Now, I normally have all my holiday gift shopping planned and done by early fall thanks to my handy Holiday Expense Tracking Spreadsheet and a little thoughtful pre-planning. But after getting married, packing my suitcase, and heading off to Europe on a honeymoon (with Carl), I’m seriously behind this year.

Maybe you are too. So I’m going through my holiday archives and sharing the most popular posts for those facing a last minute dash to get to the holiday finish line. Don’t let a little holiday stress cost you.

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

These are silly, helpful, mostly useful, and fun.

• 10 Ridiculous gadgets worth the money. Maybe.

Yes, you can do a little holiday giving for a buck or two.

• 50 Gift Ideas from the Dollar Store

The S’mores in a Jar are my personal favorite.

• 8 Homemade Gifts in a Jar

Stocking stuffers, gifts for friends, gifts for teachers, and family gifts don’t have to cost a lot.

• 12 Gift Ideas for Under $15

Sneaky Santas can turn Christmas into a holiday hunt.

• 12 Gift ideas disguised as Christmas ornaments

Tiny tarts make the perfect hostess gift!

• How to make Pie in a Jar

Christmas Decorations

Skip the costly kitsch and decorate your table with the stuff you already own.

• 5 Ways to Decorate Your Holiday Table on a Budget

Making homemade crackers is a snap with these step-by-step instructions.

• How to make your own Christmas Crackers

Spruce up your home without the pine needles.

• How to make a Softie Christmas Tree (includes a free printable sewing pattern)

It’s a Wrap!

You don’t need to spend a cent on wrapping paper.

• 11 Ways to Wrap Gifts without Wrapping Paper

Top your gift with a cheerful homemade gift tag. Add a little paint, use a colorful marker, or get the kids to crayon outside the lines.

• 6 Printable Holiday Gift Tags, Christmas Cards, Thank You Notes, and Greeting Cards

Finally, don’t stress over any of this holiday stuff. Your family (probably) still loves you. And it’s OK if the cat topples the tree (again) this year — it’s only a dang tree. Love, Kerry

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

Going incognito with this year’s gifts could also save you from spending extra moolah on Christmas ornaments, and disguising gifts as tree decorations is a fun way to throw some frugal presents into the mix.

Sure, you can spend big Santa bucks on small presents too, but the idea here is to turn a few inexpensive, creative, and unique gift ideas into a fun holiday hunt.

These 12 gift ideas are admittedly a little unusual, a tad weird, and perhaps too wacky for families in need of a sense of humor. I understand, but maybe this year you’ll branch out and see that the holiday spirit can indeed grow on trees.

1. Panties in a knot

Getting underwear for Christmas is always bummer. I mean, no one wants to unwrap a stack of knickers when they’re hoping for something way cooler. So rather then present your kids with a pile of wrapped panties, why not just hang them in the tree?

Just grab some funky underwear, roll them into a tube (kinda like packing a suitcase), and stick them in a dollar store sachet baggy. Finish the ornament with a little ribbon and some decorations left over from last year. Voila! You’ve just put your knickers in a twist! So much better than a lump of coal.

My parents did this for the family growing up, and I turned out TOTALLY NORMAL.

2. You light up my life

Hang some real lights along side your Christmas tree lights this year. Pocket flashlights, handy head lamps, and tiny LED keychain micro-lights are great gifts for helping anyone out of the dark.

Pocket flashlights are great little gifts for men, women, and lost teenagers.

3. Reindeer noses

Santa’s reindeer sure are nosy. Can your kid figure out which cute little reindeer nose belongs to Rudolph?

This is an easy homemade ornament for those rushed for ideas and time. Just stick a few M&Ms or Whoppers into a tiny Ziploc bag, add a ribbon, and hang from the tree.

4. Dinosaurs can decorate

Dinosaurs once ruled the world, so why can’t they decorate your tree?

Go ahead and turn your tree into a little Jurassic Park by sticking a few dollar store dinosaurs into a fillable ball ornament — a fun reusable craft for kids.

Perfect for entertaining future archaeologists, this ornament craft can be done with other pocket-sized toys too.

Dinosaurs make every holiday better, right?

5. Kittens found their mittens

My family used to call those dangly bits hanging from kids mittens idiot strings. This doesn’t say a lot for my intelligence as a child. It also didn’t say much for my ability to keep my mittens out of the lost and found.

Anylittlekitten, if your cute kiddlet lost their mittens (give them a hug) and make ‘em find them in the tree. Idiot stings or not, these strands make ornamental hanging a breeze.

6. Tea in the tree

Make a tiny gift a great present by sticking it in a mini 4 oz canning jar. This ornament idea is perfect for those with a taste for tea.

Buy some loose tea, put a lid on it, and wrap it for hanging.

Over the years I’ve stuffed a lot of cute gifts in jars. Check them all out here:

• Hostess gifts: Tiny Tarts: How to make Pie in a Jar
• Food gifts: 8 Homemade Gifts in a Jar (with printable gift tags)
• Toy gifts: 12 Gift Ideas for Under $15

Oh, and send your tea lover these recipes: 5 Gourmet Herbal Tea Infusions for Your French Press.

7. Nailed it

Growing up in a house filled with teenage girls can be a nail-biting experience. When the teens have you down to the quick, gift them a cute nail polish kit hanging from the tree.

Your local dollar store has all the goodies for this homemade gift set. Colorful emery boards, nail polish and remover, tiny decorative stickers, and yummy candy.

Bundle everything together in a sachet bag and finish with some pretty ribbon. Yeah, you nailed this gift idea.

8. You cracker me up

If Christmas crackers are good enough to decorate your holiday table, then they’re perfect for ornamenting your tree.

Making your own perfect little packages and hiding tiny gifts within is a snap with my DIY post, How to make your own Christmas Crackers.

9. Game’s on!

Used games can be bought for cheap on Craigslist or eBay, and hiding this gift in your Christmas tree is the prefect way to get your gamer into the playful spirit. This gift idea works for new games too, but current unplayed titles often cost more.

I’m hoping for Little Big Planet 2 this year. Hint hint.

10. Lip smacking good

Lip balms, sticks, and glosses were great stocking stuffers as a kid. Well, as a girl kid. Smooch.

Tiny toiletries are awesome gifts for frequent travelers too.

11. Chocolate in a Santa sack

Food gifts are far tastier than traditional Christmas ornaments. Don’t believe me? Just ask my cat.

Eons ago the family kitty would climb our tree and knock it down EVERY YEAR without fail. Hairloom (typo, it stays) and expensive ornaments would break under our cat’s climbing prowess.

Perhaps the real reason we started making homemade ornaments was to keep the dang cat from breaking the pretty glass bulbs. Anyways, if your cat is on a tear, eat some chocolate … or get a dog.

12. Smile for dental hygiene

Your teeth are priceless and dentists are expensive. So after crunching on candy canes and dining on decadent chocolate, tell your loved ones that it’s time to get those pearly whites clean.

Give the gift of good dental hygiene and your family will smile, ’cause you’re a fun kind of weird.

Love,
Kerry

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

But hear me out for a second, ’cause most days I’ll only purchase products with proven value, need, and quality. But sometimes the most absurd gadgets can actually be kinda awesome.

I’ll probably be laughed off the cost-conscious, frugal-minded, and penny-pinching zones of the internet for admitting to these ridiculous spends, and that’s OK. I bet you’ve got a few gimmicky gadgets in your kitchen, bathroom, or closet that make your life awesome too.

Welcome to my list of ten ridiculous gadgets mostly worth the money (or gift ideas for that special someone who has everything. )

1. Egg Cooker

Which came first: The single-purpose kitchen appliance or the blogger with egg on her face?

