UPDATE: Part 2 is now up as well! Click here to see 14 more ideas for ZERO MONEY gifts!

As you know this year has seen a MAJOR tightening of our budgetary belt. But the holidays still come as usual.

How rude. 😉

So we really had to put our thinking caps on to come up with gifts we could make for FREE. Being people who like to craft in general, we have a ton of scraps left over from various projects. I know, it’s terrible. But we do, and right now I’m SO thankful!

After a few weeks of brainstorming and searching Pinterest and the Internet at large, we came up with over 70 gift ideas that we could make for ZERO MONEY OUT OF POCKET!

And these are gifts that people would actually want to get too… these are fantastic gifts! So I wanted to share them with you.

I’ve also broken down each post (there are several!) into gifts you can make depending on what type of material you have left over! This post is a guide to making great gifts that cost zero money if you have wood scraps laying around!

Note: Several of these projects use chalk paint. I find that in every case it is totally optional! But if you want to make your own (since we are going for free here), this is a great place to start. There is even an option to mix paint with baking soda, which I bet you have in your kitchen right now!

Great Gifts for When You Have ZERO Money

This super cute photo display from Shanty-2-Chic.

The project says you “need” the ornament hangers, but I say you could just re-purpose a wire hanger or two with a little patience. Remember. FREE!

Photo Clipboard from Love Grows Wild

Again, this project says you “need” the cute industrial clips from the craft store. But why not just spray paint (or regular paint) a few binder clips? You could even paint them a funky color, depending on who you are giving the gift to!

iPad Holder

This one really is just all wood, with a little chalkboard paint optional! Such a great project, it actually made its way onto my own Christmas “to-do” list… with a little tweak that I will share soon!

Great for people in your life who love to have their iPads in the kitchen with them!

Chalkboard Serving Tray

I mean, look at this thing… adorable!

My father in law made and gave away a few of these last Christmas. Well received and well used! You could use a different paint idea if you have paint that isn’t chalkboard. Or you could make your own chalkboard paint with these instructions!

There are handles on the ends, but I don’t feel like they are a must. You could leave them off to make this a truly zero cost gift!

Rustic Growth Chart

Great idea if you have a much longer piece of scrap lumber available! And while the little tags are cute, they aren’t necessary!

GREAT GIFT FOR KIDS! Painted Wooden Blocks

Now the original project says to use chalkboard paint for this. But just paintig them with whatever extra paint you have laying around would still make a GREAT gift!

Hot Glue Gun Holder

Perfect for the crafty person in your life! I’m still using a paper plate for my glue gun… This thing would be a game changer!

Pallet Wood Wall Rack

Although this piece is adorable with the spoons, you could use sticks, draw pulls, keys, forks, old toys, wooden hangers, or really anything your imagination could conjure to keep this a zero cost gift!

Rustic Industrial Chalkboard

If you have an extra frame laying around, this would be an even faster project! If not, she shows you how to make one from lumber.

Picture Frame with Family Initial

Or if you’re loving the idea of using a picture frame, you could make this cute little wall hanging and use your latest family photo! I bet grandmothers around across the country would love this piece!

So there you go! 10 great gifts that cost ZERO money to make!

I already know I’m going to be making a few of these myself. Which was your favorite?

Check back next week for another set of ZERO money gifts that people would actually want to get!