amazon as flash sale of popular movies that may last only minutes.
• Lottery tickets
•  Book marks
• Match box cars or similar
• Key rings- fun or sentimental.
• Book lights.
•  Toothbrushes
• Fake tattoos and stickers
• Glowsticks
• Harmonica
• Nail polish, lip balms and hand cream
• Individual face masks
•  Batteries
• Jerky
• Barrettes, combs, ribbons
• Disposable camera
•  Wallet
•  Journal
• Pens, pencils, erasers
• Tape measure
•  Golf tees
• Puzzle book
• Flash drive
•  Hand warmers
•  Canned nuts
• Car air freshener
• Fishing lures
• Phone chargers
• Craft kits
• Stamps & ink pad
• Legos
• Action figurines
• Hot sauce
• Individual drink mixers
• Kazoos
• Balls, tops, balloons

Inexpensive Christmas Gifts

It’s that time of year again. Where you spend too much money, run up the charge cards, and regret it in January. The average person spends about $800 on gifts including family, friends, and co-workers. How can you trim these expenses?

1.       The Extended Family Exchange-draw names, and set a gift limit, such as $15. You can still get grandma a gift, but it is better if it is homemade (less chance of it being re-gifted.)

2.       Secret Santa- this should cover the work gift giving.

3.       Friends-invite them over for a cookie exchange party.

4.       Photos make great gifts for family or romantic partners-Comb through your favorite photos. Pick out a few they are good for calendars, mugs, cards, even t-shirts at Walgreens and Vistaprint. Check your newspaper or online because both run coupons. Regular photos in a frame work too.

5.       Holiday bread- is always a favorite. You can make batches of banana , cranberry orange, or pumpkin bread for less than fifty cents a loaf. Disposable pans are available at the Dollar Tree or Deals. It is cheaper to make it from scratch too. J

6.       Soup, cookie, or cake mix jars-you can use canning jars for these since you want to keep expenses down.

7.       Bath and body products –airtight jars with a screw on lid are necessary. This is the basic recipe link, but site includes other variation. It will run you about a dollar a jar for product if you buy in bulk. Best place to buy your Epsom salts is discount store and Deals.

8.       Cheap Gift Basket-thrifts stores have a variety of baskets, but the Dollar Tree has them for a dollar. Decide on a theme. Use a towel, (dish, or car wash towel) to fill the bottom of the basket. You can make a car wash basket for your guy. (Get these items on sale.) The coffee lover’s basket is the cheapest if you include two cups. Mugs are only a dollar at the dollar tree. Flavored coffee samples are a dollar at most groceries. Throw in some tea, and hot cocoa. Top it off with a bow and note.

9.       Have a talent-paint a picture, write a poem, even compose a piece of music and record it.

10.   Rice Buddy Pack-these are simple to make with material remnants and rice.

11.   Family Recipe Collection- Buy a recipe card book from your local Deals, Dollar Tree or Big Lot store to record all the family favorite recipes. This is an excellent gift for newly married or recently moved out adult child.

12.   Candles- decorative jars or even wine glasses make excellent holders. You can find these at Dollar Tree and Goodwill.

13.   Unique Serving dishes-Hit the thrift shops for pretty glass plates, and crystal candlestick holders. The plate will rest on top of the candlestick holder. Adhere it with epoxy glue. Use plenty of it, and let it dry for a day.

14.   Dollar Bill Butterflies- the cleverly folded butterflies can land on a small basket of flower seeds purchased at the Dollar Tree. The seeds are viable since I use them every year.

15.   Flavored Vinegars or oils- head out to the thrift store again to pick up some lovely decanters that people received as gifts, and were clueless what to do with them. Wine bottles work too, although you will need a cork or stopper.

16.   Homemade Dog Biscuits- The recipe is in the middle of the page. You can also include the recipe too for the dog lover. They don’t have to be bone shaped either.

17.   Hot chocolate mix in a jar- this is great for chocolate lovers and families.

18.   Personalized gift-want something with your favorite saying, or an inside joke that only the two of you share. Try Zazzle, a new website that personalizes almost anything at fair prices.

19.    A coupon book- probably made them as kids for your parents. You can make them for friends and family including everything from a back rubs to a car wash.

20.   Christmas Cookie Ornaments- this is a great one for kids to make, and fun too. Remember: the ornaments aren’t edible.

 

Making Christmas gifts sounds overwhelming, but it isn’t. Pick a day, assemble your supplies, and elicit help if needed. Think of the parking lots you won’t be circling and the money you will be saving.