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Hack Your Christmas with MECU in 2021

Hack Your DIY Christmas | MECU

20 Ways to Save This Christmas

Love the holidays but hate the Santa sticker shock that follows? No need to spend your way into debt if you hack your Christmas finances with the following cost-effective tips. Keep costs down and make the holidays more meaningful by gifting your loved ones with personalized homemade presents. From pamper-me packages crafted with care to home décor that costs just a few dollars, to home-baked goodies that say “I love you,” the sky’s the limit when you DIY! Here are 15 homemade gift ideas from across the cyber-verse to get you started.

Sugar cookie sack

Everyone loves pulling freshly baked cookies out of the oven, but who wants to bother with measuring and mixing all those ingredients? Make it easy for your loved one with this adorable sack of sugar-cookie mix. Decorate the sack to make it personal, and you’ll have a heartwarming gift costing less than $10.

Fleece blanket

Help your friends and family gear up for winter with a cozy fleece blanket. If you’re handy with a needle, you can design a deluxe version of this fuzzy piece of heaven; otherwise, keep it simple, sweet, and oh, so cheap.

Pedicure kit

Has your friend been pining for a pedicure? Gift them with all they need to make their nails sparkle with a “for your mistletoes” nail kit! Fill a $7 Mason jar with polishes, filers, a buffer, and everything else they need for a spa-at-home experience.

Wall clock

Dress up a flat circle of wood with some beautiful material, attach a clock kit, and voila — homemade designer décor for just a few dollars! This clock makes the perfect gift for a friend who’s just moved into a new home or dorm room. Learn how to make your wall clock here.

Bubble bath gift set

Who doesn’t love a relaxing bubble bath? This gift makes it possible with a complete bubble bath kit, including chocolate, bath salts, a candle, soaps, a pouf, and more. Learn how to create your own at Sugar and Charm.

Instagram picture frame

Round up your friend’s best Instagram snaps of the year with this creative desktop frame. This gift will make them smile all year long.

Infused vodkas

Flavor your own vodkas and give your friends a unique gift they’ll enjoy for days to come. Choose between classic flavors or experiment with brave new ideas, like spicy citrus and cucumber tarragon. Get the tutorial for infused booze here.

Money tree

Who says money doesn’t grow on trees? Give the gift of cash with an adorable holiday-themed presentation by rolling up stacks of bills into tree boughs. Learn how here.

Recipe box

This one is for the friend who dreams of starring on “Chopped.” Fill this personalized, decorated recipe box with their own best recipes and add a few new gems for their collection. They’ll think of you every time they cook up another storm. Check out Club Crafted to get the full tutorial.

Snowball bath bombs

Bath time is fun again with these peppermint-infused bath bombs! Package inside plastic ornaments for a real holiday treat.

Rainbow candles

We’re all spending more time at home these days, and what better way to light up a cold winter evening than with these gorgeous rainbow candles? All you need for these eye-catching creations is a bit of time and some old crayons.

Painted picture frames

Dress up dollar-store picture frames with colored chalk paint for the perfect memorable gift. Learn how to Make Your Mark.

Reindeer gift card holder

This holiday-themed cardholder is the perfect present for that friend who owns a collection of gift cards and needs a place to keep them safe. You can also use it to dress up a gift card and make it more personal. It’s made out of leftover toilet paper rolls and basic craft materials you likely already have at home.

Bookmarks

Have a bookworm in the family? These DIY bookmarks are sure to bring joy to that special someone who can’t flip through a book fast enough. Make silly or sophisticated gifts for all ages!

Flower Press

A bouquet says a lot, but these DIY pressed flowers speak volumes for life. Let someone know how much they light up your life by gifting a hand-pressed flower, framed in their favorite style this Christmas!

Save on Christmas Spending in 2021 with Members Exchange Credit Union

Keep the stress out of the holidays this year with our DIY gift hacks. It’s all the shared love with none of the debt. Who knew holiday gifts could be so much fun? At Members Exchange Credit Union, we have tons of tips and tricks to keeping your pockets flourishing year-round. Don’t wait to start saving until 2022. Join MECU today to jumpstart your financial planning. Speak with one of our financial experts who can get you on the right track. Members Exchange Credit Union proudly serves Jackson, Pearl, and surrounding areas.