Treasure the Quiet Moments brings low cost gift ideas today. Don’t forget to enter the drawing to win a Christmas sign. Entries for comments as well as subscribing to my blog and newsletter.

Thanksgiving is just two weeks away and I know you are already making your Christmas list and checking it twice. Today I am sharing some low cost gift ideas for Christmas. I would love for you to add your ideas in the comments too.

Low Cost Gift Ideas for Christmas

If Christmas shopping has you worried, maybe there are some ways to show love and give from the heart without breaking the bank. There are many who are unemployed and underemployed. Low cost gift ideas can help.

Begin by thinking of things you enjoy doing and are good at. Do you work on cars? Do you cut hair? Do you sew, crochet or knit? Do you enjoy cooking or baking?

Giving a gift from the heart is a wonderful way to give at Christmas time.

Here are Some Low Cost Gift Ideas:

For the Crafty:

Homemade items like shawls, scarves or mittens. There are free patterns available online at places like Ravelry or Lion Brand.

Gifts in a jar can include ideas for soups or cookie mixes. These are great for teacher or co-worker gifts.

Create a scrapbook with memories for a college student heading back to school. Photos of family members. Coupons for coffee.

Create a picture book for young children with magazine cut-outs of bright shapes, cars, people, toys, etc.

Repurpose something fun and personalize it: there are many ideas on Pinterest or Etsy

Try these mittens made from old sweaters with instructions on YouTube. Budget 101 has some great resources.

For the Handy or Mechanically Inclined:

Make a birdhouse

Clean out gutters, mow lawn, shovel snow, weed whack trim, Rake Leaves

Provide a single mom or widow a free oil change

Wash windows

Miscellaneous Ideas:

A movie gift bag with DVD, popcorn, and candy (include tissues for a tear jerker): Walmart has $5 and $7 DVD bins with lots of movies to choose from.

Photo of someone you miss at Christmas (my mom gave me a framed photo of my dad & I)

Gently used books and a handmade bookmark

Coffee mug filled with candy

A coupon booklet with things to do for the person throughout the year: Include acts of kindness like mowing the lawn; shovel the walk; Sharing a hug; Changing the Oil; Taxi service to the store, Offer Childcare, etc.

Postage stamps and a box of greeting cards

Journal and a cool pen

Create a home movie to send to a distant relative

Videotape yourself while reading a storybook and send it to your grandchild

Gather vintage clothing from your closet or the good will store for a dress up box

Re-gift items you were not able to use from last Christmas (yes, this is approved of)

Root cuttings from your houseplants to share

Pretty dishes from a thrift store

For The Cook:

Bake a batch of favorite cookies

Freeze single serving meals from your family dinners and gift someone who lives alone

Create a collection of tried and true recipes to share

I hope this has jump started your creative thinking. Gifts don’t have to cost a ton. Often the most precious are those given from the heart.

The trick is being prepared and thinking ahead.

Please share your low cost gift ideas with us in the comments,

Jeanne

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