Kids: Green gift ideas for your grandparents

The frugal ways of grandparents are ecofriendly habits. Why not reinforce their green style with these inexpensive Christmas gifts? Grandma and Grandpa know that grandkids don't have a big budget for Christmas. Luckily, going green doesn't have to break the bank. Combine grandparent frugality with grandkid sized piggy banks for these cheap, green Christmas gifts.

Homemade stationary

Grandparents love to write snail mail. Kids can make homemade stationary as a Christmas gift. Just chop up some old paper and bits of flower heads in a blender with a small amount of water. Spread the pulp out into a sheet on some fine screen. Let dry and peel off. Be sure to wash the blender right away after use.

Soy crayon drawings
Use that recycled homemade paper you just made for the next gift idea. What grandparents don't love drawings from their grand-kids? Kids can use soy based crayons to draw beautiful pictures and designs on homemade paper. Pop the drawing into a cheap frame from the dollar store to give a finished look to this Christmas gift.

Milk jug bird feeder

Grandparents often have a love of nature. Why not make them a bird feeder for Christmas? This inexpensive Christmas gift is a snap to make. Cut a slanted hole in the top of the jug, leaving the handle intact and taking off the pouring spout. Use odd bits of cheap scrap paper to glue a mosaic pattern all over the jug. Tie a string for hanging to the handle. Fill with bird seed.

Quilt Squares

Use up that old fabric to make a pretty pack of quilt squares for grandparents. Grandma can stitch up a nice warm Christmas quilt for her and Grandpa. Or maybe Grandpa is the “seamstress” of the family. Who knows? You can use old worn out clothes to make quilt squares too. Pinking sheers cut fabric into squares of the same size that won't ravel. Tie a pretty ribbon around each bundle.

Bucket gardens

Some grandparents lack the space to garden. Try putting together a bucket garden as a cheap green Christmas gift. Use an old bucket with the outside painted a pretty color. Poke holes in the bottom of another bucket for drainage. Slip the bucket with the drainage holes inside the pretty one. Add a bag of good soil, along with some seeds. Now, Gram and Gram can just add water and watch the magic happen.

Plastic shopping bag dispenser

Here's a great Christmas gift for frugal grandparents. Remove the label from a plastic 2 liter soda bottle. Cut off the bottom. The bottom becomes the top. Decorate the bottle by covering it with contact paper. Punch two holes one inch apart at the top for hanging from cup hooks. Stuff bags into the open top. Pull bags out of the pour spout to dispense.

Drawer sachets
Grandparents love fresh smelling sachets for their clothes drawers. Make these cheap green Christmas gifts using items around the house. You'll need small circles of breathable fabric and ribbon to make the bags. Just lay the fabric circles out. Pile scented potpourri in the center. Gather the circle. Tie the ribbon in a bow to hold it together.

Homemade potpourri

Why not make your own homemade potpourri for the sachets? This can be given with or without a container. Package it in a pretty bag or bowl. Making potpourri isn't complicated. There are techniques to keep a longer lasting scent in the potpourri. The above link will help you learn to make your own potpourri that lasts.