Christmas Gifts: It's The Thought That CountsHow many times we've heard that old saying. Is it really true. I mean 'really'? When you've been dropping hints for the past three months you'd like to have a new BMW M4 for Christmas, only to wake up Christmas morning and find a Nissan Versa in the driveway with a big bow around it?
Give Gifts People NeedI am big on giving and living frugal. I truly find things of need a treasure when people give it to me. The other day, a friend mailed me 4 stamps. Another purchased me 3 packages of apples. I sent a picture to a friend and she saw I needed something in my kitchen to help with storage. It was sent by surprise.
Christmas Gifts for TeachersAs a retired teacher, I want to offer a bit of advice on holiday gifts for teachers. Gifts are never required, of course, but what no teacher needs are things with apples printed on them, or things that state "teachers are....".
Family Recipes for a Great GiftI like to gather favorite family recipes and type them up in Word on my computer. I then print them off and place in clear plastic page protector sheets and put them into a 3 ring binder.
Money Money MoneyI send holiday money gifts to my nephews who live a couple states away. The first year was the best! I sent $100 in ones. I got a large box and a ton of old magazines or news paper.
Saving Curling RibbonWhen I get balloons for my birthday or get Get Well Soon balloons, they eventually go flat. However, the ribbon attached to them is still good. I cut it off, cut a cardboard bobbin from an empty cereal box, then wrap the ribbon around it.
Keepsake Baptism GiftMy husband and I were asked by our daughter and son-in-law to be godparents for their first child, Vivi Anne. We pondered over the most appropriate gift to give to her, one that would carry on through the years.
Creative Ways to Give Money as GiftsMy hubby and I usually give $50.00 to our nieces and nephews when they graduate from high school. I usually take 50 $1.00 bills and make a chain like we used to make with gum wrappers. I don't tell them how to take the chain apart, they have to figure that out for themselves.
Thank Yous That Last A LifetimeTake pictures of you child opening a gift for Christmas or their birthday. Print the picture out and have the child write a thank you on the back of it and send it as a Thank You to the person giving the gift.
Gift Idea EnvelopeDoes your husband or significant other never know what to buy you for your birthday or other special occasion? Create a "gift-idea envelope" for each of you.
Shop After Holiday Sales for Hostess GiftsTo save on hostess gifts, I purchase hand towels, kitchen towels, and cloth napkins all year long when they go on sale after any holiday. They are wonderful hostess gifts or stocking gifts at Christmas.
Useful Gifts for Someone Who Has "Everything"For those who are in a nursing home or already have "everything", I have found that a great gift to give is a calendar made at CVS or Walgreens of photos that are meaningful to that person.
Tips for Gift Shopping OnlineSo with the Holidays fast approaching I have some great ways to save a little extra.
Personalized List As Frugal GiftAn inexpensive birthday gift that is truly appreciated by the recipient is to write a list of things that you admire, like, or appreciate about someone that is the same number long as they are old.
Practical Gift IdeasI was in Walmart the other day, mainly for me and my kids to walk around, as that is the main thing people do in our small town, and we were looking at the aisle that had locks on it. I was thinking a lock, with a key might be a good gift for an older child to practice on.
Keep an Email List of Gift IdeasI used to "make a mental note " after uncovering someone's likes or wishes for future gift giving, which then evolved into a notebook filled with names and ideas.
Buy Birthday and Christmas Gifts at the Same TimeWhenever I buy a birthday gift and I happen to exchange a Christmas gift with that person, I buy two. One for their birthday and then one for Christmas.
Keep Track of Gifts from Year to YearFrom year to year, we don't remember what we gave as gifts for occasions. If we attend the bar mitzvah of a friend's child, it would be nice to know how much we wrote the check for.
Make Coupons for Frugal Gift GivingThis is a great gifting giving tip for those on a budget who cannot afford to give a gift, or for those wanting to give to someone who may not want to accept a gift.
Give a Year of GiftsBecause we have many family birthdays throughout the year, I have tried to always purchase ahead to defray the cost of several birthdays that fall in one month. This year I decided to give three of our family members "a year of gifts".
Budget For This Year's Gifts NowSet a budget TODAY for your gift giving this year. By setting a limit and sticking to it, I've saved a ton of $. So often, don't we all just pick up a little extra and a little extra over and over?
Make a Gift Wishlist for Your Next HolidayHave you ever wanted to do something or go somewhere so bad, but the cost of it, stopped you from doing so? When it comes around to your next birthday or Mother's Day/Father's Day, where you'll be the recipient of a gift.
Ask for Family Members to Pitch In on a GiftThere have been a lot of negative things going on in my life in the past couple of years (husband's job loss, two deaths in the family, a car accident that totaled our car, etc.!).
Have Them Pick Their Own Gift From Thrifty FindsI am a cybergrannie and it is difficult to choose gifts for my children and grandchildren. I buy clothes and odds and ends from yard sales, thrift stores and church sales and sort these out in a small room set aside for this purpose.
