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Tip Store: Christmas: Gifts

Giving a Gift that's Loved and Wanted

​I don't want any more face washers, hand towels or face scrubbies. The odd dishcloth maybe with homemade jam, sauce and pickles. I would like hand knitted socks and a frilly apron, however my biggest like and want is gift cards, I love them. Buy them when grocery shopping as part of your budget and give to others. 
Contributed by Margaret Còwan

Two Simple Rules Keep Gift Giving to Budget

Approximate $ Savings: $200 

I would like to share a Christmas idea that gave me one of the most enjoyable Christmases I can remember. I am not a big fan of exchanging presents (except for giving to children in the family). When you have a large extended family with some having ample free cash and others not, it can cause embarrassing situations. 

The best ever Christmas was one where we had two rules for giving presents:
1. it had to cost less than $5 or 
2. it had to be handmade. 

​We had a great time thinking, planning and making things. I hunted at markets, and charity stores and found things like silk scarves and pretty trinket boxes. My sister-in-law made fabric totes out of old fabric. They were brilliant! Those who could cook made cookies and treats for those of us without kitchen skills. It was exciting and a Christmas to remember. 
​Contributed by Mimi

​Christmas Gifts from Children to Family

​When my grandchildren were younger, we started a tradition where the children gathered family photos and made personalized calendars for their parents. The kids were about 10 and 11 and 12 when they started, and I wanted to get them learning how to give gifts to their parents. The eldest was good with computers and he found the templates on line and then they all went through their photos they had taken all year, and jointly decided what photos to use that year. The theme was that when it was the month of someone's birthday they would find photos or scan old photos of that person to use for that month. Then they would all contribute a few dollars they had earned by gardening or washing cars or cleaning gutters or mowing and we would buy good quality cardboard to print their works of art, and I would take these to work and bind them for that years calendar. The gifts were really appreciated and each year it gave a update of how the kids had grown or their pets or both. Great grandparent got calendars too from the kids and it showed fun times that they had had with them either on visits or holidays when the family visited. 
Contributed by Penny Hughes

​Re-purpose Advent Calendar Moulds

Approximate $ Savings: $20-$50
I was clearing away Christmas things recently and came across some of my children's Advent Calendars. I went to recycle the packaging when it occurred to me that the inner plastic mould found inside the Advent calendar would be perfect to use as a mould for homemade Christmas chocolates next year! The tray is shallow (therefore a little melted chocolate will go a long way), they have a cute Christmas theme (at a fraction of the cost of a specialty chocolate mould), and they would otherwise be thrown out, so why not reuse it! The chocolates could be wrapped in cellophane and tied with a nice ribbon or put in a nice mug for a great present for kids/teachers/KK/stocking stuffer etc.
​Contributed by Ange Goh

​Saving on Gifts is Possible, Even in Remote Areas If You Know How

Approximate $ Savings: $620.00 per year

Living in a remote area in the NT it can be very expensive with little choice when it comes to buying birthday presents for kids parties. Fortunately at the end of the year many child care centres, toy libraries and other community groups bring out fundraiser toy catalogues. I select a variety of toys for a range of ages and get them at the same price I would if I lived in a city with a minimal charge for freight. I save approx half the price for the same toy in town. Most Australia Post shops also bring out fabulous book packs close to Christmas. You can get 4 great kids books for about $12 That is $3 per book; a great addition to a birthday present for approx a quarter of the price. My daughter is always bringing great paintings home from pre school and she loves using them as wrapping paper. Another saving of approx $5. And for a card we sometimes recycle the front of old cards or wrapping paper to make our own designs. The cost of our cards coming to approx $1.50 compared to $4.50 from the shop. So for one party I save approximately $32.00 And having two kids aged 4 and 2 in a small town there can be quite a few parties to go to throughout the year, so that's a savings of approximately $640 for 20 parties in a year.
​- Contributed by Kim, Nhulunbuy

​Create-a-Card Gift Set

​A cheap gift for a crafty child is a "make your own card" set. Take one tidyfile and fill it with pretty papers, some stickers, glue stick, a pen or two, glitter glue, and card-sized coloured card. If you have your own stamps you can stamp them on to white paper and include them as well. The child can decorate them when and how they like.
​- Contributed by Debbie, New Beith

​Always File Receipts

Reading your suggestion of gift buying throughout the year, reminded me about the benefit of keeping receipts. Always file receipts! It is easy to get into the habit if you get yourself a spike and keep it in a convenient place, so that you can pop any receipts you have onto it as soon as you get home from shopping. I bought a gift for my son in law of battery operated salt and pepper mills earlier in the year, but when we tried them at Christmas, they didn't work! I was able to get a refund, no questions asked, as I had carefully filed the receipt. I think it is a good idea to keep gift receipts on a separate clip - that way you don't have to search through the year's receipts.
​- Contributed by Alison, Clifton Springs

​The Christmas Gift Spreadsheet

Do you get stuck for Christmas present ideas? Do you forget what you gave people last year? I have made a spread sheet, that lists all the people that I need to buy for (we have a huge family), and what I have bought them over the past few years. I have also included peoples birth years (especially children), and the spreadsheet automatically calculates the persons age. This helps me when looking at toys etc, that have age suggestions. It is also useful for ideas e.g. if I am stuck for ideas for a three year old boy, I can look at my now six year old nephew, and see what I bought him three years ago. I keep this up-to-date all year, as I regularly buy items on sale. Keep a print out in your hand bag at all times, or on your smartphone. You can also add an extra column for birthday presents, if you really want the detail!
​- Contributed by Mel, Manly West

​Painless Cash Gifts

In the first week of each January I buy two small money boxes (the ones from the $2 shop that you can't open without destroying the tin!). I have two children so every time I have two coins of the same value in my purse at the end of the day one goes into each money box. Some days it may only be 20c in each, some days it's several dollars. By Christmas day I have two full money boxes, a gift that the each child loves (they can buy what they want) and I haven't felt any 'pain'. Last year each child got a bit over $300 in their money box (by only adding the identical amount to each you avoid fights). My kids are older so appreciated the generous amount. One bought an ipod, the other a new phone with some call credit on it, for younger children you could limit the coins to a smaller denomination.
​- Contributed by Andrea, Balwyn

