| A frugal gift is measured first by it's usefulness. | | | | an apron and write the person's name or a personal |
| Speaking from my own experience, I would say that | | | | message, poem, or saying on it, using a fabric paint pen |
| my most appreciated gifts are those that I not only find | | | | or paints. Other contents might include a cookbook, |
| useful, but that I would have had to purchase myself at | | | | some of your own favorite recipes printed neatly on a |
| some point. With that in mind, the frugal mind that is, the | | | | recipe card or made into a mini cookbook, a recipe file, |
| gift actually serves two practical purposes; It is useful | | | | cookbook stand, well I could go on and on. |
| and saves me money. | | | | 2. Cook's Basket: Fill a large stock pot or basket with a |
| If you are a frugal gal, this task will be much easier for | | | | variety of cooking utensils or supplies. i.e. - Most of the |
| you. If great minds think alike, the same is true of frugal | | | | above items could be considered as well as, ladles, |
| minds. Simply look within yourself. The frugal gal can | | | | cutlery, small strainer/s, tongs, special seasonings, |
| get excited about the most ordinary of items. For the | | | | cooking spices (Italian seasoning, cumin, onion powder, |
| rest of you, here's a little help. | | | | garlic, oregano, thyme, etc) and again, top it off with a |
| Although you may question some items on the list, | | | | pretty apron! Throw in a cookbook if your budget |
| remember, the frugal gal enjoys frugal things! She | | | | allows and/or toss in some homemade recipes for |
| looks to get the best value for her money and this IS | | | | taco seasoning, chicken bake coating, stuffing, |
| what makes her happy! It just makes sense that | | | | whatever you can find to replace higher priced store |
| providing a practical frugal gift that may also save | | | | bought mixes. |
| money, will make her happy. Isn't that what great gifts | | | | A good idea might be to actually make the mixes and |
| should do? So here's to happiness and the pursuit of | | | | give them already mixed in a tightly sealed container or |
| the frugal lifestyle! Happy holidays, happy birthdays, | | | | jar along with the recipe. How to save money on |
| happy Mother's day, etc. etc. etc.... | | | | groceries tips or book. |
| FRUGAL GIFT BASKET IDEAS | | | | THE FOOD GIFT BASKET |
| Some of these unique gift baskets might seem odd or | | | | 1. Frugal Food Basket: Mix up some master baking mix, |
| unusual to the average person. If you're a frugal gal, | | | | pancake mix, cookie mix, or muffin mix. Pick and |
| you'll completely understand. The rest of you will just | | | | choose or give them all in tightly sealed containers or |
| have to trust me. | | | | jars and attach recipes for using and the mix recipe. |
| THE LAUNDRY GIFT BASKET | | | | Decorate accordingly of course. Specialty rice and rice |
| For the frugal gal who holds onto things until they fall | | | | mixes, bean mixes, bean and rice mixes, oatmeal, and |
| apart (or even after they fall apart). | | | | couscous. A pack of herb seeds or starter plants for |
| This is the gal who has a laundry basket held together | | | | indoor herb gardening. Top it off with an apron, or a gift |
| with duct tape, tied together with string or rope, or | | | | card from your local grocery store. |
| repaired several times with other various ingenious | | | | 2. Treat Gift Basket: Now this one is great to give the |
| methods. | | | | frugal gal food items that her budget, or frugal mind, |
| Probability is, she may not even have a laundry basket. | | | | just won't allow. Even frugal gals have favorite |
| I have several produce boxes (they are extremely | | | | gourmet items that they love but rarely treat |
| strong, especially banana boxes) that make wonderful | | | | themselves to. For instance, I love Macadamia nuts. But |
| laundry carriers! And, they are free. | | | | they are very expensive, making them cost prohibitive |
| Fill a sturdy laundry basket with one or two boxes | | | | for my financial goals right now. |
| each: | | | | If you don't already know, ask a spouse or close |
| - Arm and Hammer Washing Soda | | | | relative what items the recipient enjoys. Fill a basket or |
| - 20 Mule Team Borax | | | | other creative container with those foods and other |
| - A few bars of Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap | | | | various specialty foods, snacks, nuts, and/or cheeses. |
| I say "sturdy" basket because it will inevitably be put to | | | | Remember to take into consideration any diet |
| the test by a frugal gal! If your frugal gal doesn't need | | | | restrictions and select your contents accordingly. |
| a new laundry basket, you can give these gifts in an | | | | 3. Coffee or Tea Gift Basket: I'm a true coffee lover. |
| appropriate size traditional gift basket or just gift bag | | | | But, as a frugal gal, I know that a common brand will |
| 'em. | | | | get me through the day just as well as a gourmet |
| This is a great gift for anyone who doesn't mind saving | | | | brand. That doesn't change the fact that I enjoy a |
| money. And, I don't know anyone who minds! I would | | | | good cup of gourmet or specialty coffee once in a |
| mix up one batch and put in a tightly sealed container. | | | | while. But, with my current financial goals, the treat |
| (You can make a decorative container yourself i.e. - a | | | | comes few and far between. |
| quart mason jar and some decorative fabric banded | | | | The coffee basket will definitely be appreciated by the |
