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.

Still walking?

If the weather isn't keeping you indoors, take a walk! Tuck a few plastic bags in your pocket first and keep a sharp eye out. You never know what you may find. I've found things like hand tools, aluminum cans, coins, socks (a pair!) and lots of other treasures.

Grow your own salad

You can grow fresh radishes and lettuce, etc, inside during these cold winter months and save on salad, if nothing else. Make sure you have good dirt, deep pots and enough light. On warm sunny days, set the pots out doors in the sun. (Don't forget to bring them in if your nights are freezing temperatures!)

Gum wrapper note pad

It may seem kind of silly, but gum wrappers - those plain white ones that wrap a stick of gum over the foil wrapper (from the large packages) - are just about the right size to jot a note or short list. Save them and staple them together (or just keep a stack of them). Paper is paper is paper, no matter where it comes from.

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!

Save steel wool pads

Save steel wool pads, including the presoaped kind (although they're not very frugal!) in a container in the freezer to prevent them from rusting. You can use them several times that way.

It costs to preheat the oven

Most things you bake don't really need a preheated oven. Save money and time by putting the food into a cold oven, then turning it on. Allow a little extra time, as the food cooks more slowly during the warming up period. (Not recommended for cookies or angel food cakes.)