Sewing Patterns & Supplies

vintage sewing baskets

10 Creative Ways to Make the Holidays Bright on a Budget - a Boomer's Guide to Gift Giving and Staying Connected During While Saving Money

Many of us have been drastically affected by the economic downturn, despite our best attempts to save for rainy days and plan for retirement. With our Social Security and investment income dwindling down to a fraction of what they once were, it’s clear that this year we're going to have to be more creative than ever when it comes to celebrating the holidays.

Fortunately, there are many ways to enjoy the holidays on a budget – and the Internet has made it easier than ever to find great gift ideas or stay connected with friends and family without breaking the bank. So you don’t have to let distance and travel costs keep you from seeing your loved ones and showing them how much you care!

This year, enjoy the holidays as much as ever with my list of 10 easy ways to spend less and still show your love and appreciation to all the important people in your life.

1. Use old knit sweaters to create cuddly creatures. As the daughter of Depression-Era parents, I’ve learned how to use everything sparingly and I know that my mom would be proud of me for “recycling” a wool sweater into a cuddly owl toy for my grandkids. Check out www.Etsy.com for inspiration – you can make a sock dog or socktopus – and even a punky monkey that older kids would enjoy!

2. Take a cue from eco-friendly gifts ideas that use recycled products to create new works of art!  This is another great way to use what you already have around the house. I’ve seen beautiful cufflinks created from vintage typewriter keys! For more ideas, check out www.eco-artware.com.

3. Save on long distance phone calls with Skype. If you can’t afford to travel this holiday season, keep in touch with Skype, which allows you to talk with anyone, anywhere in the world! There are no long distance charges here. The service is FREE to all registered users! Your calls originate and take place at your computer and you can chat with up to 100 people or conference call with up to 9 others.

4. Get a webcam and see all of your friends and family without leaving your house! Participating in free video conversations via the Internet helps you view your loved ones who are far away (and you can even watch baby Levi or Ilana take their first steps!). To purchase a webcam, count on tech reviewer CNET to base their ratings on your individual priority:  price, popularity, manufacturer, editors picks, user ratings, and product features.  Just make sure one of their recommendations is compatible with your PC or Mac.  You can then show off your creativity on YouTube, which allows you to upload your videos and broadcast them around the world.

5. Pick up those knitting or crochet needles. Whip up scarves, mittens, and throws for friends and family. The will treasure these hand-made items and all the thoughtful attention to detail that went into making them! 

6.  Don’t overlook consignment stores and popular discount retailers. Recently, I read an article about well-known interior designers, art museum curators, and other "A-list" people scouring discount stores (Tuesday Morning and Big Lots) for unique clearance items.  If they can do it, so can we! And don’t forget about consignment stores where you can discover many great finds at bargain prices.

7. Put together creative themed baskets. You can send someone a garden by packaging some seeds with a couple garden tools. For the college student, you can make a sewing kit (they’ll thank you for it later!) For the newlyweds, print some of the old family recipes and put them into a cookie jar, crockpot or a colorful index box. You can also assemble arts and craft items for any age (and don't forget the stickers).

8.  Tell a new story or a favorite classic with picture books. Check out LookyBook.com, named as a best 2008 website by Time Magazine, to see great picture books in their entirety.  You could purchase their recommendations at full retail prices or find old standbys in "good as new" condition at garage sales, thrift stores or websites like Amazon.com.  Look for "Harold and the Purple Crayon," "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day," "The Hungry Caterpillar," "Good Night Moon," "Corduroy," "The Giving Tree," "Pat the Bunny," "Guess How Much I Love You," and the Dr. Seuss classics.

9. Shop Iliketotallyloveit.com for teens and other discriminating recipients. Check out this site for gifts to satisfy the tame as well as the outrageous members of your family.

10. Donate to charity and make the season bright for others. And finally, for those recipients who either have everything, don't have the space for anything or don't want anything, pick a charity they'd approve and make any size donation. Justgive.org makes it easy and secure to support your favorite charity.

About the Author

Susan Levine is a boomer web entrepreneur and founder of www.50somethinginfo.com, a human-powered vertical search engine dedicated to delivering the best of the net to adults (both men and women) 50 years old and better. Discover more great Boomer sites and tips for senior living at http://50somethinginfo.blogspot.com/

SIMP.9634~VINTAGE '95 "BABIES' ACCESSORIES" PANTIES,HAT,BASKET LINER PATTERN~NEW $9.42

vintage sweet grass woven sewing basket $9.99

This should help you with the small things. The first is a site that has various hobbies you can get into and hopefully you can find something there. I really hope these will help you and if not, please e-mail me referring to this question so I can try to find something else for you.. I just tried to verify the sites but having trouble with it so if you have a problem with it get in touch with me.

http://.www.craftown.com

This last one is for making things that you would not have thought of and they are very cute.

http://.www.makingfriends.com

Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects $9.66 Celebrated designer Amy Butler brings her fresh modern style to the timeless craft of sewing. In this lavishly collection of patterns she presents more than 25 charming projects ranging from cushy floor cushions to smart aprons to stylish handbags. [Spiral-bound] Hachette Book Group...

Sew Retro: 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl & A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution $8.41 Sewing never goes out of style, and today it is more popular than ever! Sew Retro offers twenty-five stylish, vintage-inspired sewing projects—beautiful bags, essential skirts, unique pillows, and more—that are a pleasure to sew, thanks to easy instructions, helpful diagrams, and a pocket of ten full-size patterns. This fun, inspirational book also uncovers sewing’s colorful history, fr...

