Tis the Season to plan for A Very Merry Frugal Christmas!

These were some great ideas. I did use freebies put in a large stocking for my sister and her husband last year, but in addition to their "regular"gifts. There were Almay full size facial soap, scented oil, potpourri, mens razors and aftershave.

The main people I buy for beside dh and 2 sons are My sister, her husband, their grown son(26) and daughter(24). My estranged inlaws have just gotten gift cards. I don't think I can do that this year, even if dh gets a job soon.

For the inlaws I was thinking of gift certificates from Resterant.com. they can be bought for anywhere from $3 to $10 each.

I don't know what to do for my sister's family.

I don't know what to do for dh, son (15) and son(12).

Any ideas?

I keep a gift area that I have gifts that I picked up at great deals.  I am checking out the yvesrocher site for some good deals for friends and extended family. I am trying for a frugal xmas. We have airmiles so I ordered a chapters gift card $25 for hubby or it is a good gift for a homestay student if we have one. It is one of the good deals on airmiles 185 miles. since safeway makes it easy to get airmiles it works for us. plus I got a 2 movie tickets w/popcorn/drinks for sil from the kids for her nov birthday (worth $30). 175 airmiles. i found a mini arcade arknoid game for a couple of dollars new for dh stocking from thrift store.

  I have joined and quit columbia house dvd club a few times over the years. They have sent offers since I had joined before so I have got lots of .49 cent dvds.  You only have to buy 4 over 2 yrs which I end up doing for gifts in a year anyway, then I quit.  So I picked the .49 dvds I wanted (lots of choice in what they offered) and bought a couple for the reduced price they offered at signing. I will order shrek 3 for the family so only 2 more to go.  So far I have used one dvd for dh birthday. one will be for a family friends kids, and the rest for fil/mil xmas or birthdays.  So that is a cheap idea for your sons. You can decline selections online so that makes it easy. I am all about easy shopping!   You can do a movie basket for your sisters family?  I know homemade goodies make very thing more special. spicy nuts, truffles, candy etc. doesn't cost a lot but goes a long way. I plan on adding goodies to some gifts like the dvd to my brother. We dont' spend a lot on xmas here.   I know kids like gift cards so they can buy their own stuff.  I guess it depends on what your kids like.  Special homemade coupons? Fast food restaurant certificates?  Look at discount stores, thrift stores for new stuff to put away? I do that.  Maybe the dollar store and you can add to a gift to make it more special.  Any magazines that your kids like? books? My kids are small so it is easier for me.  I know girls are easier at the dollar store to shop for because you can do makeup baskets etc.

Frankly we get so much cheap at the thrift store or  that the kids dont' need much plus they have simple tastes. Granted my son's thomas obession isn't cheap but I can buy one piece at a time couple of times a year. My dd 5th birthday is coming up and mil is asking me for ideas but the only thing I think of is art supplies (loves art) but her great aunt is doing that. so unless it is art related I am not sure. clothes she has lots because I stocked up from a friend and mil doesn't clothes shop.  so except for moon sand (i want to play with it lol, she does too) and maybe a chirp magazine subscription or sticker books. I don't know what to get her. of course money, gift certificates are nice.  I have a playdough activity center I bought cheap ages ago and a walking barbie style horse that was $10 (down from 30) after xmas and a few books for her for her birthday.  but young kids are easy! 

I hope some ideas will come to you in this diffcult time :)

I was just at my local Dollar General today and they had the small sample sizes of jams and jellies.  I think it was a 6 or 8 pack for $2, that would make a  great stocking stuffer, just make sure that it was on top so it doesn't get broken, or could make a good basket stuffer. 

aaaekle:

I was just at my local Dollar General today and they had the small sample sizes of jams and jellies. 

Thanks, I'll have to check that out!  

Welcome, aaaekle!

I was at my DG yesterday and they had 90% off their summer stuff!  I bought all the summer hats (bucket-style?  sorta like Gilligan's hat) they had for only .10 each!  They will be rolled up tightly and go into our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at church.  I also bought several of those mesh sports shirts for .60 each, also for the shoeboxes.

I didn't think to check the rest of the store, duh!  I'll have to go have a look at their food section - thanks for the tip!  Liz 

 Sorry I didn't read the whole thread but the day after Halloween the candy is marked way down.  Instead of buying expensive chocolat and candy with Christmas stuff on it just buy Chocolat, candy etc... marked down (less than half price) and stuff the stockings with some sweets. 

Another favorite with my DH and I is the Dollar Stores.  Also, buying throughout the year which was mentioned.  <S> 

Mostly I hit the dollar tree in our area.  I can usually find all sorts of odds and ends for the kids and my husband.  box slim jims, shaving gel and after shave for my young teenagers ( they arent picky ) puzzle book,  keychain flashlight for my husband as well as a compass/ thermomitar keychain under 3 dollers in the camping section,  I always put in candy I will break up a  box of andes thin mints and spread them out between stockings.  Bags of gummy bears.  Book light cool pens   Just about everything a doller or less. 

doller tree had package of lump of coal (candy) .... for my teenage son... hes been naughty this year. :~)

 Bought dh some massage oil for his stocking, $2 off and $3 coupon- we both benefit

have to remember to buy the chocolate letters! chocolate initials for each of us. common letters run out fast. have books for the kids and bought the mystery stockings at yves rocher for dh and me.  found a mini hand arknoid game (flashback for dh) and a pinky and the brain book at thrift stores for him.