Ditch the consumer aspect of the season: DIY holiday solutions
By Teghan Beaudette
The Manitobian (University of Manitoba)
December 10, 2008
 WINNIPEG (CUP) – Unless you receive a rather large allowance from your parents or are independently wealthy, there’s a good chance that you find yourself lacking funds towards the end of the semester.
Second-term student loans haven’t come in, and you haven’t been working much because you’re cramming for finals.
When Dec. 20 rolls around and you have to pack your bags and head home for the holidays, or you have to put something worth mentioning under the tree, it may be difficult to come up with the funds for a present that reflects your true feelings for someone.
The following are a few ideas that can replace a price tag with your time and thoughtfulness.
The indoor herb garden
Do you know someone who loves to cook, or at least aspires to? If you get on this present early (at least three weeks before the gift exchange) you can make something that will continue to give throughout the year and takes minimum time and effort.
The first place I would suggest you go to get the supplies is Wal-Mart, but if you’re morally opposed (or too frightened to brave the narrow aisles and fevered shoppers) you can get these things from Home Depot or Rona.
You’ll need three to five miniature terracotta planters. You can usually buy these for a dollar or so apiece. Alternatively, you can buy one of the dishes that Home Depot stocks that is divided (like an ice cube tray) into cells that are pre-lined with material great for planting seeds. These are about $2.50 but they definitely aren’t as attractive and might not be as well received.
Besides the planters, you’ll also need seeds. You can be adventurous and go for things like lemongrass, spearmint, or lavender, but it may be wise for your first time out to choose something simple that you know you can grow and that the future owner of will actually use. Try basil, chives, or rosemary. Finally, you’ll need a small bag of soil.
Simply put the soil in the small planters (it’s a good idea to poke small holes in the bottom of the planter if you can) and press the seeds into the top of the soil. If the seeds are slightly larger, you should place them about three times their length into the soil. Water the seeds and place plastic wrap over the planters. Stick them on top of your fridge and water them whenever the soil is dry to the touch.
Once you begin to see seedlings poke through the soil, you can remove the plastic and place them on a windowsill where they can get light. Continue to water (and feed if you so desire) until gift giving day.
Label the terracotta plants with a black marker as to which each one is. Pretty cheap, and with a little bit of work, shows you were thinking about the person long before the holidays.
A place to stash your herb
If you have to get a gift for your cousin or friend who enjoys recreational drugs, skip the Jimi Hendrix album and try this homemade gift idea.
You’ll need a thick hardcover book. You should be able to get one for a dollar or two from Value Village. You’ll also need some sort of glue; you can really use any type but the fastest way to do it involves buying glue you can spray out of a can. You’ll also need a sharp knife; a box cutter will work.
Glue the pages together (this will admittedly take awhile) and cut your desired shape out of the book. Try to leave several pages unglued and uncut at the front of the book so that if the cover is opened the illusion of the book remains. You can stock the book with any variety of illegal or inappropriate items and exchange it with your friend before or after the festivities have died down.
Baked goods without the baking
If you don’t have the time or energy to prepare baked goods that are both edible and appealing, but like the idea of giving delicious treats, try this gift.
This gift works best if you have several people in different settings to exchange gifts with. You’ll need some mason (canning) jars with lids, the dry ingredients for your favourite recipe, and some thick recipe cards.
You should buy decent-sized bags of the necessary dry ingredients as well as several canning jars in order to make this the cost-effective present that it should be. If your pockets are feeling deep you can invest in a few cookie cutters (these can be found relatively cheaply) as well.
Gingerbread cookies work well for this because the ingredients are different colours and their cookie cutter gives the gift receiver a good idea of what they’re looking at. If you don’t have a recipe for these, you can do a quick Google search, but most call for flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and a few other things.
You’ll need to measure out the appropriate amount of dry ingredients and pour them into the jars. Try to layer the different colours and pour ingredients in slowly. You should include the appropriate amount of each dry ingredient for the recipe.
Next, fill out the recipe card with the remaining wet ingredients (things like eggs and molasses) and complete the instructions for baking. If you have ribbon or twine, you can tie the recipe card and cookie cutter onto the mason jar.
You’ve essentially given someone a project that they must do on their own time, so make sure you’re giving it to someone who either loves to bake, is very crafty, or that you just don’t really like.
Go vintage
For the snowboarding or skiing enthusiast in your family, take a cue from the hugely popular store in Whistler, B.C., “F as in Frank.” The store sells almost exclusively vintage clothing from the late ’80s and early ’90s.
The markup on their clothing is extremely high and a lot of what they’re selling to Canada’s wealthiest young snowboarders can be purchased from used clothing stores for an extremely small fraction of the price. Your best bet is to stop by stores periodically between now and the time you must exchange gifts.
Vibrant neon colours are huge this season so try to find a great vintage toque or scarf in classic early ’90s hues. This gift works best as an add-on to personalize the purchase of a snowboarding DVD. I highly recommend That’s It That’s All, if you’re looking for an extremely entertaining video they can watch over and over.
A narcissistic calendar
This gift is perfect for absolutely everyone, especially if you love your digital camera.
If you live away from home and your parents can’t seem to get enough of you – or, if you’re a photographer or graphic artist, or you have at least 12 hilarious photos of your friends passed out in funny positions, this option is perfect for you.
Staple’s Copy & Print Center lets you upload any photos of your choice to their website (www.staplescopyandprint.ca/PrintOnlineInfo/CalendarInfo.aspx) and order a 12-month calendar for pick up at any of their stores within a week.
They charge under $10 for this service and it’s a great way to produce a personalized gift that will be around all year.
If it’s for your drinking buddies, choose the hilariously appropriate photos of your friend Ryan puking or your friend Jill passed out with a brand new moustache. It takes very little time and money to produce this option.
If you’re a serious photographer or graphic artists you can put your own creations in place of the aforementioned gross-out party shots, and distribute them to family members who love you very much and would gladly overlook your narcissism.
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