Are you interested in giving gifts to your friends and neighbors but don’t want to bust your budget?  This Christmas try some homemade holiday gifts to give.  Here are a few ideas your friends and neighbors are sure to love. 

Layered Cookie and Drink Mixes

First, purchase a box of Mason jar and lids at your local grocery store or discount store.  Buy the dry ingredients for your favorite cookie or drink recipe and layer the dry ingredients inside the jar.  You can decorate the lids with a small amount of fabric, or tie a bow of ribbon or raffia for decoration.  Print out the recipe on a small card and tie to the jar with a piece of ribbon. 

Inspiration Jar

This gift is good for children as well as adults.  Write inspirational and motivational messages on small slips of paper.  Fold them in half and place in a bowl or jar with a lid.  Attach a message to the container explaining the purpose of this gift – the next time she is down or sad she can take a message from her Inspiration Jar to help cheer her up. 

Homemade Goodies

Everyone loves homemade baked goods but most women don’t have the time to bake themselves.  Plan a day when you can bake your favorite treats like homemade bread, cookies and fruit cake.  You can make trays of your treats for everyone you know.  If you bake sweet breads like banana bread or pumpkin bread, buy a mini-loaf pan from a store like WalMart and make up individual loaves for all your family and friends.