Fabulous Last Minute Gifts

Here are some cheap last minute gift ideas...

Restaurant.com still has their gift certificates at 80% off. Pay only $2 for a $25 gift certificate. Use code HOLIDAY at checkout.

CVS is offering a free 5x7 or 8x10 when you order online and use ENLARGE as the code. Also, choose "pick up in hours" and you can get 4x6 prints for .10 each.

Vistaprint.com has free 2009 calendars - this offer may be for returning customers, you will need to check. These calendars can be customized with your own photos. However, Vistaprint does offer free products regularly.

Walgreens is offering a free 8x10 when you use code FREEGIFT at checkout.

Here is an idea for decorating in the new year...Wonderful Graffiti is having their 6th Annual Write Sale. If your not familiar with Wonderful Graffiti, I strongly recommend you check out their site. They have beautiful interior typography for your walls. You can use your own quote or you can choose one of theirs. You could group a set of family photos with a meaningful quote in your home's entry. The sale starts Jan. 1 and ends Jan. 31.

Frugal Tree Skirt

For the past few years, I have really been into the idea of a Christmas forest. So, I purchased 3 skinny pre-lit trees of varying sizes and I group them together to achieve the look. This year though, I have one in my dining room and one on each side of my sofa. It looks really Christmas-y in here! Since a normal tree skirt wouldn't work really well, I looked for something different. I wanted to achieve the look of snow so I purchased 2-1/2 yards of white fleece on sale at Hancock Fabrics for $2.22 a yard. I cut it into three strips to drape around each of the trees. Next, I tucked the edges under to make it look a little more natural. Now my trees look like they have a blanket of snow around them. The best part is, this idea would work on any Christmas tree! If you have one big tree then you could really fluff it up and make it look snowy. Oh, and theres my paint buckets as gift baskets!!

Paint Bucket Gift Basket

I first saw this idea on Alyssa's blog, Keeping the Kingdom First. Once I saw it, I couldn't wait to make my own. The possibilities are endless! I purchased a paint bucket at Home Depot for about $5 then I used 2 - 12x12 pieces of cardstock that I already had and then I bought the ribbon at Hobby Lobby. I'm going to use these as gift baskets instead of actual baskets for Christmas presents. I could also fill them with cookies or candy for coworkers.

If you are like me and like to see things being made before you attempt them yourself, watch this video from monkeysee.com. Don't forget to tie the paint can opener on the side. Otherwise, you would be a little embarrassed if you didn't offer a way for the recipient to open their present. Although...that would be pretty hilarious...