​Gifting Your Favourite Things

​I absolutely love when Oprah does her "My Favourite Things" show where she gives the audience all her favourite things. It usually consists of anything from cupcakes to cars! Inspired, I suggested to my best friend that maybe we should do something similar for each other for Christmas, on a smaller scale of course! I went to the discount store and bought some small cosmetic travel jars and pots and filled each one with my favourite body wash, facial scrub, hand cream, lip gloss and so on. I made a CD of my favourite songs and printed out my favourite recipes. I also included my favourite DVD and book, and also a few of my favourite plant cuttings. She gave me a gift of her favourite things, and we both adored our gifts from each other! It only cost us about $20 each overall, and we even learnt some new thing about each other. It was the best Christmas gift ever!
​- Contributed by Anita, Bundaberg

​Not Spending $3,000 on Christmas

Approximate $ Savings: $3000

Cath's daily tip about Present shopping got me thinking " Crikey, people spend $3000 on Christmas!" I never do. I get the kids presents at sales but for everyone else I don't spend a cent. At first I did this by having scrapbooking parties to get what I needed to make personal presents for free, then I became a consultant and now use all my profits to buy the supplies I need and any left over profits go towards toys for the kids and the Christmas dinner, so Christmas costs me virtually nothing. I buy large A2 sized frames on clearance ($5 each at Lincraft this year with a yucky V8 print on it) and some photos I know the person would love, like my wedding photos for our parents, or photos of the grandkids or for my brother in-law and his fiancé photos of them at the beach etc. I get the photos printed in black and white when Harvey Norman or someone has a cheap printing day so any colours in the pictures won't clash with their decor. I then scrapbook papers that suit their decor (I only use papers that are 100% photo safe). I then scrap into the large frames a selection of photos. In 2008 I did 8x10 frames with just one photo in and this year I did the A2 size and fitted 5 photos in with decorations. I include inspirational quotes. These go down well and work as wall art as the black and white photos don't look personal so they can stay up if you are selling your house. I always make a photo mount for each picture to go over the front to prevent the pictures sticking to the glass. For next year I am making personalised calendars in their colour schemes that they can put their favourite picture of the month into (probably just using old frames from op shops that are missing glass) and decorated money tins (for the sister in-law saying shopping fund and the males beer fund etc.) I hope this gives you all some ideas.
​- Contributed by Raelene, Maryborough

​Make a Covered Notebook With Matching Pen and Fridge Magnet

Need a versatile, inexpensive gift that people of all ages can use and enjoy? Visit your local discount store e.g. Red Dot, Crazy Clarks, the Reject Shop or Big W. Select a range of cheap notebooks (small, medium, flip over ...whatever you like) and cover and embellish with scrapbooking paper or $1 gift wrap paper. They can be plain paper or lined whichever suits your purpose.

For flip books I cover the front only, for notebooks I like to 'line' the inside (sometimes with the first and large papers of the notebook which are sometimes plain; this is really quick and easy and gives a professional finish).

For someone really special I will use a plain coloured cardstock inside for a luxurious touch. If you use co-ordinating papers/cardstock you can use scraps from one to embellish the other. For example, instead of ribbon, I cut a strip of co-ordinating cardstock and tape it across the bottom third of the notebook or journal and then punch out a decoration or hand cut a label for the owner to write in their name. For a really professional look you can hand punch the spiral 'holes' on the left hand side or upper part of the notebook. These are available from Stampin Up independent distributors at about $22.

So far this Christmas I have made 15 journals/notebooks as gifts. The teeny notebooks are about 50c plus about one quarter of a piece of scrapbooking paper (about $1 total cost), the flip books are $1.50 or $2.39 each also at my local Big W store plus half a sheet scrapbooking paper (total cost $2.50-3.50 per notebook) and some notebooks from Kanuck's, a local discount shop, were $2.50 each (I chose to cover these back and front and inside for a total cost of $5 each.)

If you select small notebooks you may not even need to buy any paper or cardstock as you can use your scraps! I've also found a great size pocket diary (one of those rectangular ones) with a plastic protector cover for only $1.25 each. A cinch to cover...a gorgeous gift for $2.50 or less!

If you need a more substantial gift, make two or three books in different sizes and/or cover a pen or pencil (use Modge Podge or papercraft glue) and use some old fridge magnets from stores/businesses you no longer use and attach more scrapbook paper to the fridge magnet by slathering the fridge magnet with Modge Podge or similar. Allow to dry well. Check that the paper has adhered well. If not, after drying just add some more. For extra durability you can apply a single coat of Modge Podge over the top of the paper you've used for the fridge magnets. Modge Podge is about $14 a jar in Perth where I live, but is probably cheaper elsewhere in Australia and will last a long time. It's an economical product. That said you don't 'have' to have it, especially if you only want to make one or two.

You can make a gorgeous little personalised one of a kind gift for a teacher, friend, child, co-worker, partner ...anyone, in their favourite colours for between a few dollars and ten dollars. It's easy to adapt for the age, gender, interests of the gift recipient. This year's gift recipients so far have really loved these gifts.

As 'thank you' gifts it's a way of reminding the recipient that you value their efforts all year. Personally, I prefer to use quality papers as the designs and paper quality result in a designer quality product. There are lots of quality papers/cardstock available. One store I know in Jandakot usually has 3 discontinued (but still gorgeous) papers for only $3.
- Contributed by Julie, North Lake

​A Present for Relatives

Approximate $ Savings: $20-$50 each

Need a present for relatives? Buy as many display folders as you need (Around $2 from newsagents). Print a photo of your family with "What we've been doing this year" or something similar. Then fill up all the plastic sleeves with the work that your children have brought home throughout the year. If you want to get a bit more creative, you can add stories, photo's, scrapbook style pages and anything else you can think of. I have been doing this for seven years, all of our relatives love them and although we live too far away to spend Christmas day with them, we are still a part of their day. This is such a great present: I can't be accused of throwing away "special artworks" by the kids, I'm recycling, and with postage it only costs me about $10 per present.
​- Contributed by Liz, Buderim

​Homemade Hand & Body Lotion Gifts

I'm giving my children's teachers Hand & Body Lotion for Christmas this year. I bought Sorbolene Cream ($2 a large bottle at discount stores) added a few drops of lavender or rose oil also $2 from discount store then poured it into smaller bottles I have been saving during the year. With hand made labels and ribbon bow, they make a lovely and cheap gift. You could also add some soap for a slightly dearer gift for someone special.
​- Contributed by Gillian, Glenburn

​Personalized Postage Stamps, a Unique Gift

This year I found a way to give individual presents which did not cost the earth - personalised postage stamps from Australia Post. For $24 they print 22 55c stamps. All I had to do was choose a photo from my own collection of photos, applicable to the person concerned, upload it with one of Australia Post's own designs on one side, and they post out the sheet in a few days.
- Contributed by Ann, West Pennant Hills