Go into any kitchen essentials store and you’ll find a dozen different gadgets devoted to cooking eggs. EGGS? Seriously! I’ve laughed at all of them until now. After visiting Carl’s family in Berlin (yeah, Germany) I’ve come to appreciate the perfection possible by steaming a good egg with a ridiculous gadget — the Egg Cooker. Europeans (well, Carl’s family) are serious about soft boiled eggs. They are delicious when they’re not toooo hard and not toooo soft. Yes, I am now the Goldilocks of eggs.

Sure, I could boil some water (free) and use a timer (got one on my iPod) to cook a soft boiled, medium boiled, or hard boiled egg, but I’d rather use my egg cooker to get it right every dang time.

I’m not egging you on, I really did buy this silly kitchen gadget, and I’m eggstatic over it’s awesomeness. Basically, you prick the egg, measure a bit of water, start the unit, and in minutes you’ll have a good egg.

My biggest mistake is I cheaped out and got the EggGenie. I should have spent a few more bucks on the Krups Egg Cooker.

Yes, I will be laughed off the interwebs for owning this gadget. Bite me.

2. GoToob Travel Bottles

I boarded eight freaking planes in October. EIGHT! Each flight had airline liquid restrictions, plastic baggy requirements, and picky security people interested in confiscating cosmetic leaks. Me (and all of my liquids) made it through every security check without fail thanks to my super awesome, and somewhat ridiculous, $19 GoToob Travel Bottles.

These airplane carry-on approved squeezable bottles boast a ‘no drip’ valve that keeps the cap clean. The cap also has an ID dial to mark the liquid type. They are food safe and 100% BPA-free. They are also super fun (and cute) to use. I LOVE THESE THINGS.

Carl bought himself a set before our trip and I had buy one too to contain my moisturizer, conditioner, and shampoo. A great gift for travelers, campers, and those who hate big bottles cluttering their bathroom space.

3. Milk Frother

I told the internets how to Make a Starbucks Frappuccino for $0.32, and that crazy post went viral. So now I’ll share my secret for turning a regular coffee into something special. It’s called a milk frother, and it, well, turns milk (or soy) into a delicious frothy foam.

It’s easy. Just heat some milk, and use the milk frother to froth up some foam. The only downside is you’ll need some batteries. But you’ll save some cash on cappuccinos, lattes, coffee frapps, and anything else in dire need of foam. FOAM. I dunno. Guests love it, too.

The Aerolatte Milk Frother has the best foaming reviews in town. I should have bought that one.

4. Vinturi Wine Aerator

Close your eyes, ears, and tastebuds if you’re a wine connoisseur with a palette that’s only pleased with a $100 bottle of something I’d never buy. This gadget ain’t for you.

OK, everyone else pay close attention. You know when you buy that cheap box of wine (gasp) or you pop the plastic cork and the vino tastes less than satisfactory after a good breathing? Relax. There’s a cure.

It’s called a Vinturi wine aerator, and this awesome gadget “conveniently enhances the flavor, bouquet, and finish of any wine”. I’m sold.

Basically, this unnecessary gadget is entirely necessary in my home — all my guests agree! Just hold the Vinturi over your glass of wine and let the vino flow. Apparently, the Venturi mixes the proper amount of air into your drink to make it taste delicious. This thing makes a bit of a rude sound, but after a bad box of wine everyone will think it’s hilarious.

There’s a special Vinturi set for red and white wine lovers. You’re welcome.

5. Ear Thermometer

Regular under the tongue or up the bum (sorry) thermometers are cheap, like ten bucks. But once you stick that temperature gauge in someone’s ear you’re paying around $30 for the awesome convenience.

I mean, what sick little kid wants to sit there holding a thermometer in their mouth? More importantly, what parent wants to stand over their sick child (who’s probably flailing around due to being sick) and convince them to keep that thermometer under their tiny tongue?

Kate, my sister-in-law, loves her ear thermometer. With a five month old baby and a 3-year-old toddler ruling the roost, she uses this gadget frequently to “just check” and make sure that every running nose needs a tissue, not a doctor.

The Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer has some absurd feature called “ExacTemp Technology” and parents (or wives) with sick and squirmy young children (or husbands) say it’s awesome.

6. USB Charger

Why blow $30 on an Apple USB Power Adaptor when spending just $15 on a regular USB charger recharges your iPod, iPhone, iPad, cell phone, or MP3 player for 50% less.

Enter the long worded but super awesome Belkin AC Charger with Swivel Plug & Charge Sync Cable for iPod and iPhone.

You won’t need to plug your iThing into your computer ever again. Great for travelers and families with multiple devices in need of a recharge. I love mine.

7. The Epilator

It’s not easy being a female mammal. Enter the epilator — a machine that rips the hair out from under your skin with dozens of cruel tweezing pincher things. It’s hurts like hell, and it works. The money I’ve saved on razors, waxing, and other hair removal methods is astounding. I listen to Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On a Prayer whenever I use it though, ’cause it doesn’t exactly tickle.

I own an old school Epilady. For a few bucks more you too can enjoy a hair-free existence with the highly rated Emjoi AP-18 Emagine Dual Opposed 72 Tweezer Head Epilator. Awesome and ridiculous at the same time, non?

Warning for the fellas: DO NOT buy this as a gift for your wife or girl friend. Re-read that last sentence. Women don’t want men to imply that they are hairy mammals. Even though WE’RE ALL MAMMALS (hopefully) it’s not a super sentiment to send. “Here honey, go epilator that over the holidays.” Yeah, not awesome.

8. Diva Cup

I get sooooo much email about this bell-shaped thing. I’ve easily saved hundreds of dollars with this absurdly awesome gadget. Women love it, men hate reading about it. I’ll spare everyone the details.

The curious can read this insanely popular post: 10 Reasons the Diva Cup Can Change Your Life for more info.

9. ScanGauge

I slapped my forehead and produced an epic stink eye when Carl declared he needed a ScanGauge for his car. Carl, an undisputed technology geek and lover of everything with wheels decided that measuring his fuel consumption could save us money.

I’m not going to argue with the man. His words: Yeah, it’s a toy. It gives you instant feedback when your driving is burning through more or less fuel. Many times I’ve thought, ‘$hit, better ease off on the gas.’

Personally, I’m all for slower speeds and better fuel consumption.

10. Canon 5D Mark II

Buyer’s remorse lasted only minutes after I went and bought myself this very pricey DSLR camera. I saved up for over a year with the intention of buying a super nice camera that would last me many years, so when this baby went on sale I pulled the trigger and took a shot. This camera is an obscenely major upgrade from my old beginner digital camera, and that’s OK. This was a planned, and budgeted for, spend.

The sensible in me says the Canon EOS Rebel T3 (or even the T3i), and perhaps the gorgeous Canon EOS 60D would have more than met my need for thousands less. But no, I went balls out and spent $2,800 on the sexy Canon 5D Mark II ’cause that’s where my want blew past my need. Since I take A LOT of photos for business and pleasure, I’m thrilled with this insanely awesome ‘gadget’.

Oh, and I paid for this baby with cash in hand!

Your Thoughts: OK, be honest! What ridiculous gadgets do you love?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

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• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
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• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

There’s no doubt that getting your ghost on and unleashing your inner ghoul is big business for retailers. Heck, I saw spooky Halloween things stocked on store shelves in early September. Jeepers!

Want to have a howl of a Halloween without going into hock? Peek in your closets, dig through your old gear, and shop for novelty items sparingly to creep out your friends for a lot less this year. Here’s how to do it:

1. Make a Free Halloween Costume

You don’t need super sewing skills or a special store bought Halloween costume to have fun this Hallow’s eve. Nope. I’ve had a good time at many Halloween parties over the years by wearing the clothing already hanging in my closet. Rigging a ready-made or free costume is easy — you just need a little creativity to see past your daily duds to find something spooktacular.