Cath Kidston Stationery Box (Stationery) $8.49 These colorful vintage stationery designs are ideal for all manner of correspondence....

SIMP.9634~VINTAGE '95 "BABIES' ACCESSORIES" PANTIES,HAT,BASKET LINER PATTERN~NEW $9.42

vintage sweet grass woven sewing basket $9.99

Sewing Basket Shape Vintage style Needle Card $3.60

Vintage Pattern Bunny and Clothes Three Sizes Baskets Eggs Chick Goose $2.50

VTG 80s Tristan Brooks Designs Basket Pattern Z 62 Stenciled Smocked Baskets $14.95

Vintage 1980s Fabric Basket Pattern Z 61 Uncut Sewing Easy Instructions Baskets $14.95

VTG Fabric Trimmed Basket Pattern Book Ribbon Rose Z 70 Soft Sculpture UNCUT $14.95

VINTAGE JQ 1/2" BASKET RAYON REVERSIBLE 1yd Lingerie $9.79

VINTAGE JQ 1/2" BASKET RAYON REVERSIBLE 1yd Lingerie $9.79

VINTAGE JQ 1/2" BASKET RAYON REVERSIBLE 1yd Lingerie $9.79

VINTAGE JQ 1/2" BASKET RAYON REVERSIBLE 1yd Lingerie $9.79

VINTAGE JQ 1/2" BASKET RAYON REVERSIBLE 1yd Lingerie $9.79

CUTE LITTLE SEWING BASKET OF VINTAGE BUTTONS AND THREAD $11.99

VINTAGE SEWING BASKET OF THREAD AND BUTTONS PLUS OTHER ITEMS $17.50

5 Metalic Vintage 1" Buttons Gold Toned Basket Weave $1.99

VINTAGE VELVETEEN FRUIT BASKET APPLIQUE MADE FRANCE FRENCH 1950S 40'S PILLOWS? $35.00

VINTAGE VELVETEEN FRUIT BASKET APPLIQUE MADE FRANCE FRENCH 1950S 40'S PILLOWS? $35.00

Vintage Sewing Baskets $45.00

Vintage Sewing Basket, Wicker Blue Floral Top, Herringb $42.49

Vintage Brass Flower Basket Button Covers $10.00

Vintage Wooden Basket, wooden with handle, knitting, crafting $24.95

Primitive Vintage Folk Art Hen Chicken Rooster Bread Basket Cover Sewing Pattern $2.49

Vintage Leisure Arts Leaflet THE BASKET CASE BOOK 2 Decorate Baskets 7 Designs $5.85

Vintage SEWING BOX BASKET HAND STITCHED Bamboo Handle Pin Cushion Lid SATIN Line $152.22

VINTAGE SMALL OVAL SEWING BASKET BOX $19.90

Vintage Wicker and fabric sewing basket $39.99

VTG McCall's Crafts BABY SHOWER GIFT BASKET Pattern 5852 Nursery Accessories NEW $4.99

Vintage Simplicity Craft Pattern 1986 Duck Pull Toy Wreath Basket Goose 7360 $9.99

Vintage Aunt Martha Bows & Flowers basket of FlowersTransfers Embroidery uncut $6.00

Vintage Wicker Sewing Basket-Pink Silk Lining-Herringbo $11.04

WAVERLY FABRIC JANE'S BASKET VINTAGE 49"W X 1-3/8YDS $9.95

Vintage blue sewing basket stool retro design sewing basket $45.00

New Vintage Craft Pattern Petunia Pig 3 Patterns 20" Tall Piggy Pail Pig Basket $9.99

Vtg Gingham Goose Easter Bunny Rabbit pattern 18" doll basket soft sculpture egg $18.00

Vtg Gingham Goose Easter Bunny Rabbit pattern 18" doll basket soft sculpture egg $16.00

Lovely Vintage Sewing Basket with Lid - Interior in 3 Sections - Red & White $9.99

Bunny Hugs decoration easter basket decoration liner Vtg 80s $9.75

Vintage 70's KITTENS in FLOWER BASKET MINI Iron On $1.99

1982 VINTAGE SIMPLICITY PATTERN~BUNNIES~DECORATED EGGS~EASTER BASKET CENTERPIECE $6.99

BASKET VINTAGE IRON ON EMBROIDERED APPLIQUE 1PC V $0.99

Marti Michell Easter Bunny Rabbit treat basket ornament chick pattern Vtg 90s $14.00

6 PC LOT 3/4" OLIVE GREEN BASKET VINTAGE SHANK BUTTONS $2.75

Easter Craft Package pattern basket stuffed bunny fake fabric flowers Vtg 80s $11.00

70s Vtg Table Runner Placemat Napkins Bread Basket Coasters Sewing Pattern $3.50

Vtg 80s Easter Bunny Fabric cloth basket pattern table ornament egg $16.00

Vtg 80s Easter Bunny Fabric cloth basket pattern table ornament egg $14.00

Vtg 80s VOGUE Easter Bunny Basket pattern chick ornament egg centerpiece $14.00

Vtg 80s VOGUE Easter Bunny Basket pattern chick ornament egg centerpiece $10.00

Vintage Booklet - Fabric Woven Baskets - Heritage Hand Art $3.95

Vintage Dot Red Small Basket Liner BLS-VDR $8.56