| You've saved all year (ok, maybe just for a | | | | then put them in a fun cosmetics or shaving bag. |
| couple of weeks) to buy Christmas gifts, and now | | | | 7. Warm up your glue gun - or your stencils or |
| you're finding that you're running low on dough. | | | | stamps or...well, you get the picture. Putting your |
| How are you going to buy gifts for everyone on | | | | craft skills to work is a great way to create |
| your list? These 10 tips will help you select just | | | | thoughtful, inexpensive gifts. Are you buying for |
| the right gifts without going into the dreaded | | | | someone who likes to send cards? You can pick |
| "Christmas debt." | | | | up a set of blank cards and envelopes for next to |
| | | | nothing at craft stores, and then emboss them or |
| 1. Make a list of any "must-have" gifts for the | | | | decorate them with rubber stamps and ink |
| people on your list (like that mp3 player your | | | | yourself. Or maybe you have some great photos |
| daughter just HAS to have). Once you've jotted | | | | of a dear friend. Create a unique collage or |
| these down, do some quick research online to find | | | | calendar with copies of your favorite snapshots, |
| the lowest price. Remember to compare both | | | | and voila - you've got a unique and heartfelt gift. |
| stores in your area and also online stores that | | | | 8. Decide not to give. This doesn't mean you |
| have special shipping offers. | | | | should stop giving altogether, Scrooge. Simply |
| 2. If you're getting a gift for parents or in-laws, | | | | discuss with your friends the possibility of not |
| consider a group gift. A nice television or piece of | | | | exchanging gifts for Christmas. Instead, you can |
| furniture is much more affordable when the cost | | | | get together at a restaurant for a holiday dinner |
| is divided between you and all of your siblings. | | | | or have a potluck and girls night at someone's |
| 3. Suggest doing a name exchange for the adult | | | | house. For years, my friends and I have chosen |
| members of your extended family. Why? Doesn't | | | | to exchange nothing more than cards for |
| it make more sense to spend $50 or $100 on a | | | | Christmas, and focus on our birthdays instead. |
| nice gift for one person, rather than $5 or $10 on | | | | 9. Forget about cards. Holiday cards are nice, but |
| so-so gifts for each person? Everyone can | | | | if you want to save yourself time and postage, |
| purchase gifts for the young children, if you so | | | | create a free photo sharing family Website.You |
| choose. | | | | can include your traditional "holiday letter" and then |
| 4. Make sure you really know your friends. What | | | | update it after the holidays so people know |
| are their interests or hobbies? Do they like to | | | | what's going on in your life all year long. Many |
| entertain? The answers to these questions (and | | | | sites offer free web sites that take only |
| others) can yield some great (and inexpensive) | | | | moments to set up, and you can even control |
| gift ideas. The music lover will appreciate a music | | | | who sees it. Just email the URL and password to |
| download card (even if it's for $15), and your | | | | your friends and family. |
| friend who loves to entertain will enjoy some nice | | | | 10. Repeat after me: Theme gifts are good. And |
| linen napkins or place mats, which can be found | | | | if you're creative enough, no one will know that it |
| for a bargain nearly anywhere. | | | | didn't cost you much. For example, if you know a |
| 5. Dust off your baking pans! Seriously...who | | | | family who likes to rent movies, create a Movie |
| doesn't love cookies, candies and sweets? | | | | Night Basket. You can get an inexpensive basket |
| Homemade holiday cookies, candies and such | | | | almost anywhere (probably even the back of |
| make thoughtful gifts for neighbors, teachers and | | | | your closet), then just add a $10 movie rental gift |
| coworkers. Just put them in festive tins or | | | | card, a couple of bags of microwave popcorn |
| colored plastic wrap, both of which are very | | | | (there's probably some in your cabinet), and an |
| inexpensive. | | | | assortment of packaged candy (M&Ms, Junior |
| 6. Never underestimate the power of sample | | | | Mints, Milk Duds, etc.,). For about $15, you've |
| sizes. Is there a frequent traveler who must deal | | | | created a gift that anyone would love to receive. |
| with pesky airline regulations or a college student | | | | There really are ways to stay within your budget |
| with limited storage space on your list? Purchase | | | | at Christmas. Just use a little creativity and put |
| small or trial sizes of designer perfumes or | | | | forth a little effort and you'll have a merry holiday, |
| colognes, lotions, shaving creams and shampoos, | | | | indeed. |