​Family Kris Kringle Keeps the Spirit of Christmas Alive

Our family does something similar to the Kris Kringle described in the Tip of the Day (12/12/09) - but with a twist. There are significant differences between family members' finances, as well as a widespread wish to 'de-commercialise' Christmas. We draw names (kept secret!) out of a hat, about four weeks before Christmas and try to individualise the surprise to the person. We keep it to $10 maximum and encourage homemade gifts or 'vouchers' as presents. These have proved fun and have included a wide range of skills donated by family members - everything from musical entertainment, homemade joke books, knitting lessons, a homemade facial....who knows what this year will bring.
​- Contributed by Cate, Drummoyne

​Gingerbread Gifts

Being on a tight budget is always more noticeable at times of gift giving like Christmas and Easter. A couple of years ago I went looking for a really nice gingerbread recipe (and found it). Last year we made some gingerbread houses as gifts. At Easter time we made very large (about 20 cm tall) Easter egg shaped gingerbread which the children decorated to the hilt with many different colours of icing. At Christmas we do the same but make Christmas trees. The children also decorated brown paper bags and personalised them according to whom the gingerbread was for. This has become a big hit in my family and they always look forward to their personalised gingerbread!
​- Contributed by Tracy, Bendigo

​Christmas Op Shopping

Second Hand Shops and Op Shops often have new items that can be purchased cheaply. And for new Christmas outfits don't forget that they have clothing at a fraction of the price you would pay in a new clothes shop. They also have toys and games, and if you don't want to give pre-loved items, they can still be bought and used to keep the kids amused over the holidays. You can also find good books at these shops, for some holiday reading for yourself.
​- Contributed by Jen, Moe

​Gift Swap Game

​Approximate $ Savings: $10+ each time = $$$

​With the Christmas gift season about to descend on us, our group of friends have a novel way of gift giving at this time. We meet monthly for crafts, coffee etc. and for Christmas we have adopted the maxim of 'reduce, re-use or recycle' for our gift giving. So no money is required since we re-wrap goods that we no longer require, need or want and pass them on. The variety, nature and quality of goods is surprising. eg. books, balls of wool, patchwork fabrics pieces, threads, those items of shoes/clothing bought at SALES but never really worked, and other goodies. The game of 'blind gift swapping' adds another dimension. It is always a fun-filled occasion but without further costs at an already expensive time of the year for families.
​- Contributed by Angela, Bendigo

​Say Merry Christmas With a Homemade Gift

​Approximate $ Savings: $100 - $300

Christmas time is just around the corner and nothing screams I love you more than a home made present. It not only shows you love them enough to put time into creating them something, it also saves you money! For the past few months I have been making jams and setting them aside in the cupboard ready to make into Christmas presents. I have been choosing fruit and vegetables based on colour to make great red and green combinations. By buying the ready to use jam making sugar from the sugar aisle in any good supermarket you just need to add the amount of fruit based on the instructions on the back and away you go. The packet even claims that it is impossible to fail (I love their confidence). I have just finished a bright green batch made from kiwi fruit (in season now and super cheap!) and mint; and my other favourite has been a beetroot and plum jam. I went to the local dollar store and bought cute little jars for between $2 - $3 depending on size and lid. Come December I will have red and green bottles wrapped in cellophane. I have also made great little cards to attach made from recycled free postcards that are now available from nearly every cafe and clothes store I see. I have simply chopped them in half and pasted white paper on the back and added a few stars and Christmas trees to make them feel more Christmassy. So not only are you saving money but also the environment.
- Contributed by Mazz, Currumbin

​Teapot String Holder

​Find a small to medium teapot and put a ball of string inside it. Then thread the end of the string through the spout. Handy tip to keep string accessible and neat. It's a nice way to use that small teapot sitting at the back of the cupboard. If you don't have a teapot (and in this day of tea bags not many of us do anymore) look for pretty china or beaten aluminium teapots in op shops and at garage sales.
- Contributed by Mrs. M, Belmont

​Editors Note: I love this idea, it's a really nice way to keep string neat and tidy and always handy. Pretty little teapots with a ball of string in them and a pair of small scissors tied to the handle would make a lovely gift, and should cost under $7 to put together. Cath

​Credit Cards CAN be your friend!! - Free Christmas Presents

Approximate $ Savings: $350 per year

I use my credit card for the benefits only and it costs me $0 !!! I've been in credit card debt in the past, paid off my debt and I am NOT going back there. Instead, I get as much as I can from my credit card company - just as much as they try to get what ever they can from their customers! How? I use a GO Mastercard - it costs $3.95 per month if there is a balance - or for me costs $0 as I clear the balance as soon as I make a purchase. I only use my card to earn points, therefore I do not buy anything I can't afford. I pay the money straight back onto my card - which means my monthly fee is $0. No annual, card or additional card fees. I then use my points to help me with Christmas and birthday shopping. My points allow me to buy gift vouchers, books, toys - anything really, there is heaps to choose from and using points that have cost me NOTHING saves me a fortune at this time of year. Being November, this may not help for this Christmas HOWEVER if you start buying this years Christmas presents on credit card - think of all the FREE gifts for next Christmas!
- Contributed by Renee, Oxenford

​Frame a Painting for an Art Original

​This hint is for young mums. When your child brings home a painting from day care or preschool save them up as they can be used as gift wrapping paper. Another use is cut to size and place in a frame from the $2 shop. They make great gifts for grandparents at Christmas time or for Dad and Grandad on Father's Day.
​- Contributed by Colleen, Bakewell

​Sharing Hamper Excess and Avoiding Another Expense

Approximate $ Savings: $20
​
​ The kids needed to make contributions to the Christmas fundraisers at their kinder and school. My Castle hampers had just arrived. I looked through them and found two boxes of bonbons and three boxes of chocolates. So I took a box of the bonbons and a box of chocolates and gave them to the kids to hand in. Problem solved and as the hampers were already paid for it didn't cost me any extra.
​- Contributed by Janine, Colac

​Why Wait to Buy Presents?

