2008 Holiday Gift Guide: Reader tips

Rocky Mountain News

Published November 28, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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Photo by Ellen Jaskol © The Rocky

Audrey Galambos, of Arvada, shows off the personalized “GRANDMA-NOPOLY” board her granddaughters gave her as a gift.

Money may be tight this season, but that doesn't mean you can't still give great gifts on a budget. We asked readers to share their favorite inexpensive gifts with us. From homemade and personalized to spending limits and shopping tips, here are some ideas to help make your holidays happy.

Thrifty treasure hunt, Marie Zanowick, Boulder

When our family wanted to find ways to reduce materialism during the holidays, lighten our impact on the Earth and enjoy a more meaningful time with our children while saving money, the whole family agreed to an ingenious Christmas tradition: "Nothing New Under the Tree."

For the past 17 years, our family gives each other plenty of holiday presents - framed artwork, handmade crafts, gifts of time, gag items from the thrift store - but there is no waiting in line at the big box retailer for the "must have" gadgets of the season.

It makes Christmas a challenging, interesting, thoughtful event instead of a rush to purchase items that are costly and, sometimes, not needed or useful. This tradition is almost like a treasure hunt, because creativity is an important part of the gift buying.

The tradition has become so popular, friends and grandparents give us used gifts, too. When the children were young, they occasionally asked for name-brand toys and other gifts. We told them, "Santa knows, and if he has a used one at the North Pole, you'll get one." Once, we spent several days trying to locate a used battery-operated car my son wanted, and found a great deal through Craigslist.

As we look back on this tradition, our family can remember many fine "not-new" gifts: the fishing trip we gave our son in Minnesota, the used scooter that he outgrew and that his younger sister really enjoys, the beautiful antique necklace from my husband. As the kids get older, they appreciate being able to come up with thrifty gifts on a budget, as well.

Time to cherish, Pat Jeffryes, Lakewood

One of the best gifts we received was 20 hours of our teenage grandson's time. He was available to help clean the garage, take down the Christmas tree and many odd jobs that helped us so much!

Another gift I enjoyed, from a neighbor teenager, was a frozen, homemade broccoli/cheese quiche ready to pop in the oven when we needed a quick meal.

I keep a shopping list for things I don't get to the store for very often. Our oldest daughter takes my list when she comes to visit and voila!, my shopping is done. Again, this is a gift of time.

She also coordinated with her siblings to come and spruce up our home - painting, decorating and putting us back in order!

Secret saver Santa, Leslie Horton, Aurora

Last year, our family was economically strapped. We got together with our extended families and decided that all the children would get one big gift from "Santa" and some stocking stuffers. The adults played Secret Santa. All of us placed our names on a piece of paper with three gift ideas valued at no more than $100, then we all drew names out of a hat. As a rule, spouses could not pick each other. It made for lots of family fun and we saved a huge amount of money.

She's got game, Audrey Galambos, Arvada

It was Christmas Eve and my two granddaughters were late for the dinner I had prepared. Everyone else was present - and waiting, but they didn't seem concerned that the girls were late. It appeared to me that there was some great secret I was not aware of.

When the girls finally arrived, they had grins on their faces that they could not contain, and I was told to sit on a comfortable chair and unwrap the present they had brought.

It was a familiar-looking box. I had seen something that looked like this many times during my childhood, but there was an exception - it read GRANDMA-NOPOLY, The Audrey Galambos Special Edition, by Mandy and Hailey Pash, December 2007.

The box came equipped with a board sporting addresses where we had all lived at one time, directions telling the player to "go to Grandma's house, do not pass Go," utilities identified as local entities, such as Arvada Water Treatment Plant and Hayden Wind Power. The GRANDMA-NOPOLY money was printed with all seven grandchildren's pictures on the paper bills.

The board game proceeds as we remembered - buying property, paying taxes, free parking, paying rent when a player lands on someone else's property. This clever game was the hit of the evening and was produced entirely on a computer-printer system by two very smart granddaughter techies.

Sew wonderful, Joyce Antonucci

This may sound like a very plain gift to most people, but it's a special one to us.

About nine years ago, our daughter-in-law, Lauri, asked us what we would like for Christmas. I knew Lauri liked to sew because she made beautiful clothes for herself, our son and their three children, plus things for the house. I also knew, with our son in the military and Lauri staying home with the three little ones, that money was tight, and we didn't want them to spend much on us for Christmas.

I asked her if she could make us some flannel PJs for our long, cold winter nights here in Colorado. I have long legs and if you buy flannel PJs from the stores, they always shrink in length (if they are ever long enough in the first place).

She was thrilled with the idea and couldn't believe that was all we wanted. They were the best gifts because we knew they were made by her hands with love. They were warm and wonderful and matched sets.

I would think of her every time I wore them. Mine wore out last year, and I may ask for another pair for some distant Christmas.

Several people have made me small things for Christmas over the years, and I always treasure them. When I see them or use them, I always think of the loved ones who made them. I think a lot of people have talents in being able to make something that friends and family would love.

