Santa Claus, of course, doesn’t experience these problems. He has an army of elves who are willing to build gifts for him out of the goodness of their hearts and he owns his own top-of-the-line gift factory.

By turning your kitchen into a holiday gift factory you can find a way to give personal, quality gifts to everyone. These homemade gifts can be produced inexpensively and use equipment you already have!

A nice tray of homemade candies, holiday cookies and treats can be a perfect present. Everyone, after all, enjoys eating. This means you can be sure to generate gifts that will truly be appreciated. The fact that you have made your gift trays with your own hands also adds a unique personal touch to your presents that an item grabbed off a store shelf could never capture. Additionally, the process of making the items can be fun and relaxing, giving you an opportunity to enjoy the holidays.

So, with what can you fill your holiday gift trays? There are, of course, the old reliables: frosted and decorated simple sugar cookies, gingerbread men, and fudge. The recipient will greet any of these traditional holiday confections with a smile.

Many of those who make holiday gifts from their own kitchen truly enjoy providing others with a selection of their own family recipes, adding special personal touch to the gift. This approach to producing holiday edibles is sure to be a success.

However, expanding one’s culinary horizons and producing taste treats that will surprise and delight recipients can produce a truly unforgettable holiday gift.

One can add a great deal of dimension to their holiday gift giving by seeking out new and unique recipes to supplement family traditions and traditional favorites. By finding recipes for interesting holiday confections and cookies, one can create a truly spectacular holiday gift basket or cookie tray that will long be remembered.

One can mix and match recipes to build a colorful and tasty variety of treats. Exposing gift recipients to an interesting array of new tastes will not only provide them with a great gift, it will also show them that a great deal of thought and consideration was put into their treats.

Consider making cookies popular in different regions of the world for an internationally themed holiday tray. Several treats can be produced themed on a single ingredient, to display the many ways a particular flavor can be used in cooking. One can opt to simply create a smorgasbord of awesome cookies designed to delight all of the senses without centering on a particular theme. The options are limited.

You may not own your own toy factory atop the North Pole or have a team of elves ready to do your bidding. However, you can easily transform your kitchen and cooking skills into a home-based gift factory that produces fantastic presents for everyone. Unforgettable holiday treats can add enjoyment to anyone’s holidays and are far less expensive to produce than searching the aisles of retail stores for a series of drab gifts. All you need to transform your home into a spectacular holiday gift factory is a little time and a great collection of holiday recipes.

Ethical Christmas gifts are those that will help someone else just by using them. It can be gifts purchased to support a cause or a donation given in the name of someone else. The choice is yours.

Ethical gifts are best appreciated by someone who also likes to give to others in their lives. If you have someone on your Christmas list who is a regular volunteer worker or who donates to several causes during the year, they make a great candidate for an ethical gift. Know the people in your life who would most appreciate it.

Now maybe you don’t have enough money to make a donation in the name of everyone that you know. If so, you can turn your donation into a family gift. Let’s say that one of your good neighbors likes animals. Make a donation in their name to an animal rescue program or a wildlife fund. Present a plaque or card, to the family, stating that the donation was made.

For a greater level of support this year, buy your gifts and cards from organizations trying to raise money for global awareness campaigns. For instance, you can purchase recycled greeting cards from an organization that is trying to save the earth. Charities like the March of Dimes, The American Red Cross and UNICEF sell cards, the profits from which go to help in relief efforts and research.

Many people want to get in touch with the real spirit of giving around the holidays. It is okay to give gifts when the spirit in which they are given is one of love and kindness. Ethical Christmas gifts have the distinction of being timeless. A gift of a vase may sit in your living room and collect dust. A gift of new water wells for a poor village will continue to give even after Christmas is over.

Ethical gifts have the distinction of positive feelings tied to them. Parents know the frustration they feel when a toy that was begged for is tossed in the corner a week later. Instead of so many gifts that clutter up the household, you can teach kids how they can give to other kids just like them who are far away and need even the basic things like a meal or clothing.

Giving to a worthy cause gives you a chance to help others. You are actively making a difference in the world by choosing to give an ethical gift and/or receiving one graciously from another. Who wouldn’t get a deep down good feeling from that?

You might be saying that it is all well and good to include them, but where is the money coming from? With economic pressures all over the world, adding more people to the Christmas list is not the direction to take.

Don’t fret. You can use the following frugal gift ideas to give each teacher a present from the heart of a student who wants to show their appreciation. Teachers do take on a lot of responsibility in an often thankless profession.