Launch: 10 Free Halloween Costume Ideas for Adults, Kids, and Procrastinators

Dress as a decade, coordinate in a single color, be a pun, or bust out the bridesmaid’s dress to reuse old clothing and reduce costume costs.

Launch: 10 Cheap Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

2. Decorate Your Halloween Digs on a Dime

You don’t need to buy big inflatable plastic vampires and novelty gravestones to stage a haunted house or create a chilling vibe. If you’re throwing a party, set an eerie mood by reusing your green, white, or orange Christmas lights around the home. Carve a few pumpkins, relight old used candles, and legally download free music to set a scary tone.

Decorating your front door with a classic Jack O’ Lantern is pretty darn cheap and fun. So get a gourd and get carving!

Launch: How to Carve a Pumpkin (without losing a finger)

Don’t forget to download a few free pumpkin carving stencils. These stencils are insanely popular with the downloading bunch. This post offers six simple designs.

Launch: 6 Free Printable Pumpkin Carving Stencils

Looking for more of a carving challenge? Try any of these eight pumpkin face stencils — there’s even one of Marilyn Monroe if you’re throwing a swanky soiree.

Launch: 8 Scary Printable Pumpkin Faces

To stage your lawn for Halloween night, just stuff fallen leaves into an orange garbage bag and get the kids to decorate the bag with scary faces. Or make a headless body by stuffing worn clothing into an old plaid shirt and a pair of jeans — don’t forget to add an old pair of boots to really give trick or treaters a kick.

3. Cut Your Candy Costs

How much are you spending on sugary sweets this year? According to the National Retail Federation, shelling out around $20 on Halloween candy puts your treat budget at the national average. To cut your candy costs by up to 30%, check out the bulk food section at your local grocery store and opt for non-Halloween themed hard candies over brand name bite-sized chocolate bars. Or do a little price check experiment at Costco before grabbing a bag of spooky sweets at your grocer’s check out — warehouse clubs like Costco often sell quality seasonal snacks at deep discounts for bulk shoppers.

Party hosts and parents can also save a bundle by making, or baking, Halloween treats at home. Halloween themed cupcakes and Ghoulish grub sell for premium prices in October, so look in your pantry and bake up a batch of homemade treats before buying packaged baked goods in a store.

Launch: How to bake frightfully fun Halloween Cupcakes

Use fresh and dried fruits, nuts, and nut butters to craft a healthier Halloween snack.

Launch: Recipes: Gross, Easy, and Fun Halloween Foods for Kids

Reuse your muffin tins, cake pans, or cupcake pans to cook up some severed meat heads. A package of ground turkey or beef and a few common condiments are all that’s needed to frugally scare the pants off your guests.

Launch: Reuse a cupcake pan to make Monster Meat Heads for Halloween

Celebrating Halloween the frugal way is simple if you give yourself the time to plan ahead and use a little creativity to shop inside your home for reusable costumes and decorations. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

Great questions, guys. Sure, spending a little cash on a novelty item can indeed be a waste of money — if you never use it again. Since shelling out a few bucks for this haunted heads pan, I’ve reused it to bake Santa face Christmas cupcakes, mold leprechaun Jello heads for St. Patrick’s Day, and bake funny face cookies for a bunch of birthday parties.

The trick to buying a novelty treat is to look beyond the single special occasion to see how the item can be reused throughout the year. If reuse is unlikely, it may be financially wise to skip the novelty purchase. Besides, who has the living space to store a bunch of dead special occasion crap? I sure don’t.

So in the ghoulish spirit of reuse, I’ve revamped my cute cupcake pan into something a little meaty. This year I’m serving up a platter of severed monster meat heads for my Halloween guests. They’re kind of gross, but that’s what Halloween is about! Here’s how to bake up a batch:

Halloween Recipe: Monster Meat Heads in a Cupcake Tin

Do the monster mash (meat style) with these five easy steps:

STEP ONE: Reuse a standard cupcake or muffin tin. I don’t think you need a special baking pan to make this Halloween recipe. Since monster faces can be round, go ahead and grab a regular cupcake or muffin pan for this treat. I’m reusing my humanoid pan since I already own it.

STEP TWO: Make meatloaf. Whether you’re more into Moo (that’s beef) or prefer a little turkey, there are a billion recipes available online for all flavors of meatloaf.

For this Halloween treat I used my own meatloaf recipe, find it here: How to Make Healthy Turkey Meatloaf in a Muffin Tin.

Stir up a batch of your favorite meatloaf and prepare your cupcake pan with a little no-stick spray.

STEP THREE: Make a few scary faces. You know those jars of olives, pickles, and tiny round onions you never seem to serve? Boooo. Well, now is the time! Place a few of these pickled things in your cupcake pan for eyeballs, noses, or wonky monster mouths. I tried cherry tomatoes as eyeball sockets — they melted into a mess though.

STEP FOUR: Layer and bake. Gently layer the meatloaf on top of your monster faces. Yep, it’s easy to dislodge the facial features while shaping the Halloween meat head.

If you’re not careful during this step you might turn your monster face into a meatloaf mess. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350F to 375F for around 40 minutes, or according to your recipe.

STEP FIVE: Do the monster mash and decorate! No special or expensive decorating devices needed here. Just squeeze a little ketchup onto your face for blood, ooze a gob of mustard for color, or chop some vegetables to fashion the perfect scary monster face.

I used a tiny paint brush with ketchup to make ghoulish gashes.

Nestle your severed heads on a plate of pasta to complete this fun Halloween dinner, treat, or appetizer. I added a few chocolate eyeballs bought in bulk for a little extra eye popping pleasure.

Don’t forget to reuse your cupcake pans for something sweet too …

… like a batch of little green Frankenstein cupcakes to scare the meat head monsters away.

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

You must be ready for some summer fun too — I’ve had SEVERAL requests for summery articles on gardening, vacationing, and dining. So, to quench your thirst for summer, I’ve rounded up my Top Frugal Summer Squawks to get you enjoying the great outdoors for less. There’s a little something here for everyone.

1. Go fly a homemade kite

Take your kids (or just yourself) outside this weekend and go fly a kite! Building a homemade kite is a fun summer activity for everyone, and downloading my printable kite pattern makes this do-it-yourself project a breeze. Just add wind!

• DIY Kite Designs: How To Make A Kite

2. Take a cheap summer vacation

Stay local and become a tourist in your own town to save money during the summer holidays. You don’t need to venture far to have fun with these travel tips.

• How to Build Your Own ‘Modified Staycation’ Vacation Package

If you decide to take a little road trip, cut your fuel costs with 10 Ways to Save Money on Gas, and try this handy Gas Mileage Calculator to see how much fuel your vehicle consumes.

3. Start a square foot garden

Get the family outside and build a little (or big) square foot garden. Growing your own fruits and vegetables could save you a few bucks on your grocery bill.

• DIY: Getting Dirty with Square Foot Gardening

4. Plant a container garden

No space for a square foot garden? No worries. Apartment dwellers and urbanites can take part in the growing season by planting vegetables, fruit, and flowers in a container garden. Looks pretty on a patio too.

• Container Gardening: 11 Fruits and Vegetables You Can Grow in a Pot

5. Survive summer without air conditioning?

Beat the heat and cut energy costs this summer by turning up (or off) your air conditioner with a few handy tricks. Tank tops, summer dresses, and a thin pair of shorts may be required!

• 6 Cheap Ways To Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning

6. Skip the ice cream parlor

Fuel your summer sweet tooth by turning ripe fruit into healthy ice cream. No need to toss that banana or pitch that peach!

