Affordable Christmas Gifts And Ideas: Economic Decorating Tips
77During the Christmas season some families have the finances to buy their kids a new car or a flat screen TV for their friends, but what do the rest of us do if we do not fit into this category? Sorry, but these kind of people are just too materialistic in my book, so if materialism is your thing this hub may not be for you. There is always the option of giving your friends and family gift cards, but that cuts out on the joy of being able to wrap up a gift and present it to your loved one on Christmas day. Yes I know gift cards come in those really cute envelopes, but lets try to think of some practical and economical gifts for the holiday season that still show some creativity. This hub will provide suggestions on Christmas gifts everyone can use, and these presents have the added bonus of not breaking the piggy bank! All of these gifts are under twenty dollars, and some of these are even under ten!
 | Amazon Price: $26.99 |
Gift Idea Number One: Libbey 16-Piece Colbalt Flare Glassware Set
Yes I am in love with these glasses because cobalt blue is one of the most beautiful colors in my opinion. A couple of years ago I bought this set for a friend because I knew her husband accidentally dropped his glasses quite a bit, and these were described as being more sturdy than the average set of glasses. I really should have bought the set of glasses for myself because I think I liked these more than she did, so a few months ago I finally did purchase a set. These glasses are very sturdy as described because I accidentally dropped one and it did not break. However, keep in mind all glass breaks eventually if thrown down enough, so do not go throwing these glasses on the floor just to test the product. Also, I love the cobalt blue color and this set of glasses reminds me of a set my mom had when we were growing up. How can you go wrong with a cute set of glasses that are less than twenty dollars?
 | Amazon Price: $8.05 List Price: $9.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $4.55 |
 | Amazon Price: $7.99 |
Gift Idea Number Two: Key Hook and Mail Holder
This may sound like a boring and overly practical gift for some people, but I truly appreciated when my mom bought me a key hook and mail holder. I have a tendency to lose my keys, and knowing where they are hanging makes it much easier to stay organized. Also, I put my most important mail in the mail holder, which helps me find it when I need it most. I could not find the exact model my mom had bought me, but these key hook and mail hoder on Amazon are affordable, and match a variety of decor.
![Vincent Van Gogh Starry Night Wall Decor Picture Framed Art Print [Kitchen]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511nMh303ZL._SL75_.jpg) | Amazon Price: $11.95 List Price: $48.00 |
Gift Idea Number Three: Decorative Wall Mirror
My dad bought me this really cute and decorative wall mirror at a second hand store a few months ago. Wall mirrors make nice accents to a room, and many are inexpensive such as this cute one on amazon. I really like this wall mirror and it is under twenty dollar, and almost under seven dollars, so who could beat that price? Cute and decorative items definitely do not have to cost a fortune during this holiday season.
Gift Idea Number Four: Framed Wall Art
If you are running out of ideas about what to buy your friends and family, consider getting them a nice piece of framed wall art. This lovely piece on amazon is a framed poster, but I happen to believe it is a beautiful picture and would definitely like to hang something like this on my wall. Do you have an artistic eye and enjoy painting and/ordrawing? If so, try drawing a beautiful picture and putting it in a cute frame such as this one on amazon. I often use pencils and water colored pencils to create drawing and then put these in cute frames. This is a wonderful way to decorate your home on a budget and show off your artistic creations at the same time. This would be the ideal gift for a friend or family member who just moved into a new apartment and does not have much to put on the walls. The good news is both the framed poster and the picture frame are under twenty dollars, so buying item would be affordable. If you want to save even more money try going to the second hand store to find cute framed pictures and picture frames.
 | Amazon Price: $6.95 |
Gift Idea Number Five: Yummy Hot Chocolate
I love a canister of hot chocolate around the holidays and I am able to save the container later on for storing things, or for crafting projects. Who does not enjoy a lovely cup of hot chocolate while sitting next to the fire and watching a great movie? Many people tend to love hot chocolate and it is a practical, tasty, and economical Christmast gift. Most quality and pretty hot chocolate sets are under ten dollars, so this is another economical Christmas gift. We cannot all afford to buy flatscreen TVs for Christmas, so these gifts are ideal for those of us on a budget. Happy shopping and do not take the holiday season too seriously. Mostly it is about making fun decorations and about spending time with family and friends, and not about who spends the most of someone else at Christmas.