Recipe for success, Amy Sekersky

A few years ago, my sister gave me one of my most treasured gifts. She is a great cook, making easy things that taste great.

She put together all of her favorite recipes, separated by section (appetizers, chicken, beef, soups, desserts, etc.) and made a cookbook for all of the grown members of the family. It was compiled in a three-ring binder with each recipe in a plastic sleeve.

How inexpensive to type it all up once, make a bunch of copies and put each recipe in a sleeve in a binder. It shows so much thought, and it's something I reference all the time. It was a great gift!

Magic memories, Jacqueline Rusho, Loveland

I didn't have to think long to remember a gift I received many years ago. I had moved from New York to Colorado in 1980, went through a divorce the next year and was on my own. Then, I met my husband Steve. We just celebrated 25 years of marriage in September. In the early years, we didn't have much money for trips, and our sons soon became our focus. David is now 24 and Nicholas is 21.

My entire family remained in New York, and I found myself terribly homesick. One Christmas, I received what was and always has been my favorite gift. My oldest brother Jim had always wanted to be a DJ but never pursued the dream. Instead, he took all the Super 8 family movies and many photos and created a VHS tape filled with wonderful memories as well as numerous funny and poignant songs. It made me laugh and cry and is my most treasured gift.

Even more importantly, my children were able to view a piece of history as well as connect with my family they so rarely saw in those early years of their childhood. Although I know a great deal of thought and time went into the gift, it would certainly be a gift many gift givers could tackle. This year, I plan to convert the "treasure" to DVD. I will always be grateful to my oldest brother and his priceless gift to me.

Flower power, Stephanie Cuddihy, Denver

The gift I received from my stepmother when I was 18 years old is probably still my favorite present of all time - it's certainly the most memorable. For my Christmas gift, she managed to fashion an exquisitely beautiful dried flower wreath out of the various corsages I had worn and saved from all of my high school dances. I don't consider myself an emotional person, but I'll admit, I bawled my eyes out when I opened that box. It was such a gift from the heart. . . . Not returnable, nonrefundable and irreplaceable.

Sweet treat, Beth Richey

Last year, at a loss for what to buy my boss, I made a cookie bouquet. It was a big hit at the office even though the staff only got to eat some of the practice cookies. I used a tin holiday bucket, a piece of floral foam, cookie sticks, quilt pins, a package of hard candy, ribbon and clear food wrap - all purchased at a craft store. It took more patience than money to make this gift. I practiced for several weeks to perfect a cookie and icing recipe that was not only thick enough to stay on the stick when shaken, but also tasted great. Luckily, the practice cookies were happily eaten by family and friends.

Basket bounty, Mary Kay Carlson

We have a large family, five grown children with spouses and 10 grandchildren. Counting my husband and myself, there are 22 of us. I try to remember each of the families with a "special" family gift, such as a Movie Night Basket containing a DVD suitable for the entire family, a liter bottle of their favorite soft drink, several boxes of movie candies, several bags of microwave popcorn, a large bag of cheese popcorn and anything else I can think of that is "movie night" related.

One Christmas, I made them a "Spaghetti Dinner" basket containing a bag of pasta noodles, several jars of pasta sauces. a jar of mushrooms, a jar of olives, a loaf of Italian bread (purchased at the last moment), a bottle of salad dressing mix, a container of Parmesan cheese and a box of brownie mix. Another year, I made a "Soup Night" basket consisting of a soup mix I made and put into Mason jars embellished with pretty Christmas fabric on the lids, oyster crackers, cheese spread, cornbread mix and a box of brownie mix.

I look for nice inexpensive baskets to assemble all of the components in and seal it all up with pretty clear gift wrap and a colorful bow. It is great fun to complete these and see the family's reaction.

Taste of home, Ellie Bonicelli

I like the idea of a cookbook for my college-age son, who is in an apartment for the first time. I am also freezing single-sized portions for my son and his roommate as I prepare meals at home. I'm using aluminum mini-loaf pans for things they can pop in the oven, and I also plan to use microwavable containers, as well.

From the heart, Mary Jo Elston, Arvada

I am 79 years old, and let me tell you about one of the best inexpensive gifts I was given. When my daughter Mary was almost 6 years old and my son Dean was 4 years old, I lost my engagement ring and I was, of course, very upset. About a week or so later, I took them to the dime store (they had dime stores in those days). I think they each had maybe 20 or 25 cents to spend on themselves. Instead, they bought me a new ring. For two such little kids to do such a thoughtful thing made me cry. I still have the ring.

One hot potato!, Susan Griswold, Manitou Springs

Last year at a holiday bazaar I saw potato baking bags. I love baked potatoes, but doubted a potato cooked in a bag in the microwave would be any better than the average microwaved potato. A friend who uses the microwave bag all the time insisted that the potatoes come out fluffy and delicious after a few minutes, just like a potato baked in the oven cooked for more than an hour.

