With the state of the economy, expenses might be tight when it comes to buying gifts this holiday season. Here are some ideas to help you and your family keep in the spirit of giving on a budget:
- Give the gift of helping out. Get the family together to do a project for grandma and grandpa, help the technologically challenged program their computer, or find a way to get those untouched honey-do’s done. If you have a skill (like playing the guitar or knitting), offer lessons as a gift.
- Make it. Get the kids together to make a gift, give family members a framed picture of the family, or prepare jars with cookie mixes inside. Add that personal touch that blows away an expensive gift.
- Make an agreement amongst the family to save money. Put a limit on the price of gifts, draw names for who will purchase gifts for whom, or agree that everyone will bring a used item they think others will like.
- Look for ways to save. Shop online, look for coupons, and shop with your credit card rebates and rewards.
- Make a donation. Give up your gifts this year to make a donation to feed the hungry or send a present to a soldier overseas.
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Here are some ideas of gifts that are under $10:
- Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
- Pound of pistachios
- Child’s artwork, framed
- Journal with special inscription inside
- Teacup with box of herbal tea
- Deck of cards and book of card game rules
- Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
- Collage of special photos
- Gel pens and pretty stationary
- Bottle of sparkling cider
- Home baked bread, include recipe
- Disposable camera or rolls of film
- Basket filled with deli cheese and fruit
- Craft supplies
- Holiday serving bowl or platter
- Pretty basket filled with special jams or mustards
- Decorative napkins and napkin rings
- Fancy chocolate bars tied with a ribbon
- Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds
- Photo album, hand decorated is even better
- Makeup tote
- Prepaid photo developing envelopes
- Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
- Variety of bread mixes
- Special coffee cup filled with candy
- Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon
- Gourmet popcorn and flavored oil
- Locally made barbeque or steak sauce with basting brush
- Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup
- Movie theater gift certificates
- Board games
- Jar of sourwood or pure honey with biscuit mix
- Note cards and book of stamps
- Picture frames, buy them on sale!
- Specialty cookbook
- Pretty glass jar filled with candy
- Collectible sports cards
- Muffin mixes with muffin pan
- Books, there are still a few for under $10
- Set of dish towels and dish cloths
- Nail polish kit
- Pretty night shirt
- Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
- Video rental gift certificates
- Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
- Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
- For the pets, gourmet dog biscuits or cat treats
- Baking pans and supplies
- Prepaid long distance phone cards
- Small clock or radio
- Pretty box for keepsakes
- Colorful Post-It notepads
- Address book
- Christmas ornaments
- Puzzles
- Blank video or cassette tapes
- Sewing supplies
- Flashlight with batteries
- Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief
- Makeup brush set
- Expensive socks, still under $10
- Special soaps and bath bubbles
For these and other ideas if your budget is tight this Christmas, visit these websites:
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/money/63giftsunder10dollars.htm
http://moneyover55.about.com/od/budgetingsaving/a/holidaygiftsforless.htm
http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2011/11/14/18-ways-to-save-on-holiday-shopping/