How many people can you knock off of your Christmas giving list without spending any more than $5 a piece? One, two, none? You might be surprised. With a little investment of a few hours, you might be able to get a gift for everyone on your list for free or for less than $5. Here are some ideas. Homemade Knitting Knitting a sweater or a scarf is an age-old way to give someone a nice personal gift, but yarn, especially that made out of wool can get expensive. Instead, buy a nice sweater or sweaters second hand and then … Continue reading →

With even tighter budgets, families may have to make some tough decisions when it comes to gifts for Christmas and the winter holidays. Make it a little easier for you family when you save big dollars on your gift giving. Get Social Skills When you go on Facebook and like your favorite company or store, or follow it on Twitter, you put yourself in a position to get special coupons, secret sale days, advance notices and more. You can also take advantage of other social networking apps, such as Wrapp, that work with Facebook. Basically, you gather your friends and … Continue reading →

Some people feel uncomfortable giving cash as a gift. That was never a problem in my family. In every Italian-American family wedding I’ve been to, the bride carries around a little purse just for the purpose. The envelopes get oohed and ahhed over more than does the sauce maker or the set of bed sheets. I do understand, however, that many people aren’t comfortable giving cash. They often opt for gift cards instead. A recent survey shows that people like getting gift cards, too. According to the 2012 Holiday Consumer Spending Survey, about six out of ten people would like … Continue reading →

Dollar store gifts can be inexpensive without looking that way. It is all in how you find the treasures and how you bundle or package them. With more and more Americans spending less and less this holiday season, it is important to find new creative ways to get great gifts for everyone on your list. You can do this through dollar and discount stores. First, take the time to visit a few different dollar or discount stores. They aren’t all created equal. You may find that some offer better deals than others, or offer specific kinds of great gifts. Take … Continue reading →

This year, why not cut your holiday gift budget in half or even more by making some wonderful homemade gifts. Forget the crocheted potholders and the macaroni art, the following popular gifts will be appreciated and used. In fact, they are so popular, you might even find a couple of them among the gifts that you get! Baked Gifts From cookie platters to quick breads, baked goods can certainly hit the spot during the holidays. Pick up some inexpensive dishes, loaf pans and other containers at your local thrift store. Pretty containers that your gift recipient can keep are much … Continue reading →

Forget the $5 or $6 spent on the gift wrap, bags and tissue paper. Instead, recycle common items for unique gift wrap that will make a great impact and have them wondering if you spent more on the wrap than the gift itself. For the sophisticated or worldly person, why not wrap your gift in a map? Scour thrift stores and library sales for old world maps or simply pick up a free map at your local travel service, gas station or even convenience store. If you have a couple of small presents, wrap them in a pair of whimsical … Continue reading →

Once a taboo subject, regifting is becoming a practice that is not only accepted but often seen as the smart thing to do. Still, there are rules to regifting to avoid hurt feelings and embarrassment. Still not comfortable with the idea of regifting, try one of these alternative ideas that will still leave everyone pleased and the unwanted gifts out of your hands. Do Most People Regift? Money Management International did a survey a couple of years ago stating that sixty eight percent of women had either regifted or planned to regift. Since that survey was based on responses all … Continue reading →

Think you can’t get a deal on a gift card? Well, then you’ll love this post. Snag high value gift cards for a fraction of the price. Use them to gift others or do your own shopping. Combine these discounted gift cards with store deals and coupons and you’ll get the things you need for a fraction of the selling price. The Unwanted Many people would rather have cash than a gift card, especially when that card is for a store that they never frequent. You can take advantage of this to get great deals and discounts on these cards. … Continue reading →