​Why wait til Christmas to save on presents. While buying presents at the after Christmas sales is one way to save.. another is to buy extra throughout the various holidays. For example Mothers Day often sees great deals on everything from towels to perfumes to jewellery. It is a great time to buy one or two presents for girlfriends, daughters etc. Fathers Day you can pick up some great buys. I bought two sports packs complete with bag, towel, ball and aftershave for a saving of 45% retail for buying two. One was given to my dad, the other to my boyfriend for Christmas last year. So pick up an extra present or two on Mothers Day, Fathers Day etc and save a bundle at Christmas.
​- Contributed by Lesley, Brisbane

​Buy Ahead to Save

​I try to always shop at the sales (or when things are on special). I keep a list of who I have to buy for and will buy gifts when on sale to put away for a birthday or Christmas present. At end of Christmas sales I always buy wrapping paper, cards, Christmas decorations etc for the following year at half the price and often some wrapping papers can be used for birthday presents (eg star wrapping paper).
​- Contributed by Rae, Cressy

​Bulk Gift For Christmas Savings

Each year my local mechanic sells cartons of wine for $72 for 12 bottles so this year I decided to buy a carton and I will give a bottle to each of my friends for Christmas costing me $6 each instead of the $20 - $30 each I usually spend. And as a bonus I get the leftovers.
​- Contributed by Tracey, Tweed Heads

​DIY Secret Santa

My side of the family is big and quite a few years ago we decided to do Secret Santa so we only had to purchase one gift each. By far the best years have been when it has been compulsory to MAKE the gift. We have seen some beautiful paintings, great cooking, beautiful scarves, coffee tables of red gum and scrap metal. Its so exciting to see what everyone has made! You find out who you are making for in plenty of time to make something really nice.
​- Contributed by Robyn, Naracoorte

​Handy Gift Idea

In the kitchen I use hand towels for hands. In fact everyone, and I mean everyone received kitchen handtowels from me for Christmas. I made 16. The Reject Shop sells a good quality hand towel for $2 (colours are limited) and I am a sewer so had lots of Christmas fabric on hand. I cut about 10 cm off the towel, gathered the towel and attached a top (double which turns down and has a button and buttonhole to hang the towel over a handle or knob. I also add a strip about 3cm wide of the fabric along the bottom or a shape (e.g. flower, star, etc) can be appliquéd). I joined two pieces from the towels and these have become handy in the laundry and garage as extra rags, or wiping the floor when 2yr old grand daughter wants to 'wash up'. For Christmas 2009 I am giving hand towels - I have four already! I have cross stitched "Merry Christmas " with holly on Aida cloth on a strip to go across the bottom of the towel). I had the Aida cloth and DMC threads in my sewing box - the school holidays are giving me a chance to get ahead. Thanks for your wonderful ideas and tips,
​- Contributed by Rosina Perrin

​Two Simple Rules Keep Gift Giving to Budget

Approximate $ Savings: $200

I would like to share a Christmas idea that gave me one of the most enjoyable Christmases I can remember. I am not a big fan of exchanging presents (except for giving to children in the family). When you have a large extended family with some having ample free cash and others not it can cause embarrassing situations. The best ever Christmas was one where we had two rules for giving presents. It had to cost less than $5 or it had to be handmade. We had a great time thinking, planning and making things. I hunted at markets, and charity stores and found things like silk scarves and pretty trinket boxes. My sister-in-law made fabric totes out of old fabric. They were brilliant! Those who could cook made cookies and treats for those of us without kitchen skills. It was exciting and a Christmas to remember.
​- Contributed by Mimi, Taigum

​Your Local Toy Library Is A Great Gift

A great Christmas gift to give to a young family is membership of a local toy library. It normally costs around $50 a year but for that you can normally borrow around 4-5 different toys each week. Your local council should be able to put you in touch with your closest toy library. The kids love the excitement of going to pick their new toys each week, you can work out which toys the kids really enjoy (and therefore may consider actually buying), and its a great way to save money and instil some good values in your kids about sharing resources.
​-Contributed by Anne, Parramatta

​The Best Christmas Gift Ever!

Approximate $ Savings: $29.20 a year

​ For a while now I have received the free Cheapskates Club newsletters, but have never had a spare $29.20 handy whenever I have wanted to join properly. This year though I have solved the problem. My mother has done her usual request for ideas for Christmas presents to give us, and I've told her all I want this year is a subscription to Cheapskates! This means that I finally get to read all the tips and save more money, which is great for me. Mum does not have to go shopping and drive herself mad in the crowds, which is great for her. It's done in a minute with no wrapping paper wasted which is great for the planet. Everybody wins, especially me! Now all I have to do is just make sure that she actually does this before her usual Christmas Eve rush.
- Contributed by Georgia, Keilor

​A Fun Way to Start a Christmas Party

Approximate $ Savings: $20 is a cheap Christmas present

​ My children taught me this method of making Christmas cheap and fun. Every guest brings a gift worth $20 which is placed under the tree and then they receive a number. When everybody has arrived, draw the numbers out of a hat. The first person chooses a gift from under the tree and has to open it, then the second person drawn can either choose from under the tree or the one gift that has already been opened. If you lose your gift you get to choose either from under the tree or from one of the other opened gifts. We have played this game for a few years and every body seems to enjoy it especially if you are one of the last numbers drawn. It is fun and only $20 per person it is really quite reasonable.
- Contributed by Maggie, Holt

​The Running Gift List

Approximate $ Savings: 10-50% of your gift budget

I always carry a notebook around with me. When visiting family and friends I keep an eye/ear out for things that they may like for a gift. I write the person's name in the notebook and the gift idea. I then keep an eye on the shops for sales for those particular present ideas. Depending on the time of year you can save between 10-50% on items during sales. If you do this with Christmas presents you can spread the cost over the year. It also saves time because you don't have to wander around the shops trying to think of an idea (which can lead to serious overspending).
- Contributed by Michelle, Kellyville

​The Christmas Present Pool

Approximate $ Savings: Up to $1,000.00

​I belong to a large family and for many years many of us were broke at Christmas buying presents for each other. About 10 years ago, we decided to change the system between us for Christmas, instead of buying each other a gift we agreed to put that money towards buying them a good birthday present. Each of us would then contribute $50.00 in a pool and Christmas presents would be bought only for children (18 or younger) and grandparents, since they were the groups that really enjoyed Christmas. Given we had 5 children in our pool of kids to buy for and 2 grandparents, we ended up having about $100-$150.00 to spend on each, so they received a good present, and when each child went out of the pool, the money went up to $200-$250.00 per child. This meant that each child received a really good present from everyone (instead of a lot of cheap rubbish), and each adult in the scheme received a good birthday present at the relevant time. A win-win for everyone, since Christmas presents cost no person more than $50.00 per year for everyone.
​- Contributed by Debra, Elanora

