Need suggestions please

[mac78]

Since I am not Christmas shopping this year due to hubby's job loss, I decided to try to make something for my sister's and close friends. Ashley and I have a lot of recipes we like to use, and I have some my mom has given me over the years. So my plan was to get some cute computer paper and print off my recipes and put them in a notebook for my sisters and friends. Well, I found cute paper at Dollar Tree, but I can't find cheap binders. I looked for folders with pockets and 3 prongs, and everything is so thin and cheap, I simply didn't find any worth buying. Binders start about $3 to $4 for the cheapest ones. (I wish I would of thought about this when school supplies were out).

So, any suggestions what I can use to put these together? I thought about 3 hole punching the recipe pages, then getting a pack of card stock scapbooking paper, 3 hole punching that for a front and back cover, then tieing ribbon to hold them together? What do you think? Dumb? Anyone have a better idea. I actually have about 8 to 10 people that will be getting these, that is why I need cheap. Thanks. Marie

[CohenCottage]

I like the idea of using ribbon Marie! You could also put one hole in the upper corner and do a ring type clip. That would probably work best with index card sized paper though.

We are doing homemade holiday gifts too b/c of my job loss too. I'm doing pickles with a nice tag and fabric under the screw on lid. I might do some mason jars of russian tea mix too.

[cheapdiva]

I just want you both to know - I love gifts from the heart. I wish we would all get back to a simpler holiday and stop with the craziness of consumerism. Both of your gift ideas are wonderful!

[annielinz]

I just want you both to know - I love gifts from the heart. I wish we would all get back to a simpler holiday and stop with the craziness of consumerism. Both of your gift ideas are wonderful!

I so agree!
When the kids were little and I wasn't working I always did homemade gifts. One year I had a squadron of pepper jelly on my counter. I added a round of Xmas material on top and tied with raffia, they were so festive looking.

[memmey]

I would MUCH rather have a thoughtful homemade goodie!!!!!!

[yarborough house]

Sounds like a great gift. Being a scrapbooker and one who does lots with paper..here is what I would recommend.
Use the paper for recipes as you stated. Get cardstock for the cover and back but instead of ribbon to tie it - the ribbon will actually rub and cause the holes to break. Get those cheap rings that open up and put them on the holes. Then to make it festive cut the ribbon in 3 inch pieces and tie those all around the ring to make it crazy cute. Kinda like this:
1134

tammy

[mac78]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

How did you attach the ribbon?

[yarborough house]

Mac you just tie the 3-4 inch strips in a knot around the ring clip thing. You can put as many as you want on there. A lot makes it more fuller and festive and few makes an understated classiness.

You do it like you want.

Please post a picture when you are done- I am sure they will be great.
Also there is a lady that has a blog with tons of free downloadable pictures you can use. They are older pics and are adorable..

graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

you could check there to see if you like any pictures you could use on the cover.

tammy

[vintage girl]

I love homemade gifts far better than store bought. One year when my daughter was young we made snowglobes. It was so much fun and everyone loved them. Anyone can go out and buy something, but making something is so much more personal and the effort and time shows them that you truly care about them:)

[Heather]

Marie - I did that one year and everyone loved it! I've even still got the recipes I used for it in a document, and you can have it if you want it!

[mac78]

Thank you for the site, there are some really neat ideas on there.

[mac78]

Marie - I did that one year and everyone loved it! I've even still got the recipes I used for it in a document, and you can have it if you want it!

Heather, I would love your recipes if you still have them. Thank you.

mdburch @ roadrunner.com

Also, when you freeze your cookies and breads, what do you use to wrap them in. Regular saran wrap? Foil? Do you wrap the cookies or just put them in a container. Thanks for the help.

As soon as I get done with my exams next week I am going to start baking something each night and putting in the freezer so I have stuff done up ahead of time for some gifts.

[Heather]

OK Marie - I'll be sending them shortly!
Now, we were in WalMart yesterday and I saw a package of Christmas boxes just made for putting homemade cookies in for gifts - and they were cheap! Also, craft stores (I've seen them in Michaels) have the clear plastic bags, like nice ones, to put cookies in.
Or why not using small paper bags and adorn them with ribbon and rubber stamp it? I would saran the cookies first (for freezing).
Does that answer your question or did I just go off in la la land?

[annielinz]

I've used those ziploc freezer bags for my cookies/breads with great results. Just squeeze out all the air and zip.