Thrifty & homemade holiday gift ideas!

Searching for the perfect holiday gift? You want to give your loved ones something special, but still stay within your budget. It’s time to get creative!

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We’ve put together this thrifty gift guide to help you make thoughtful, homemade gifts that aren't too costly. If you aren’t crafty, we’ve also put together gifts that are budget-friendly and easily tailored to the recipient’s interests.

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Make this time of year more budget-friendly with these creative holiday homemade gift ideas.

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Create a themed bundle of smaller gifts

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When you don’t have the funds to buy a big-ticket item, spoil your friends and family with a collection of smaller, more affordable gifts, bundled into a common theme.

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Here are some ideas to help you get started:

• Movie lover’s night in. Get all the fixings to enjoy a movie night – at home! Fill a basket with classic snacks like popcorn and candy, a gift card to their favourite streaming service, and a blanket or PJs to cozy up on the couch with.
• Coffee fanatic’s dream. Make their morning cup that much sweeter with a collection of unique coffee blends. Maybe your loved one will discover their new favourite! You can also include their favourite creamer/sugar combo or a special mug that reminds them of you.
• Car aficionado bundle. For the automobile lover in your life, treat them to an assortment of car-related gifts. You can pick up a hanging air freshener, cleaning wipes, a gas gift card, and a seat or steering wheel cushion.
• Self-care package. Treat your loved one to a night of relaxation with a delivery app gift card (so they don’t have to cook!), a bath bomb, a soothing scented lotion, and a candle (which you can make yourself – keep reading to find out how!).

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Homemade candles

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The warm, comforting light of a candle, paired with a pleasant scent – it’s the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day. Gift this relaxing experience to your loved ones by creating your own candles!

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The beauty of this gift idea is you can tailor the scent and colour of the candle to your loved one’s preference, making it a perfect fit.

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Here’s what you’ll need for this craft:

• A set of small or medium-sized glass mason jars.
• A package of candle wicks and a bag of soy candle wax, which you can buy online or at a local craft store.
• Essential oils to add fragrance to the wax.
• (Optional) Candle dye pigment, which you can also buy online. You can skip this step, but you’ll need it if you want to change the colours of your candles!

Once you’ve got your craft supplies, here’s how to assemble your homemade candles:

1. Start by melting a few cups of the soy candle wax in a pot on your stovetop, using low heat. The amount you need will depend on the size of mason jars you’re using.
2. Add a few drops of essential oil to the wax mixture until it smells delightful.
3. If you’re using candle dye, add it now and stir.
4. Stick the candle wick to the bottom of your jar and slowly pour the wax until it’s filled near the top.
5. Wait until it dries, and you’ve got a perfect homemade candle!

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Cookies – in a jar!

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Nothing beats the taste of warm cookies straight out of the oven. Unfortunately, that’s pretty hard to wrap into a gift.

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Why not give your loved one the next best thing? You can gift them all the dry ingredients needed to make a delicious dozen of cookies. Better yet, it takes all of 15 minutes to put together.

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All they’ll need to do is mix those ingredients with an egg and butter, scoop it onto a cookie tray, and bake. Instant homemade cookies!

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Here’s how to do it:

1. In a 32 oz mason jar, layer the following ingredients:
   • 2 cups of flour
   • 5 tablespoons of white sugar
   • 1/3 cup of brown sugar
   • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
   • 2/3 teaspoon of baking soda
   • 1 cup of baking chips – any flavour works, including chocolate, mint, peanut butter, or butterscotch.
2. On the front of the jar, attach a slip of paper with the following recipe:
   • Preheat your oven to 350F.
   • In a large bowl, combine 1 egg, 1 cup of butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
   • Add the dry ingredients from the jar and mix.
   • Scoop onto a cookie sheet with parchment paper and bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
   • Enjoy!

And that’s it: Perfect homemade cookies in a jar!

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Save money on wrapping paper & cards

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Another cost that comes along with gift-giving is buying wrapping paper and store-bought cards. Instead, consider these thrifty alternatives to wrap your presents:

• If you get the paper delivered to your house (or you have a stack of flyers in your mailbox), use newspaper to wrap gifts instead of wrapping paper.
• Creating homemade gift tags and cards add a personalized touch to any gift. Store bought cards are convenient, but if you have the time to create your own, have at it! Even if it’s not an artistic masterpiece, the thought and effort will be appreciated by your loved one.

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The gift of free banking

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Help your friend or family member achieve their financial goals by referring them to a credit union! Not only is this gift free, but it saves your loved one money, too!

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If you know someone who pays bank fees every month, tell them about the benefits of switching to Cambrian. Through Unfee, they can save up to $234 (or more) in service fees every year.

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Unfee your banking by becoming a Cambrian member today!