With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it is easy to get swept up in all of the decorations and sales. For hours on end, people search for the one perfect gift that will stand out from all of the rest, only to leave the store unsure if the recipient will love the gift we bought or return it for something much better.
Save yourself the headache. Plan ahead, so you can get in and get out. Before you put your shoes and coat on, make a list of who you need to buy gifts for and what you will purchase. Go easy on your wallet, checkbook, and credit cards. Budget your money wisely. Determine how much you have to spend and stick to it.
Also, budget your time. The holiday season is about family and friends, not about spending all of your time shopping and standing in line. One way to simplify your shopping and bypass the long lines is to shop online. In addition to saving time, shopping online can also save you money.
So, now that you know how to shop, the question still remains: What am I supposed to buy? And so, dear readers, here is a list of inexpensive holiday gift ideas for him, for her, and for non-gender specific occasions, like grab bags.
For him:
-Mag lite flashlight
-Gift card to a local hardware store
-Meat and cheese basket (These are particularly nice for at home sporting event gatherings, like Super Bowl Sunday.)
For her:
-Gift certificate to a salon for a manicure
-A photo of you and your friend or family member placed in a plain picture frame
(Stop at a craft store and decorate the picture frame with ribbons, buttons, words, or trinkets that reflect your relationship with the recipient. Be sure to include fond memories or inside jokes.)
For both:
-iTunes gift card
-Subscription to a magazine (This is a gift that can be enjoyed all year long!)
-1 GB flash drive
-Movie theater or video rental store gift card (Pair this with their favorite snacks or candy to enjoy with the flick!)
-Gift certificate to a bookstore (For students, get a gift certificate to their college or university’s bookstore. We all know how expensive schoolbooks can be!)
To make gift certificate giving more personal, skip the Hallmark and make your own holiday card. Wrap the gift card in a fun box, or present it in a unique way.
Gifts that come from the heart need not be expensive or extravagant. Homemade gifts are just as precious, if not more, than store bought gifts. Save time, money, and energy this holiday season, so that you may celebrate it in good health with family, friends, and loved ones.