Gifts That Don't Cost Money
Don't buy
—create! Is a holiday close at hand, or do you know someone whose birthday is coming up? You're probably searching for a gift idea.
If you only had a hint ...and then there's the problem of having the money to buy the gift once you get an idea.
But great gifts don't have to cost a lot. You can make gifts with style and flair—all it takes is a little time and creativity.
Think about the things that make your friends and family happy. Think about the other person
For a minute, take your mind off the cost of a gift or what to get. Think about the person you want to give a gift to. What is he like? How does she spend her time?
See your friend or relative in your mind, doing the things he or she usually does. You can see him collecting coins. You can see her competing in a bicycle race.
When you take that minute away from worrying about cost or what to give, you'll get ideas for things you can do or give that person that will really mean something special.
What can you give or do that will come from your heart and fit your friend's personality?
Think about your talents
Create a happy birthday comic strip! Think about the talents and skills you have, and think about what you like to do.
For example, do you like to make different kinds of knots? Boys and girls both like hemp jewelry, made by tying knots in hemp twine of different colors.
Do you like working on art or craft projects? Create a comic strip for your friend, or try these special crafts.
Special Crafts Hand-print animals
Put a dab of washable paint on a paper plate, and dip your hand into the paint. Create bugs, flowers, trees, and monsters by making thick lines with the side of your hand and thin lines with your pinky.
Use a pen or pencil to make eyes for your creatures. Try using vegetables as painting tools to make unique animals, like a carrot to make a fish!
Octopus designs
Use paint and your handprint to make octopuses. Or make giant flowers using your handprints for the petals. Put the design on paper or plates.
Sock puppets
Use an old sock—one without a partner—to create a puppet. Use yarn for hair, buttons for eyes, and felt for clothing. Add glasses, freckles, and a hat. For fun, make the puppet look like the person you are giving it to.
Toothpick sculptures
Use flat toothpicks, paper plates, and white glue to create a sculpture. After it dries, apply paint to add color to your work of art!
Flower leis
Use the flowers blooming outside (including dandelions) to create a beautiful necklace (lei) for someone special.
Cut straws into one-inch pieces and, using a needle with thread, carefully string the flowers together. Use the straw pieces as separators. Add beads, pinecones, or items from nature to create a beautiful lei for someone special.
Close Do you have other special talents? Often the best gifts are ones from the heart—like writing a special song or poem, or creating a talent show for a special occasion.
Write a Song When you give gifts from the heart, you get even more enthusiastic about doing the things you love. With experience, you may want to create music or crafts that you can sell.
Leo Sidran began writing songs when he was six years old. When he was in the seventh grade he made a tape of his music and gave it to friends.
His tape got heard by someone in the music industry and, by the time he was 13, Leo was recording music professionally!
Close Use your imagination to develop these ideas for birthday, wedding, graduation, and holiday gifts...
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