Christmas is almost here and Santa is on his way. It’s up to you to figure out what gifts your mom doesn’t realize she must have this Christmas. Time is running out, but if you follow some money saving tips and craft ideas, your money won’t. Here are a few DIY and frugal tips to help you find or make the perfect gifts for your mother. You’ll save money, have fun, and all the while she’ll think you spent a mint on her.

Monogram Tea Towels

These multi-striped vintage tea towels will work beautifully when you add a personal monogramed letter. You can also create other designs such as painted fruit or flowers and add them as well. If you don’t have a resource like a Cricut machine you can just cut out the monograms with a stencil and sew or paint them on.

[Photo source: Oleander and Palm]

Sand Candles

Get creative and make beautiful handcrafted sand candles using sand, molds, wax, scents, shells, and driftwood. You can personalize these candles just for your mom with her favorite colors, scents and preferred designs.

[Photo source: How Did You Make This]

Family Scrapbook

Gather a variety of pictures of the family from the early years up to the present. Buy a blank scrapbook and do a little DIY design work to construct a very low-cost personalized holiday gift. Your mom will treasure it for years.

[Photo source: scrapbook.com]

Baked Goods

Bake mom’s best-loved cookies, breads and holiday candies. Use the cherished family recipes and pick the choice ones that you know she’s crazy about. Find a couple of appealing platters at your local thrift store to display them on, wrap in colored cellophane and add decorative raffia ribbons and bows.                                           

Shop at Second Hand Stores

Find the local thrift stores in your area that have quality merchandise. You’ll often find many items at second hand stores that are brand new. Keep an eye out for these as you’ll be able to find some super deals for mom on clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories. Finding affordable gifts will be enjoyable and you’ll save money to boot.

Shop smart with these great money saving tips and crafty ideas. You’ll be able to find and make the perfect Christmas gifts for your mom. And don’t forget dad! Click here for ideas. Your special gifts will be homespun and unique yet very thrifty at the same time.  

Visit your local Arc Stores in Chico, Paradise and Oroville and see what wonderful Christmas gifts and craft materials you can find for your mom.