As always, we try to save pennies around the holiday season. We want to get the best for the ones we love, but sometimes that can't always happen because of other life duties. We draw names on my mom's side of the family so I decided I would make my cousin's gifts. She is a teacher so I wanted to make something that would be useful for her in her classroom. I used Pinterest and Facebook to search for ideas. While searching I came across other ideas that I could make for other family members.

What I ended up making for my cousin was; pencil jars (pictured in header), a calm down bottle, and a treat yourself jar (all pictured below). Then I made redneck Yeti Colsters for my brother.

After determining ideas, I searched out my materials. For my cousin's gifts I gathered jars my mom was giving away, used my crafting stuff and bought a few materials at the store. I had to buy two cans at the store (which were for my dinner one night) use old koozies, and a few other materials I already had for my brothers gift. I shopped at Wal-Mart for what I did not have, such as glitter glue, crayons, nail polish, and a nail kit, which was not that expensive. Overall my cost was less than $18.

Making gifts is more time consuming rather than ordering or buying gifts. On the other hand though, making gifts are more personable and the person you are giving the gift to knows you spent the time on them and you put thought into your gift. If you have the time and a creative touch, making your gifts for Christmas, birthdays and other occasion can help save you money.