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• Discount clothing stores such as Marshalls and TJ Maxx always have a terrific selection of elegant, expensive-looking household items that would make the perfect, low-cost gift. Check out their beautiful picture frames, vases, china, pillows, candles and candlestick holders. These stores also sell name-brand beauty products, nicely wrapped, at a great discount. For the gourmet in your life, you will find an array of tastefully packaged – yet inexpensive -- condiments, spices and imported canned products.
• Flowers are appreciated any time of the year. Many grocers sell gorgeous bouquets of fresh cut flowers for less than $10. Why not consider them as a gift? If you have plenty of unused vases at home, stuff your bouquet in one, wrap it with ribbon and you’re good to go.
• If you plan to send a gift of flowers, stay away from expensive national services. To save money, go on-line, find a florist near the recipient, and order a bouquet yourself. Not only is this more economical, but you will actually get what you pay for. National services don’t always deliver what you’ve ordered – very often, a Victorian bouquet turns up at the recipient’s door as a basket of mums of daisies. When you call the florist directly, you can create your own arrangement by selecting from what the florist actually has in stock, and you know it will be delivered that way. If you want to order flowers for someone in the hospital, call the gift shop -- they often charge less for a plant or pretty bouquet than a national florist.
• Give to Charities. Can’t think of what to buy for someone on your list? A donation to a charity in that person’s name has much more meaning than an unwanted or unneeded gift. Make sure, though, that it is in keeping with his or her interests. To find something suitable, go online. Most causes and charities have charity-related web sites. Many organizations will send a donation card to the recipient. Most won’t reveal the amount you’ve given either – so it will be special no matter what you can afford to spend. It’s tax deductible too. More important, it is a gift that is in keeping with the true spirit of the holiday.
• Anyone you know admire your cooking? A collection of your most successful recipes is an inexpensive and memorable gift.
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• Gift wrapping can be sooo expensive! Instead, try fun and alternative ways to decorate those boxes. Cover them in brown or white paper that you’ve hand-stamped in colorful patterns. Wrap gifts in drawings from the kids, the Sunday comics, aluminum foil or unused pieces of canvas or burlap. Create little gift sacks made from odd swatches of fabric lying around the house, tied with ribbon.
• Take a favorite photo and create a personalized T-shirt, mug, or calendar for a friend or relative.
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