In case the red bows, Salvation Army bell-ringers and Christmas muzak piped in to the stores wasn’t clue enough for you, the holidays have arrived and the shopping frenzy begun.

As your gift list grows and finances dwindle, here are a few low cost gifts that are thoughtful to give and receive and won’t break your bank.

• Baked Goods – You don’t have to be a master baker to prepare a treat for friends, co-workers, day care providers and neighbors.   You can find a simple recipe for pumpkin bread, banana bread or even pound cake in most cookbooks or online.  To spruce up this gift I purchase decorative ceramic loaf pans for a few dollars and bake the bread in this.

• Bath Items – Everyone (except for my pal Lisa) enjoys a nice soak in a bathtub.  A lovely and inexpensive gift for bath lovers is to fill a pretty glass jar or container with bath salts.  Wrap a ribbon or pretty bow around the container and there you are.

• Nuts – Roasted almonds flavored with sea salt, rosemary or garlic are a special treat.  Toss almonds in olive oil.  Spread on a baking sheet and bake at around 400 degrees for 10 minutes or so.  Be careful to keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.  When you take the almonds off the pan, mix in salt or rosemary leaves.  A very inexpensive way to present these are in a simple baggie inside a festive gift bag.

• Greenery – Instead of bringing flowers as a hostess gift, think about bringing the whole plant instead.   To encourage the plant to last through the holidays, consider replanting it in a ceramic or other type of pot so it can go directly outside or on the kitchen counter.  Ivy, ferns, succulents are all long lasting and can even survive the most careless gardener.

• Gift Cards – If your friend loves coffee, a gift card to a local coffee bar is a great gift.  If going this route, consider adding an item or two to give the gift that extra punch.  Tucking a coffee gift card in a new mug is nice.  Wrapping a Home Depot  gift card around a pair of work gloves or including a wine opener with a Bev Mo card is a lovely touch.

Have any great, inexpensive gifts you like to give?  Feel free to share your ideas!

Now go run!

Keli 🙂