A frugal gift is first measured by its usefulness. Speaking from my own experience, I would say that my most appreciated gifts are those that I not only find useful, but that I would have had to buy myself at some point. With that in mind, ie the frugal mind, the gift actually has two practical purposes; It is useful and saves me money.
If you are a frugal girl, this task will be much easier for you. If great minds think alike, so do frugal minds. Just look inside yourself. The frugal girl can get excited about the most common items. For the rest of you, here’s a little help.
Although you may question some items on the list, remember, the frugal girl enjoys things frugal! She wants to get the best value for her money and this IS what makes her happy! It just makes sense that providing a practical and frugal gift that can also save money would make her happy. Isn’t that what great gifts should do? So here is happiness and the pursuit of the frugal lifestyle! Happy Holidays, Happy Birthday, Happy Mother’s Day, etc. etc. etc….
FRUGAL GIFT BASKET IDEAS
Some of these unique gift baskets may seem strange or unusual to the average person. If you are a frugal girl, you will fully understand. The rest of you will just have to trust me.
For the frugal girl who hangs on to things until they fall apart (or even after they fall apart).
This is the girl who has a laundry basket duct-taped, tied with rope or string, or repaired multiple times with other ingenious methods.
Chances are you don’t even have a laundry basket. I have several fruit and vegetable boxes (they are extremely strong, especially the banana boxes) that are wonderful for carrying laundry! And they are free.
Fill a sturdy laundry basket with one or two boxes each:
- Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
- 20 team of borax mules
- A few bars of Fels-Naptha laundry bar soap
I say “tough” basket because it will inevitably be put to the test by a frugal girl! If your frugal girl doesn’t need a new laundry basket, she can give her these gifts in an appropriately sized traditional gift basket or simply in a gift bag.
This is a great gift for anyone who doesn’t mind saving money. And I don’t know anyone who cares! I would mix up a batch and put it in a tightly sealed container. (You can make a decorative container yourself, i.e. a quart mason jar and some decorative fabric on top. Tie with a pretty ribbon.) Place it with the laundry detergent ingredients so they can try it out and get you started on the right track. Include the following laundry detergent recipe with your laundry basket gift.
Powder laundry detergent
1 cup of grated Fels naphtha soap
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup borax
For light load, use 1 tbsp. For heavy or heavily soiled loads, use 2 tbsp.
Options:
1. If budget allows, add some cloth napkins, utility towels, bath towels, hand towels, or washcloths.
2. Make a booklet with a variety of tips, tricks and homemade recipes for laundry. This is great for a new girlfriend.
The frugal girl makes her own cleaning solutions and is always looking for cleaning and organization tips. Cleaning basket may include items such as a couple of spray bottles, steel wool, pumice stone, cream of tartar, vinegar, baking soda, gloves, scrub brushes, multi-purpose towels or cleaning rags, dusters, cloth diapers (they are excellent for cleaning). rags), book of cleaning tips and home organization or recycling tips.
Top it off with a personalized cleaning shirt or apron or any other small cleaning gadget you think your frugal girl might find useful. Add a coupon for a coffee break date, with you, at home, at home or at a local coffee shop! His deal, of course.
The content of the kitchen basket is limited only to your imagination! This is a great gift for anyone who loves to cook. Frugal girls know the importance of saving through the kitchen. If you are a frugal girl, you can reflect on your own needs and frequent uses to generate some ideas. By the way, the “basket” does not have to be a basket. Did that make sense? You will see what I mean. Here are some suggestions:
1. Baker’s Basket: Fill a large mixing bowl or basket [she’ll probably get more use out of the bowl ;-)] with tools and/or baking supplies as much as fits your budget. i.e. wire whisks of various sizes, wooden spoons, measuring spoons and cups, a sieve, cookie cutters, rubber spatulas (you know, those things you use to scrape every last bit of dough out of the bowl. My husband and I are still arguing about what they are called), a bag of bulk yeast, a can of baking powder, various spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, etc.), vanilla extract, or any other thing you know your frugal girl or cook will use or need.
Cover it all with a personalized apron. Make or buy an apron and write the person’s name or a personal message, poem, or saying on it, using a fabric paint pen or paints. Other contents might include a cookbook, some of your favorite recipes neatly printed on a recipe card or turned into a mini cookbook, a recipe file, a cookbook holder, well I could go on and on.
