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11 Thoughtful Christmas Gifts You Can Make

Because sometimes when you're broke you have to get creative...

Natalie File

Dec 04, 2017

Hastings College

11 Thoughtful Christmas Gifts You Can Make

insider louisville

Christmas is almost here! Like everyone else, I’ve been planning the gifts I want to give my family and friends. It’s one of my favorite parts of Christmas. My family has traditions where we make each other gifts, and I’m continuing to do this especially now that I’m in college and can’t afford to buy gifts for everyone. I know many people are in the same situation. So here are some gifts you can make when you "don’t have two nickels to rub together".

1. Popcorn balls

You can add caramel, chocolate, peppermint, and decorate them as festive as you want!

2. Cookies

There are tons of fun cookie recipes. Better get baking!

3. Ice cube tray chocolates

This is good for the people in your life who have a chocolate addiction.

4. Hot Cocoa Mix

Hot cocoa is a staple of the holiday season, so why not give a mix to someone special?

5. Coupons

Lots of Christmases, I've been stuck figuring out what to give my parents. When I ask my dad what he wants he usually shrugs and says he would be happy with anything, and my mom always says "a happy family, and a clean, orderly house". These little coupon books always mean a lot to them. In the past, I've made ones that were good for doing their laundry, making their favorite meal, washing the car, or giving a back rub.

6. Photo cube

A wonderful way to look back on some of your greatest memories with someone special.

7. Album

All you need is a book and some pictures, but this can be one of the most meaningful gifts to give someone.

8. Homemade Lip Balm

These are super fun and super useful for these cold winter months!

9. Headbands

These are quick and easy to make, either by crocheting or from fabric or from an old sweater.

10. Scarf

This is a pretty fast gift since you can just make it out of any fabric, and all you need is a needle and thread or a sewing machine. Or you can get fancy and knit or crochet it instead.

11. String backpack

It's simple to make, and it's really useful too!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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11 Thoughtful Christmas Gifts You Can Make

Because sometimes when you're broke you have to get creative...

1. Popcorn balls

2. Cookies

3. Ice cube tray chocolates

4. Hot Cocoa Mix

5. Coupons

6. Photo cube

7. Album

8. Homemade Lip Balm

9. Headbands

10. Scarf

11. String backpack

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No matter how old you are.

1. Build a snowman

2. Start a snowball fight

3. Build a fort

4. Binge-watch Netflix

4. Look out the window

5. Grab coffee with a friend

6. Complete school or office work

7. Sleep

8. Read a book

9. Bake cookies

10. Drink hot cocoa

11. Go ice skating

12. Take a Walk

"I don't want to do things. I want to not do things."

1. When you look at the syllabus and realize there are only three weeks of the semester left; even though the first day was LITERALLY yesterday.

2. You look at your grades and realize they probably aren't as high as they should be, which is a terrifying realization.

3. When you think to yourself at night, "tomorrow, I will wake up early and go to the library ALL day, and, hell, maybe after I'll go to the gym for a little bit, just to push myself that extra mile."

4. Tomorrow actually comes. The inevitable and overpowering sense of procrastination is too strong to overcome.

5. But you DO end up going to the library. Not all day though, but still, a while. But no, you do not go to the gym. Still, you made an effort, so you decide to treat yo' self.

6. When you realize you need to schedule a meeting with your adviser because you need to sign up for classes next semester. But you also realize that since you waited until the last minute, you're going to get stuck with all of the crappy classes.

7. When you low-key try to slip into conversation with your professors that you need extra credit because you're that desperate.

8. When it's already the third time you've seen your adviser in two days because you have no damn clue what you're doing and need all the help you can get.

9. When you apply for a job associated with your major even though you have no experience, but you just want to dive headfirst into the deep end of adulthood and get it over with.

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

1. Figuring out when to start

2. Searching through list after list to get everything you need

3. Shopping for deals

4. Getting bins to put everything in

5. Figuring what you can’t live without

6. Going through clothes to find what you need

7. Finding out your siblings took something from you

8. Fighting with your parents.

9. Trying to plan things with your roommate

10. The fear of forgetting something

11. Move in day

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

1. When you fail that midterm you studied so hard for.

2. When your crush finally texts back.

3. When payday comes around.

4. When you accidentally like someone's picture from 108 weeks ago.

5. When someone takes your unassigned assigned seat.

6. When your favorite character in your favorite TV series dies.

7. When that guy/girl you’ve been crushing on agrees to go on a date with you.

8. When you have so much to do, and such little motivation to do it.

9. When someone asks for your last fry.

10. When you try a new health-food craze.

11. When you get new clothing.

12. When you check your bank account.

13. When they're serving good food in the dining hall.

14. When someone tries to tell you what to do.

15. Or just your thoughts about life in general.

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