What to do with $50 bucks for Xmas? I am super poor right now. My other cheque hasn't come and it's almost Xmas time. I have 50 bucks to buy my kids and fiance gifts. I am looking for some gifts that I could get or make before Christmas.
By Krystal from Kenora, Ontario
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You can always find stuff at a dollar store. WalMart has kids t-shirts for about $5.00 and adult ones for $10.00. WalMart also has some toys in the $5-10.00 price range. There were times when I was married that my now "ex" and I didn't exchange gifts because we couldn't afford it. I would think your fiance" would be satisfied with a nice card. As far as making things, I don't know what your abilities are. I do a lot of craft work and sometimes by the time I buy the required materials it costs more than buying something ready made. If you sew and have little girls my WalMart has kits to make "funky" looking rag dolls. The hair and every thing is printed right on the fabric. All you have to do is cut it out and sew it and stuff it.
Visit salvation army and tell them your situation maybe they or they know someone who can help.
I am thinking a group day together enjoying a home cooked meal made by you and renting a nice movie you can all enjoy together and maybe playing a fun card or board game together too :-) Christmas really doesn't have to be about buying gifts but giving a gift of self in sharing time and love with others.
This year many adults are taking a back seat to make sure the kids have something at least for Christmas. Your fiance should understand that. Check dollar stores, KMart for bargains, Walmart and even thrift stores for some really good finds. I don't know how many kids you have, but think of one thing each and then get one gift that they all share together. Take $1 of that and make some nice cupcakes or a cake that kids can all decorate together. Here's a great tasty shortbread recipe (no eggs!) that you can all make cut-out cookies with or just slice and bake:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon flavor of your choice, vanilla, lemon, almond, etc.
Cream the butter, add sugar, mix well. Gradually add flour, finally add flavoring. Shape into a roll, wrap in plastic wrap, chill for at least 2 hours. These cookies can be sliced from the roll, or rolled out and cut into shapes. Bake at 300 degrees for 18 to 20 or until lightly browned on the edges.
These cookies can be iced and decorated, dipped in melted chocolate, or left plain, and they're delicious!! They don't rise too much, but they're great.
Another idea is to make Applesauce and Cinnamon ornaments:
Ingredients
* 3 cups applesauce (1 1/2 cups works better for clay-like consistency), see note below
* 3 cups ground cinnamon
Directions
1. Mix applesauce and cinnamon together until it is thick enough to hold a form when cut into cookie cutter shapes. Flatten the mixture on a flat surface and cut into cookie cutter shapes.
*Note>1 1/2 cups applesauce to 2 cups cinnamon works for me to get a clay-like consistency. Dust hands with cinnamon for handling. You can add a teaspoon of cloves, ginger and allspice to round out the fragrance. To get them DRY QUICKER, bake on an un-greased cookie sheet at 150 degrees for one hour. Remove from the cookie sheets and bake on the oven racks for another hour and a half. (Don't roll thinner than 1/4 inch if you're using this method.)
Making them each an individual ornament will make them feel special..or they can help you and design their own! Merry Christmas!
Go to the dollar store they have neat toys for children.
Make some unusual "promise" coupons; your kids and fiance will love 'em (making cookies together, letting the other person win at a favorite game - it's so fun to try to lose on purpose and will bring oodles of giggles!, doing chores together with feet only, making a meal with foods that begin the first letter of each of their names, etc.) Be creative, and forget store-bought stuff that may or may not last, will have to be cleaned, put away, stored, etc.; make memories instead! Blessings to you all!
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