Using Your Gifts to Make Christmas - Simplify and Save

Some the best gifts received or given have been homemade.  We all have our talents and what better way to show your love to family and friends then to give sometime made personally for them.  Here are a few ideas to get you started and a few resources to help too.

Talent: Making things from scratch - you aren't afraid of a little challenge.

1) Consider making soap - all natural, inexpensive and toxin or chemical free.  Here is a great video I found on the topic that can help you along.  How to Make Soap from Scratch - Cold Pressed. If you like the idea of soap and don't want to make it then check out The Great Canadian Soap Company.

2) Working with wood -  One Christmas after making bookcases I used the left over wood boards to create footstool checkerboards....and I'm limited in my wood talent.  Here is a video on how to build a checkerboard. Other wood making ideas check out youtube video on making a toy car or Mother Earths articles Toys to Build for the Young and Young at Heart If you just want to order some nice wooden toys try The Toy Factory.

3) Like to Sew - easy or not so easy - Again one Christmas I made casserole oven mitts check out DIY here Other simple ideas are table runners, napkins, or cloth hankys or tissues.

4) Cooking ideas - chocolate of any kind is always welcomed :-) Fudge, chocolates (melt chocolate chips and mix with nuts to create candy), or unique flour mixes i.e for gluten-free gifts on your list.  Check out Easy Gluten-free Lunches and Snacks: Simple Cookbook for a one flour mix for all baking and give the book too.

5) Writing Talent - write a poem in a empty card, a short story or compile a number of jokes, if it came from you with your talent they will love it.

Start thinking about your talent and how you can bring joy to someone's Christmas this year by giving from the heart.