How to Stretch Your Budget when Holiday Shopping
Monday, December 28th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Times are tough, budgets are tight, but the holidays are coming. What are you going to do? Your Christmas gift list isn’t getting any shorter, and prices aren’t getting any cheaper. The only solution is to be creative when figuring out how to stretch your budget and make your dollar go farther. While creativity may not come naturally, these ideas do. Here are some tips to get you started.
Personalized Gifts
Obviously, even though you need to stretch your budget, you don’t want to sacrifice on the quality of your gift. A wonderful idea for a memorable and unique gift is one that is personalized. Although you may not be spending a lot of money on a decorative item or an engraved frame, you are giving a gift that reflects your care and individual attention.
Food Gifts
Nobody can turn down a plate of delectable cookies or a beautifully decorated cake. Buying ingredients will be fairly inexpensive and giving a gift that you made is something that everyone can appreciate. Don’t underestimate its power. To make it even more special, arrange the cookie or food gift on a decorative plate as part of your gift.
Gift Cards
To be sure that you’re not wasting a cent, purchase gift cards. With all the available gift card options available, from Amazon gift cards, to iTunes gift cards, to Bath & Body Works gift cards, you are certain to find an appropriate gift card for everyone on your list. If you give them a gift card, you can be confident that they will be satisfied. After all, they get to choose their gift.
Service Gifts
Have you ever thought about giving the gift of your time? With service gifts, you can discover ways in which people could use help or some extra time, and volunteer. Give your friend a “date night” with her husband, for example. Take care of the kids while they get to spend some time alone. Or, you could give Dad a “garage makeover,” and spend an afternoon cleaning up his garage. Perhaps your sister needs her kitchen painted and hasn’t had the time to do it herself. Put a painting coupon in her stocking – good for a room of her choice. These gifts can be creative as you are, and will only cost you your time—a resource that most people need more of anyway.
Kit Gifts
Rather than buy one expensive item, try buying several inexpensive items. You can do this by arranging kits of supplies for certain occasions. One idea is to assemble a “Winter Cold Kit.” In it, you could put some cold medicine, a box of tissues, hot chocolate mix, a few cans of chicken noodle soup, warm socks, a bag of cough drops, a few other snacks, and a book or video. Present the gift in an attractive wicker basket, lined with a towel or decorative paper, and you are set with an inexpensive and meaningful gift. A spa kit is a wonderful idea. Assemble some bubble bath, oils, lotions, anything to make her feel special and wrap it up in a soft new towel. You can make kit gifts as elaborate or personalized as you want.
Everyone will be tightening their budgets this year, it doesn’t mean Christmas has to be any less special. Gift giving is more about directing your effort and attention towards others than it is about buying an expensive gift. You may just find that using some of these tips will help you to give the best presents you have ever given.
Current Gift Cards offers the best of one stop shopping. If the person on your list loves to eat, choose a gift card to their favorite restaurant. If they love to shop, an Amazon gift card or a VISA gift card is sure to please. You can wrap up an entire gift in minutes. Don’t forget, they throw in a free customizable greeting card free with the purchase of any gift card!
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