​Spread the Gift Shopping and Save Money

Approximate $ Savings: $1500

I used to spend around $2000 at Christmas time. I noticed that my credit card bill was huge when it came in. I asked my friends, and they were in the same boat. I decided to do something about it. I buy one small present every time I do the grocery shopping, it might be a candle or some tea towels, or a face cream on special. Aldi is great for this. I have a bucket where I start collecting interesting containers like tins, baskets, boxes and put them in. I also collect bags of shredded paper (I have my own little shredder that I use). I buy a big roll of cellophane and ribbon(cheap from The Wrapping Paper company)and some tissue paper. I also sign up for lots of free samples (just Google search free samples, set up a separate email account to avoid spam). In November, I start making up gift baskets with themes, i.e. beauty, kitchen, hair, skin, car etc - I choose a nice box or basket, fill it with shredded paper, cover that with tissue paper, pile up some gifts and wrap the whole thing in cellophane with a big ribbon. Each present looks like $50 or $60 has been spent, in reality they only cost around $20. I use the free samples as basket or stocking fillers. Christmas now costs me less than $500 and because it is spread out over a year, I barely notice it. There is no credit card debt in January.
​- Contributed by Tracey, Woongarrah

​Six Handmade Christmas Gifts for Under $45.00

Approximate $ Savings: $100.00 People always say handmade gifts are more special. This year I thought I would try it as I now have 6 girls and don't want them to miss out on Christmas. I went through a craft pattern book I had been given as a gift many years ago. I found a pattern to make what are called Baby Bunting dolls. They are simply small rag dolls about 15cm tall that live in their own sleeping bag. I purchased all the supplies needed to make 6 dolls for under $45 at Spotlight, which equals $7.50 per doll (it just takes my time to sew them upon the sewing machine, which I do as my baby twins and 2 year old are having a day nap). To buy similar dolls a the shop would easily cost double and the dolls made by me are safer for my younger children as there are no loose pieces. I also have enough materials left over to make at least 18 hair scrunchies, another saving of approximately $72, assuming you could pick up scrunchies for $4 each. The best part is I get the satisfaction of saying I did that and my girls love having Mummy make things for them.
​Contributed by Kay, Glenmore Park

A Different Type of Birthday Money Round Robin

Approximate $ Savings: $15-25

If you receive money in a birthday / Christmas card use some of that money to buy the present giver a birthday / Christmas present, that way you don't have to rush around looking for last minute gifts or scrapping together enough money for a present. Eg- last week my Grandmother gave me a birthday card with $25 enclosed, I then spent $10.95 of that money to buy her a birthday present & still have $14.05 left to spend / save for myself. By doing this I give myself plenty of time to find the perfect present & don't end up impulse shopping and spending more than I have budgeted for or want to.
​- Contributed by Katherine, North Nowra

​Regular Buying of Gift Cards Keeps Christmas on Budget

If you have trouble finding the extra money to buy presents and/or food at Christmas time, or even for upcoming birthdays or special occasions, I find that buying gift cards saves me a lot of money. I buy Coles Myer gift cards every few weeks for an amount which I can spare at the time and put them away in a safe place ready for Christmas. I find this saves me money as if I had the money saved in a bank account the temptation to withdraw and spend the money is too much! Also, with buying the Coles Myer gift cards, I have more freedom as to where I spend the cards (Coles, Kmart, Target, Liquorland to name a few)
​- Contributed by Jessica, Nowra

​Christmas Gifts for $3.33 each

Yesterday when I received my disability pension I invested $40.00 on seeds, pots, hanging baskets, two bags of potting mix, which I bought from the Reject Shop, potting mix from Safeway (Homebrand). I will plant them now for Christmas. I will have twelve presents for $40.00. I will wrap them in cellophane. For under $3.33 each these will be gifts for mum, family and friends and it will be something they can watch grow and remember me.
​- Contributed by Cathrene, Melbourne

​Nicer Teacher Gifts for Less

I wanted to buy my daughter's childcare teachers something special and individual for Christmas - rather than the boxes of chocolates that usually get eaten too quickly, melt or given away to someone else. Throughout the year I would check the clearance rack at our local department store, and was able to pick up lovely tops, blouses and candles for between $2-$3. As I had to buy for 9 girls, this saved over a hundred dollars and they were all thrilled with their individual gifts (which I bought over several months, spending just $2 or $3 a month rather than rushing out and having to spend a heap all in one go.
​- Contributed by Ella, Salamander Bay

​Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas

I have a very large family. 3 children, 5 step-children and about 20 grandchildren and friends to buy for Christmas. I usually only have to buy pressies for 8 grandchildren, 4 children and a couple of friends, which can be expensive at times. I am a real cheapskate and can usually find things for about $5 if I keep my eyes open. I have tried keeping pressie boxes but ended up with a stack of stuff I never used. I have cleared the excess by putting items under the wishing trees at K-Mart, so nothing goes to waste. The real trick is to listen to your family and friends they will give you hints on what they really need eg. simple things like an address book, or organiser, or things for the children to do with school or hobbies. They don't sound much but will mean more to them than something that they won't use. Even thinking ahead for the cost of back to school items can make Christmas enjoyable. Activity packs are a good ones for the kids so they don't get bored during the Christmas holidays, make sure the items are suitable for their age groups.
​- Contributed by Denise Nelson

​Christmas Tree Gift

Get a sphere (cone) shaped polystyrene shape (2 for $2 at cheap shops) and glue tinsel to it. Then hot glue gun wrapped lollies to toothpicks and push into the tree. It looks great and people love them as presents.
​- Contributed by Sharon, Elizabeth Grove

​Daily Dash Makes a Great Gift

Haven't got that little something for that younger teenager, girls more so? When doing the new booklist for school next year I came across A Daily Dash Diary Writing Journal. It has topics in it to fill up, simple things like what I like about myself, my favourite TV show, favourite song, the worst dream, something I will never forget etc. There are 90 pages, each with a topic on it. It was about $7.00 from www.ricgroup.com.au . I'm sure it will be useful when those teens lock themselves in their rooms because no one loves them!!
​- Contributed by Roslyn, Bayswater

Buy Lasting Gifts at Post Christmas Sales Ready for 2008

​I buy good quality and expensive looking Christmas tree decorations (glass, wood crystal etc), nativity sets and snow globes at a 50-75% discount after Christmas and put them away for the following Christmas. They make wonderful gifts for those hard to buy for people, teachers, neighbours etc. I gave a family a ceramic nativity set when their children were babies and 12 years later they still enjoy setting it up every Christmas - a lasting gift for a lifetime! Be organised with a list and research which stores have the nicest quality items NOW !!!
​- Contributed by Sharee, Woodville Park

​Photograph Memory Game and Gift In One

​Cheap fun Christmas present for overseas relatives! Instead of sending a shop bought Christmas gift to our extended family living overseas we chose 20 nice photos of our children and family in action and ordered double prints. We got them laminated and put them in a photo box which we covered with pretty paper. Now their young children can play memory or snap to fill in their time and reinforce their memories of their aunty, uncle, and cousins here at the same time.
​- Contributed by Sonia, Mawson Lakes

​Super Cheap Teacher Gifts

​Approximate $ Savings: $10 per gift at least!

