How to Buy a Great Birthday Present for Under $10

Let's face it, the primary reason we spend more than we want to is usually due to last-minute desperation. But you can stay beneath the $10 mark and still give someone a birthday smile. Keep a stash of ready-wrapped, always-welcome gifts (and birthday cards) for both sexes and all ages on hand, and you'll never box yourself into a corner.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look around the house. There are things you can do or make that are virtually cost free and still make for a good gift. Burn a CD with some of their favorite tunes using music you already own. Personalize a CD cover by printing something from the computer or cutting out images from a magazine.

2. Look for cheap purchases. Picture frames, books, some candles, lotions and soaps are good cheap, usually asexual gifts. Gift certificates and gift cards are also great because it takes the burden of shopping off of you, but also gives them some free spending cash at their favorite stores.

3. Offer the appearance of high-cost. Buy a cheap bottle of wine with a cool label, and wrap a colorful hand towel around the neck. You can do this for $10 and it looks like you went out of your way to spend high-end.

4. Keep a stash of anytime gifts. If you happen to see something for cheap that could be used for any number of friends and family, buy it right then and keep it in a drawer or closet. Do this often enough and you'll have an arsenal of cheap gifts without the hassle of shopping.

Tips & Warnings

• In theory, there's nothing wrong with recycling gifts you've received that would suit someone else much better. Just remember to note on the box or bag who gave it to you before you put it in storage and forget. Avoid embarrassing moments later by recycling it in a different circle of acquaintances.

[adventure100]

on 5/31/2009 If I need a last minute inexpensive gift, I usually go to Hallmark on my lunch break. For example, I did so recently to buy a card and something under $10 and found a pretty cool gift idea by the counter. I ended up getting a 10 ml bottle of aromatherapy essential oils which had my friend's astrological sign on it. I got her the Charisma Blend inspired by Gemini. I thought that was pretty cool. I've found their website: www.scentsofthezodiac.com - hope that helps you!

[mcjr]

on 4/21/2009 What I don't understand is why someone would want to re-give a gift when there are so many gift sites available on the Internet that have quality brand new gifts under $10.00 (with reasonable freight) like http://thespecialtygiftstore.com.

[zeldatb]

on 9/16/2007 [Teenagers appreciate a gift card from the music store.-
thats not true

[rtolmach]

on 7/28/2007 Many of us don’t want another vase or picture frame. So why not a gift to change the world?


A new nonprofit website, http://www.ChangingThePresent.org lets you choose exactly what you want to accomplish: preserve an acre of the rainforest, provide books for children, fund an hour of cancer research, etc. There are thousands of donation opportunities from hundreds of leading nonprofits. You’re sure to find something that moves you.


Wish lists and registries let us share our passions with others and ensure the perfect gift. Beautiful, personalized greeting cards include a photo and description of the gift you gave.


ChangingThePresent.org is the website of a 501c3 nonprofit, so all of your money, less only a transaction fee of 3% and 30 cents to cover the credit card fee, goes to the nonprofit you choose to support.


http://www.ChangingThePresent.org

on 6/30/2006 All Japanese keep a closet full of gifts they received and never opened. The gesture is in the giving of an expected gift, not in what is in the gift. When the occasion arises, they just reach in and pull out a gift and give it. The gifts keep circulating for years.