Home made Holiday Gifts & Decorations Ideas

We've all been there: Tight budget, gifts for under $10 office parties, small somethings for the postal carrier, favorite bank teller, school teachers and even the "just incase an unexpected guest drops by" gift needed.  Here are some ideas to help get you prepared!

Make up several of these for individual gifts of gratitude, or pair them with like small treats in a pretty basket that can be used year round.

Need inexpensive decorating ideas? Try some of these tips that use supplies most likely already in your home, such as the clove decorated oranges, or simply use our ideas as a foundation to create your own one of a kind pieces.

Pretzel Sticks

Peppermint Sticks

Flavored melts such as chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch, caramels, etc.

Assorted toppings such as chopped candies, nuts, flaked coconut, & crushed candy canes.

Directions:

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Melt chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch morsels or caramels according to package directions.

Dip pretzel rods or peppermint sticks into melted liquid, covering at least half of the rod. Allow excess coating to drip off.

Sprinkle dipped sticks with assorted toppings. Drizzle with additional melted coating if desired. Place onto prepared baking sheet; let stand until coating is firm. Store at room temperature in an airtight container

Jams, Jellies, Sauces, & Salsa. There are some great recipes online for unique ideas from Apple Butter to home made salad dressings. Prepare in country canning jars (such as Mason or Ball) or if the item doesn't require a vacuum seal, be creative and reuse novelty containers such as a special edition liquor bottle. (Example: vinaigrettes)

For individual gift giving, place a colorful cloth circle cut out over the lid and tie with festive holiday ribbon, or use several of these various small gifts collectively in an attractive basket, wrapped in plastic and tied with shiny gold, green, or red ribbon.

Create this simple, yet aromatic centerpiece in only a few minutes by inserting a handful of clove spikes into several oranges and placing them over a bed of pine needles in a decorative plate. Add a spice scented candle in the center and enjoy all the scents of the Holidays blended together.

Instead of adding a candle, continue building up with a second and third layer of clove spiked oranges to create an orange pyramid. Use your imagination!

Look for patriotic tree ornaments where ever Christmas decorations are sold. Better yet, create one from the heart using an ordinary ornament by applying school glue and red, white, & blue colored glitter in various designs. You don't have to make the perfect flag to show everyone that our troops are in your thoughts this season.

Give the gift that keeps on giving, reminding the recipient day after day for years to come that you thought about them.

Seedlings can be home grown or purchased at nurseries and local Arboretums for just a couple of dollars. Place them in an attractive pot for gift giving with instructions (provided by the nursery or Arboretum) on planting and care.

Earth friendly gifts: greatly appreciated by future generations!

Using a small glass bowl, fill 3/4 full of water. Drop in sprigs or cranberry or mistletoe twigs, rich red, fresh cranberries, and a small floating candle. Place bowl atop a small wreath of pine where ever a festive touch is needed.