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Tip Store: Gifts: Free Gift Ideas
The Family Recipe Book
For Christmas just gone, we were a little broke so decided to a recipe book swap with other family members. Through out the year I took photos of the kids cooking, then we typed up our recipes, added the photos and printed them into a recipe book that we put in an A4 display folder. So cheap and the family loved not only the recipes but the updated pictures of our children.
Contributed by Sarah McCulloch, 3rd January 2013
Contributed by Sarah McCulloch, 3rd January 2013
Save by Re-gifting
Have you ever received a good quality gift that you simply will not use? Why not re-gift it (not to the same person or group of people), otherwise the cost of the gift is just a waste, and you will save the cost of purchasing another gift. Many other people receive gifts that they do not want or need, you can find them being sold at garage sales and Op Shops. We purchase these gifts (many times brand new still in their packaging) and gift them onto others (keeping in mind the needs of the person you are gifting too). This is a great saving, and if you start looking now, you may find many "specials" that you can use at Christmas time. Garage sales and op shops are also excellent for buying books and toys for children and adults, clothes, curtains and kitchenware. Not all in new condition, but good enough for your own family and great saving (you can also have a garage sale and sell your own unwanted treasures).
Contributed by Jen Orr, 29th July 2010
Contributed by Jen Orr, 29th July 2010
Re-gifting With Style
Approximate $ Savings: $40
I looked through my cupboards recently and found a lot of things I could give for gifts. I found unused soap - Lots of slivers of soap can be put in a potpourri made of dried leaves and flowers - as well as other items I had bought cheaply during the year. Just make sure you don't give unwanted gifts back to the person who gave them to you e.g. something you received from family can go to a friend. One family member gave me homemade washing powder and a cake mix telling me to add an egg and a dessertspoon full of milk - Also a family present is a good idea for those who have children - The children will enjoy a hamper if it has fudge or biscuits in it.
Contributed by Sarah, Wynnum West, 21st January 2010
I looked through my cupboards recently and found a lot of things I could give for gifts. I found unused soap - Lots of slivers of soap can be put in a potpourri made of dried leaves and flowers - as well as other items I had bought cheaply during the year. Just make sure you don't give unwanted gifts back to the person who gave them to you e.g. something you received from family can go to a friend. One family member gave me homemade washing powder and a cake mix telling me to add an egg and a dessertspoon full of milk - Also a family present is a good idea for those who have children - The children will enjoy a hamper if it has fudge or biscuits in it.
Contributed by Sarah, Wynnum West, 21st January 2010
Photo Memories
If family or friends live far away send a small photo album of pics of your kids and yourself as they don't get to see you that much. It is especially good for my sisters kids to see their cousins and remember who they are.
Contributed by Karen, Lowood, 1st May 2008
Contributed by Karen, Lowood, 1st May 2008
Make a Donation and Save Lives
Would you like to do something for others this Christmas but are low on cash, why not give blood? My 16 year old son and I go together, give blood and get to enjoy a milkshake and morning tea (supplied by Red Cross). Teens can give blood once they turn 16. We go together and come away knowing we have done something that will really make a difference to others.
Contributed by Julie, Mt.Riverview, 13th December 2007
Contributed by Julie, Mt.Riverview, 13th December 2007
Kids Make Cute Cards That Don’t Get Thrown Out
Rather than paying for a birthday cards, which generally just wind up straight in the bin - get your kids to make birthday cards for friends and family members. It is fun for the kids and more meaningful for recipients. My 6 month old just made her first birthday card for her Grandma - very cute.
Contributed by Emma, Brunswick, 26th January, 2007
Contributed by Emma, Brunswick, 26th January, 2007
Useful Gift Certificates
When I had no money for Christmas pressies I made my own gift certificates. Mum had a free lunch at my house, my messy sister had 2 hrs cleaning - all the things I could give. They were all used and appreciated :-)
Contributed by Jennifer, Ingle Farm, March 11th 2005
Contributed by Jennifer, Ingle Farm, March 11th 2005
A Great Gift Idea is Giving Aloe Vera Plants
They are very hardly useful especially for sunburn etc. I started off with 2 plants then split them up and every time someone is having a birthday I go to the $2 shops and get a nice pot, some I even paint a nice message on e.g. have a nice day etc or my friends names or kids names and pot an Aloe Vera up for them. Then I put some nice paper around it, print out a happy birthday label with care instructions for the Aloe Vera and voila a lovely present for next to nothing. There are lots of plants you could use as well clippings out of the garden, even herbs.
Contributed by Pamela, Oakhurst, March 10th 2005
Contributed by Pamela, Oakhurst, March 10th 2005
Free Gift Ideas
1. Write an "I.O.U." for something the recipient usually pays for such as lawnmowing, babysitting, window washing, dressmaking, cooking, ironing, cleaning etc.
2. Make a "Certificate of Appreciation", "World's Best Teacher", "Greatest Dad in the World" etc certificate using the publisher program on your computer. Don't have Publisher? Use Word and put a border around it.
3. Make up a book of coupons, redeemable for a massage, a night off from cooking, a weekend without washing and ironing etc.
4. Give a letter stating that you will do something the recipient doesn't have time to do or really doesn't like doing.
5. Wash the car.
6. Weed the garden.
7. Clean the windows.
8. Do the grocery shopping (make sure you get a list first)
9. Do you paint? Paint a picture just for the recipient.
10. Change the oil in the car.
11.Get those family photos out of the shoebox and into an album. Using acid free pens, write captions for the photos.
12. Cook dinner for a week.
13. Prepare a dinner and deliver it ready for the freezer.
2. Make a "Certificate of Appreciation", "World's Best Teacher", "Greatest Dad in the World" etc certificate using the publisher program on your computer. Don't have Publisher? Use Word and put a border around it.
3. Make up a book of coupons, redeemable for a massage, a night off from cooking, a weekend without washing and ironing etc.
4. Give a letter stating that you will do something the recipient doesn't have time to do or really doesn't like doing.
5. Wash the car.
6. Weed the garden.
7. Clean the windows.
8. Do the grocery shopping (make sure you get a list first)
9. Do you paint? Paint a picture just for the recipient.
10. Change the oil in the car.
11.Get those family photos out of the shoebox and into an album. Using acid free pens, write captions for the photos.
12. Cook dinner for a week.
13. Prepare a dinner and deliver it ready for the freezer.