Mother’s Day is just around the corner. If you still aren’t sure what you are going to give to your mother and grandmothers here is a short list of gifts that you can either make by hand or buy for under $10.
Get jewelry at silverjewelry.com for and only pay shipping ($6.95). Kendra and I have both ordered from silverjewelry.com and have been very pleased with what we’ve received. Of course, the jewelry is not designer, but it is made out of sterling silver and is very pretty.
When you’re on a tight budget, gifts can often be budget-busters. It can be discouraging when you want to give a nice gift but simply can’t afford it! Well, be encouraged - there are plenty of options out there for you and many are easier than you think!
I’m going to do several posts (they’ll be spread all over the place in no particular order, so just keep an eye out for them :)) on giving gifts under $10. Today we’ll look at a few ideas for Baby Shower gifts.
Hand-Made Gifts
Here are a few ideas that I’ve either had given to me or seen around the internet that are SO do-able…and CUTE! In order to keep these gifts under $10, watch for sales at crafts stores, use coupons and look for deals at yard sales.
Framed Poem
My pastor’s wife did this for my baby shower and I loved the idea! She found stickers that went with the theme of our nursery (ocean/nautical) and printed out a poem to put in the frame (you could also do calligraphy if you know how).
Devotional Diapers
I saw this idea at Joy in the Journey (which is quickly becoming one of my favorite blogs! I love reading from a missionary mommy). I actually made some devotional diapers for a friend this week (pictured on the right).
Diaper Cake (specifically if you are a CVS-er)
Obviously, you will not be able to make a diaper cake under $10 unless you’ve learned how to play the CVS game and are able to get diapers for basically free (want to learn more about CVS shopping, check out Money Saving Mom’s tutorial - CVS 101 ). Here are instructions on how to make these cakes. To see pictures of these ideas up close, go here and here .
Burp Rag Sets
I was inspired by Shannon’s post giving a helpful tutorial on how to make these yourself! How neat! I also really like these burp rags .
I’ve really been wanting to make one of these, but haven’t gotten around to actually trying it out…not to mention the fact that my sewing machine is still not working
Do you remember all of the thank you notes that you wrote after wedding and baby showers? Put together a set of cute, hand crafted cards for the mother-to-be to use as she writes thank you notes!
You could use sample swatches or fabric scraps to make these blocks.
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Store Bought Gifts
I’m listing items assuming that you’ll be going to the store to buy them (so, if you order them online, shipping costs will push them over the $10 mark. You may be able to find free shipping codes). This is not an exhaustive list, but hopefully it’ll provide a few ideas.
For those of you who went to college - do you remember what it was like to get a package in the mail FULL of goodies? I received a few of these during my college days and they always came at what seemed was just the right moment - usually when I was shaking water in my shampoo bottle to get the remnants out of the bottom.
Well, we (as my sister likes to call) “Frugalistas” love to stock up, but can often get ridiculously overloaded with samples and drug store goodies (eh…hem: CVS, Walgreens, etc.). Hey, I don’t know about you, but my family is probably NOT going to be using 7 tubes of toothpaste this year…so why don’t I give them away and be a blessing to a poor college student?
One reason to be frugal is to save money in order to have abundant resources to bless others with (not to hoard every last toothbrush we can get a deal on - tongue in cheek :)).
One way that you can do this is to put together a care package. Get your kids involved, make a party out of it - they’ll love it and it’ll teach them something about giving to others.
Here are just a few ideas:
1. Uh…so where do I find a college student?
Is anyone in your family (sibling, niece…second-cousin-twice-removed) in college right now? Send ‘em a package!
Check with your church’s college and career class leader (if you have one; if not, check with your pastor) - he’ll be able to hook you up with a few names and addresses.
Call your Alma Mater or a local/State college and find out if there are any financially needy students that you could be a blessing to.
2. What should I put in the package?
(you could most likely fill this with CVS goodies and samples - so think along those lines as you read this part)
Toilettries (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, floss, deodorant…you get the idea)
School supplies (pens, pencils, notepads, sticky notes, etc.)
Other (air freshener (ummm…..especially for male college students - that’s all I’m going to say…the end), stamps, stationary, shoelaces, etc.)
3. Fun touches
Make homemade cards - get your kids involved in this part, especially
Write out some Bible verses on decorated cards
Take pictures of your family putting together the care package and include them in the package
Decorate the box
Another random idea:
If you live close to a relative or friend who is in college, have them over for dinner and before they leave, let them raid your stock pile for anything that they need.
Also check out how to put together a Guest Hospitality basket using your goodies. If you all have any more ideas, we’d love to hear them!
- $5.05
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