Scrapbook Gift Ideas on a Budget

So you need a gift, but you’re strapped for cash and have no time to create a whole scrapbook? Have no fear – if you’re a scrapbooker, you have more options than you think! Simply raid your craft and scrapbooking supplies and try your hand at some of these great gift ideas.

1. Create a Framed Scrapbook Page

Okay, so you’re thinking... well... DUH. The thing is, most of us think of scrapbook pages as standard scrapbook page sizes – 8x8, 12x12, etc. But because these are odd photo frame sizes, they can be expensive. The trick is to do it the other way around! Find your frame first, and then create a page that fits. This way, finding frames in the discount bin, Wal-Mart, the dollar store, garage sales – anything goes. Damaged? Even better! I once found nice white 8x10 frame that had its “baby” blocks broken off at Shopper’s Drug Mart. Because it was damaged, it was only $2.00! I took it home, removed the pastel mat, and created a page that fit inside the frame. To cover up the damage, I hot glued wooden stars (found at any craft store), painted them in metallic colours, and hot glued them over where the old baby blocks were. Voila! I turned the baby frame into a graduation gift.

2. Altered Storage

Let’s face it, we ALL have clutter that we just need to put away. This seems especially true of our desks! Why not turn a plain storage container into something personal and fabulous? You can find all sorts of things at craft stores, where you can get plain tin lunchboxes, paint pails, boxes, the works. However, to save even more money, try looking at the dollar store – or recycle something you find at home! Clean out spaghetti sauce jars, create matching labels and fill them with pencils, pens, pencil crayons, etc and give them to a budding artist. Or perhaps take a plain accordion file, cover it in a great patterned paper and help keep mom’s bills in order. The possibilities are truly endless.

3. Cards & Giftwrap

Everyone likes cards – they’re just a thoughtful way to express feelings for a person or occasion. Instead of buying cards from a store, try making your own! Sometimes, I know, we just run out of time and aren’t able to make these little gifts, as much as we’d like to. Solution? Make a stack ahead of time. The next time you find yourself with a couple hours in front of the TV, pull out your stash of supplies, a TV tray, and create some cards on the couch.

What’s even better is that you can make cards out of scraps from just about anything. Know how kids make cards out of macaroni? Use your imagination! Some ideas to get you started:

a. 2-for-1 card and envelope special: Use an interesting patterned paper and fold the card into an envelope with flaps (if the paper you have chosen is a little flimsy, just glue plain paper or cardstock to the side that will contain your message. Ditto if the paper has pattern on both sides). “Seal” the envelope with a sticker or embellishment.

b. Find a spare CD or DVD case (easily found at garage sales or flea markets or even in your own CD collection). Using a real disc as a template, create a fake paper disc that you can write your message on and put it inside the case where the disc would normally go. Go one step further and replace the artwork with your own creative scrapbooking/card making.

c. With your patterned paper, learn how to fold origami. This makes for a great present topper!

4. Journals and Notebooks

Even in the computer age, there is just nothing like pen and paper to record one’s intimate or important thoughts. Everyone appreciates a journal, but this gift is especially good for a writer, or someone who always seems to need be able to jot down lists, ideas or thoughts! First, decide on the type that would best suit the individual (for example, for a teenager, perhaps a full sized journal, or if it’s for an on the go mom, a small notebook designed to fit in her purse) and locate the appropriate one in an office supply store, dollar store, etc. Next, simply raid your scrapbook supplies, and alter the cover of your chosen journal. Voila! Now THAT was easy.

You get the picture! There are tons of creative and heartfelt gift ideas that you can create using just a little bit of imagination and your papercrafting supplies. No matter what you choose to do, the recipient will know that you wanted to get them something from the heart. So what are you waiting for? Start creating!