1. Give food gifts. You can give cakes, cookies and other confections. If you desire a gift that will keep, create cookie or soup jars as gifts. This requires that you combine the dry ingredients of a recipe in layers in a large Mason jar. Tie a recipe card to the jar with directions for adding the other ingredients later.

2. Have the kids create home-made Christmas cards. A card gives them the space to write a special greeting to their teachers. Use construction paper or cardstock for the card and let kids add eye-catching decorations: glitter, markers, decorative ribbon and the like.

3. Give a yearbook picture. Each year schools take student photos. Parents always buy more than they need and have pictures left over. Place the picture inside one of these home-made Christmas cards or inside a holiday frame to give to their teachers.

4. Make a donation in their name. You may not have much money but you can use what you have to donate to a number of causes in the teacher’s name. Present them with the card describing the donation you made in their name.

5. Gift baskets are economical. Gift baskets allow you to give large or small gifts to others. Using a small basket, head off to the dollar store. They have nice gifts there that can fill that basket for a child’s teacher. Cover the basket with cellophane to hold everything in place. One idea is a basket full of school supplies. Teachers can always use more of those for their classroom.

6. Draw a picture. Artwork is all the rage. Have your child draw a special picture for their teacher. When it’s done (and dried if they used paints), frame and wrap it for gift presentation.

Your kids don’t have to leave their teachers out of the Christmas gift giving this year. Use the above six ideas to get started with your frugal gift giving so each teacher can receive a treat from one of their favorite students.

(Teacher gift basket found at: http://www.elegantly-expressed.com/Teacher-Gift-Basket.htm.)

Considering your husbands interests and hobbies is one way to make Christmas shopping for him easier. Paying attention to these interests and hobbies can give you a better idea of what type of items would make great Christmas gifts for him. For example, if he recently started golfing and is still renting golf clubs you could consider purchasing a golf bag for him and giving him a gift certificate to purchase a set of golf clubs to fill the bag. Or if he recently started running, you might consider items which would make his run more enjoyable. You might purchase an MP3 player which is designed to be worn on an armband while running or a speed and distance monitor which tracks his mileage and his pace throughout his workout.

Another useful tip for Christmas shopping for your husband is to not be afraid to repeat gifts you have given him the past. You might normally consider purchasing a bottle of cologne for him for Christmas and then decide against it because you realize you gave him a bottle of cologne for Christmas two years ago. This is very common because many people think it is boring to give the same gift more than once but it is not always a bad idea. This is especially in the case of items which can be used up such as cologne, scented soaps and candles. It makes sense to gives these gifts repeatedly because your husband uses them often and runs out each year. However, even items such as clothing can be given as repeat gifts. It is acceptable to give your husband items such as ties, sweaters or pants on more than one occasion because clothing goes out of style and likewise your husband’s taste may change. The tie which he loved a couple of years ago may not be one of his favorites anymore. However, if you gave him a trendy new tie for Christmas this year it is likely to be a gift which is much appreciated.

Finally, if you simply cannot decide what to get your husband for Christmas, it is acceptable to ask him what he wants. Have him make a list of several items he wants and plan on purchasing a few items from the list as well as a few surprises.

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Following are a few gift ideas your wife is sure to love.

A scrapbook is a great idea for a Christmas gift for your wife especially if she is always complaining about never having time to organize the family photos. This idea may scare many men because they are afraid they have to be artistically talented to give their wife this type of gift. Fortunately for them there are many individuals in the business of making scrapbooks. All the husband has to do is round up several photos and sit down with the scrapbooking consultant to discuss what type of book he is looking for and his wife’s favorite colors and preferences. With this information the consultant can create a lovely scrapbook from the pictures the husband provides.

A spa gift certificate is another excellent idea for men who find Christmas shopping to be difficult. Most women enjoy being pampered and receiving treatments such as manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and other rejuvenating treatments. Even if you are not sure where she would like to go to receive these treatments you can purchase a gift certificate from a service which works in conjunction with a number of spas around the country.

Another gift which many women will greatly appreciate is a gift certificate for a maid service. This is especially useful for women who work a full time job and do the majority of the housework. It can be quite difficult to keep the house in great shape will work 40 plus hours per week. Giving a gift of maid service does not imply you do not think the house is clean enough but rather sends the message that you realize how hard your wife works and want to make her life easier. An even better idea is to make up a homemade coupon book with items such as cooking dinner or cleaning the bathroom. If your wife typically does these chores she can cash in one of her coupons for a night off from this chore if she is feeling tired.

