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Throughout the year it’s nice to be able to acknowledge your family and friends with little gifts, but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Here are five frugal gift ideas that will save you money while letting your family and friends know how much you care about them. 

A great gift idea that is both low cost and ideal for the busy folks you know is a meal in a jar. It’s very simple to put together. You’ll need a mason jar with a tight fitting lid, a 6 inch square or round of fabric, a favorite recipe printed on a 3 X 5 notecard and all the dry
ingredients for that recipe. Be sure to punch a hole in the recipe card and attach with a pretty ribbon. The fabric goes on top after you’ve layered all the ingredients into the jar and adds a nice finishing touch and is secured by the ribbon. You should never put any of the “wet” ingredients into the jar, because they will spoil. Bean soup recipes are very well suited to this type of gift, but don’t limit yourself. Cookie recipes are wonderful too. Search “meals in a jar” on the Internet and you’ll find many other ideas. 

If you’ve got a special skill – for example: woodworking, accounting, cooking, or plumbing to name a few – how about offering your services as a gift? You can use your computer to print off coupons that can be redeemed when needed. Even if your loved ones don’t need your services right away, it can really save them later when they do - so it will be very much appreciated! If you don’t feel that you have a special skill, think along the lines of other things you can do. How about offering to weed a garden, mow the lawn, rake leaves or shovel snow? If you know a busy family, how about offering babysitting services? Still wondering what you can do? How about making some meals that can be frozen so they can save money and not eat out so much? After all, every needs to eat! 

A third frugal gift idea is the gift basket. Throughout the year, just keep your eyes out for small items that are on markdown, but fit a “theme”. Choose a theme that reflects the personality of each person or perhaps a hobby that interests them. For example, a seamstress will always need new needles, pins, and thread. A college student or frequent traveller will always need those travel size bottles of deodorant, shampoo and lotion. Just look around whenever you are out and about for sales and gradually you will have enough for a complete basket. The basket itself can be bought very cheaply at yard sales or second hand stores. 

And a fourth way to save is to shop year round. Throughout the year, especially around the major holidays stores have sales. A good way to save on the cost of Christmas and birthday gifts is to purchase them throughout the year whenever they are on markdown. Look in unusual places too. The hardware store, grocery store and drug store often have sales on items that make terrific gifts – just keep your eyes open for sales where ever you go. 

By following these few tips you can really save on the cost of gifts throughout the year and be well on your way to being a frugal, yet thoughtful gift giver.