Christmas Scrimping Things you can make

Here are some ideas for gifts that can easily be made, even for those who might be less artistic:

Gifts in a jar: Stephanie Nelson, the Atlanta-area founder of “The Coupon Mom” Web site, suggests buying a Mason jar and layering the ingredients for anything from a cake to bath salts in the glass jar. The layers will look pretty, ∫ and products should cost no more than $5, while a ready-made “gift in a jar” can cost $30.

Baking: Baking cakes, cookies or pies for co-workers and neighbors could be a cheap alternative to gift-buying and is also thoughtful. Cookies and muffins can be made in large batches, and artfully placed in $5 baskets bought at craft stores, such as Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores or Michaels Stores.

Plants in a jar: Nelson also suggests filling two-thirds of a jar or mug with glass stones, placing a flower bulb on top and then decorating it with a bow and instructions to water it. It costs about $2 to make, but in a store, it can run up to $20.

Gift baskets: Ready-made gift baskets in a store can run from $30 to more than $100, even at places such as Costco. But buying a $5 basket and filling it with a variety of candles, on-sale chocolates, crafts made for charitable purposes and other goodies can be done for anywhere from $15 to $20.

Jewelry: Shops such as Jo-Ann Fabrics and Michaels sell simple jewelry-making kits and bags or strings of beads that are enough for several items. For between $20 to $150, depending on the type and style of beads, simple necklaces, bracelets and earrings can be made for less than half the price of what’s available in stores.

Associated Press