Thoughts on Economy - Preparing for a Frugal Christmas

If the economic news is getting you down and thinking ahead to the holidays is a nightmare, there's a bright spot on your gift-giving horizon. Start an herb garden! Many of the herbs you grow will make great, inexpensive gifts this fall. You can start now.

Start Planning for Your Craft Projects Early

Watch for sales and snatch up those decorative bottles, Epsom salt, sea salt, essential oils, wax, soap, ribbons, and fabric that you'll need later for homemade gifts. I'll point you in the right direction for craft ideas, and of course, the best ways to keep your herb plants healthy. By fall you'll be able to make lavender wands, an assortment of bubble baths, bath salts, candles, flavored oils and vinegars, herb blends, dried wreaths, sachets, cosmetics and more.

Homemade Gifts With Herbs

The first step is to get those herbs in the ground. The Herb Gardener is a good starting resource for tips and tricks about keeping specific herbs healthy. To give you a bounty of helpful herbs for your fall projects, try planting: lavender, rosemary, sage, dill, thyme, chamomile, lemon balm, mint, aloe vera, and oregano. With these to start, you can make many useful crafts and blends and spice up some tasty recipes and teas to boot.

Homemade gifts are thoughtful and can be downright frugal. They can also be easy, fast, and fun to make. Get your children, spouse, and friends involved too. Consider an exchange, like a cookie exchange, but instead of cookies, each person makes one craft project to share. Make your money go farther, learn about the amazing world of herbs and put a bit of yourself into your gifts this year.