1. Send as many e-cards as possible. There are some really cute interactive ones that are great for families with small kids. I make copies of an old family photo to send to all the adult nieces/nephews and our siblings. I send it in a Christmas/Holiday photo card. That's their gift from us. Over the years I've sent out all the ancestoral grand-, great-grand parents, etc. going back several generations, along with information about the subject/s in the photo. 2. Get the end-of-the roll newsprint (paper used for newspapers) from your local newspaper (free/cheap) and use it for gift wrap. I tie them with inexpensive twine, rather than expensive ribbon/bows for a country/rustic look. Have the kids decorate the paper if you need a craft project for them. 3. I also make my own gift bags. You can make them any size you need using most kinds of sturdy paper. The trick is finding a box the size you need to use as the form to make them. HOW TO: A. Using a large box that cereal came in, take your paper and wrap the cereal box - all but the top (try to make the seam at the back of the bag, not the side). DO NOT stick anything TO the box - it's just a form. B. Use a glue stick and/or double stick tape at the seams and bottom. C. Leave the top of the box you are using as a form open so that you can reach in and have something to hold onto when you pull the box out of the bag. D. Finish the bag by cutting the top edge (if it needs evened out) - you can use fancy cut scissors or pinking shears, if you have some. Fold the top edge into the inside and glue down using a glue stick. You can fold it over twice if you are going to attach ties/handles. E. You can add ties/handles using twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. by using a hole punch and making 4 holes (two on each of the long sides) about 3-4-inches apart and thread the twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. through the holes to secure the top closed. F. Crease the sides in the center to resemble a regular paper gift bag. 4. Another easy gift bag can be made out of brown paper lunch bags (you can also find them in colors or out of decorative paper). Secure the top by folding over 2-inches or so, punch two holes through all layers of the folded down area, and secure with twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. You can decorate these with all kinds of things, or leave them plain. We set a $10 gift limit for immediate family (kids/grandkid), but spend more on them for their birthdays. It's easier to budget this way. Hubby and I exchange one $1 gift from the Dollar Store. That's actually turned out to be a lot of fun... -Grainlady

That was so cute Susan!! And it did bring a smile to my face... ~Susan

Ha, ha, Minnie, I got the little dog's brother too! Did okay in the Christmas card department today. I received 4 wonderful cards, Thanks Susie 53 for the photo card, that sure was nice and also for the sweet letter. Many thanks to you too Marie MD, beautiful card. Loved your card as well Jannie and Tami, such a nice card! If you made it it is special. I did figure out who it was from :) Thanks bunches everyone. Sue

I have already posted this on another forum but here's our card for this year. Amos and Andi are 5 years old and are brother and sister Minilabradoodles. Asher - my GS is 29 months. Amos and Andi learned "place" at puppy school and I used it the first year to get a good picture. Every year since when I pull out their jinglecollars, they run and place for me. Asher was the one I had trouble getting to stay still - about 40 pictures and this was the only one that was "almost" perfect.