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Thanks countrywomen :). I really love hot chocolate and the canister in the picture I bought as a gift set at Marshall's the other day. Originally it was 8 dollars, but marked down to two. I thought that was a good deal for premium hot chocolate. I like the cheaper kinds also, but this one is so rich and yummy!
I am consuming the sugar free nestle chocolate packets. Although not as great as the regular ones but still they possess lesser calories. I am trying to lose weight as much as I can.
Sugar free is a healthy option. Recently my mom found out she was diabetic and is now only using sugar free alternatives :).
Well I am going to India on Dec 25th and I have to slim down to decent levels by then. I am 5 3" and 120 pounds now. My goal is to be about 105-110 pounds. Long way to go.
I am 5'3 also, but I would be ecstatic to be 120. Do not rush it, you are so skinny! I am sure you will reach your goal weight soon.
I lost about 5 pounds in last one month just by diet and occasional tread mill. But I am going to India for a "special" purpose and have to look slim enough for that. I have small frame that makes even little fat show.
I need your motivation. I need to lose weight, I just have been a bad girl eating too much lately :).
good information
ya i think it s a good idea
Four white things I try to reduce 1) Rice 2) Sugar 3) Salt 4) Milk/Milk products.
I am having a bowl cheerios along with skim milk for break fast(around 9 am). Avoiding breakfast makes me very hungry and I tend to have a bigger meal at lunch time. Then I have a fiber bar (i bought from costco) at around 11.30 then have a light salad lunch at 2 pm then have at 4 (an apple or some other fruit& one cup low fat yogurt) then come home at 6. On alternate days go to Gym to spend about 40 minutes on tread mill at medium pace. Then come back by 7.30 take bath watch tv make some popcorn (non butter) then have a light dinner of cooked curry & 2 chapathi made from wheat flour around 9 pm (alternate days when I don't go to gym I cook at home). I always keep some fiber bars in my purse just in case if I feel very hungry I have those (but my punishment would be an extra 10 minutes on the coming day on tread mill for each bar I consume believe me the urge dies down very soon and I rather have a glass of cold water)
I also have a bag of baby carrots in my office which I happen to have in case I am really hungry (but no punishment for them) the first one week the baby carrots helped me a lot.
Thanks white atlantic!
Countrywomen,
I admire your discipline. I think this would make a good hub about how to stay on track when losing weight :).
very good hub...
Thanks Lgali!
you are welcome
you are welcome
sorry 2 times
No worries Lgali!
Nice gifts SweetiePie and very useful too! ...I think gift-cards do have there place as a good gift, because if you buy them one, you will know they will get exactly what they want! but its still nice as well to give more personal gifts..
Ref CountryWoman's comment about reducing white foods! I have heard that some people do not eat or consume anything white! other than fruits. It seems to make sense, such as swapping white rice and bread to brown etc... Hmm, ill have to look more into this!,,
Hi Compusmart,
I agree gift cards are useful and I like these sometimes, but I just wanted to make a few useful gift suggestions for people want want to wrap something up.
I tend to eat many whole grains, but my problem is I just like to eat period. Personally I might like to lose weight, but it is not what I am worried about for the most part. In the future I might make apple crisp with sugar substitutes and things that are more healthy because I really do not need sugar in my diet. I do need to make sure not to eat white rice as much because I am guilty of that too :). Eating healthy surely does have its benefits. I like your new avatar by the way, is that you in the corner under the cat?