2. Chef Basket: Fill a large pot or basket with a variety of cooking utensils or supplies. i.e. most of the above items can be considered in addition to ladles, cutlery, small strainers, tongs, specialty seasonings, cooking spices (Italian seasoning, cumin, onion powder, garlic, oregano, thyme, etc.), and again , Complete it with a nice apron! Add a cookbook if your budget allows and/or throw in some homemade recipes for taco seasoning, batter baked chicken, stuffing, whatever you can find to replace the higher priced store-bought mix-ins.
A good idea might be to make the mixes and give them already mixed in a tightly sealed container or jar along with the recipe. How to save money on groceries or book tips.
1. Frugal Food Basket: Mix up some master baking mix, pancake mix, cookie mix, or muffin mix. Pick and choose or give them all in airtight containers or jars and attach recipes to use and the mixing recipe. Decorate accordingly, of course. Specialty rice and rice mixes, bean mixes, bean and rice mixes, oatmeal and couscous. A packet of herb seeds or starter plants for indoor herb gardening. Top it off with an apron or a gift card from your local grocery store.
2. Gift Basket: Now, this one is great for giving the frugal girl foods that her budget, or her frugal mind, just won’t allow. Even frugal girls have favorite gourmet items that they love but rarely indulge in. For example, I love macadamia nuts. But they are very expensive, which makes them prohibitive for my financial goals at the moment.
If you don’t already know, ask your spouse or close relative what items the recipient enjoys. Fill a basket or other creative container with those foods and other specialty foods, snacks, nuts, and/or cheeses. Remember to be aware of dietary restrictions and select your content accordingly.
3. Coffee Or Tea Gift Basket: I am a true coffee lover. But, as a frugal girl, I know that a regular brand will get me through the day just as well as a gourmet brand. That doesn’t change the fact that I enjoy a Okay cup of gourmet or specialty coffee from time to time. But, with my current financial goals, the pleasure comes little and little time.
The coffee basket will definitely be appreciated by the frugal girl who loves a good cup of coffee! Pack that basket with several different specialty or gourmet coffee brands or lots of the brand you know she loves. Include a permanent coffee filter that fits the brand of coffee maker she uses to show that she hasn’t forgotten the practical side of it! You can easily adapt the content to fit the tea lover. Finish with a nice cup of coffee.
The gardener’s basket is simply a collection of all the supplies a home gardener might need; A garden knee brace, gardening tools, seeds (starter plants if it’s the right time of year) Gardening books and tips. starter jars Containers for the container gardener. Gloves and hat.
Fill a sewing basket or box with a variety of sewing notions. Include some decorative fabric or a collection of scrap fabrics; Sewing patterns or instructions for home decor sewing tasks or clothing patterns appropriate for sewing level. In other words, keep it real. Not everyone is a seamstress, but most frugal girls can make a curtain or pillowcase with simple instructions. Your frugal girl could be a repairman or a seamstress. Please choose the contents of your gift basket accordingly. Include novelties like velcro, snaps, hem tape (or fusing tape), iron-on patches, as these will come in handy for most frugal girls.
Now don’t worry you frugal girls, I’ve got your back! 😉 I wouldn’t want your friends and family to think you’d be offended if they gave you a not frugal gift. So here is my last thought……
Although the frugal girl will love and appreciate the practical and useful gift like no one else can, she is actually a woman. Therefore, if her idea catches her eye, she can certainly reward her with a luxurious gift. The frugal girl will enjoy a luxury that she would not normally consider for herself. For example, a trip to the salon for a professional manicure, pedicure, or hairstyling.
If you know your frugal girl has her eye on an outfit or other item, she’s convinced She does not need but secretly admires and wants of course (if your budget allows) Get it for her! Chances are, she won’t buy it for you and she will surely be happy to receive it as a gift. She will have something that she wants but not really needand remain true to your lifestyle or financial commitments.
I hope these ideas help you create beautiful gifts for anyone in your life. Choosing a basket theme that suits the recipients’ interests or needs is always a winning gift. Personalized gifts are more appreciated and continue to be given. Each time the recipient uses the item(s), they are reminded of the donor’s consideration.