This week I have found super cheap Christmas gifts for my children's teachers and sports coaches. Woolworths has lovely Christmas mugs for sale for $1 each. I have purchased enough mugs for all of the teachers and sports coaches. Closer to Christmas we will make Christmas Shortbread, wrap it up in cellophane and place it in the mug! Christmas gifts that are functional, beautiful and tasty for a little over $1 each!
​- Contributed by Monica, Forster

​A Birthday Calendar

​Make your own gifts, e.g. one gift I remember getting is a homemade birthday calendar. It's simply a clear loose-leaf folder with attractive printed paper - one sheet for every month of the year, with each page titled, e.g. January, and numbered from 1-31.
​- Contributed by Carolyn

Pairs of Ornaments Make Great Gifts

After each Christmas all the beautiful Christmas decorations (eg: glass, china, Country Road) go on sale. I buy them in pairs and the following Christmas I wrap them in material and ribbon instead of paper, which makes them even more lovely. Great for the hard to buy for women or office gift. For gift cards I do hand or foot prints (ink pad from $2 shop) of my kids on coloured paper and cut out around the shape. Fun for the kids.
​-Contributed by Susie

​Giving Christmas Presents

Organise to meet your friends and relatives after Christmas - so you can take advantage of the Christmas sales and mark down sales (that is if you exchange presents) - it's better to say let's go out instead of organising presents!!
​- Contributed by Simone, Eltham

​Christmas Kris Kringle

Approximate $ Savings: Depends on how much you spend on gifts
​
Our family has a "lucky dip" gift basket for Christmas. Everyone puts in a gift ie if there are four members in your family you put in 4 gifts. Our limit is $5.00 per gift. A few years ago I started "making" personalised calendars to put in the lucky dip. I buy a $2.00 calendar, preferably ones with squares big enough for people to write in. I fill in all the family's birthdays, Mother's Day etc and any other relevant dates in the appropriate squares. I embellish the calendars with quotes, jokes, hints, and the like. I collect all these type of things throughout the year and keep them in a folder so I don't have to use too much brainpower to come up with funny sayings etc. I also collect stickers throughout the year and use them to embellish pictures, or highlight special birthdays and events. To my great surprise everyone loves them! Now, I have orders from friends too. I gather all their family's dates and events and make up calendars for them to give as cheap but very appreciated gifts at Christmas. Our family now only buys the "Lucky Dip" gifts and we don't buy any other gifts for the adults. We only get extra gifts for the children in our family. This has saved hundreds of dollars for all the members of our family.
​- Contributed by Debbie, Valley View

​Christmas Chocolates

​Christmas chocolate moulds can be very expensive and the chocolates are often too big for kids. A cheap alternative is to by an advent calendar and use the plastic tray as a mould to make more chocolates. They are nice bite sized chocolates with Christmas patterns on them and the original calendars only cost about $2 (even cheaper now).
​- Contributed by Carolyn, Hamlyn Heights

​Shop in Advance

Stores which have lay-by facilities are great for shopping in advance, particularly gift shopping for friends and family. I keep an eye out for specials and always check if sale items can be put on lay-by. When I lay-by, I include extras such as wrapping paper, stocking fillers, cards, labels, and sticky tape. Regular account payments mean my lay-by can be paid in full well before Christmas.
​- Contributed by Kaye, Dianella

​Shop Early on Tax Return

Most of us receive our tax cheques during the quieter months. Instead of frittering it away, I use it to do my Christmas shopping early, and then I can forget about it and relax when December arrives!
​- Contributed by Kaye, Dianella

​Christmas Gifts

I begin buying my Christmas gifts and cards and wrap at the post Christmas sales. I buy suitable gifts during the year at sales, factory outlets, from the booksellers at the office as well as any other opportunities. It is amazing how many opportunities arise when you are on the lookout. I put these items away and about mid November I bring them all down and have a look to see what I have in my stockpile. I am usually surprised at all the things that are there. I then decide what gifts to give to whom and most times I have got a fairly large selection from which to choose. Once this is completed I usually only have a couple of things to get present wise.
​- Contributed by Margi, Kingsley

​Website for Christmas Ideas

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/ This site has lots of Christmas ideas-food and gifts.
​- Contributed by Julie, East Victoria Park

​Vanilla Refrigerator Cookies

​My favourite Cookie recipe (courtesy of The Family Cookbook, ed Hyla O'Connor). These are great as a base and all kinds of things can be added, nuts, chocolate, orange marbling two flavours together etc. It can also be shaped into stars etc if you use cling wrap the kids love making shapes, and lasts forever in the freezer. 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cups flour, 3 tblspns cream. Cream the butter with the sugar, add the vanilla and sift in the flour, add the cream and mix well. shape the dough into 2 rolls 6 inches long and wrap in waxed paper( or Cling wrap). Chill at least 4 hours. Cut the rolls into thin slices and place on an ungreased baking sheet, 1 inch apart. Bake in 400 Fahrenheit for 8-10 mins or until golden brown. Remove from tray. Something I am trying to do this year is getting all of my Mother-in-laws favourite recipes together and printing them up nicely on the computer, laminating them, and turning them into a little book by punching holes in the cards and stringing together with ribbon. This one is really good because if I get her permission, I can use these recipes to add to my own collection and to give in the same manner to friends and family. The added benefit is that you can add to this present next year with more recipes! (PS most primary schools will laminate for a small fee)
​- Contributed by Denise, Golden Grove

​Gingerbread Houses

​Gingerbread Houses make fantastic gifts and are much simpler to make than most people think. Find yourself a good gingerbread recipe and design your house using some A4 paper and a pen and paper. The front (and back) of the house is the same as our the sides and two sections for the roof. (I have a pattern sheet that can be printed out if you'd like a copy) After you have made the gingerbread according to your recipe, roll out to about 5mm and place the paper templates on the dough. Cut 2 of the roof, front/back and Walls remembering to cut a door out of the front. Bake according to recipe and allow to cool. Make a stiff royal icing mixture to use as 'cement' for holding the house together. (2 egg whites beaten til fluffy and stiff then just add sufficient pure icing sugar until it has the consistency you want. You will need to add a couple of drops of lemon juice also) cover stiff cardboard in aluminium foil or Christmas gift-wrap and assemble the house.
​Contributed by Helen, Alfredton

