Christmas sweets. If you make uncooked slices, instead of spreading it flat – roll in balls and coat with coconut – Truffles. For gifts put about 6 in the containers you get from supermarket deli sections. Some supermarkets will sell them for a nominal cost.

Christmas ideas. Print out a snowflake template from internet. Trace it onto an old plastic milk bottle, cut it out, decorate with glitter, buttons, beads etc and then glue a child’s photo to the centre, punch a hole, add ribbon and you have a gorgeous personalised ornament to hang on your tree or a grandparents […]

A lot of my Xmas gifts came from dollar stores. No one needs to know the price. I bought men’s and women’s perfume for only $6. It was well worth my time and money when you are on very tight budget.

We are having a “make it” Xmas. One lucky family of relatives will be receiving a custom-made chicken coop made from left-over building materials. It features Ritz style nesting boxes and perches to cater for every rung on the pecking order.