Tis the season to be frugal: five free or almost free holiday gift ideas

December 4, 9:57 AMSt. Louis Family & Parenting ExaminerAngela Atkinson

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Image Credit: Teodora Vlaicu

As our economic belts tighten, many St. Louisans are finding themselves struggling to buy holiday gifts this year. Rather than beating yourself up, consider these do-it-yourself gifts. You'll save money, and you can have your kids help! Tis the season to be frugal!

1. Make a family calendar. My aunt does this every year. Have everyone in your extended family email (or snail mail) photos of their nuclear family. Be sure to include every member of the family at least once in the calendar. You can even print the calendar for free, so the cost on this gift is the price of ink and card stock. To connect the pages, punch holes in them and use thick yarn or twine to tie them together.

2. Make personalized hand towels. Go to any dollar store and pick up hand towels in various colors. If you know how to embroider, you can embroider initials on each towel. If not, consider using fabric paint. This is a fun project for kids too.

3. Make Christmas ornaments. If you've got craft supplies around the house, sit down with the kids and make holiday ornaments for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and teachers. Felt is a great option, but if you don't have craft supplies, consider hitting that dollar store again to pick up a package of glass or plastic ornaments. Then, you can glue glitter, sequins, or place stickers on the ornaments. One friend of mine uses these to glue a photo of her family on each year and presents the gifts to extended family.

4. Make coupons. These can be as simple as "good for one bear hug" coupons for the kids to give to Grandma and Grandpa, or as generous as "good for one evening of free babysitting" for your sister who has five kids. And as we all know, every parent could use a night out. You can make these coupons on your computer, or even have the kids help make them. Younger kids can color the coupons while older ones can also help write them.

5. Write a letter. Okay, I know what you're thinking. How could a letter be a hoiday gift? Here's one example. During our first Christmas together, my husband wrote me a letter about  how he felt about me. He wrote it on beautiful paper and presented it to me along with my other gifts. I still have the letter today, and it remains one of my all time favorite gifts. Sometimes, just letting someone know how much they mean to you is a gift in itself!