C-Calligraphy

M-mittens

P-pot holders (remember those stretchy elastic ones that were woven on a small loom?)

R-rice warmers (not sure their technical name)

S-scarf

T-tea

E

* Email- Save money on stamps send everyone on your Holiday card list an email instead. A personal note is always welcomed.

*Embroidery- You don't have to embroidery anything elaborate, just something simple on a pillow case, towels, or a pair of nice jeans that you picked up at the local thrift store.

F

*Freezer Meals- That busy mom or elderly person always appreciates a quick homemade meal that they can pop in their oven or microwave.

*Family Newsletter-Start a new tradition by writing a letter and adding a list of family members with their addresses, enclose a note explaining what to do. (Before mailing on to the next person on the list, have each family add to the letter, don't forget to add your name and address to the end of the list so you can get the complete letter at the end, make copies and send everyone a complete copy at the end). A easy way to keep in touch with everyone and keeping up to date with their lives happenings.

*Fudge- Everyone loves fudge.

*Family Tree- Make up a family tree for that special family member that is all into the history of your family.

__________________

F: Freecycle(anything you think you might want to give, sometimes people have new and are looking to get rid of such as candles, toys, etc),

frames(homemade)

B
Bread machine packs. If you know someone who loves to use their bread machine then make bread packs for them. I'm doing this for my mom. Put all the dry ingredients into a zip lock bag and mark which recipe it is on the front. Include the full recipe on an index card so they know how much wet ingredients to add. Also pick up tiny zip lock baggies from the craft section of the dollar store and use it to make individual yeast packages with yeast from the bulk section of the grocery store. MUCH cheaper than individual yeast packages from the store and then they can just open a baggy and dump it on top of the dry ingredients instead of measuring out the yeast. (yeah I know. Lazy lazy but it saves time and you don't need to dirty another measuring spoon)

G
*Gourd Bird Feeders


*Gift of Time- Spend some special time with an elderly person in your family or circle. Let them know you will take them shopping, doctors appointments or just to the park to enjoy some time outside together.


*Groceries- One year my mom made up bushel baskets full of groceries for each of our individual families. She put in stuff that we normally wouldn't buy because of the cost. Such as chocolate syrup, cookie mixes, cake mixes, olive oil. That sort of stuff)


*Garage Cleaning- Volunteer to help that special someone to clean out there garage. It is always easier to get a large task like this done with a friend and some good music.

__________________

These are great ideas; especially the grocery one.

__________________
Check out my blog for freebies and money saving tips.http://barbainbabymomma.blogspot.com

H
* Hats- Everyone can always use a new hat.

* Hair bows, Hair Scrunchies- They are very easy to make just follow this link. calico: scrunchie tutorial.

*Haystacks- Who doesn't love those chocolate covered crushed up prezetels.

*Hot Chocolate- Make up a batch of Hot chocolate mix and put in a pretty recycled cansiter that you find at your local thrift shop.

*Hot Pads- Easy to sew. Take a piece of material with some batting sprinkle some seasoning in the middle and sew up. The scent will be enhanced when you set a hot plate on them.

*History-Type up a history of yourself or your family, for that special someone that is all into the history of your family.

Does anyone have any ideas for the letter H?

__________________

Wow, I am getting some great ideas from this thread! Thanks ladies.

B - Bookmarks (my DS is making for grandparents)
M - Meals - my mom retired and is living on a fixed income so I'm going to make single portion servings of her favorites
O- Ornaments (again having DS make salt dough ornaments)
R - Rubs for poultry/meat for my MIL

Love the fudge idea!!! I have no ideas for FIL, but he is a peanut butter nut, so maybe I can figure out how to make peanut butter fudge.

I Need help with this one can't think of to many!!

*Invent new traditions- Everyone has family traditions that we do for the holidays. In our family it is Christmas Night after all the presents have been openned and food ate and settled we pull out the board games. Usually it is something like Pictionary (because there are sooooo mannnnyyy of us!) We divide into groups and play for hours, eat cookies and enjoy each others company.
Invent a new tradition for your holidays this year!! Go Caroling, Before Christmas get all the girls together or guys too and bake cookies or have a cookie exchange. Have a gift exchange for under $10 and it has to be something you buy at the thrift store or homemade. Take your mom, grandma, sister out and get pedicures and manicure and enjoy some quiet time together. Pull out the old photo albums and reminisic about past Christmas's. Anything that you enjoy and the family will enjoy can become a tradition.

*Make Ice Candles- Use up some of those bits of crayon, or candles along with some recycled containers and make ice candles to line your driveway with. It is a simple, inexpensive project that everyone will enjoy.

__________________