Creative Gift Giving |
| by Mira O'Connell |
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| Spread It Out |
| Make It |
| Recycling |
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| Giving can not only be fun but also economical. Learn how! |
Spread It Out |
| Buy gifts year round. This will spread out the financial burden allowing you to purchase gifts with cash and not increase your debt or loose money in interest charges. Buying year round will also allow you to buy items when they go on sale and take advantage of after holidays mega clearance sales. If going into December you have 90% of your holiday shopping completed you WILL be in the financial situation to buy more during after holidays sales. Also if you have a gift stash you will always be prepared for that birthday you forgot about until the last moment. Being prepared in all areas of your life can reduce spending. Stores like Michael's and Target often have their merchandise marked down to 75 even 90%. One year I bought $100 worth of gifts after Christmas at 75 & 90% off. I had 80% of my gifts for the next 2 Christmas seasons and even a few birthdays. Take advantage of after holiday sales to stock up on wrapping and stationary supplies for the next year. Don't forget to buy after other holidays as well. Valentine gifts can be great wedding gifts, stuffed animals after Easter, and so on. Also buy little samples, treats & nicknacks year round. These items frequently go on sale at drugstores. You can use these items to throw together a gift basket for a sick friend or any gift giving ocassion. |
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Cards |
| Making your own cards can be a beautiful, sentimental keepsake for the reciever. You can press flowers, do rubberstamping, the possiblities are only limited by your creativity. Stock up on cards, papers, stamps. punches etc. when craft stores like Michael's run sales. Michael's also regularly has 40% off coupons in their circulars. |
| For frequently used occassion cards such as thank you notes, birthday cards, etc. buy bulk packs available at most Drug and Dollar Stores. Dollar Stores are also a great place to buy Specialty Cards - Mother's Day, etc. You can often find cards under $1. Cards may not seem like a large expense but for someone like myself who has to buy 9 Mother's Day cards, cards at $3 a piece can really add up. |
| Rewarding Gifts |
| There are so many Rewards Programs available on the internet. It is very easy to earn gift certificates thru these programs perfect for hard to buy for people or graduates. Free Ride's Program is one of the easiest and quikiest ways to accumulate rewards. You can start redeeming points at 500 and it is possible to earn 50 points a day by surfing, shopping, etc. from their site. |
| Online Deals |
| It may be hard to buy gifts year round for the immediate members in your family. Kids seem to find even the best hiding places. Online shopping is a good resource for these gifts. Many of the online merchants offer free shipping, sales and special promotions. CyberRebate offers hundreds of great gifts 100% free after rebate. Remember when shopping online to maximize your savings by using an Online Rebate program and money saving Coupon Codes. Make the most of your online shopping time by using shopping search services like Deal Time. The service will search in a matter of minutes numerous online merchants for the best deal on a specific item. |
Make It |
| Making gifts can be a great way for adults and kids to give affordable gifts. It can be a momento as well as alot of fun. http://www.mothersnature.com/frugal/crafts>Crafts can get rather costly so keep the budget of the overall project in perspective in order to reduce expenses over a store bought gift. Reusing items found at garage sales, swap meets, etc. can keep the cost of crafts down. Baked goods are another delicious and economical gift. Stock up around the holidays when baking supplies go on sale. Goody Care Packages can be wrapped in decorated kraft paper, paper bags, or colorful saran wrap. Much of your gift wrap and accessories can be made as well. You can watercolor kraft paper, make your own paper or marbelize paper to create interesting and beautiful wrapping. You can rubberstamp or emboss paper to make gift tags. |
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Recycling |
| Presents |
| Eventhougfh I would prefer to receive a gift that I will use and enjoy this is not always the case. I simply put that gift in my gift tote and pass it along to someone I feel can use the item and enjoy it. I know that some of you may feel bad about recycling gifts but you should not. What is the use of recieving a gift that you don't like, letting it sit around for years without use and then finally giving it to Goodwill. Excercise some tact in your gift recycling. If you recieve a gift from your side of the family pass it along to a member of your husband's family and vice versa. |
| Wrap |
| Gift wrap is very easy to recycle. Bags, bows, wrapping and ribbon can be reused many times. Used greeting cards can be cut and turned into gift tags. The Sunday Comics and other interesting paper can be used for wrapping. |
| Giving is such a joyeous act that brings happiness to the receiver and the giver. Creative Gift Giving can give you the options you need to make this wonderful tradition an economic possibilty for your family. |
| © 2000 Mira O'Connell
Mira O'Connell comes from a long line of tightwads. She runs the very popular site Frugal Living at Mother's Nature. She is a freelance writer as well as publishes, Miserly Musings Publications and Newsletter. |
