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Gift giving doesn't always have to break the bank
By AllisonMiles in Business Notebook
November 28, 2007

I'm not sure about the rest of you out there, but when the holiday season rolls around for me, it means a little stricter budget, fewer meals out and renting movies instead of a trip to the theater.

Newsflash for those who happen to be rolling in dough: buying presents is expensive. Really expensive. No joke.

And it's that very reason that I am a huge advocate of homemade gifts. Now, I'm not talking about those little coupon books that entitle the person to "one free hug" or macaroni glued to a sheet of paper (Unless you're 5 - and then it's adorable). I'm an advocate of homemade gifts that people would actually like.

I've gone the scrapbook route - I made them for my grandmas a couple of years ago and still hear how much they like them. I've never gotten as good a reaction from anything store-bought. Crocheted blankets are always pretty popular - everybody gets cold once in a while. And also, if it's a gift for a family, rather than an individual person, I'll do party mix or cinnamon candy.

I found a Web site that offers instructions for homemade gifts suitable to give a grown-up without looking cheap - we're talking things like message boards, snowy candles, etc. Take a look here.

Our family's cinnamon candy is always a big hit - I don't have the recipe on me (and in all honesty I'm not sure the family wants to hand it over) - but if I can find it, I'll post it up here soon.