How to Give Friends and Family Great Christmas Presents With Little or No Shopping

It's getting closer and looming over you like a big black cloud--Christmas shopping. It's nearly here and you feel worse than Scrooge-- with no time and little money, what can you do? Try something more meaningful and less stressful this year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Think of memories. Mom would love to have a small scrapbook or photo album with a little of her family's history there. Don't go crazy - a small book with a few holiday shots(think Christmas, Halloween, Easter and special day shots (graduation, prom, weddings, anniversary party). Decorate it with things around the house - ribbon, colored paper, or just markers and imagination. Don't fill it -- save some pages for new memories, starting with this Christmas.
2. Take a little time sorting through your recipes and put together all those family favorites. Scan them and put them into a small scrapbook or type or write them onto 4x6" index cards and insert them into small photo albums. You can make copies for other family members--this is great for kids who have left the nest.
3. Think of where the person's heart is and make a donation to a cause that would be close to their heart. This is great for those who tell you they don't need anything...and you believe them. This is a good way to remember them without adding to their clutter. Think of causes for cancer (for a survivor or someone who lost a loved one), education (for a teacher), pet causes, the local museum, homeless shelter. Include a card that says I wanted everyone to know about your loving, giving heart so I made a donation in your name.
4. Have an old or favorite family photo restored or enlarged and framed. This is a wonderful present for someone sentimental. It's a trip to the store but it won't be to fight the crowds like the mall or department store.
5. Use your imagination and think of what is most special to those you buy for. Is dad most proud of his fraternity? Enlist mom's help in finding things and consider making a shadowbox of memorabilia. You can do this with sports items, graduation souvenirs, or wedding items. You could even do these with a favorite movie or book theme.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep it simple--you're trying to save time and money and hassles.
• Check out what you have before you run out and buy things - you probably have all kinds of little whatnots to decorate and embellish things with--old cards, ribbons, wrapping paper, stickers, maps, etc help to make great scrapbook pages.
• Watch your time--don't take on homemade projects for everyone if you are pressed for time.