Cake Decorator Gift IdeaFor cute holiday gifts that don't cost a lot use the cake decorating bags used for frosting cakes and fill with ingredients for your favorite recipes. Just tie the recipes to the bag and add cooking directions.
Look For New Gift Items At Thrift StoresWhen I am in thrift shops, I always look for little gift items - there are so many occasions to give little gifts - besides birthdays, there are get well gifts and so on.
Saving Money on Shipping and Packing MaterialTips and ideas for saving money on shipping and packing material. Post your ideas.
Preparing Calendars for GiftsI often give calendars for gifts. Before wrapping up the calendar, be sure to write birthdays. . .
Small Gifts to Slip into Greeting CardsEven if you don't want to send a big present - look for something you can slip into a greeting card - a pin - a bit of jewelry - a tiny book - and so on - It's easier, meaningful and thrifty.
Skin Care SamplesI love skin care samples - and get them by signing up for sites on the internet - and using freebie sites - and picking them up at stores when they are handed out. I even got a whole bag of skin care samples at a thrift shop for $1 - which was worth much more. . .
Unexpected Gift ItemsKeep an eye out for inexpensive sale items, when doing your shopping. Maybe you can't use the item, but you never can tell when you might need an unexpected gift...
Going In Together on GiftsIf a gift giving occasion has arisen and you've found you're running low on funds, pal up to friend or loved one who'll also be giving a gift for the same person.
Gift Card Expiration DatesIn response to a recent posting named "Giving Gift Cards" I just wanted to be sure people check the length of time a gift card will be good.
Gifts for Babysitters, Mailmen, etc.When giving gifts to babysitters, mailmen, people, please only give gifts you know the person will like. I got 5 gifts for Christmas and was only able to use 1.
Buying Out of Season Can Save BIGI know it is only March, but I am finding HUGE sales on sweaters, since stores want to get in the spring fashion. For those friends or family members I know I will be getting a fall/winter/Christmas/Birthday gift for.
Mail College Kids a Roll of QuartersAs a special surprise for your college kids, mail them a roll of quarters. That way, they can do their mailing (and laundry) on you and maybe even have something left over to buy a treat from a vending machine!
By Robin
A Tiny Gift to EncloseAt Christmas, I was signing cards and found more than a few I'd like to endow with a 'tiny' gift. I enclosed a flavored tea bag or two and got nice responses.
Emergency Gift IdeaHere is an idea that helps when you accidently have forgotten a special occasion and need a gift. These can be kept in a pantry or closet area or where ever you can find some space. . .
Keeping Gift Receipts With GiftsStores now give "gift receipts" to enclose with purchased gifts of clothing to facilitate returns. It is very easy to misplace these receipts, so take a minute and staple the gift receipt to the tag on the garment- this worked wonderfully well for our family this Christmas.
By Susan
Regifting TipWhen you receive a gift that is not suitable for you, be sure to make a note of who gave it to you originally. Don't regift it to someone that knows the original gift giver OR regift to the person who gave it to you, too embarrassing!
Be sure there is no trace of an old card in the gift you are passing on.
By Syd
Get New Money For GiftsIf you are going to give a gift of money, see if the bank can get you new bills.
Gift Cards From The PharmacyMake sure to take advantage of pharmacy offers to give gift cards if you'll transfer prescriptions. I recently transferred a medicine and received a $20 gift card...
Tradition for GranddaughterA lady I know started a tradition for her little granddaughter. Whenever it was gift giving times, (ex. birthday, Christmas, etc.) she'd purchase an item from an expensive bear collection and had several already, when I was shown this. She said by the time the granddaughter got to be college age.
Sympathy Gift for a FriendA wonderful idea for a sympathy gift for a friend rather than sending flowers.
Organizing Your Gift ClosetKeep a running inventory on the door of the closet where you keep gifts purchased throughout the year. If the item is stored elsewhere, note where you have stored it.
RegiftingHow many of us have received a beautiful sweater that did not fit or was not our style, or received a gift that just did not fit us or our homes? Before you put that brand new item in your next garage sale why not put it in your gift closet.
Choosing Containers for Gift BasketsFor gift baskets, find something that goes with the theme. The "basket" does not have to be an actual basket but can be anything that will hold the contents, i.e. a watering can for a gardening basket or a bowl for a kitchen basket.
The Gift of AttentionThe gift of attention to the elderly is the best and easiest
gift that anyone can make. I think that taking the time to
visit an elderly relative is a great way to brighten up
their day. Cookies and a smile are always welcome.
Pass the Kindness OnMost of us are in the habit of gift "exchanges," but if you're like me, now and then you send a gift to someone who doesn't expect one and therefore feels obligated to return a gift.
A Gift for a Hospital PatientFlowers are always welcomed, but sometimes you may have a person in the hospital with no relatives close by. A telephone calling card will be appreciated, since hospitals and rehabilitation centers will charge long distance calls to your hospital bill
