Give Great Gifts Without Breaking the Bank

Gift-giving seems to be one of the hardest times to stick to a budget. Regardless of your reasons for trying to be more frugal think of this one thing …

What would you rather open up yourself?

Something inexpensive (or handmade) that is chosen (or made) with only you in mind or something more costly that you neither need or particularly like? I’m betting that you’d choose the first choice. I know I would. It is usually the simplest gifts that hold the most meaning as the years pass.

Collect a little at a time – sometimes you can’t avoid spending “a lot”, but spreading out the purchases can make it more affordable

start shopping for the winter holidays the day after Christmas
buy Halloween costumes and accessories after the big day and use them to fill a dress-up box
buy kids’ clothes off season for the year ahead
if you’re giving gift cards buy one a week (just keep the validation receipts)
as a baby gift gradually fill a basket with diapers and various toiletries
send way for free samples and use them as filler in gift baskets or as stocking stuffers

Use a theme – a small monetary investment can go further if you buy a collection of items that go together

for your sweetie how about pairing some massage oil with some hand-made redeemable coupons
for a friend’s anniversary or wedding how about an inexpensive bottle of wine, a pair of glasses & a votive candle
for a child’s birthday try a DVD, a box of microwave popcorn, & a box of candy
for a housewarming give a basket filled with various household needs (room themed)
for the foodie try an ethnic cookbook and an appropriate spice
for the book-a-holic how about a good book, a mug, and some coffee or tea
for the new college student try some ramen, snacks, and a roll of quarters for the soda machine
for a new baby a piggy bank with some money inside
for a tween or teen how about a journal and a pack of pretty pens

Make it yourself – not only is the monetary investment generally much smaller with a homemade gift, but it can be much more meaningful than something store-bought

print out a poem and put it in a picture frame
decorate T-shirts (or baby onesies)
make jar mixes
make holiday ornaments
go to a paint-your-own-pottery place
bake a cake, a pie, brownies, or cookies
make soap, bath salts, or even facial scrubs
crochet or knit a hat a scarf or even a blanket
cook a home-cooked meal
fill a photo album with prints from the past

Give your time – when you truly can’t afford even the most frugal of gifts, there are still ways to show someone how much you care

burn a playlist of special songs on a CD
make a kiss jar
write a poem, a song, or even a short story
for someone moving to a new home fill a folder with menus, magnets, coupons etc from local businesses
give coupons to new parents for babysitting services
give your spouse a redeemable certificate making them King/Queen for a Day
buy an inexpensive journal and fill it with meaningful quotes, poems, or song lyrics

Make it from the kids

put their original artwork in a nice frame
help them write a storybook
use their photos and have a calendar made
buy some air dry clay and let them make handprints

We cannot stress enough the value of making use of dollar stores, flea markets, and thrift stores. If you are unable or unwilling to buy presents in these venues, at least get in the habit of hunting through clearance racks when out shopping. Never pay full price if you can help it.

For more ideas try:

The Mason Jar Soup-To-Nuts Cookbook: How to Create Mason Jar Recipe Mixes

365 Easy Projects for Every Occasion

101 Designer One-Skein Wonders: A world of possibilities inspired by just one skein

Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net