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The Christmas season calls for all kinds of celebration, merriment, decorating – and shopping. Lots and lots of shopping. From buying gifts to buying decor to buying treats to buying festive meals, the Christmas season isn’t always such a joyful time for your finances. It’s easy to get so caught up in the festivities that you overspend on things you don’t really need and lose sight of what’s really important.

But we’ll let you in on a little secret: you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a happy, memorable holiday season! With a little bit of care, creativity, and ingenuity, there are plenty of decorations and gifts you can make yourself, without spending much at all. In fact, we’re willing to bet you have a lot of the materials you need to make some adorable crafts already in your home. And if there’s anything else you need, you may find it at The Purple Cow for a fraction of normal retail price.

Here are five of our favorite DIY Christmas ideas that’ll save money and add a sentimental touch to your Christmas season.

1. DIY Peppermint Platter

Idea from I Gotta Create

This Peppermint Platter is so adorable and festive – and so simple to make! All you’ll need is parchment paper, a bag of mints, and a springform pan (try checking at The Purple Cow if you don’t already have one!). Line the springform pan with parchment paper and fill the bottom with a layer of peppermints. Bake it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-8 minutes, let the mints cool completely, remove the plate from the pan and you’re good to go!

Just imagine how crafty you’ll look when you bring a dozen cookies arranged on this platter to a holiday party. Plus, you’ll be able to eat the plate after using it!

2. DIY Christmas Sweater

Idea from My Thrifty Chic

Get invited to an Tacky Christmas Sweater Party this year? Or perhaps you’re throwing your own? No need to buy a new one at the store — homemade tacky Christmas sweaters are always the showstoppers. Head to The Purple Cow to find a thick, solid-colored sweater (bonus points if it’s red or green!) Then, get scissors, hot glue, and a variety of Christmas decorations and get to work!

To recreate the sweater in the photo, simply take rope tinsel, zig-zag it into a Christmas tree shape, and hot-glue some lightweight ornaments and a felt star. So much more fun than just buying one at Walmart.

3. DIY Mint Sugar Scrub

Idea from Love Grows Wild

This sugar scrub is a perfect DIY gift for those friends in your life that deserve to pamper themselves. You only need a few basic ingredients to make it: ½ cup coconut oil, 1 ½ cups sugar, 1 tablespoon peppermint extract, and a drop of green food coloring to give it a festive touch. Mix the ingredients, scoop it into small clear jars (find some at your local thrift store – we have plenty at Purple Cow!), tie a ribbon around it and you have yourself a cute, thoughtful gift.

4. DIY Christmas Tree Mug

Idea from Yahoo

Dress up some plain, thrifted mugs with a holiday touch. All you’ll need is a mug, stencil tape, a paintbrush, and some craft tape. Use the tape to mask off triangles of varying sizes, paint them in, add dotted details on the trees and that’s it! Of course, the possibilities are endless when it comes to painting mugs — let your imagination run free!

These holiday mugs are a fun craft to do as a family or on your own. Once you’re finished, keep the mugs for yourself, or fill them with marshmallows and a bag of hot cocoa mix for a fun DIY gift.

5. DIY Christmas Potpurri

Idea from Yellow Bliss Road

Give the timeless scent of Christmas this holiday season. This DIY Christmas Potpurri is so easy and fun. Simply fill mason jars with ½ cup fresh cranberries, a small orange, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1 tablespoon cloves, and ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg. It’s a gift that looks beautiful and smells even better! You’ll definitely want to make an extra one for yourself. Bonus: head to the link above to download a free printable gift tag with instructions!

By repurposing old items and embracing crafty DIY projects, you’ll be able to save money, make Christmas more special, and help a good cause. When you shop at Purple Cow, you make it possible for the Christian Outreach Center of Baton Rouge to help fight homelessness and give back to struggling families – and giving back is truly what the Christmas season is all about.