The Toy Box Years: Frugal Gift Giving......You Don't Have To Break The Bank! (Part I)

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

One thing I've always prided myself on was the fact that I love to come up with creative gifts. I really try hard to find unique gifts....and often times end up making the gift myself. I love trying to find good deals!

If you think about it, you really can come up with some fun and creative gift ideas without breaking the bank! Over the next few months, I'll be sharing some of my tips and ideas for creating and giving amazing (and FRUGAL gifts!) Here's a few that I did for Christmas!

Christmas Cookie Basket:
I wanted to give something fun and creative to my friends. So I came up with the idea of a cookie basket!

At Hobby Lobby I picked up the small basket and the Christmas tree spatula (on sale). I, then, bought the cookie mix and icing at the Commissary (much cheaper than the regular grocery store!). The cookie cutters and basket wrap were from The Dollar Tree. I also wanted to add a little something extra, so I picked up some clear glass plates at the thrift store for .75/each and handpainted them with the words "Christmas Treats"

Total for each basket - approximate $6!

Hot Chocolate Basket
For another friend, I made a hot chocolate basket.

I picked up the basket at Michaels for 70% off. I found the mugs and snowman jar at the thrift store. I already had the chalk adhesive and I bought the hot chocolate and peppermint sticks at The Dollar Tree. (You can also add mini bottles of Bailey's or Kahlua and a bag of marshmallows too!)

Total for this basket = $5

Grandparents Plate

This, by far, was my favorite Christmas gift to make this year. We always have a hard time coming up with gifts for the grandparents. But I came up with this idea for my MIL.

The plate is for decorative purposes only, but if you needed to wash it, I would recommend handwashing.

I picked up the plate at the thrift store for $1.50. (Do you see a theme here?) I had my girls write their names on the plate with Sharpie. I asked my BIL to have my niece and nephew write their names which he emailed me and I traced them on to the plate. I then hand-drew the flowers and the kids in the center. I baked the plate in the oven to set the Sharpie. It was a HIT!

As you can see -- easy, meaningful and CHEAP! What are some of YOUR frugal gift-giving ideas! Please comment below! I'm always looking for new ideas -- AND may feature your idea in my next blog post!