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Classic Teen Gift Idea #1 – One timeless gift for a teen, boy or girl, is a nice watch. Teens are getting to the age where they can take care of their possessions better and it is time for them to have some nice items, such as a watch, which they can wear to church and other events when they will need to dress nicely.

Classic Teen Gift Idea #2 – Another timeless gift for a teen of either sex is the gift of a gold chain or bracelet. Once again, they are now old enough to not loose it, and they will appreciate having something nice to wear when it is time for them to dress up.

Classic Teen Gift Idea #3 – Teenagers are all about their clothing and shoes. Talk to their parents, or if you are the parent ask your teen, and find out what their desires are these days. Generally you can’t go wrong with a hoodie or t-shirt with cool graphics on it. And, tennis shoes in the latest style make a great gift as well.

Classic Teen Gift Idea #4 – Today’s tech savvy teens always appreciate a gift of an iPod or similar popular gadget. Their iPods allow them to listen to music while they are on the bus, a passenger in a car, etc…

Classic Teen Gift Idea #5 – Because many teens have MP3 players and iPods, they are always looking for money to download their favorite songs. Gone are the large record stores of their parent’s day, replaced by music download sites on the Internet. A gift card to download music is always a good option for a teen.

Classic Teen Gift Idea #6 – The classic lava lamp is a cool accent to any teen room. They can be placed on the teen’s desk and watched while they work on their homework or do other things in their room. Thankfully, with their popularity, even stores like WalMart now carry them.

Classic Teen Gift Idea #7 – Many teens need a little extra help getting out of bed in the mornings. This can be made a bit easier by the gift of a nice alarm clock. By getting one with Atomic Time they will never have to worry about resetting the time when the power goes out in the middle of the night.

Classic Teen Gift Idea #8 – For an older teen who carries a laptop, the gift of a cool laptop case can be a very appreciated gift.

Classic Teen Gift Idea #9 – Digital cameras are now very reasonably priced and make excellent gifts for a teen. Together with some rechargeable batteries and they are all set to take photos for years to come.
Classic Teen Gift Idea #10 – Last but not least… teens always wish they had money to buy the things that they want. The gift of cash or a gift card are always appreciated and valued.

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Here are today’s top ten Christmas family gift suggestions to get you started on selecting a perfect gift for the family on your list – yours or someone else’s.

Family Gift Idea #1 – If you have a budget on the higher-end, a good suggestion is a Nintendo Wii gaming system. The Nintendo Wii is much more interactive and family friendly than you typical gaming system.

Family Gift Idea #2 – For more traditional families, or if you are on a much smaller budget, consider a gift of a game night basket. In this basket you can put a new board game or two, a deck of cards, and some snacks for their game nights.

Family Gift Idea #3 – If the family you are gifting enjoys movies, a movie night basket is a perfect gift. Include in the basket their favorite movie candies, some popcorn, and either a DVD or a gift card to their local video rental store.

Family Gift Idea #4 – For a family who is constantly on the move, the gift of something they can do together in the car can be just the ticket. Consider a gift of a trivia game or book which gives them car game ideas to try out.

Family Gift Idea #5 – If your family homeschools their children, or simply spends a lot of time visiting local attractions, a year membership to your local zoo or other large attraction will be a very welcomed gift.

Family Gift Idea #6 – Another great gift idea is to gather recipes from all of your family members and put it together into a nice recipe book for all of the families on your gifting list.

Family Gift Idea #7 – One tradition which works very nicely for family gifts for Christmas is the gift of a special Christmas tree ornament or ornament set each year. You can use them to commemorate any special happenings in their family each year.

Family Gift Idea #8 – Another big hit is a gift basket which includes chocolate in all forms, such as hot chocolate, gourmet chocolate candies, chocolate spoons to be used in drinks, etc… As long as no one is allergic, there isn’t a family out there who won’t enjoy this basket.

Family Gift Idea #9 – If the family you wish to gift has been struggling to make ends meet, you may wish to help them out without doing so in an overt manner. One simple way to do this is through a gift basket loaded with food items which they can use. Another simple way to do this is to fill a small gift basket with gift cards to local stores and gas stations in their area. By choosing a variety of stores you can allow them to purchase things they need to help get them through the next year.

Family Gift Idea #10 – Finally, the gift of an advent basket, or an “all week gift basket” can be a nice fun change from your typical gift basket. In this basket you will include wrapped gifts which will be opened one each day until Christmas. This is really enjoyable for children, even with small gifts to be opened.

