Comments on: Homemade Christmas Gifts: 6 Frugal Ideas

By: Misha

Misha — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 03:34:39 +0000

I love this website, great ideas!
I’ve handpainted 5-6 gifts already, each personalized for the person. I’ve tried things I didn’t think I could do, dragons, peace signs, cartoon characters, each is as unique as the recipient. I’ve also written poems, that will be framed, done the photographs of the kids for all sorts of gifts. I want to make a memory box for my son and his girlfriend. Decomposing their picture on the top and putting a note inside, to fill it with all the memories they share together in the next year. For another couple whose focus is completely on getting married next June, I found all kinds of quotes online on marraiges, some wise, some funny. I’m going to mat and frame them for the couple.
Crafting on the weekends, but accomplishing so much. FEELS great! And so nice on the budget worksheet for Christmas!!!

By: Stacy

Stacy — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:08:57 +0000

Alton Brown’s hot chocolate recipe is by far my favorite, including the chili powder! I received it a few years ago as a gift, it is now one of my favorite gifts to make. However, I will say that I’m from Texas and we like things spicy down here!!

By: 3 Ways To Prepare For Christmas (yup! Christmas.)

3 Ways To Prepare For Christmas (yup! Christmas.) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:02:49 +0000

[...] at a loss when it comes to homemade gift ideas, you might find the suggestions in my post on homemade Christmas gifts to be [...]

By: Jessie

Jessie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:35:33 +0000

Thank you so much for posting the grape jelly recipe! I made it for the first time over the weekend, and it was so easy. I’m giving away some jars as gifts for the holiday. I’ll never go back to store bought jelly again!

By: hiptobeme

hiptobeme — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:19:10 +0000

http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/hot-broccoli-dip-86814.aspx

I can’t remember where you talked about bread bowls but I saw this and thought of you. Sourdough bread is used here, and they toast the whole loaf before putting the liquid in it. Let us know if you succeed!

By: Castal

Castal — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:16:48 +0000

you mentioned leaving out the cayenne pepper in the hot chocolate mix, noooo! It really brings out the chocolate flavor, especially when paired with a little cinnamon powder. Most of the “mexican” or “mayan” chocolate recipes taste so good because they have just a hint of heat and cinnamon to them.

As for the chai, I make up the liquid mix with crushed spices in a big pot and then toss it in the fridge to later combine with milk. It does taste much better if you cook it with the milk for a while, but I don’t go through it enough to make a big batch that way most days.

I definitely need to try your instant version for traveling and for at work where we don’t have access to the wonders of a stove (but the microwave and warm water dispenser are close at hand!)

By: Erika

Erika — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:03:30 +0000

Chai tea update (again!): I found the cardamom! I google mapped “Indian Grocery” and found a place right near work. I was able to pick up a pretty large package for $3.99. I’m not sure if that’s a good price, but it’s MUCH better than the $15 little jars at the supermarket!

By: Gabby

Gabby — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:03:00 +0000

Hey Mrs. K! This year, for Christmas gifts, I made porcelain ornaments for teachers and friends. When my grandmother was a younger adult, she made lots of porcelain dolls and ornaments. So, I thought it would be cool to make ornaments for Christmas presents. Of course, it is expensive to start out with (you need to buy a kiln, molds, porcelain slip, etc.), but after getting started, it’s very inexpensive (and these things were already available to me so it cost nothing!). Kilns and molds, for example, can last for years and years and years. Porcelain slip is available by the gallons and we only used a little bit of it to make a lot of ornaments (around 60). And I was going to give a couple ornaments at time so that I add to their collection every year. It’s a very unique gift to give (because not everybody gives homemade ornaments!) and it will beautify their Christmas trees.

By: Erika

Erika — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:28:02 +0000

Update: I found the unsweetened tea mix! I decided to check when I was in Target and there it was! A question about the Chai Tea Mix – do you add the cardamom? I know people suggest buying it at a local ethnic grocery store but I don’t know of any around and a tiny jar of it is $14 at the grocery store. Can I just leave it out?

By: Franci

Franci — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:42:01 +0000

I love the photo of your Christmas tree!