Ways to Save with Gifts from the Heart

Gift giving is something that a lot of people stress over a bit, especially with the Valentine’s Day holiday approaching. Admittedly my husband and I have never once bought each other gifts (in 20 years) for Valentine’s Day. It’s a holiday about expressing and sharing your love and I guess we have never measured love based on material gifts. Like I’ve said before … make it memorable and not material … and you will be off to a great start in terms of keeping your financial orders in check, as well as enriching your life with wonderful experiences.

With that said, I thought that I would share some of my favorite gifts that I have given and received in a hope that I will get your creative juices flowing just in time for that “Hallmark holiday”. But certainly, when you get the gist of what I’m saying it will take gift giving to a whole new level for future holidays too. These are low cost or no cost ideas that come from the heart … what better gifts for Valentine’s Day or any holiday.

Create a Photo Book

We took a trip to Colorado and Mike took some amazing pictures. I used My Publisher and made a photo book that incorporated the pictures with quotes and poetry. It was a spiritual photo journey that I entitled “Miracles of Nature.” There are several companies that offer this and all have deals and coupons.

My Publisher
Shutterfly
Picaboo

Create A Family Tree Album

I did this for Christmas and made one for everyone in my immediate family. I found the album at Target, and made copies of the pictures at Snapfish. I then typed up the historical information that I had that corresponded with each photo and organized it accordingly.

There are plenty of extra album pages to add new things as we discover them about our heritage. Everyone loved it!

Make Creative Stationery

I receive this as a gift every year from my crafty sister. She buys blank stationery that she catches on clearance at Target or Michaels and then either runs them through her computer or stamps them. The hands were actually something that my nephew drew. So useful.

Create a Memory Box

I did this one year for our anniversary. I took an old cigar box and decoupaged it. You could do the same with a shoe box or gift box and you can wrap it versus decoupage. I then filled it with pictures, cards I had saved, mementos from trips and fun times together. We sat for hours going through it and reminiscing.

Make Creative Coupons

My husband knows I like a clean car, but hate washing it. He made a coupon book with 12 car wash coupons in it. All I needed to do was redeem the coupon and he would wash my car. You can get creative and do this for all sorts of things.

Plan a Special Day

I did this for Mike’s 40th birthday. I planned a day of all his favorite stuff and typed it up like an itinerary that I gave to him in the morning. It included his favorite homemade breakfast, a fun day outside doing what he loves, I made his favorite dinner and a cheesecake for dessert.

Get creative and give gifts from the heart … they cost less and mean more. Remember. Material things will not satisfy your soul.

Another frugal living tip from Living Frugal Tips.