​Preserved Lemons

Preserved lemons make a great gift at any time of year - just change the ribbon. My lemon tree was prolific so that's how I made them but lemons are cheap at the moment. Try and buy thicker skinned ones. At the supermarket buy bags of rock salt (normally about 60c for 500g) and bay leaves and peppercorns. Go to the Reject Shop or GoLo and buy some small glass jars. When you are ready, clean and sterilise the jars, then layer the bottom with some rock salt and then place a lemon, which has been quartered but not cut through to the bottom, on top of the salt. Then place some bay leaves and peppercorns around the lemon and pack the jar with rock salt making sure you have covered the top of the lemon. They take about 6 weeks to cure depending on the toughness of the skin, but they will keep forever. Actually the longer the better, mine from a couple of years ago are beautiful. Stick labels on the jars; add some ribbon and you have a beautiful gift.
​- Contributed by Liane, South Hurstville

​Mini Christmas Cakes

Another gift that you can bake for Christmas is mini Christmas cakes. Any recipe will do but use large muffin trays instead of making one large cake and reduce baking accordingly.
​- Contributed by Julie, East Victoria Park

​Not-Quite-Cleopatra's Moisturising Cleanser

​ tbsp honey, 2 tbsp powdered milk (or 1 cup ass's milk simmered for an hour), 6 tbsp glycerine (from the supermarket), 1 tsp rose oil, 2 tbsp of virgin olive oil, almond oil or avocado oil (from supermarket or health food store.) Heat the honey till it's runny. This should take no more than three seconds, or the kitchen will be full of burnt honey fumes and your fire alarm will start screeching. Take the pan off the heat and dissolve the powdered milk in it. Mix in the other ingredients. To use: Smooth on, wash off.
​- Contributed by Julie, East Victoria Park

​Mini Plum Puddings

One of the easiest, quickest and cheapest Christmas goodies are mini plum puddings. Buy a home brand dark fruitcake and crumble it. Add 1 egg white and roll into balls. Drizzle melted white chocolate on top and add half a glaze cherry. About $3.00 for a dozen. These look good and taste just as nice.
​- Contributed by Michele, Warrnambool

​Edible Gift Ideas

​You can never go wrong with muffins especially if they are the large ones like in coffee shops. Home made biscuits in nice baskets you can pick them up at op shops and line with alfoil. I gave my mum once a teapot filled with home made coconut ice, chocolate roughs and some humbugs. She loved them. When the boys were younger we used to make all our own sweets. You can pick up cheap sweets but they are not the same as homemade and you get lots of fun. For people with pets made some dog biscuits are a good gift. Once you start making your own you never go back to shop lollies.
​Contributed by Robyne, Goolwa

​Let the Kids Make Chocolates

​Homemade chocolates are great and look beautiful wrapped with cellophane and ribbon (Look out at florists for their ribbon, cheaper and does the lovely curls). The kids' love helping although beware! this can blow the budget.
​- Contributed by Kerry, Richmond

​Gifts from the Kitchen

I make some great gifts all from the kitchen. My special friends I remember their likes and dislikes and make a variety of yummies that caters for them. Some of the things I make are Rum Balls (gluten free and also not!!), almond bread, little Christmas cakes- just done in an American muffin pan, biscotti and a Christmas log with green and red lollies in it. I just put a mix of the yummies on a Christmas plate bought from a cheap shop and wrap it in cellophane. For EXTRA special people I do a boomerang tin, one they return every year for filling of their favourite yummies. I also make a melted chocolate Christmas tree which looks hard but is SO EASY. That recipe I got from the Womans Weekly Christmas Cook book. I work full time and my family are busy and need Mum's Taxi often. I do all my Chrissy gift cooking after dinner before bed. Presents during the year can be a dinner for the birthday person OR their favourite cake or slice. I have a girlfriend who makes my favourite slice every year for my birthday. She knows I won't make it for myself and I know she makes it especially for me.. love in every bite. Hope this helps you! Merry Christmas!!
​- Contributed by Michelle, Medowie

​Mini Muffin Sized Christmas Cake Tins

Have you thought of making small Christmas cakes in large muffins tins....then wrap in pretty paper with a small homemade gift tag? All the best Alison
​- Contributed by Alison, Cugdewa

​Family Favourites Make Great Gift Treats

​The stock standard types of confectionery and basic cakes/biscuits can all be lovely Christmas gifts with some cellophane wrap and budget ribbon from $2 shops. They also now sell plastic or cardboard Chinese takeaway boxes which look great as gifts. Basic recipes are available from websites such as www.fetesandfairs.com.au or have a look at your local library for recipe books such as school home economics textbooks that also have cheap, easy to make recipes that your little ones will enjoy helping to create.
​- Contributed by Lucinda, Inala

​Caramel Slice

You could try making a lovely caramel slice, cut into neat squares, wrap in cellophane and keep in the fridge or freezer. Also if you know someone who has chocolate moulds, you could make some chocolates by melting chocolate and using the moulds. Chocolate spiders are always a hit using chocolate, peanut butter and those Changs crispy noodles. Spoon tablespoons of the mix onto a tray and set in the fridge.
Contributed by Tiffany, Charlestown

Home Made Herb Butters

Home made herb butters are always popular, purchase cheap little pots from your local $2.00 store fill, seal with glad wrap, wrap in some cellophane add some raffia, thread on a gum leaf for an Aussie touch. Keep in the fridge until ready to give your gift. Don't forget the old favourite coconut ice, easy to make, put into a recycled jar, wrap in clear cellophane, so that the pink and white or green and white create their own colourful look, tie with a pretty ribbon, you don't even need a jar, the cellophane wrap can be enough. Good luck and happy Christmas.
​- Contributed by Madeleine, Mt. Evelyn

​Christmas Pot-Pourri

This is kind of like cooking but also crafty! Ingredients: 2 sticks cinnamon bark, 1/2 cup of dried cloves, 2 cups gum nuts, 1 cup mistletoe leaves, scented oil to sprinkle on gum nuts, a few dried petals just for colour. Mix and package (i.e. in cellophane or an attractive bowl).
​- Contributed by Julie, East Victoria Park

​Nuts’n’Bolts

A friend once gave me a recipe for "Nuts N' Bolts" a type of Indian style spicy nut mix. It can be made weeks before Christmas and remains fresh forever if kept in a jar. I save large and interesting jars throughout the year, decorate them with Christmas ribbon and stick on my own hand made label. I use 500g of Nutrigrain, 500g of peanuts, 1 pack of cream of chicken soup mix, 1 pack of French onion soup, 3 teaspoons of curry powder, pinch of chilli powder, a handful of currants or sultanas, a few chopped dried fruits, 1 pack of Chang's original noodles and half a cup of olive oil to allow spices to stick to the fruits and nuts. Mix in a large airtight container and rotate for a couple of days before pouring into your jars. This mix will make a great cheap and tasty gift and will look terrific in a pretty nut bowl on your Christmas table!
​- Contributed by Michelle, Canterbury

