How to Give Great Gifts Without Going Broke

With budgets getting tighter and tighter, it's getting tougher to give nice gifts to our friends and family- but don't stress, it is possible to give thoughtful, well-received presents on a shoestring budget! Here's how...

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper and your favorite writing utensil.
• A few minutes to brainstorm.
• Time to shop.

1. 

   Make your list. (Check it twice, if you like.) Who are you planning to purchase gifts for? Your spouse, children, siblings, parents, neighbors... and so on. Keep in mind, while generosity is a virtue, it may not be really necessary to buy something for your cousin's aunt's teacher's mother- a nice card and a genuine 'Happy Holidays' or other appropriate sentiment can be perfectly acceptable.

2. 

   Set a limit on how much you will spend per person. Either divide the total amount you have to spend by the number of people you're buying for or allocate a certain sum to each person on an individual basis- for example, you may prefer to spend more on a gift for your sister than for your mail carrier.

3. 

   Now, look at your list again. Really think about each person as an individual. How old are they? Are they in school? What do they do for a living? Do they have any hobbies? Write down gift ideas as you go down your list. Get personal.

4. 

   As you shop, keep close tabs on how much you're spending. Take a pad of paper with you and after every purchase, write down each gift and how much it cost. This way you won't go over-budget- or forget someone!

5. 

   Get creative! A little ingenuity can turn even the smallest sum of money into a memorable gift. A family member who's moved away might appreciate a subscription to their old hometown newspaper or a locally made delicacy not sold elsewhere. Preteen girls love crafty things- maybe knitting needles, a few skeins of yarn, and the promise of knitting lessons or a scrapbooking set. The starving college student on your list will be thrilled with a gift card to the local grocer tucked into a cute reusable grocery bag. For the person who has everything (there's one on every list) try a certificate for a 30-minute massage at a local day spa. The possibilities are endless.

6. 

   Don't overlook local shops! Big box stores may be convenient, but they lack personality. If you want your gifts to be unique, don't shop at the same place as everyone else and their brother! Small shops often offer local goods- from t-shirts to local wine to one-of-a-kind crafts. Consider gift shops, dollar stores, grocers, even drug stores, as well as specialty shops, like toy stores or pet stores, as potential gift-buying locations.

7. 

   Finally, wrap it up! There's nothing wrong with a roll of wrapping paper but consider alternative options for a truly memorable gift. Reusable shopping bags, ice buckets, flower pots, cosmetic clutches and pillowcases can all be used as creative, inexpensive, and useful, gift 'wrap'. Think outside the box!

Tips & Warnings

• While shopping well in advance IS ideal, it's not always possible. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to put a little effort into the venture- last minute stops at the gas station are tacky.
• If there's something you can make or do well, do it! Homemade gifts are cherished.
• Look around you- every town/state has unique, local gift-giving possibilities.
• Don't stress about how much you can/can't spend! Giving is as much a matter of the heart as it is a matter of money.

[missnye]

on 10/30/2009 Wonderful article! 5 stars!