I cringe whenever I hear someone say, “This year make your gifts to save money.” It does not always save money.

I was working in a fabric store and I remember a woman spending $30.00 to make her husband a robe. At that time she could have bought one just as nice and it would have cost her less in money and time. (She didn’t even know how to sew).

When people make the assumption it will cost less to make a gift rather than buying one, it just may not be true. Here are a few organizing ideas on how to decide if making or buying is the best decision for you:

1. Do some price comparisons first if saving money is important to you.
2. Budget for the projects, don’t just think because they are homemade they don’t cost money.
3. Plan several months ahead to buy the materials you will need to make a project.
4. Give yourself enough time to make the item so you aren’t spending Christmas Eve finishing the project. I know many women who work into the wee hours of Christmas morning finishing projects and then they don’t enjoy the day.

I make beautiful quilts and knitted items for my family but I don’t do it as a way to save money, because frankly it doesn’t. But there are other reasons to make a handmade gift other than just to save money.

Have you found money saving ideas when you make your Christmas gifts?