Money Saving Mom®

Guest post from Mridu of Life Is Organized

It’s no surprise to hear that experiences mean more than things. Material items bring us immediate, yet fleeting, joy. It’s memories and feelings that stay with us forever. But figuring out how to create a memory can leave you overwhelmed, and cost a pretty penny.

Here are 10 easy ways to create memorable holiday gifts, that are low on cost and high on value:

1. Create a coupon book.

Print (or write) 5-10 coupons for your loved one and staple them together to make a small booklet. These can be tasks that get someone “off the hook” like No Dishes For A Week, or a Free Bed-Making Pass. It could also be “treats” like A Massage or Sundaes For Dinner.

2. Make a conversation jar.

Decorate a jar with ribbon, get small notes of paper and a card with instructions that say: “Start the year with an empty jar and fill it with notes about good things that happen. Then, on New Year’s Eve, open it and read what awesome things happened over the year.”

3. Show off your culinary prowess.

The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, right? Bake or cook a family favorite and spoil someone you care about.

TIP: Place your freshly baked goods in a decorative tin that can be reused throughout the year.

4. Create a night out.

Why not invite friends and/or family for a night of fun at your place? Create an invite for a memorable way to enjoy time with your loved ones after you’ve recovered from the holiday madness.

5. Give a gratitude journal.

Help someone create an experience for themselves all year long. Often times people have the intention of starting this meaningful habit, but need the tools to get it started.

6. Make a themed gift basket.

Add fun and useful items to create an enjoyable memory for someone special.

– Movie baskets including popcorn, a couple of DVDs, a box of M&M’s, and a soft blanket or fuzzy socks.
– A Family Night basket with a board game, a pack of cards, a bag of chips, and a liter of lemonade.
– A Girl’s Night basket including nail polishes, magazines, drinks, and furry slippers.

7. Give a gift certificate or lessons.

Base this gift on hobbies your friend or family member is interested in — a sewing class, dance lesson, painting class, or cooking lesson. It’s especially memorable when it’s something they’ve never tried, but have wanted to do.

8. Create a photo calendar.

Grandparents can’t get enough of these! It’s not only customized and meaningful but useful throughout the year.

TIP: If the thought of picking a bunch of photos is overwhelming, get the type of calendar that has just one photo that you can use for the whole year.

9. Monogram anything.

No matter what item anyone has, a monogrammed version of it makes it so much more memorable. It can be as simple as a pair of hand towels or a beach bag.

10. Wow them with tickets.

If tickets for movies, concerts, plays, amusement parks, sporting events, and museums are personalized to a person’s likes, they’re always appreciated.

TIP: You can get discounts on movie tickets and some events if you buy in bulk at places like Costco or Sam’s Clubs and then split them up for different friends.

“Experience gifts” evoke a distinct feeling of love, care, and thoughtfulness. And if the gift is an event you can both participate in, it becomes a shared memory, something far beyond what a physical gift can offer.

What experience can you create for someone this holiday season, without breaking the bank?

Mridu Parikh is a Simplicity and Organization Junkie for women who are tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. She’ll show you how to get your life running smoothly – without the drama. Prepare to smile, get uber motivated and take action with Mridu’s 5-day free organizing series.

photo source

Guest post from Becky of My Ink Dance

I’d like to say that December only brings cozy opportunities for family bonding and reflecting on the meaning of the season. The reality is, however, that we are bombarded with long lists of things to do. And the list is only part of the problem. The tightened purse strings make it feel even more difficult to shower people with love.

If you’d like this coming December to be different, you can! Here are 7 ideas to show your children how much you love them without throwing out your list or digging deeper in your pockets.

1. Read to Them

This is about more than homework reading assignments. This is about time and bonding.

There are few things more special than reading a book with your little (or not so little) one. Take 10 minutes, because usually that’s about all it takes, and snuggle up. Get close, grab a blanket and share a great Christmas story. You can find plenty at the library to enjoy together. You can even wrap a library book for a special surprise.

Some of our family’s favorite books are:

• The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell
• The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
• Jacob’s Gift by Max Lucado

2. Have a Winter Picnic

Who says picnics are just for summertime? Not kids!

Make some hot chocolate or some tea and put it in a thermos. Bundle up and head outside with a big blanket or two and some mugs. You don’t have to go anywhere fancy; we’ve even done this on our back deck! Just enjoy being together in the fresh air.

The kids may give you a crazy look at first, but giggles are soon to follow. For an extra special treat, try doing this under the stars.

3. Enjoy a Candlelight Dinner

Think about what everyday life was like when Jesus was born. Enjoy dinner by candlelight and feel how peaceful it can be to sit by the warm glow of a flickering flame.

Kids are sure to love blowing out the candles when you’re done… so make sure to have a candle for each child!

4. Give a “Gift for a Day”

Before you think this involves reaching for your wallet, keep reading.

My kids are almost always asking to use something that belongs to my husband or me. Maybe it is a lip gloss or a flashlight or tool. It could be a pretty scarf or even a special mug.

Wrap up the coveted item and give it to your child with a note reading, “This is something of Mommy’s that is usually just for me. I’d like for you to use it today because you are special as can be.”

5. Bake Together

The holidays usually have us mixing and baking at some point. Take some extra time and hand over the wooden spoon.

Sure, it may take longer. Yes, it will be messier. But letting children help shows that you value their abilities, and that they are more important than a stress-filled to do list.

And I’ve never met a child (young or old) who doesn’t like to lick the spoon!

6. Enjoy the Lights

There are few things that evoke squeals like twinkling Christmas lights. You don’t have to make a big night of searching for lights (although that’s fun too!) Just take time to enjoy the ones you see.

Maybe take a different route home from basketball so you can see the great lights on the street you don’t usually drive on. Go a block or two out of your way to drive by the town tree.

If little ones cry, “I didn’t get to see it,” like mine sometimes do, make a quick u-turn and go back by again. You’ll only be losing minutes, but it sure adds up to them. And the squeals are worth it!

7. Designate Family Movie Time

Christmas is filled with all kinds of movies. Whether you’re looking for something funny or heartwarming, taking an evening and watching a Christmas movie together is a memory worth making.

There is a bonding that occurs when you sit together and enjoy a holiday movie. So don’t worry about addressing the Christmas cards for a night. No one will remember when they got the card anyway.

A tradition of the family watching a Christmas movie together will be held dear for years to come. Whether it’s Buddy the Elf, Charlie Brown, or A Wonderful Life, you’ll feel good knowing you took the time to be together.

These are just a few of the ways we’ve been able to show our children love and create memorable family Christmases without spending a dime. However, I’d love to know…

What would you add to my list?

Becky is a wife and mom of three who believes the things that matter don’t cost a lot of money. After all, she’s just as happy with Hershey as Godiva. A juxtaposition of head and heart, Becky explores life at My Ink Dance.

photo source