Last Minute Frugal Gifts
What are you gifting to groups of people this Christmas? Let’s say co-workers or neighbors? Maybe teachers? Friend and family? Every year it can be a challenge to think of something thoughtful to give, yet frugal since you are usually doing it for a group of people. And if you are like me at all, I don’t always want to give homemade cookies; I like to look for healthier alternatives since cookies abound at this time of year, although cookies have been known to show up as an occasional gift from me :).
Last year I made 12 quart-sized jars of homemade granola. It took a few hours to cook the 7 batches of granola to make 12 quarts, and I actually had my friend helping so it went even quicker than it would have on my own. It ended up costing $3.42 for each quart jar of granola. You can read more about the cost breakdown here for the granola.
Here’s the standard granola recipe.
And then my Christmas inspired Gingerbread Granola.
To make it easier to make lots of granola, I’ll use the crock-pot sometimes.
And for a chocolate flair…
Here is a low carb version of granola that will cost more because it is oatless.
I also made some 2-3 Ingredient Nut Clusters for an easy and thoughtful gift. My brother-in-law loves chocolate-covered peanuts, so instead of giving him the mixed nut version last year, I brought out the peanuts and gave him some chocolate peanut love. This year I will give these to him again along with a few others.
- 8 salt shakers x $1.06 $=$8.48
- spices $4.08
- Total Spent: $12.56/8=$1.57 for each small salt shaker
- Mild Curry Powder
- Everyday Herb Mix
- All-Purpose Mexican Seasoning
- Apple/Pumpkin Spice Mixes
- Basic Pickling Spices Mix
For another group gift I made a couple of batches of pumpkin butter. We bought 2 pumpkins for $3 each at the end of September. We enjoyed them on the porch for a month, and then I cut into them and roasted the pumpkin seeds and made pumpkin purée. From the purée I cooked it down more and added spices to make the pumpkin butter. It’s SO easy to make and so frugal and festive! Plus if you don’t have fresh pumpkin and need some purée fast, canned pumpkin
is so easily available.
Apple Butter is just as easy to make as pumpkin butter, and you might not even need sugar to make it! If you want it to come together even faster, start with applesauce
Some of my cast-iron skillet-loving friends have loved getting this Skillet Pot Holder. They can be made in less than 30 minutes, and less than 5 minutes once you get the hang of it.
Some really lovely ideas. I love the gift of giving small tokens to groups of friends – I know have ideas to branch out from chutneys:) Although I have to admit there is a lot to be said for being able to make gifts ahead of time! Stopping by from Sewn Darn Crafty Link party.
Thanks, Vicky, and thank you for visiting!
In the past I’ve done cookies, white trash, and homemade candy but tired of that so last few years have bought items from Friends who’ve made bulk items for me. This year only had a few so could afford a little more, for nieces and nephews made pillow cases, for each child made one in Christmas print and the other in a favorite print like Minnie Mouse. For adults ordered necklaces from my friend Cindi who gives the proceeds to the foundation that represents her 2 deceased children. Last year made fleece scarves for the bigger kids and blankets for the 3 little ones!
Hi Pam. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate it. Blessings this Christmas season!
We loved your gift of seasoning! We used it on our turkey taco meat the other night. Yum!
Hi Nadene! Awesome! We use it on anything we need salt. Thanks for sharing!