I went back and bought a bag for $5, took it home and tried it that night. The instructions said I could cook one to four potatoes at a time in five to 13 minutes. They were great, almost like oven baked, only the skin was soft, not crisp. I went back and my friends and I bought three more each. When the woman who makes and sells them ran out, my friends and I ordered a dozen more from her.

The potato baking bags make great inexpensive gifts. College students can use them in the dorm. You can also cook sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, carrots, broccoli or any hard vegetable in them.

Find the bags online by searching "potato baking bags." Prices range from $3 to $10, plus shipping. You can also make them yourself. Patterns are sold at fabric shops. Instructions come with the bags.

This year, I ordered 11 potato baking bags well in advance of the holidays. Friends I gave them to last year called after trying them and wanted more as back-ups and to give as gifts.

Make your own box, Sarah Washburn

The giving season is all about the thought that counts. Lots of people enjoy making gifts, not only because it may be less expensive, but also because of the personalization. Often, homemade food is given and received, but there is still the cost of some motif-adorned tin box made in China that the recipient doesn't actually need, and which probably ends up in their pile of things headed to Goodwill in January.

The good news is you can make your own box for relatively little, and it is recyclable when the recipient is finished using it. Plus, it's easy to make and doesn't involve hot glue guns or the other assorted paraphernalia that requires a trip to the Martha Stewart aisle. It takes about two minutes to fold a flat piece of paper into a special little container.

You can make a box out of any kind of paper. Copier paper sized 81/2 x11 will result in a box about 3-inches square. For a larger box for cookies, brownies or other treats, get a roll of brown kraft paper and make a box that's 6- or 8-inches square. For extra sturdiness for heavier holiday goodies, cut a piece of cardboard to fit in the bottom. Line the box with a colorful piece of tissue or tie ribbon around the outside and you're done.

Here are instructions on how to fold a box. I hope someone finds this useful and avoids purchasing an unnecessary container this season. origami-instructions.com/origami-box.html

Try an ornament kit, Nan Ziegler, Lafayette

For a number of years, I've been purchasing, on sale, Mill Hill ornament kits. These kits contain perforated paper, floss, beads, findings, needles and instructions. The kits are cross stitched, with beads and little gold items applied that make a really pretty handmade gift. Family members usually get four to five of these, which serve a double purpose: gifts and Christmas tree decorations! I've gotten a lot of compliments on them from friends and neighbors that receive them as gifts also!

Support local businesses, Judi Diaz Bonacquisti, Denver

I don't think it is unusual for families to draw names and set dollar limits during the holidays, but what makes my family a bit unique is that we are all entrepreneurs. My brother David is a personal trainer who owns Fitness Together Denver, my brother Matt is a local Pre-Paid Legal Services consultant, and my husband Paul and I own Bonacquisti Wine Company.

As small business owners, we appreciate and rely upon the support of our local communities. With this in mind, this year we have agreed to support local Mom-and-Pop shops for our holiday shopping for one another. Whether it's a book from Denver author Lynda Sandoval or a custom piece of jewelry from Jessika Aerni, we are keeping our dollars here. This might make shopping a little harder than running into a chain retailer, but it will make the gifts that much more meaningful knowing we gave a great gift and supported a Colorado small business.

Buy American-made, Meghan Forse

With consideration of our economic and environmental crisis, my advice is to buy local, or at least American-made. Our spending choices can positively impact more than just our own budgets. For example, make purchases that keep our dollars in our communities and support Colorado businesses. Reduce foreign oil dependency and pollution by reducing the distance the product has to travel to get into our hands. Generally, this also means avoiding multiple holiday shopping trips and big-box stores or mega malls. Better yet, support local and national artists by purchasing one-of-a-kind gifts that delight and inspire. While doing so, get that warm fuzzy feeling knowing that you're supporting a local organization with a remarkable "pay it forward" philosophy.

Get crafty, Doris Cruze

My tip for shopping on a shoestring budget for the holidays is to shop at craft shows. There are lots of talented people out there making one-of-a-kind, attractive, and reasonably-priced items for gift giving. When you visit a craft show, you can find handmade items, such as warm mittens made from recycled sweaters, toys sold at very reasonable prices, wonderful soaps made with natural ingredients, jewelry that will take your breath away at prices that allow you to buy for everyone on your list and much, much more. Many crafters work all year to prepare for the big holiday season, and shoppers have the opportunity to buy beautiful gifts that will never be found in stores.

Save those pennies, Mary Vockrodt

Staying connected with family is worth every penny, right? Well, with tight budgets and great distance between me and my sibs, I thought I would encourage them to save up for our next family reunion. So I created what I believe to be the perfect, inexpensive, but symbolic gift: a "pig in a blanket."

I bought each of them a piggy bank, along with a velvet-covered gift box for packaging, to remind them that the goal of getting together as soon as possible is worth every penny.

I found everything I needed at Hobby Lobby. The boxes were originally $3.79 and marked 50 percent off. The banks were $1.99 each, so the total cost for each "package" was $3.88. Not a bad price for spreading cheer and encouraging connectedness amongst my brothers and sister who live in various parts of the country.

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