Last year I a did a series of articles on inexpensive --yet nice!! Christmas giving which were very popular. I'll list them all for you at the end of this article for easy reference.

Here are some more great ideas. I love to do gift boxes or gift baskets with lots of nice items in them. They are easily made up ahead of time to be assembled at the last minute.

Scented Beads

Materials:
Apple sauce or pumpkin pulp
cheap dime store cinnamon and other spices

Directions:
Mix one part spices to 2 parts of apple sauce(or other pulp). Smells wonderful!!! Roll into balls and let dry on a piece of recycled wax paper. (I use the liners from cereal boxes.) When dry put in net bags to scent drawers and closets. If you want to make beads for a necklace let firm up for a day and then piece with a big needle or paper clip. Wiggle beads every day until dry to make sure they are not stuck to the needle. Then string with double button hole twist thread or fishing line.

Hand Rolled Milk Soaps

Take some plain home made unscented soap, or inexpensive plain unscented soap from the dime store (Ivory like stuff). Grate the soap into a heat proof vessel. Put over a water bath and slowly add just enough milk to form a thick cookie dough like paste. Take off the heat and let cool enough to handle. Add scent oils (lavender is nice). You can also add oatmeal for grit, or flowers and herbs for color and a nice rustic look. Roll into hand formed balls, and let dry on more recycled wax paper. You can get scent oils at the local herb store, or order cheaply for craft projects from WebVitamins.com A very little goes a long way, so one jar can last years for craft projects.

Boxes and Baskets
Once you have all your projects made you need baskets and boxes. Cover regular boxes with cloth or paper decoupage. Just glue the scraps on. Pick a subject that reflects the person's interests like flowers for the gardener, etc.

Baskets can be made from natural materials like vines and branches woven together. Another type of basket can be crocheted from thin rag scraps or double section of yarn. Check out the holiday basket pattern at:
Holiday Basket Pattern

Gift Cards:
For Gift cards I cut the pictures part off last years Christmas cards. Beautiful re-use!

Here are more articles on gift ideas for you:

Have a Cheap Xmas

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art15333.asp

Easy Cheap Kid's Xmas Projects


http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7318.asp

Cheap Online Holiday Shopping

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6924.asp

Easy Holiday Tee Shirts and More!

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5595.asp
Make it Yourself!

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4153.asp

Happy Holidays!

For more ideas Check out these Frugal Living Books!
Complete Tightwad Gazzette
The Complete Tightwad Gazzette

Declare Your Finanacial Independence
Declare Your Financial Independence

Complete Cheapskate
Mary Hunt's Complete Cheapskate

Miserly Moms
Miserly Moms

You Can Afford to Stay Home With your Kids
You can Afford to stay Home WIth your Kids