Homemade for Christmas

This old bottle is the beginnings of a homemade Christmas gift.

The cool edge to August’s breeze brings tiny thoughts of coming holidays and homemade Christmas gifts. The kid’s may not be back in school yet, but it’s not too early to start making plans and thinking of the future holidays.  There are so many things that are free and plentiful in the summer, but will cost way more when the holidays roll around. A great way to save money and be prepared for the holidays ahead is to creatively look at the potential of things now, that you can turn into presents later on.

One of the best things to do is take summer’s bounty and turn it into Christmas gifts. All of the fruit on your tress, the surplus at the farmer’s market or your over abundant garden can be prepared to turn into great gifts in the future for practically free.

I frequent a local second’s grocery store that often gives away surplus they can’t get rid of. A few months ago they had bottles of dipping oil and I picked up a case. I really liked the oil but it was going bad and that’s the reason they were giving it away. Though I wouldn’t use it for eating, the bottles had cork stoppers and are a heavy glass. Dumping the contents I will have a dozen or so really nice bottles for homemade vanilla, bath salts or any thing special I can put in a jar.  I’m also thinking about experimenting with etching on them as they would be beautiful empty. All this for free, but I wish I’d grabbed a few more cases.

Another Christmas idea is to gather rose petals, lavender and other flowers for potpourri. Stick them any place dry and free of humidity and the sun will dry them to perfection. If you live in a more humid or cooler climate, the back seat of the car, with the windows rolled up, makes a perfect drying place or uses a dehydrator. While you’re at it, grab some pansies, leaves or other small flowers to press between sheets of waxed paper in a heavy book. These can easily turn into decorations for stationery cards, or even bookmarks.

What about walks and hikes? There are numerous ways to use shells gathered at the seashore. Many evergreen trees shed their cones during the spring or summer. Gathering them now, before they are tromped on, or damaged by weather will give you a supply for the holidays that are clean, dry and free of  bugs. AS fall comes further along look at gathering dry grasses and other plants for decorations that will last through the holidays.

Summers’ bounty has so much to offer at prices that can’t be touched come winter. Free is always the best and now is the time to take advantage of not only what Mother Nature may offer, but give aways from other places as well. Thinking about making homemade Christmas gifts now is a great way to practice frugal living.

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