I love living on a budget and with this blog, I can share the benefits of simple living far and wide. My appreciation for living economically began after college, when I moved across the country for a temporary job. Six months later, I… Read More >
Wrap your Present with DIY Origami Gift Box
Want to give someone a special gift? Put it in a DIY origami gift box to make it more personal. How to make one? It is very simple. Materials you need: colored paper Any color will do for… Read More >
How to Make Dried Herbs
Do you plant an herb garden each spring, but by early summer your plants are happy, happy, happy and producing way more than you can possibly use? A frugal foodie will never let food go to waste especially… Read More >
Make a Decoupage Clipboard – It’s Cheap & Cheerful
Looking for a rainy day project? Make a decoupage clipboard! This clipboard came to life years ago when our summer break began with rain, and continued with rain, rain, rain for three straight weeks. My daughter had been… Read More >
Festive and Frugal Gift Wrap – Kraft Paper
That humble roll of Kraft Paper that looks like nothing more than a brown paper bag is your answer to wrapping gifts in a festive and frugal fashion all year long. Why You’ll Love Kraft Paper: It’s CHEAP!… Read More >
Festive and Frugal Gift Idea – DIY Fort Kit
Remember the joy of building a fort in your living room? Maybe you used a card table and sheets, or maybe you created a fort with a giant box and markers. Those forts could be castles high in… Read More >
Cheap and Cheerful Teacher Gifts
Cheap & Cheerful is the term I use for great gifts that will put a smile on someone’s face without costing you a fortune. Each of these gifts is clever and thoughtful without screaming “cheap!” It’s the end… Read More >
Festive and Frugal Gift Ideas – Less Than $10
Still need a few gifts? Wallet feeling stretched? Let this collection of festive and frugal gift ideas inspire you…everything costs less than $10 and many will cost next to nothing! If it’s a homemade gift, don’t panic –… Read More >
Dollar Store Gift Guide
Before you laugh, before you decide that I’ve gone off the frugal deep end…let me explain. You won’t actually be buying a gift from the dollar store, you’ll be buying the supplies to make a Dollar Store craft… Read More >
Festive and Frugal Gift Idea – Homemade Coconut Sugar Scrub
If you’re in the full-blown Christmas panic mode, take a deep-breath, relax and treat your hands to a Coconut Sugar Scrub. Actually, this super easy 2-ingredient sugar scrub is a nice treat for you, but it’s also a… Read More >
DIY Chalkboard Flower Pot
Another festive and frugal DIY gift from The Budget Diet girl! These make great gifts all year round…imagine the messages, imagine the gift giving possibilities – Get Well, Happy Birthday, Welcome to the Neighborhood, Good Luck, Welcome Home…you… Read More >
Hostess Gifts – Beyond the Bottle of Wine!
It’s day 9 of The Budget Diet’s Festive and Frugal Christmas Ideas, and today’s gift ideas are perfect for hostess gifts, teacher gifts or neighbor gifts.
Don’t get me wrong, a bottle of wine is a great hostess gift, but sometimes we want to give something more unique. The Budget Diet girl has come up with some unique and budget friendly hostess gifts for every type of party. Why don’t you give one a try this holiday season!
Hostess Gifts – Think breakfast!
The party was wonderful, your hosts had a blast, but a late night of cleaning made the morning come way too fast! Wouldn’t it be nice to leave them a breakfast hostess gift!
- Muffins or Homemade Pumpkin Bread – try my recipe for Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Filling
- Fresh Bagels and Gourmet Coffee
- French Bread with Homemade Strawberry Jam
- Homemade Granola – try my frugalicious and fast Granola Recipe!
Hostess Gifts – No Cooking Required!
Look no further than your local T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Ross or Homegoods for inexpensive hostess gift ideas! The rosemary plant will have to be purchased from a garden center.
- Rosemary Plant – smells great, looks great and it’s useful!
- Cocktail Napkins – seasonal or silly!
- Candles – choose a seasonal fragrance like cinnamon, sugar cookie or pine!
- Christmas Ornaments
- Gourmet Foods – pasta with sauce or soup mixes will make dinner the next day nice and easy!
Hostess Gifts Ideal for a Family Party
A tasty gift is sure to please the entire family or have fun putting together a CD of your family’s favorite Christmas songs!
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup non-fat powdered milk
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
- 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix Directions:
- Mix together all ingredients, put in a cellophane bag or glass jar and tie with a festive ribbon.
- Add a gift tag that says: To make 1 cup of peppermint hot chocolate – add 1 cup boiling water to 1/3 cup of peppermint hot chocolate mix.
- Orange Spice Tea Mix
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant iced tea powder
- 2 cups Tang
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Orange Spice Tea Mix Directions:
- Mix together all ingredients, put in a cellophane bag or glass jar and tie with a festive ribbon.
- Add a gift tag that says: To make 1 cup of orange spice tea – add 1 cup of boiling water to 2 teaspoons of orange spice tea mix.
- Make a CD of your family’s favorite Christmas music!
Hostess Gifts for an Girly Gathering
Your homemade hostess gift will help your girlfriend relax after the party!
- Homemade Sugar Scrub or Bath Salts – Make your own for a fraction of the cost! Try these simple diy spa recipes.
This holiday season, think outside the wine bottle! Please leave a comment to share your favorite festive and frugal hostess gifts!
Remember…
Be festive, be frugal!
~~~~~~~
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
DIY Aromatherapy Neck Wrap
Need a great gift idea for your girlfriends? Pamper them with a DIY Aromatherapy Neck Wrap that’s just like the fancy wraps they give you at the spa. Have a sick friend? They’ll love an Aromatherapy Neck Wrap…. Read More >
DIY Chalkboard Tray
Give an old silver tray a new life, give a festive and frugal gift, and spend less than $10 bucks! Sounds like my kind of gift! Uses for a Chalkboard Tray Hang it on a wall just like… Read More >
4 Festive & Frugal DIY Gifts for the Holidays
You don’t have to spend a fortune to give a great gift. With a little ingenuity, you can create a gift that will be more meaningful than anything you could buy at a store. You don’t need to… Read More >
Care Packages – A Cheap and Cheerful Gift!
The cooler weather has arrived, and I’ve been busy baking cookies for college care packages. It’s my “go-to” high school graduation gift…I give an i.o.u. in June and send the care packages each fall. If you need a… Read More >
Cheap and Cheerful Birthday Gifts to Celebrate a Milestone Birthday
It’s your husband’s 50th birthday. Do you: A. Add to your credit card debt to buy him a big gift B. Waste your money on a tacky over-the-hill gift C. Opt for a cheap and cheerful gift The… Read More >
Semi-Homemade Gifts – No Craft Skills Required!
Birthdays, graduations, bridal showers, Mother’s Day, anniversaries…no matter what month it is, you always seem to need gifts. If your gift budget is maxed out, it’s time to consider a semi-homemade gift…no craft skills required, I promise! Each… Read More >
Creative Way to Give Money as a Gift
If you ask a teenager what they want for their birthday, they’ll likely say, “money.” BORING! Where’s the fun in that? There has to be a more creative way to give money. Thanks to Candace at She’s Crafty… Read More >
Festive and Frugal Gift Idea – Free Printables
If I had to choose my favorite festive and frugal gift idea, it would have to be free printables! “What are free printables,” you ask? It’s like having your own personal graphic artist, and in 4 easy steps… Read More >