• Healthy Snacks: A tasty twist on homemade ice cream

7. Build a better compost

Someone called me a “do-gooder hippie” after I shared my composting tricks with you. Sure, composting is an environmentally friendly way to turn kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, but I do it to cut costs on garbage removal too. Ok, I like to churn my compost while wearing braids and flowers in my hair. Peace.

• How To Compost Without Raising a Stink

8. Grow a delicious herb garden

Have you seen the price of fresh herbs at your local grocery store? ACK! Growing your own mint, chives, and other tasty herbs is super cheap and easy, so spice up your summer meals with this fresh summer post.

• How to grow and dry tasty herbs

9. Sip on something hot, or cool

There’s no ‘latte factor’ with these tasty brews, so take a seat on your patio and infuse yourself with a little herbal tea goodness.

• 5 Gourmet Herbal Tea Infusions for Your French Press

10. Cut lawn care costs

If you grow it you have to mow it! Yep, that perfect urban lawn can be a costly seed to sow. Here’s how to save some green while keeping a lush lawn this summer. (Hint: you’re watering too much!)

• 10 Ways to Grow Grass and Cut Lawn Care Costs

11. Make a single tomato last for years?

Stop buying expensive heirloom tomato plants every growing season. Follow these simple steps and teach your kids how to save your precious seeds year after year. (Tip: This won’t work for hybrids, only heirlooms!)

• How to Save Heirloom Tomato Seeds

12. Bake a little summer crisp

The best way to save money and enjoy a summery dessert is to make it yourself. So grab some seasonal fruit and try this gluten-free recipe for dessert tonight. (Yeah, that’s me peeking out of the rhubarb patch.)

• Dessert Recipes: Fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp with Apples

13. Take a hike?

Gym rats should scatter into the summer sun and enjoy a hike or two outside. If you breathe in the fresh air you won’t have to wipe your sweat off that salty treadmill. Promise.

• 10 Free Ways to get into Fitness this Summer

14. Land a better summer job. Write a killer resume.

Looking for a sweet summer job or a paid internship? Do yourself (and your career) a solid by cleaning up that resume and writing a better cover letter. Oh, you don’t have to be a college grad or a high school student to benefit from these free resume templates, resume examples, and this resume writing advice.

• 6 Words That Make Your Resume Suck

15. Go read a book

The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer sometimes demand that you sit and chill out. So head to the library, sign out a few free reads, and enjoy a good book (or two).

Your Thoughts: What are you doing to stay frugal and on budget this summer? What are your favorite family activities?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

So why not put a cap on costs this year by giving a few gifts in a jar? You won’t hit the glass ceiling with these jarring gift ideas and you may just uncork some great ideas for that special someone. By being a little creative, rescuing a few jars from your recycling bin, and thoughtfully thinking of ways to gift those on your list, it’s possible to give generously without breaking the bank. Plus, each present comes self-contained in it’s own packaging so there is no wrapping paper required. (And they’re cute.)

Here are 12 gifts in jar for under $15:

1. Plush Pet in a Jar

Have you ever seen a ship in a bottle? Why not stick a stuffed animal in a jar? Or better yet, bottle a goldfish in a bowl! Seriously?

This is a Webkinz fantail goldfish. Each Webkinz stuffed animal comes with a secret code which unlocks a virtual online world. Not only do the kids get a toy to play with, but they get to interact with its avatar in an online game — two gifts in one! Layer in a little candy (fish food) and tell that fish where to go. Bottoms up! Gulp!

Kids love this kind of gift. It’s mostly silly, kind of funny, and the jar is filled with tasty candy.

Canned tuna? Finding Nemo? Fresh flounder? Gone fishing? I’ll stop now…

Adding it up:

• Webkinz Plush Pet: $9.99 (any stuffed animal will do)
• Big Jar: $2.00 (dollar store)
• Candy: $1.50
• Total Cost: $13.49

2. Truck in a Jar

If your little tyke is less into stuffed animals and more into trucks, then go ahead and drive a fine automobile right into a glass jar.

I dare you to open your pantry and look at the glassware you’re storing. Over the years I’ve made gifts in a jar from reused mustard jars, Ikea jars, dollar store jars, quart mason jars, and super cute 1/2 pint wide-mouth canning jars.

You may need to paint the lids, so be sure to use food safe paint.

Adding it up:

• Red Fire Truck: $1.00 (from the dollar store)
• Mustard Jar: FREE (recycled)
• Candy: $1.25
• Total Cost: $2.25

3. Unique Gifts for Men

Enough with the toys for kids. Let’s look at some toys for the big boys. In 50 Gift Ideas from the Dollar Store I rounded up a few frugal gifts for the fellows, including: a multi-bit screwdriver, bungee cords, and a tape measure.

Add a little coffee in a used mustard jar and you’ve got a simple stocking stuffer for the man (or men) in your life. If you have the budget, go ahead and add a Swiss Army Pocket Knife or a Leatherman MultiTool to cap off this great gift.

Adding it up:

• Coffee: $5.00
• Six-in-One Screwdriver: $2.00
• Tape Measure: $2.00
• Bungee Cords: $1.00
• Mustard Jar: FREE (recycled)
• Total Cost: $10.00

Bigger Budgets: Add a pocket knife or multi-tool for a cost of $25 and up.

4. Gifts for Her

Go ahead and treat the gal in your life with a Spa Day in a Jar. Big spa days get a quart mason jar, while smaller sessions deserve a pint sized container.

Adding it up:

• Cotton Buff: $2.00
• Exfoliating Glove: $1.00
• Loofah Sponge: $1.00
• Foot Scrubber: $1.00
• Nail Brush: $1.00
• Tea Lights: $2.00
• Journal Agenda: $2.00 (mark the Spa Day!)
• Yummy Chocolates: $2.00
• Ikea Jar: $2.00
• Total Cost: $14.00

Bigger Budgets: Add a Spa gift certificate for a cost of $10 and up.

5. Gifts for Gardeners

Gift the gift of a green thumb by helping someone special start a DIY square foot garden. Those living in smaller spaces can also grow veggies using the container gardening method. Yum!

Use a jar for this gift or find yourself a small planting pot and fill it with seed packages, gardening gloves, and smaller sized tools. Any garden supplies store will carry these gardening essentials to get your gift growing. If you’re a seed saver, give a more personal gift by adding your garden bounty to the basket — see How to Save Heirloom Tomato Seeds for the instructions.

Adding it up:

• Ikea Pot: $2.00
• Assorted Seeds: $2.50 and up
• Garden Supplies: $5 and up
• Total Cost: $9.50 and up

Bigger Budgets: Add a book or some tools to round out this gift for an additional $20. Some good choices include: The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible (10th Anniversary Edition), All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space!, and a 3-Piece Softouch Garden Tool Set.

6. Crafty Gifts in a Jar

Craft supplies can range in price from the super inexpensive to the super pricey. You’re paying a mint for anything with Martha Stewart’s name on it, and next to nothing for dollar store finds.

This is a gift where you can really cut costs or go full out. The trick is finding the right sized jar for the task. Craft supplies are great stocking stuffers for kids and can be given as gifts for teachers too.

Adding it up:

• Paint Brushes: $2.50
• Paint: $1.00 and up
• Crayons: $1.00 and up
• Markers: $2.00 and up
• Construction Paper: $2.50 and up
• Quart Mason Jar: FREE (recycled)
• Total Cost: $9.00 and up

Bigger Budgets: Buy better quality paint, pencil crayons, or add a special book specific to the craft.

7. Jar Gifts for Athletes

Some sports are easier to stick in a jar than others. For example, please don’t try to gift a hockey stick in a mason jar. A fully inflated football is another toughie to fit, but one of those squishy Nerf footballs is probably a go.

