‘Tis the season to be broke - especially if you are in the mood for giving great gifts. But, you don’t have to break the bank or start spending your child’s college fund just to give a great gift. You may be just buying for your family and friends. Or you may give gifts to the entire office. Either way, there is no need to auction off your kidney to the highest bidder on eBay.
Start with who are you buying for. Believe it or not, “blind buying” will get you in more trouble than you thought. Make a list: mom, dad, mailman, boss. Whomever you intend to buy for, write down their name. According to some articles, it is better know who you are buying for before you go to the store.
Family Ties
Let’s start with the family. Pictures are a great gift and not that expensive. Download or scan family photos onto your computer and burn them onto a CD. It’s relatively inexpensive and it’s fun! Or you could go one step further and download your pics to Shutterfly or Snapfish and make a photo album. For about $30 (plus shipping and handling), you can make an 8×8 20-page photo storybook from Shutterfly, or even a 12-month calendar for as little as $25. It will be creative and sentimental. You can even get great discounts if you’re a first-time user. If not, try to catch one of their sales (which they have all the time).
If you’re a whiz in the kitchen, bake up some Christmas cookies and arrange them on a give-away plate. Not the Betty Crocker type? That’s alright! Print up some of the family’s favorite recipes. For instance, include Grandma’s home-made apple pie and Dad’s famous chilli recipes. Put them in a recipe book to give the family.
Cube Mates
Having a holiday party and don’t want to seem like you’re playing up to the big wigs with big gifts? Instead, get something for your cube mates. According to an article from ABC.com, you can find great gifts for the people who work around you. Making your own gift baskets can be a great, inexpensive way to express holiday cheer in the office. Gift baskets can include candles, picture frames or stationary sets.
Not Martha Stewart? That’s okay! We have a whole section for you. Start with personalizing game balls. You can go to golfballs.com and include a word of encouragement like, “Swing for the green!” (ranging from $20-$30). Want to add some humor to the office? Try some whacky sticky notes or a “Things to do” book (ranging from $3.95 to $19.95) from Knockknock.biz.
If you have a big IT department, look into ThinkGeek.com. This is a great web site for the technologically advanced or just for the geek in the office. Buy anything from caffeine-infused soap ($6.99) to a multi-functioning USB port tape dispenser (yes, they have one for $17.99).
For my BFFs
Gifts for friends can go beyond an annual Christmas card featuring your kids or your Caribbean vacation. Try throwing a Christmas party of stealing gifts from friends. The game is called Dirty Santa. It’s a fun way to get your friends together. And, you don’t have to worry about gifts for everyone. Just put a limit on what you spend and make a night of it. You can buy wine, DVDs or CDs. You can also get creative and put together themed gifts. For instance, ‘Night at the movies’ might include your favorite DVD, a bucket of popcorn and candies. Or for caffeine lovers, put together a couple of coffee mugs stuffed with gourmet coffee and accessories.
Just because it is the season of giving doesn’t mean you have to refinance your house to get everyone a great gift. Happy holidays - and happy budgeted spending!