​Mini Christmas Puddings

You will need - A cheap Christmas pudding or fruitcake - brandy - icing sugar - lolly snakes. Crumble the pudding or cake in a bowl. Add a small amount of brandy at a time and mix up until you have a play dough consistency. Roll into balls the size of a 10 or 20-cent piece. With a teaspoon dribble some icing on each ball to look like custard. Cut up some red and green snakes to look like holly leaves and berries and place on top of each "pudding". This is so quick and easy and you can even involve the kids. If the kids are too young to help - keep them amused with the leftover orange and yellow snakes.
​- Contributed by Emmalee, St. Kilda East

​Fresh Fruit and Veg Hampers

I haven't bought Christmas presents for years. I go down to the markets and find what fruit and vegetables are cheap. Look up the Internet for recipes and then madly bottle jams, chutneys and sauces. I make enough for presents and for me for during the year.
​- Contributed by Merinda, Frenchs Forest

​Budgeting for Christmas

Start now with your own lay-by Christmas shopping. Firstly, make a list of the Christmas purchases you wish to make, then go shopping but do not take your purchases to the checkout. Instead, record the price. Once you are done "shopping," step away from the store. Go home. Determine the total cost. Divide by the number of weeks you have remaining until you need to have this item. Now set up a safe place where you can make your weekly payments. Once you reach your "redemption" date, go buy the stuff. It is a clever concept, it's called saving first, spending later. Delayed gratification. Pay as you go. And another bonus is that come Christmas time, when stores are vying for customers, sales will be on and there will additional savings to be made.
​- Contributed by Sandra, Erskine Park

​DIY Designer T-shirts

You can buy very cheap iron on transfer paper on eBay or even at shops like Harvey Norman. Use your colour printer to print whatever you fancy onto it (but make sure you reverse the picture or text into mirror image) and then cut the picture or text out, and iron it on. It will iron on to t-shirts, calico bags, pillowcases etc for personalised gifts, onto canvas for great artwork, or even make very cheap iron on nametags for kids clothing. One page will make dozens of small iron on transfers and with the Internet; the number of pictures is unlimited! You don't need any special software; just word or Powerpoint will work fine!
​- Contributed by Lisa, Taringa

​Perfect Gift for Grandparents

​So often grandparents are hard to buy for. For the past few years we have given the grandparents of our family for Christmas a "morning tea pack". It has one long life milk, small pack of tea bags, small coffee, sugar and a pack of biscuits wrapped in clear cellophane with a bow. They love it!!
​- Contributed by Julie, Wellington

​Toys and Christmas Shopping

​Don't throw out the sale catalogues (i.e. Target Toy Sale)- if the advertising store has run out of stock and/or the queues are too long, ask other stores at the mall to match the sale price on the advertised items and show them the catalogue. During the Target toy sale - I had both Myer and JB Hi-Fi match prices on items Target had run out of stock on-- and there were no line-ups -- I saved time and money-- next time I'll just take the catalogue directly to the other stores and skip the chaos of the "sale" all together!
​- Contributed by Kathleen, Blaxland

​Gift Bag in the Cupboard

​I save time and money when it comes to giving gifts. I have a gift bag in the cupboard filled with small bargains that I've happened upon while browsing in shops or markets. Reduced packs of socks, tea towels, soap, hand lotion, pretty paper serviettes, stationery, cleanskin wines (always surprisingly good and cheap), children's books, toys and clothes all lie in wait till a birthday or special occasion then I'm not last-minute panicking and splashing out on overpriced flowers or baby wear. This applies to wrapping paper: sometimes a roll of brown, butcher's, or recycled paper, ribbon or raffia. Plus all occasion cards: 70c from $2 and Reject Shops or cheap packets of cards from suburban newsagents, supermarket stationery sections or Big W. Truth is, I sometimes recycle gifts given to me and hand them on unused!
​Contributed by Anne

Christmas Draw

​I also have a birthday box, which I add to throughout the year. At Christmas I go through it and anything left over I give to charity for the children in need. If you have a large family, my husband is one of six, try having a Christmas draw. Put all the names in a hat, it helps to have an unbiased person do it. Each person buys one present only. We even have a limit about $30. Do it as early as possible in the year, so that you can take advantage of any sales.  Contributed by Amanda

​$2 Shop Presents

​I have found a new shop at Kippa Ring and it is fantastic. It is called "$2.00" and there are franchises everywhere. Nothing in the store is over $2.00 and i have bought many items from there. Example: Freedom had glass decorative bottles for $9.95 and I bought identical for only $2.00. I have even bought my 10-year-old daughter Christmas presents from there. They sell gift lines, home wares, new age items and many more. I thoroughly recommended it.
​- Contributed by Tracey

​Use Free Samples for Gifts

Send off for various free samples from different companies over the year. Then at Christmas make up baskets for family & friends, they love it. They think that it's like a lucky dip.
​- Contributed by Caroline

​Personalized Calendars

For all the parents out there who collect hundreds of artwork papers every school year and hate to throw them out, here's an excellent gift suggestion: Start collecting large calendars from local businesses towards the end of they year. Select 12 of the most precious pieces of your child's artwork for each calendar and glue them (use spray adhesive for an even finish) over the printed calendar pictures. This really makes a practical gift, which is even more special because of the sentiment. Grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles are always delighted, the child is ecstatic with the gift and the cost is minimal. Finish off the calendar by attaching the child s photograph and autograph!
​- Contributed by Linda, Nunawading

​$4 Christmas Presents

I recently visited a winery as part of a day trip to the Mornington Peninsula. I bought a case of wine from a winery (12 bottles) for $45. The wine was on sale as it was from a different season. I plan to distribute the wine as Christmas presents- that is 12 presents for just $45!
​- Contributed by Pam, Frankston

​Gingerbread Houses

​Money saving tip We are making Gingerbread Houses again as family presents for Christmas this year. We calculate the ingredients needed and purchase in bulk from Campbells Cash and Carry and purchase the sweets from a factory outlet. With all the trimmings it costs approximately $10 to give a beautiful, unique house. I have seen them at the Cookie Man for $30. It can also be given as a family gift, eliminating the need for separate gifts. People are really impressed and touched that you went to that much trouble for them. Recipes are readily available on the internet through a Google search.
​- Contributed by Beth, Allawah