Gifts for runners, walkers, marathoners, swimmers, and cyclists are easy to fit into a jar. Smaller items like energy bars or gels (I like Clif Bars), swim caps, goggles, race laces, and tire tubes are handy items most endurance types would appreciate. You could even skip the jar by placing these items in a wide-mouth water bottle.

You don’t need an athlete in the family to give fitness gear. Those living a healthy lifestyle through walking, yoga, and other fitness activities would enjoy this gift too!

Adding it up:

• Energy Bars or Gels: $1.25 each (X5)
• Swim Cap: $2.00 and up
• Tire Tube: $2.50 and up
• Water Bottle: FREE (won at a race)
• Quart Mason Jar: FREE (recycled)
• Total Cost: $10.75 and up

Bigger Budgets: Add a store gift certificate, buy a set of swim googles, stick in a pair of running socks, or give a gadget — a pedometer (under $20) or quality heart rate monitor (under $35) are great gifts for walkers and those looking to live a healthy lifestyle. Count those steps!

8. Pet Stuff in a Jar

Dog walkers, pet owners, and other furry friends can be gifted with a jar and some gear. Dog collars, cat toys, and pet treats all fit neatly in a variety of different sized jars.

Adding it up:

• Pet Treats: $5.00 and up!
• Grooming Gear: $2.50 and up
• Collar: $2.50 and up (dollar store find)
• Pet Toys: $5.00 and up
• Mustard Jar: FREE (recycled)
• Total Cost: $15.00 and up

Bigger Budgets: Give a grooming gift certificate or send a puppy (and the pet owner) to obedience training.

9. Pie in a Jar

Looking for a unique hostess gift? Bake up a tiny pie in a jar.

These cuties are single servings of fruit pie made and baked in tiny mason jars. Pie in a jar is frugal to make, awesome to gift, tasty to serve, and fun to eat.

Adding it up:

• 1/2 Pint Wide Mouth Jars: $1.50 each
• Pie Ingredients: variable
• Total Cost: $15.00 for around 6 pies

Super Saver, Bigger Budgets: Save a few bucks by making your own pie crust or by using fruit preserved from your garden. You’ll spend more money if your pantry is bare and need to stock up on all the ingredients.

10. Food Gifts in a Jar

This one is easy. Promise. Give the gift of chocolates, candies, nuts, or dried fruit in a jar.

Be sure to complete this gift in a jar with a pretty bow, ribbon, and a cute gift card — download these 6 Printable Gift Tags or Greeting Cards for free.

Adding it up:

• Mustard Jar: FREE (recycled)
• Candy, Nuts, Chocolate: variable
• Total Cost: $15.00 for several jars

Super Saver, Bigger Budgets: Buy candy, chocolate, and nuts in bulk to save money. Spend more by gifting wrapped chocolates and other tasty candies.

11. Recipes in a Jar

Why not give a recipe in a jar this year? There are endless ideas and ingredients to layer in a simple mason jar. Soup mixes are super for those who like savory ingredients, while jars containing layered mixes for cookies, muffins, S’mores, and brownies are yummy for those with a sweet tooth.

Adding it up:

• Quart Mason Jars: $1.65 each
• Recipe Ingredients: variable
• Total Cost: $15.00 for several jars

Super Saver, Bigger Budgets: Use the ingredients in your pantry to save money. Buy high-end organic ingredients to really push the budget.

12. Cook in a Jar

Don’t laugh me off the internets, but in case you haven’t noticed I have a serious love of mustard. Dijon, sweet, honey, and seedy are all types of mustard I enjoy daily. So gifting food that sells in a jar is not a bad present for those foodies who love something specific.

Or just give a bottle of wine for $15 or under — most come corked in a bottle. Carl often comes home on a Friday night with a $10 Malbec for fun, so finding a budget vino is very possible.

Adding it up:

• Mustard: $5 and up
• Bottle of Wine: $10 and up
• Total Cost: $15.00

Bigger Budgets: Head to a specialty food store and find that French cheese, Belgian chocolate, or region-specific wine. Bundle the food gift with a book if the giftee is working on their culinary skills. I like Jamie’s Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals.

Squawkback: Got a favorite gift in a jar? Better question: do you love mustard?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

Anydollardeals, despite the drudge of dollar duds available, there are many cool things and fun gift ideas to be found lining the shelves of any dollar store.

By looking around with a discerning eye and grouping a few dollar deals together, you may just save yourself a bundle while gifting your office friends, mail carrier, or kid’s teacher with a present that looks like it cost a million. Ok, maybe twenty bucks.

Here are 50 gift ideas for him, for her, the kids, and for everyone in between, bought from a local dollar store:

Gifts For Him

I’ve never been good with buying gifts for guys. Sorry. So I sent my guy, ‘The Carl’, on a dollar store mission to find good quality items for the good fellas on your list. At first he thought I was crazy (ok, he always thinks I’m crazy), but after an hour of hunting, he was mostly impressed with himself and his $15 haul.

1. Camera Tripod $2: It’s a mini thingy, but it’s strong enough to mount my mini digital camera. It’s fun to use and it fits neatly into a Christmas cracker. Stuff it in a stocking with a real camera and you’ve got a fun gift. Say cheese!

2. Six-in-One Screwdriver $2: That’s a lot of bits for two bucks! With a rubberized grip and a magnetic bit holder, you’re getting the weekend ‘fix it’ warrior a wicked gift.

3. Tire Pressure Gauge $1: Spend a buck and save a fortune with better gas mileage and fewer trips to the pump. Any hypermiler out there would agree that a tire pressure gauge is a must for any driver. See 10 Ways to Save Money on Gas for more anti-gas-guzzling ideas.

4. Tape Measure $2: This one comes complete with SAE and metric markings. Plus the packaging boasts ‘Positive Thumb Action Control’. I dunno what that means, but it measures things just fine.

5. Microfiber Towel $1: Polish a car, clean up a mess, or shine a pair of shoes. Microfiber is soft, durable, and can be used to wrap a gift too. Or swap out your Swiffer Sweeper refill with this Swiffer Microfiber Hack — a very popular article.

6. Blue Cloth Set $1: Carl must be obsessed with cleaning these days ’cause he added a second cloth to his dollar store kit. If your man’s hands get dirty after fixing the car or working in the garage, then a cleaning cloth ain’t a bad idea.

7. Bungee Cords $1: A 24-Pack of Assorted Bungee Cords sells for $15 at most retailers, but a small set of 4 is just a buck at the dollar store. For light-weight jobs, this mini set will get the job done. Just don’t jump off a bridge with them.

8. Manly Manicure Set $2: Ok, it’s a nail clipper with a file, but it keeps the ‘man hands’ manicured for less.

9. Duct Tape $1: Three rolls of tape in three different colors. Great for emergencies where adhesive is essential, and for physically taping your mouth shut in any sticky situation.

10. Nasal Strips $2: These are not the official Breathe Right Nasal Strips selling for $25, but for a $2 it’s a great gift for yourself if your partner is a snorer and you need some rest. Sleep on it.

Gifts For Her

I’m not much of a girlie-girl, so I took a pass on most of the makeup, the hair stuff, and the fake nails and opted instead for dollar items I would actually use. Maybe a gal in your life could use this stuff too.

11. Terry Cotton Buff $2: It’s green, serene, and it’ll get you clean. This flower-shaped buff is a pretty neutral color, plus it’s a blooming great way to create a spa gift that’s on budget.

12. Loofah Sponge $1: A little loofah goes a long way to scrub the rough edges and soften your skin cells.

13. Exfoliating Glove $1: Male readers are probably wondering, What’s up with all this skin stuff? Sorry fellas, softer skin usually comes at the scrubbing good price of one dollar.

14. Journal Agenda $2: Use it to keep track of your spending and stay on budget. It’s tiny, so it fits neatly in your purse. Very cute.

