1) Become a long-term planner.
My sister-in-law, Kim, has been my mentor mom in planning ahead with gift-giving. When she was living in Germany (army wife), she HAD to be done with her holiday shopping and any birthday gifts months ahead of time in order to account for the extended shipping time. The money saving bonus is that you can look for sales way in advance.

2) Make a list and check it twice.
Purchase that one great gift for that person on your list and then be done. Ship your gifts the first week of December and do Not go out to the mall in December to add one more thing.

3) Make a homemade gift.
Take your passion or your hobby and use all those craft supplies to make a homemade gift. If you are a stamper, make some stationary. If you are a sewer, whip up some sachet bags and fill them with potpourri. If you are a gardener, give some cut flowers, fresh herbs with a recipe, or dry some flowers and make potpourri, press flowers and glue them to blank homemade note cards. If you are a baker, make homemade sugar nuts, cookies, or homemade dog treats (for the pets). Many times, my cookies end up being dog treats. Then make a big batch of brownies and drop them by my house. ☺

4) Become the book lady.
Gain a specialty gift identity. If you have access to a discounted resource on something, make that your “thing” that you give and let everyone in your family and within your circles of friends know it. For a while I lived near a Scholastic Book Warehouse that held sales to the public, and I would buy bags and bags of books for $50 to $75% off. They also always had a $1/book bin. I gave children’s books for every birthday party and holiday. My good friend and neighbor, Kimberly, worked part time for Nestlé. Guess what she gave out? ☺

5) Give coupons for your time.
I know this might sound hokey, but give the gift of love. Give your friends and family members some of your time. Make a coupon for free home cooked meals, child care, finished scrapbook pages, a championship chess game, or maybe a free car wash.

Joy @ Home Mom helpful links:

• Scholaticstore.com to be the book lady who always gives books Crafts
• Craft Savings
• mister art
• save on crafts
• for arts and craft supplies for kids