As you can see, gifting for a family can really be the way to go this Christmas season. Many people find it easier to purchase a gift, or make a basket, rather than try to find just the perfect gift for each member of the family.

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In order for you to show your appreciation to your child’s bus driver and teacher this Christmas, here are some ideas to help you think of the perfect gift:

Christmas Gift Suggestion #1 – Teacher appreciation gifts should be for the teacher themselves and not so much a gift for the classroom. If your secretary has done a great job this year, you don’t reward her with a new office computer; you give her a bonus which she can spend on herself. The same idea goes for teachers and other service personnel as well. However, the one caveat to that are items which the school will never pay for and the teacher will end up purchasing out of their own pocket money.

Christmas Gift Suggestion #2 – One of the absolute best gifts that you can give to a teacher or bus driver does not have to cost a dime. What is it? The gift of a hand-written note from your child thanking them for what they have offered your child.

Christmas Gift Suggestion #3 – Many teachers start their day with a quick joke. A nice clean joke book, appropriate for the age of the kids, can make a great gift for a teacher. They can use this for a laugh, and they can also use it in their classroom as well.

Christmas Gift Suggestion #4 – Teachers always need board games to play in class, and even to enjoy at home with their own children. You can very easily choose a good quality game and then let the teacher decide on where she would like to use it.

Christmas Gift Suggestion #5 – Food items always make good gifts. However, you do not need to send in cookies or cakes to feel appreciation from teachers or bus drivers. Try buying their lunch or dinner by giving a gift card to your local restaurant or deli. Or, you can even give a simple gift card to a local grocery store.

Christmas Gift Suggestion #6 – Teachers love books. While books are always a welcomed gift, you can either choose one yourself or you can leave it up to the teacher by buying them a gift card for a book store such as Barnes & Noble which also gives them a discount on their purchases.

Christmas Gift Suggestion #7 – A low maintenance plant is always a good gift option. Try to stick to something easy to grow without too many requirements so they can be grown at school or at home. One of my personal favorites are cactus gardens and Christmas cactus flowering plants.

Christmas Gift Suggestion #8 – If the teacher or bus driver supports a cause make a donation in their name and give them a card with a note that you have done this.

Christmas Gift Suggestion #9 – If you have a talent that you can teach others how to do, why not offer to teach the class something interesting for the teacher. This gives them a break and helps them to plan a fun lesson at the same time.

Christmas Gift Suggestion #10 – Last but certainly not least, do not buy a teacher something with “#1 Teacher” or an apple on it. It is plain tacky and teachers generally have a ton of that stuff. Instead stick to something consumable if you have to send in something like a coffee mug. Replace that mug with some gourmet coffee or tea and the teacher will appreciate it!

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Scrapbooking is a way to organize all those photos, postcards, programs, menus, matchbooks, pressed corsages and other pieces of family history in a beautiful album that will be looked at and treasured for years to come. Bringing all those things together in an album often comes to mean almost as much to those that create the gift as it does the person it was created for.

Scrapbooks are a very warm personal and sentimental gift. They can light up any holiday celebration. Once the gift has been opened you’ll find everyone spending hours going through the book and remembering all the wonderful times and the people that have passed through their lives. Photos that bring back memories of weddings and birthday parties, the program from your daughters first ballet recital, the matchbook from the restaurant where you and your future husband had your first dinner. All these things make the scrapbook a gift that will be cherished.

Putting together an album has come a long way from the days of the slipping the pictures under a plastic sheet or, for those of us old enough to remember, sliding the edges of the pictures into the little black paper corners that are glued to a black construction paper page. Modern scrapbooking is an art form. Scrapbooking doesn’t take any special skills. With a little patience and the proper tools you can build a scrapbook that you would be proud to give as a gift to anyone.

With beautiful decorative papers for the pages, special scissors and other cutting tools for decorative edges and designs, stamps and other supplies you can custom build a beautiful piece of family history. Scrapbooking is something the entire family can take part in. Even a young child can enjoy helping. Just the memories that are jogged and the stories that can be told while organizing the items for the book make the project worthwhile.

There are websites that can walk you through the basics, there are community classes for scrapbooking and there are people you can find through your local paper, the yellow pages or on the Internet that will be glad to build your scrapbook for you.

Another option as an alternative to the album is to gather all the photos together, put them in some semblance of order and take them to a place that will put it all onto a video tape or DVD for you, unless of course you’re lucky enough to have the knowledge and skill to do so yourself. This also has the advantage of keeping your photos safe from deterioration due to age or normal wear and tear.

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