15. Baby Washcloths $2.50: A 12-pack of super-soft baby washcloths is amazing for gently washing sensitive skin. Also great for removing makeup and that black mascara stuff. Don’t cry, these only cost two bucks and a bit.

16. Tea Lights $2: Get in the mood by lighting a few tea lights for a spa day or while reading some good Chick Lit. These unscented white votive candles are simple and can also be set ablaze for many parties and festive occasions.

17. Candle Holders $2: These tiny blue china candle holders might actually be sushi sauce dishes, but I’m using my imagination and sticking a few tea lights in mine. When I’m done with fire, I’ll pour some wasabi and soya sauce in there. Check out my Healthy Vegetable Sushi Nori Rolls for a spa-licious snack.

18. Matches $0.25: A little box of matchsticks is needed for lighting the candles, of course!

19. Foot Scrubber $1: Don’t be a heel! Get your footsies callus-free and ready for shoe season before the New Year. This one is made of wood and is double-sided for the toughest of toes.

20. Nail Brush $1: Tiptoe along the sandy shore and get the beachy grit outta your toes with a soft-bristle nail brush. Good for fingernails too.

Gifts For Kids

Kidlets may be easier to please with dollar-sized gifts than youth. But then again you never know. My teenage years are long gone (thank Dog!) but I still play card games and keep a piggy bank.

21. Monster Cars $1: A blazing red fire truck was just a buck, and it’s got die cast metal parts to help you rescue the neighbor’s cat out of a tree. Carl wanted to buy the whole dinky car set, and I nearly let him.

22. Plush Animals $2: Lions, tigers, and teddy bears Oh My! Little stuffed animals are fun stocking stuffers for anyone, including the kidlets.

23. Classic Puzzles $1: Cardboard jig saw puzzles are plentiful at my local dollar store — some are even Disney characters. A simple glue stick and a piece of cardboard turn any puzzle into a picture worth framing.

24. Plastic Mind Puzzles $1: I found a plastic puzzle ball worth a mind-bending look. It’s not a Rubik’s Cube, but you’ll bend your brain to find the solution.

25. Party Gift Favors $2: Birthday candles, goodie bags, and paper party hats are the things dollar stores do best. If your kid has a holiday birthday, don’t forget to have a real bash and not just stick it in with Christmas dinner or New Year’s celebrations.

26. Coloring Books $1: No need to stay within the lines when notepads and sketch books cost a mere dollar per doodle at the dollar store. Let your kid express herself on the cheap.

27. Piggy Bank $2: Teach your young kids about money by gifting them a simple piggy bank. This porcelain pig has a removable plug, so you don’t have to break the bank to buy a treat.

28. Hair Bands $1: This one is for the girls, sorry boys. Go back and check out that red fire truck.

29. Math Flash Cards $1: Learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division for a buck. This is a WAAAY better gift than a new pair of socks or underwear.

30. Go Fish $0.50: Get the kids playing card game classics like Go Fish or Old Maid for fifty cents a deck.

Craft Gifts

Dollar stores carry plenty of crafty supplies for scrapbookers, painters, sketchers, and aspiring sculptors. If you’ve got kids, there’s a gold mine of stickers and sticky things for young ones to get stuck to for a few bills.

31. Paint Brushes $2.50: Get a 24-pack of paint brushes to create your own canvas wall art or split the pack between your kids and see who becomes the next Picasso. Stroke of genius, these dollar store brushes.

32. Poster Paint $1: Cheap tempera paint comes in dollar-sized jars and dehydrated bricks in a palette — just add water. Clean-up is easy too.

33. Glue Gun $4: The most expensive item on my gift list, and well worth the price. This crafting staple has only one setting, but it still gets the job done. Don’t burn your fingers.

34. Glue Gun Sticks $2.50: The gun itself comes with two sticks — not enough for any crafter. Buy a bag of 25 for a few bucks to keep that gun gluing.

35. Construction Paper $2.50: A folder of colorful paper for a few bucks is a steal of a deal. My package contains the primary colors. Great for origami paper folding projects too.

36. Crayons $1: These are not the Crayola brand crayons, but on a hot day, they will melt in the back seat of Dad’s Oldsmobile no problem. Don’t ask — I’ll never live that one down.

37. Markers $2: I use dollar store markers for lots of little projects, including this Vote For Squawkfox sign. That was shameless, I know. Poor pooch.

38. Play-Doh $1.25: It’s a doughy modeling compound used by children to create fine sculpture. Cough. OK, it’s colorful putty perfect for sticking into your sister’s ear. Again, don’t ask.

39. Stickers $1: Glitter, smelly, seasonal, and silly. Every scrapbooker needs a few good crafting stickers, and kids should play with them too. I had the best sticker book as a kid.

40. Kid’s Adhesive Bandages $1: I wanted to call these little cuties ‘Band-Aids’, but I guess that’s a brand name. So let’s just say these first-aid ouchie covers are super fun and super perfect for when scissors slip and paper cuts bite. Smiley faces and frog eyes make every ouchie feel better.

Gifts For Pets

There’s a gift for every pet at the dollar store. If you’ve got a dog walker or a feline sitter on your gift list, there’s something in store for the fur people too. Pet owners with smaller, more delicate pets can do well at the dollar store. For those with working breeds and farm dogs (like me), the durability of many items may be questionable. So buyer beware, and be sure to pass on the cheap stuff and go digging for more quality gear.

41. Cat Toys $1-$5: Little mice, scratch pads, and dancing balls will keep fluffy purring and her sharp claws away from the fine furniture. Yah, right!

42. Dog Toys $1-$5: My dog is a chewer, so a durable dog toy is a must. The cordura fabric duck for $5 works well, but I’ll stick to a Red Kong for most ruff and tumble play. Kongs are well worth the money since they last, unless lost under the porch for a season. My local dollar store doesn’t carry this brand though, so I’ll shop elsewhere for the good stuff.

43. Plastic Bone $2: Throw your dog a bone. This one is plastic. Make sure it won’t splinter and be consumed by a hungry, albeit confused, doggie.

44. Reflective Collar and Leash $2.50: Delicate cats and dogs will do well with this inexpensive collar and leash set. The reflective part is a bonus! My Australian cattle dog, Pivo, took one look at this dog collar and laughed. Yes, my dog laughs.

45. Fur Brush $2.50: Grooming is a must for many cats and dogs. Keep their coats clean and tangle-free for a few bucks.

46. Pet Comb $4: Fur people with longer coats may need some extra grooming love. My cattle dog is a short coat breed, and prefers the comb over the brush.

47. Treats $1-$4: Biscuits, raw hide treats, and other edible things are super cheap at the dollar store. Most of them are made in China though, so read the labels before buying — it’s probably not worth the expense. If your dollar store is a supply shop that carries brand names, you may just find quality food fit for your pet.

48. Dinner Bowls $2.50: There’s an endless supply of cute dinner bowls for cats, dogs, and other critters. A great gift for a new pet owner looking to feed Fido without resorting to people plates.

49. Festive Outfits $2.50: I’ve never been one for feline fashion or doggie dress-up, but I do have a sense of humor when it comes to silly antlers and Santa hats. For a buck or two, I’ll eat my words and dress up my poor pooch once a year. The expression on her face is worth the expense. Last year Pivo wore antlers in, You’re a Mean One, Mister Grinch!

50. Lint Roller $1: Get out of a hairy situation by investing in a simple lint roller. Pets shed. Need I say more?

There you have it! Fifty (50) gift ideas found at the dollar store. I dare you to take a peek, open your eyes, and spy a nifty gift. You never know what’s in store.

Squawkback: What’s your best dollar store deal or gift idea?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

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• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
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• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

The problem with most holiday crackers sold today is they are stuffed with cheap toys and crappy prizes. A decent set can cost you over $50 for 8 crackers, and the gifts inside are still throw-away trinkets.

