So yeah not all of us can actually afford to spend 30 or 40 bucks on each member that might slightly worked themselves to our gift list... So for those who are not quite creative and are running around wondering what the hell to get and make themself less of a douche ass, here is a list that might help you to cross out a couple of douches and save you some bucks to party it up at the end of the year... yes buzzzz o mighty!!!
Cheap, last-minute gifts don't have to look chintzy or rushed. If you forgot someone special, postponed someone not-so-special or just couldn't think of anything, it's not too late to get a great gift. You just have to use a little thought and these ideas.
The key to any good gift is that it appears to be handpicked for the receiver. So using what you know about this person, you can get inexpensive gifts and mold them into perfect presents.
Here are some easy-to-get gift ideas, their costs, where to get them and how to make them special.
Money
A gift of money, while useful, may be seen as inappropriate, offensive or thoughtless depending on the giver-receiver relationship. Don't try to hand out cash unless you are tipping your doorman or baby sitter. However, there are ways to give money indirectly and appropriately. Certificates of deposit and savings bonds coupled with a note can be both thoughtful and helpful.
CDs and savings bonds can be purchased at bank branches or online and come in many different denominations. These gifts have the advantage of eventually being worth more than you spent on them.
To personalize this gift, think of something the receiver really wants. Write a personal note saying, "I know how much you want to go to the Galapagos Islands" or "the University of Texas" and then, "Here is something to help you get started."
Small tokens can be added to make these gifts even more thoughtful -- like a turtle key chain for the Galapagos Islands or a burnt orange and white bookmark for the student who dreams of graduating from UT.
Philanthropic gifts
Another way to give money is to make a charitable donation in the receiver's name. Warning: It has to be a charity that they'd be interested in. You might be an avid bird watcher and think a donation to save the northern spotted owl is a great gift, but the logger you give it to will not.
Almost all causes and interests have Web sites for related charities. Animal lovers might appreciate donations to the Humane Society or the Nature Conservatory. Art lovers would appreciate a donation to the local museum. Sci-fi fans might like a donation to the local observatory. Family members affected by cancer would appreciate donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the American Cancer Society. Get online and pick one. As a bonus, you get a tax deduction for giving this gift.
A less-creative approach to giving money is a gift certificate. The drawback for gift certificates is that they are only worth their face value and if you pick the wrong store, your gift will be useless.
Lottery tickets are inexpensive to give ($1) and could be worth millions, or nothing. They also make good stocking stuffers.
Subscriptions
Magazine subscriptions are another inexpensive but thoughtful gift.
Go to a bookstore and look through the racks for something suitable. For example, you could get Better Homes and Gardens (24 issues for $22) for the neighbor constantly weeding the lawn, or more specifically, Herb Quarterly (4 issues for $20) for the aunt who swears by herbal remedies. The friend constantly quoting films might like Movieline (12 for $10). The high school teacher who dreams of an African adventure would love National Geographic ($34 for 12 issues) and the sister with fashion flair would love Vanity Fair (12 issues for $18).
Buy the current issue, tear out the gift subscription form and send it in. Then wrap the magazine and include a note saying "I wanted to give you something that would last all year so I got you a subscription."
Or rather than a magazine, you could send something more tangible like a membership to Fruit of the Month available at Harry and David or Gourmet Entrée of the Month from Omaha Steaks -- if you know someone who likes one of those things an awful lot. But be warned, these gifts are easy but not cheap ($50 to $350, depending on the number of months).
Speaking of food
Food is a great holiday gift for families and people who like to entertain. If it's too late to bake, you can still buy chocolates, cookies, cake, wine or a baked ham at the grocery or specialty store for under $20. A box of chocolates or cookies can be wrapped in paper and ribbons. A boxed cake can be given as-is or with a bow, and wine can be put in a wine bag or simply have ribbons tied to it's neck. Slap a bow on a cold -- not frozen -- ham and deliver it.
Picture this
What grandparent wouldn't love framed photos of their family, especially their grandchildren? Grab a cute picture, then head to almost any store -- Target, Hallmark, Wal-Mart, heck, even Walgreens has picture frames. While you're there, grab some candles and ornaments for other people you forgot and for stocking stuffers.
For nongrandparents, you need the right photo. If you have a photo of the recipient's child, spouse or pet, a framed picture is a great gift.
If you have a little time, rush a photo to your local Kinko's. They can turn it into a calendar or ornament in 24 hours for $10 to $25. Call ahead to make sure they can fill your order in time.
Spice of life
Small potted herbs, like basil, thyme, oregano and parsley are easy to maintain and can live in a windowsill. They would be perfect for apartment dwellers or anyone who likes to cook. You can buy them for less than $10 at plant nurseries, stores that carry gardening supplies (like Wal-Mart and Home Depot) and even some grocery stores. Get an attractive pot to put it in -- the plain terra-cotta pots are pretty and cost less than $3.
To make an herb present personal, copy down a recipe including the herb and give it with the present. Oregano, basil, rosemary, parsley and thyme mix well in most Italian dishes, so something as simple as, "Add this to pasta sauce, lasagna or use for topping pizza," would do.
Many varieties of potted ivy can be found at these same stores. Ivy is inexpensive, pretty and incredibly easy to keep alive.
Cut flowers make wonderful gifts too -- and there's no reason to buy expensive vases if your cabinets are overflowing with vases you never use. Clean one up, stuff it with a $10 bouquet of flowers from the grocery store, tie a ribbon around it and give it away.
Tool of a lifetime
The gift that will be used a thousand times is the key-chain tool. While its size is tiny, its usefulness is huge. These things open boxes, remove splinters, tighten the little screws on eyeglasses, cut stray threads from sweaters and open soda cans without breaking your nails. Leatherman makes one called a Micro Tool and Swiss Army has several versions. They sell for less than $40 and can be found at camping stores, army surplus stores, hardware stores, Sears and Sharper Image.
Gift baskets
Everyone loves gift baskets but buying them pre-assembled is really expensive. If you've got an extra basket in the closet, use it. If not, you can get one for about $3 at a craft store. The contents of each these baskets can be found at your local grocery and movie rental store.
- Movie basket: movie rental gift card + box of microwave popcorn + six pack of coke + Twizzlers
Cost: about $25, depending on the amount of the gift card - Relax basket: mug + variety box of tea + small box of cookies + bath salts + loofa + face mask
Cost: $27 - Romantic basket: set of inexpensive champagne or wine glasses + bottle of champagne or wine + small box of chocolates + CD of romantic music
Cost: about $35 depending on the bottle - Car care basket: chamois + car wax + car soap + new car scent can + spray nozzle to attach to hose (you can use a bucket instead of a basket)
Cost: $25
Stuff the bottom of the basket with colored tissue paper before you put the presents in so it looks festive. Tie a ribbon around the tallest item in the basket and attach a card.
What's in your closet?
Do you have little gifts stashed away in the closet that you meant to give out last year, the year before or the year before that? Look in your hiding places for what you've got put away that you can give away.
You could also give away the wedding presents you never use or the presents you got last year that you don't want. Warning: Not only should you be careful that this gift is not given to the person that gave it to you, you must be careful it doesn't go to anyone remotely associated to the original gift giver. For example, "Why, Marge! I gave a lamp just like that to Mike last year. Where did you get it?"
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