OMG I have a complete set of glasses (2 sizes) and a set of dinnerware and bowls for 4 in the colbalt blue...and a set of appothacary (sp) jars too. Love them..and the rest of your ideas are also wonderful...Thanks for the suggestions...Merry Christmas my dear...G-Ma :o) Hugs
Hi G-Ma,
I am always happy to hear your wonderful comments and great attitude. Cobalt blue is one of my favorite colors and I definitely want to find more items like this. My mom has a beautiful cobalt blue Pyrex baking dish and I have to get myself one to. Your set of apothecary jars sounds very nice too by the way :).
Sweetie- this is a great hub. I love the color of those glasses, cobalt blue is my favorite color. And I agree with you that Christmas should not be about material things. This year I plan on doing some baked goods as gifts, some hand-painted ornaments and will come up with some other practical gifts like the ones in your hub. They are practical but also very nice!!
Thumbs up!
Dorsi,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing some of your great Christmas ideas. Making ornaments is a very nice gesture and I am sure people will love that :).
Some great ideas for people stuck what to buy!
Thanks for sharing. It is great to have others ideas during this tighter economic time.
Thanks for stopping by Dec.
Good luck with deciding on what gifts you would like to buy safecard!
SweetiePie,
I had to read this Hub. I feel that all of your suggestions are good. I think more people should try to be more practical. 2nd hand is really great as if this earth really needs more man made, mass produced items. Never tried hot chocolate. I ate some hard chocolate a couple of times. It was sweet but I am not suppose to gain weight. That is why I am walking before I go to bed each morning. Thank you for the gift ideas. I will pass them on to some of my Human friends. me poorQpine.
Thanks for stopping by poorQpine, I always enjoy your visits :). I hope you and your human friends have a wonderful holiday :).
I like the blue glasses! So pretty!
I think good gifts that don't cost much is e.g. a picknick voucher and so on...
Those are nice thoughts too, but it does not cost much to make something tangible to present to your love one.
Great ideas. You don't have to have all those expensive pieces to have a good Christmas.
Thank you for your kind words RGraf.
Great hub! I am giving a friend a already prepared meatloaf for a gift. It will save her one night of cooking for her family. I plan to make it up. freeze it, and put it in a decorative pan and give it to her. All she has to do is put it in the oven and bake it and add potatoes. Total cost $12. How's that for a low price gift?
You had many ideas I hadn't thought of for Christmas gifts! Thanks for suggestion.
Nayberry,
That sounds like a really nice gift, I think everyone love food.
Smart Cat,
Hope you have a great Christmas.
You 2! Look forward to checking out new ideas from you
I love the hot chocolate idea. You could make cute gifts for cheap for the office gals or whoever by buying clear class mugs at the dollar store, then put a packet of nestle or generic brand hot cocoa mix in the bottom then add marshmellows. Cover with colored or clear wrap and put a bow on top and ribbon around the top to hide the wrap.
You could add a homemade chocolate dipped plastic spoon with sprinkles on the top as well.
Nice tips!
Danielle,
That is a wonderful suggestion. You seem to have many good ideas, so I hope many you will come back and think about writing some hubs.
Great ideas here SweetiePie, but I would also add personalized Christmas Ornaments to your list. They make great gifts, plus they are very much affordable.
Hi Ornamentswithlove,
I appreciate you great Christmas gift idea!
My favorite affordable Christmas gift to give is a thoughtful book. There's a book that appeals to almost everyone. I got my dog loving sister-in-law a large hardcover table book with pictures and info on every kind of domestic dog. On clearance it cost me only $5.99 and she loved it! Books Rock!
Hi Jay(C),
I love books too! You can even save more on books by going to thrift stores, or library book stores, and these stores help benefit good causes.
Thanks..Great post
Appreciate your comment htodd!
countrywomen 3 years ago
SP- I love that hot chocolate and tend to consume it a lot during loney dark days. I like that hook and mail folder too. In fact all of these are good ideas. Great hub from a great person.