It’s a snap to make your own crackers, and filling them with personalized messages, thoughtful gifts, and festive paper hats is easy — you probably have many of the materials at home already.

Stuff you’ll need:

• Festive paper
• Toilet paper tubes (1 per cracker)
• Cracker snaps (1 per cracker)
• Ribbon
• Tape, glue gun, or glue stick
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Tissue paper (for paper hats)
• Joke, quote, or riddle
• Present or prize
• Candy (yum)

Total Cost: I’m a sneaky sneaker, so I reused most of my gear from last year. Cracker snaps cost around $5 (or less) at craft stores for a package of 25 snaps. Small quality gifts can be purchased anywhere (even at dollar stores), and crackers used as presents can cost whatever your heart desires. Stick a diamond ring in there for a ‘pop the question’ proposal cracker, and we’re talking thousands. Or add a homemade ornament to each cracker and the cost is only your time.

The trick with homemade crackers is they can be used for a variety of occasions: birthdays, weddings, New Year’s Eve, and even as present toppers or festive table decorations. If Christmas isn’t your thing, then get cracking with other ways to make this fun and frugal project a part of your next party.

Here’s how to make your own party crackers:

Step One: Cut your cracker paper

Your choice of paper can make or break your cracker budget. Thick and opulent papers cost more, while thinner, less fancy wrapping papers cost less. Reusing last year’s unwrinkled gift wrap is free.

The size of your paper depends on the length and width of three toilet paper tubes. Classy, I know.

Lay three tubes side-by-side and measure. My tubes measure 12″ x 6″ (~30.5cm x 15cm) — enough paper for a little overlap when wrapped. Cut as many cracker sheets as you have guests.

Tip: Be sure to use cracker snaps measuring the same length as your toilet paper tubes. If your snaps are too short, it’s hard for your guests to grab a snapper end and achieve a pop.

Step Two: Roll your party cracker

Tape or glue your cracker snap into the central tube.

On the wrong side of your cracker paper, place a piece of tape along the outside of your center tube. If your paper is thick, you may need to use a crafting glue gun to properly seal your cracker. Press taped/glued edge of tube neatly down along the paper.

Align two more tubes on either end of the center tube with the snap neatly placed inside. These extra tubes help you roll a neat and pretty party cracker.

Glue, or stick three pieces of tape along the opposite edge of the wrapping paper. Roll the tubes, and seal it shut to the paper.

Tip: Do not tape or glue your end tubes to your cracker paper. The outside tubes are used to keep your cracker ends looking perfect, and will be removed later.

Step Three: Make a paper hat (optional)

Christmas crackers traditionally contain a colorful paper crown or hat. Making a paper hat is simple, you need: tissue paper, a pair of scissors, and some tape.

How to make a paper hat:

1. Cut a strip of tissue paper to measure 3 1/2″ x 24″ (9cm x 60cm).
2. Tape short edges together with double-sided tape.
3. Fold in half, create a solid crease.
4. Fold in half a second time, create a solid crease.
5. Fold in half a third time, crease it again.
6. Using scissors, cut one edge at an angle.
7. Open to inspect paper crown.
8. Repeat for each party cracker.

Step Four: Fill your crackers

We’ll get to the gift ideas in a sec, but first you’ll need to close one end of your cracker to keep the goodies inside.

How to close a cracker end:

1. Slide out one end tube to create a small 1/4″ gap between it and the center tube.
2. Use your fingers to make a neat crease in the gap.
3. Wrap a piece of ribbon or string around the gap. Tie a bow or use your preferred decorative flourish to finish the ribbon.

Tip: Do not remove the end tube, yet. Keep the tube in place to keep your cracker paper uncreased.

Create cracker jokes:

Cracker jokes are a big part of the fun. Most jokes are terrible groaners, but they can make for a great dinner icebreaker while giving your guests a good laugh. Find your Christmas cracker jokes here, print or write them out, and then cut them to a small size.

Find frugal cracker gifts:

Fold a tiny origami ornament, insert a tiny toy, or add a tasty homemade treat to sweeten the deal. Other frugal gifts ideas include: re-gifting items you won’t use, quality dollar store finds (I found a camera tripod), and homemade crafts, delicious teas, toys, or games. A tiny deck of cards is always fun for kids to play with after dessert is served.

Or make the cracker the gift itself by adding a piece of jewelry, a gift card, or a gift certificate from a favorite store. Want to propose this holiday season? Make a romantic wedding cracker.

Fill the open cracker end with a gift, a paper hat (crown), candy, and a joke.

This is the fun part, so use your creativity to customize each cracker for a specific guest. I’m putting a Bear Safety Hiking Bell in Carl’s cracker this year — we have a bear den near our home.

Step Five: Decorate your party cracker

Close the final cracker end using the tips from Step Four. Use crafting stamps, stickers, or a width of gift wrap to add a few finishing touches to your cracker.

Carefully remove the cracker end tubes. Be careful not to remove your cracker snap.

Put your festive holiday crackers on presents or set them at the dinner table for decoration, and watch the frugal holiday fun unfold.

More Holiday Fun:

• 8 Homemade Gifts in a Jar
• Gift Ideas: Books about Money, Honey!
• 11 Ways to Wrap Gifts without Wrapping Paper
• Printable Sewing Patterns: Softie Christmas Tree
• 6 Printable Holiday Gift Tags and Cards
• 5 Ways to Decorate Your Holiday Table on a Budget

Squawkback: Are party crackers a part of your family tradition?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

Your holiday dinner table isn’t immune from the marketing craziness either. There must be a million different ways to spend money on a dang holiday centerpiece. Then there are Christmas table linens, nativity napkin rings, holiday-themed dinnerware, quilted Christmas table runners, table top Christmas trees, poinsettia placemats, Christmas candlesticks, snowflake dining chair covers, and even reindeer stemware. It’s a lot of stuff to store in the basement for just one day’s use, and you don’t need any of it.

I want to prove that you don’t need to deck the halls with boughs of money to give your home a holiday feel. So I set myself a fun little frugal challenge after spying the seasonal decorating holiday blitz in stores right now.

Holiday Decorating Challenge: Can you decorate your table for Christmas dinner using only the stuff in your house today?

The Rules:

• No shopping allowed.
• Must use everyday items found around the home.
• Can use holiday items from last year.
• Can look outside for decorating ideas.
• Can make a shopping list for needed items.

Sounds hard, right? But it’s not. To make the most of this challenge, I used a few classic decorating tips I’ve tricked out over the years. These could work for your budget too.

10 Frugal Holiday Decorating Tips

1. Start Neutral: Take a neutral dining room, add in a few basic furnishings (white, beige, or wooden tables and chairs), and take this room to holiday levels by layering in bright accents, textured accessories, and various textiles from around your home.

2. Classic White Dishes: Invest in quality white dinnerware and elevate these everyday basic whites for the holiday.

3. Skip the Silverware: Use everyday flatware to save money, storage space, and endless hours spent polishing silver.

4. Use Mismatched Items: Set your table with some warmth and charm by using mismatched knives, forks, and dinner plates. One-of-a-kind pieces are conversation starters which make your table look original, not store-bought.

5. Embrace Vintage Pieces: If you have Grandma’s wedding china or an assortment of flea market finds, go ahead and embrace these vintage pieces. A pop of color from a vintage plate can make a stunning and inexpensive centerpiece.

6. Add Silver and Gold: Silver and gold touches from ribbons add shimmer and sparkle to your holiday table for little cash. Metallic shades can heighten drama and turn basic whites into a glamorous statement.

7. Go Outside: Grab some greenery from the great outdoors (pine cones, evergreen branches, flowers) and turn them into Christmas decorations with a little wire and ribbon. Easy to make Christmas decorations from nature can bring a fresh, organic vibe to your dinner table.