| over the top. Tie with pretty ribbon.) Place with the | | | | frugal gal who loves a good cup of joe! Pack that |
| laundry detergent ingredients to get them to try it and | | | | basket with several different brands of gourmet or |
| started down the right path. Include the following | | | | specialty coffee or a lot of the one brand you know |
| Laundry Detergent Recipe with the Laundry Basket | | | | she loves. Include a permanent coffee filter to fit the |
| Gift. | | | | brand of coffeemaker she uses to show you haven't |
| Powdered Laundry Detergent | | | | forgotten her practical side! You can easily adapt the |
| 1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap | | | | contents to fit the tea lover instead. Top it off with a |
| 1/2 Cup Washing Soda | | | | nice coffee cup. |
| 1/2 Cup Borax | | | | THE GARDENER'S GIFT BASKET |
| For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily | | | | The gardener's basket is simply a collection of any |
| soiled load, use 2 tablespoons. | | | | supplies a home gardener might need; A garden knee |
| Options: | | | | pad, gardening tools, seeds, (starter plants if it's the |
| 1. If budget allows, throw in some cloth napkins, utility | | | | right time of year) Gardening books and tips. Starter |
| towels, bath towels, hand towels, or washcloths. | | | | pots. Containers for the container gardener. Gloves |
| 2. Make a little book with a variety of laundry tips, | | | | and a hat. |
| tricks, and homemade recipes. This is great for a new | | | | SEWING GIFT BASKET |
| bride. | | | | Fill a basket or sewing box with a variety of sewing |
| THE CLEANING GIFT BASKET | | | | notions. Include some decorative fabric or a collection |
| The frugal gal makes her own cleaning solutions and is | | | | of scrap fabrics; Sewing patterns or instructions for |
| always looking for cleaning and organizing tips. The | | | | home decorating sewing tasks or sewing level |
| cleaning basket might include such items as, a couple | | | | appropriate apparel patterns. In other words, keep it |
| of spray bottles, steel wool, a pumice stone, cream of | | | | real. Not everyone is a seamstress but, most frugal |
| tartar, vinegar, baking soda, gloves, scrub brushes, utility | | | | gals can make a curtain or pillow cover given simple |
| towels or cleaning rags, dusters, cloth diapers (make | | | | instructions. Your frugal gal might be a mender or a |
| great cleaning rags), household cleaning and organizing | | | | seamstress. Choose your gift basket contents |
| tips book or recycling tips. | | | | accordingly. Include such novelties as velcro, snaps, |
| Top with a personalized cleaning shirt or apron or any | | | | hemming tape (or fusion tape), iron on patches, as |
| other little cleaning gadgets you think your frugal gal | | | | these will be handy for most frugal gals. |
| might find handy. Throw in a coupon for a coffee | | | | Now don't worry frugal gals, I've got your back! ;-) I |
| break date, with you, at your home, her home, or a | | | | wouldn't want your friends and family to think you will |
| local coffee shop! Your treat of course. | | | | be offended if they give you a non-frugal gift. So |
| THE KITCHEN GIFT BASKET | | | | here's my last thought...... |
| The kitchen basket contents is limited only to your | | | | Although the frugal gal will love and appreciate the |
| imagination! This is a great gift for anyone who loves | | | | practical, useful, gift like no one else can, she is indeed |
| to cook. Frugal gals know the importance of saving | | | | a woman. So, if the notion strikes, you may certainly |
| through cooking. If you're a frugal gal you can reflect | | | | reward her with a luxury gift. The frugal gal will enjoy a |
| on your own needs and frequent uses to spark some | | | | luxurious treat that she would not normally consider for |
| ideas. By the way, the "basket" doesn't have to be a | | | | herself. For example, a trip to the salon for a |
| basket. Did that make sense? You'll see what I mean. | | | | professional manicure, pedicure, or hair style. |
| Here are a few suggestions: | | | | If you know your frugal gal has had her eye on an |
| 1. Baker's Basket: Fill a large mixing bowl or basket | | | | outfit, or other item, that she's convinced she doesn't |
| [she'll probably get more use out of the bowl ;-)] with | | | | need but secretly admires and wants, of course (if |
| baking tools and/or supplies as much as will suit your | | | | your budget allows) Get It For Her! Odds are she |
| budget. i.e. - Wire whisks of various sizes, wooden | | | | won't buy it for herself and she will surely be happy to |
| spoons, measuring spoons and cups, a sifter, cookie | | | | receive it as a gift. She'll get to have something she |
| cutters, rubber spatulas (you know, those things you | | | | wants but doesn't actually need, and still remain faithful |
| use to scrape every last bit of batter out of the bowl. | | | | to her lifestyle or financial commitments. |
| My husband and I still argue about what these are | | | | I hope these ideas help you create beautiful gifts for |
| called), a bag of bulk yeast, can of baking powder, | | | | anyone in your life. Choosing a basket theme to suit |
| various spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, etc.), | | | | the recipients interests or needs is always a winning |
| vanilla extract, or anything else you know your frugal | | | | gift. Personalized gifts are more appreciated and keep |
| gal or cook will use or needs. | | | | on giving. Each time the recipient uses the item/s they |
| Top it all off with a personalized apron. Make or buy | | | | are reminded of the thoughtfulness of the giver. |