Gifts for the gardener

Got a gardener on your list? How about a stash of seeds? Maybe you have some saved from your own garden, or can get some from friends or family. Be sure to label them well.

Reuse gift wrap

If you try to save and reuse wrapping paper, but find that it looks used, try ironing it with a warm iron to remove wrinkles. Save wrapping paper, foil or wax paper tubes and roll the paper around it, secure with a rubber band or a bit of string or yarn to store. A few minutes invested can save several dollars worth of paper.

Keep this in mind through the holidays!

Are you extremely frugal?

Are you? Sometimes I am; sometimes I am not. That's human nature. With Christmas coming up in a couple of months, the shopping spirit comes alive for most of us, frugal or not. Now's the time to hold tight. Make a gift budget and stick to it. Plan now before the fever hits. If you haven't already bought gifts, make lists and pay attention to costs. Start watching grocery sales for things you will need for Christmas dinner or parties and get them while the price is lowest.

Quick, cheap sachet

Put dry potpourri in the middle of a napkin or handkerchief, bring up all four corners and put a rubber band around it, then tie a ribbon around that. Use for a lingerie sachet, or use it in the car - or even give it as a gift. A small bag of potpourri (if you buy it) will make many sachets.

Free gift wrap

If you eat potato or other chips, save the bags and turn them inside out. Some look like mylar or smooth foil and others are solid colors. You can use them as bags or cut them for wrapping paper. They make pretty packages!

Free gift tags

Save junk mail envelopes and cut the glue covered edge from the flap to use for stick-on gift tags. Write names with colored marker or crayons to make them more festive.