8. Use Ornaments: Add some sparkle to your table with a few well-chosen ornaments. Colorful baubles and glass Christmas tree decorations can have a place at your table. Pick a single color to add class and a touch of drama.

9. Use Pillows and Throws: Check your linen closet for forgotten sofa pillows and seasonal blankets or throws. It’s easy to add some holiday cheer by switching out your everyday style for a few warm blankets and plush pillows to get that holiday glow.

10. Skip the Kitsch: Save your money by not spending it on cheap plastic Santa stuff. Opting for classic, quality holiday pieces over plastic kitsch will save you money today and stand the test of time.

Here’s how I used these tips and tricks to create three very different holiday table settings for that special dinner.

Step One: Look around your home.

Don’t look past your everyday home furnishings when decorating for the holidays. A simple white table with slip-covered white chairs can be dressed up for any big event.

Ikea shoppers will instantly recognize my set of Henriksdal dining room chairs (bought used on Craigslist) and my Ikea Docksta tulip table. I would love a real Saarinen table one day (sigh), but for now my tulip table copy fits my budget.

Once you’ve chosen your table and chairs, it’s time to open your kitchen cabinets, peek into the pantry, and rummage through the basement for your holiday baubles and Christmas decorations.

To the skeptic’s eye my holiday cheer may look a little depressed. White plates and a white table cloth? But don’t despair, simple classic pieces like white dishes, clear glass vases, and mismatched flatware can be used daily and then glammed up for big events using shimmering ornaments, festive ribbons, and even Grandma’s table china.

Now that you’ve got your holiday goods, it’s time to turn them into something special.

Step Two: Pick a nontraditional color.

Sticking to a strict color palette is not only an inexpensive way to decorate, but a single color applied to your dining room table can look clean, classy, and very elegant when done right. And you don’t need to stick to classic Christmas greens, reds, and poinsettia flowers either. I dare you to look past these so-called traditional holiday trappings by exploring your home for colorful everyday pieces that can be spun into a festive feel.

For example, if you found plates, pillows, placemats, or ribbons boasting a particular hue of yellow, shade of blue, or shock of pink, then go ahead and use these everyday items for the holiday. Not only will you save money and space by reusing your stuff, but you’ll enjoy the evening more by not fretting about getting knife marks on expensive designer dishes.

My home is filled with the color blue. It’s a comprise I made with Carl years ago when we combined our belongings. He brought blue towels, blue pillows, and even a dang blue sofa into our relationship. The only blue things I own are my Grandmother’s tea party plates.

Nothing says Christmas like a set of blue Grandma plates, right? Well think again. Inspired by these gold-flecked vintage dishes, I added some holiday sparkle with gold ornaments, matching blue ribbon, and a highlight of golden fabric.

Tip: It’s super easy to go overboard and get tacky with golden hits of glitz. If you’re going for gold, keep everything else on your table (dishes, placemats, and centerpieces) clean and simple to avoid a kitschy Christmas.

I don’t own placemats or table runners, so I used simple strips of ribbon under classic white plates to add a hint of blue and to ground each setting. The table centerpiece is an inexpensive blue vase from Ikea filled with a bamboo shoot, and set atop the most ornate of my Grandmother’s plates. This is an inexpensive centerpiece idea since everything is reused from around my home.

To give the white Ikea chairs a little blue sparkle, I grabbed my sofa pillows and placed them at the dinner table. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you may recall my living room canvas wall art project mimics the pattern from these pillows.

In keeping with the challenge, the only store-bought holiday decorations are a few leftover blue Christmas crackers, some small gold ornaments, and several white tea candles.

If I went shopping: A little bit of blue goes a long way, so I’d take a pass on more blue home decor and opt for a few tall white candles to give this table setting additional height and fullness. I’d add a few fresh flowers to the mix too.

Not convinced by a nontraditional color palette? Check out designer Kelly Wearstler’s book Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style for some single color inspiration. Stunning book.

Step Three: Go green, go outside.

Don’t be afraid to go on a nature hike to find fresh inspiration for your holiday table. During the season, many big stores charge a small fortune for evergreen wreaths, pine cone centerpieces, and lush decorations. By going outside to find these green elements for free, you’ll save some cash while adding organics to enhance the festivities.

Sticking with a single color theme again — this time green — I sent Carl outside to find some green sprigs and evergreen twigs.

Add a little bit of fishing line to hold the greenery together and you’ve got an instant table wreath. Place on a white plate, stick a glass vase in the center, and scatter a few ornaments into the mix and you have another inexpensive table centerpiece to dine around.

Since I don’t have any candles or flowers in my home, I filled the vase with shimmery white ribbon and highly textured ornaments to create some sparkle when the lights are dimmed and the tea lights are lit.

I searched high and low for classic and elegant placemats, but there were none to be found in my home. So I used my ribbon trick again to ground simple white dishes on top of an everyday white tablecloth.

By matching gold fabric with the flecks of gold in the ornaments, I’ve reused many of the elements from the previous blue dinner table theme. To bring more green into this setting, I glued a piece of green ribbon to the gold fabric.

Kermit the Frog said “It’s not easy being green” (YouTube video)– but I think it is. By wrapping white cloth napkins in green ribbon (I don’t own napkin rings), adding a few sprigs of evergreen greenery to the centerpiece, using last year’s green Christmas crackers, and creating sparkle with golden ornaments, this green theme is not only frugal, it’s pretty darn festive. Oh, and those green and golden pillows were pinched from my linen cabinet — I forgot I had them.

If I went shopping: I’d buy tall white candles and a few white flowers for the centerpiece.

Step Four: Add layers of color and texture.

A single color themed holiday table can be tasteful and full of drama. But for maximum impact, why not layer in another shade to seal the holiday deal?

Using everything from the green theme, I included a few hits of red to help convey the look of a traditional Christmas dinner party, without the cost.

I added a few homemade Christmas crackers (I’ll show you how to make these in a later post), filled my tea light candle holders with red candy (I would prefer red candles), and filled the white glass vase with a red ribbon.

As you can see, a little bit of red goes a very long way to steal the show.

I love how the red Christmas crackers and candies draw the eye to the barely-there red stripes in the green pillows. Notice how my green dining chair pillows don’t match? The variety of colors and textures in the pillows brings some warmth and magic to this table setting.

If I went shopping: I’d replace the red ribbon in the centerpiece with red vivid flowers. I’d also eat the red candy and put some red candles in their places. The gold ornaments in the wine glasses must go and make way for some sumptuous red wine.

Step Five: Make a holiday shopping list.

Knowing what you already have for this holiday season makes it a lot easier to know what you need to buy. And once you identify your holiday decoration needs — for me that’s candles, placemats, and flowers — it’s easier to make a shopping list and stick with it. Go ahead and use my Holiday Expense Tracking Spreadsheet to tally your costs, needs, and holiday purchases. My Gift Giving Worksheet will also keep you on Santa’s good list while balancing your budget.

I must admit, my Holiday Decorating Challenge took a lot of thought and effort to get from my linen closet to my dining room table. So I hope you feel inspired to save some money on your own Christmas table decorations by looking around and attempting to make use of your existing home decor and holiday decorations. With the right attitude, it’s easy to stick to a budget and still dine in style this holiday season.

More Holiday Fun:

• 8 Homemade Gifts in a Jar
• Gift Ideas: Books about Money, Honey!
• 11 Ways to Wrap Gifts without Wrapping Paper
• Printable Sewing Patterns: Softie Christmas Tree
• 6 Printable Holiday Gift Tags and Cards

Squawkback: What’s your frugal holiday table decorating tip? Got any ideas for inexpensive centerpieces?

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