Easy and Cheap Homemade Gifts

Do you think you don't have time to make homemade gifts with less than a week to go before Christmas? You might think you don't, but homemade gifts say you took the time to make them something from the heart. This year for many is pretty tough financially and a lot of families can't afford to buy everyone a gift. Here are some creative ideas for you that won't take too much time...or moolah to make.
Idea #1) Caramel Dipped Pretzels
You need:
2 cups caramel candies
package of rod pretzels
On low heat in a pan, melt 1 tbsp butter, brush sides of pan with melted butter. Turn heat up to med-high. Place unwrapped caramel candies in the pan a few at a time, letting them melt before adding more. This will prevent burning. Stir frequently, scraping bottom of pan, for about 10-15 minutes and all candy is melted. Dip pretzels in caramel and place on wax paper. Allow to cool at room temperature until caramel is stiff. Wrap individually or group them in bags. Tie with a pretty bow.
*One alternative is to melt white chocolate or milk chocolate and dip set caramel pretzels into the chocolate for a double layer of yummieness!

Idea #2) Bake cookies and place into cute chinese take out containers (often available at dollar stores). This is a great idea for families with kids since kids can help bake and they can decorate the containers too!

Idea #3) Fudge is so incredibly easy to make. Find a great recipe here from Martha Stewart.

Idea #4) Make your own spice rubs and seasonings then put in empty, clean ale bottles. Use the cardboard carrying case to put the bottles in. Buying the spices and herbs in bulk can save you money. Don't go out and buy bottles at your grocery store unless you can get them for really cheap! Sometimes you can get them in the Latino section of your store for a lot less. Here's some ideas for you from blogher.com.
Included are Sea Salt mixtures (I found sea salt at my Dollar Tree), Copycat Montreal Grill Seasoning, Tuscan Spiced Salt, and Jerry's Texas Barbecue Rub Recipe.

Idea #5) For a cute idea for couples, get two aprons in the craft section of a store. Wal-mart has them for about $5.00, but you might be able to find them for less at a craft store. Personalize with iron-on appliques. If you wish, present with a bbq tool set or similar utensil set.

Do you have a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to show people you care about them for the holidays? Share it here! Share your thoughts on these ideas!

Grown-up Gifts

Let's face it...this is horse country here. Pendleton Round Up is only 30 minutes away, and Hermiston hosts at least two huge horse sales every year that bring people in from all around. Most of the farms around our little town have horses or some kind of agricultural product or both. Here's some really cute gifts that are inspired by horses! If you get an Amazon Prime trial, two day shipping is free! I will only list items that can be delivered before the 25th.
 This is only $14.89!!
Ed Hardy "Horse Shoe Fire" Base Metal Red Color Outlined CZ Necklace $26.99
Conch Earrings in Pink Cowboy Hat Western Gift Box $12.99
14k White Gold Diamond Horseshoe Ring $103.43
Large Money Clip $12.50 (58% off)
Native American Zippo Lighter $26.95 (33% off)
$9.72 for this hilarious salt and pepper shaker

Thank You Rite Aid

I just have to take a moment to say thanks to Rite Aid for making the Gift of Savings Certificate printable in a way that my printer will print more than one. No...I'm not cheating, I'm pretty sure that these have unique bar codes so that we can't use them more than once or our wellness cards will detect whether we've used one already. I'm saying thanks because the first time I printed my $20 certificate out, my paper jammed. There it was...this piece of shredded up paper with an unusable bar code. I was almost in full hysteria until I calmed down long enough to realize that I should try to print it out again. I cleared the jam and found that it jammed because someone who is nameless did something to the paper before putting it back into the paper tray. Usually when things like this happens nobody did it. So I tried it...and it printed! And for that, I thank Rite Aid!

Zulily: Up to 70% off deals!

Zulily is a great daily deals website that features high-end products at affordable prices...especially right now! Make sure you get in on these! First click here to sign up if you haven't already

From Corky & Company, get these adorable mittens and hats for as low as $5.99! In fact most of them are no more than $7.99!

These adorable pj sets from Dr. Seuss make great, but cheap, holiday gifts at $9.99 plus there are cute onesies for $4.99 too! First click here to sign up if you haven't already

These messenger bags are perfect for the pre-schooler on your list! They are just like yours, but come in their size! $9.99 from Outside Baby. First click here to sign up if you haven't already