Buy the Best Christmas Presents

Buying presents for Christmas can get expensive. In fact, the month of December strikes terror into the hearts of many people who have fixed or limited incomes. They want to be generous, and give Christmas presents to everyone on their list, but they simply cannot afford to. How can you come up with frugal Christmas gifts that will still bring a smile to the faces of the people you love?

Sometimes simple Christmas gifts can be the best. Do you love to bake or make things? Why not bake cookies, loaves of friendship bread, or make candy for your friends? Or, if cooking is not your style, buy some small holiday dishes or bowls at the dollar store or a garage sale and fill them with store-bought Christmas cookies or candies.

If you like to knit or crochet, you can always make simple hats or scarves for your family and friends. Many art supply and craft stores will have ideas for inexpensive holiday projects that are fun to create, and everyone loves feeling that a gift was made especially for them. If a child is on your list, they often have fabric with teddy bears imprinted on it. You just need to cut out the bear, sew it together and stuff it to create a sweet, but cheap, gift.

Some of the best Christmas gifts are the ones that will cause people to think of you fondly year after year. Buy a cheap box of plain Christmas ornaments at Target or Wal-Mart, and decorate them yourself with paint pens. The decorations do not need to be elaborate. You can even just write the name of a friend on the ornament, along with the year you are giving them the gift. They will cherish these tokens of your thoughtfulness for years to come!

You don’t have to purchase all your Christmas gifts new at the mall. Go shopping at estate sales, garage sales and thrift shops in your neighborhood. Shop throughout the year, and build up a nice supply of handy items to give during the holidays. You can often find everything from china, crystal vases, toys, jewelry and clothing at a fraction of their original prices. Stock up and you will always be prepared.

Re-gifting candles, lotions and similar gifts you have received during the year is perfectly acceptable. If you receive a gift and decide that you will probably re-gift it to someone else, you need to do two things. First, do not open it. You should give the item away looking like new. Second, the minute you receive it you should put a sticky note on it so you will remember who gave it to you. Then, when you give it away, you will not accidentally give it back to the same person, or a close associate of theirs! Receiving gifts is fun. However, if you receive things you know you will not use, you can have just as much fun passing these items on to others whom you know will enjoy them.

Another thoughtful Christmas gift is to make a donation of time or money in honor of someone else. Many charities will send a confirmation card acknowledging your gift. It doesn’t matter if it is only $5. If you make the donation to an organization that is especially important to your friend, they will be touched by your kindness.

Do you have a large family or belong to a large group of friends who exchange simple Christmas gifts? Suggest that they draw names. If they all agree, you will only have to buy one gift rather than 10 or 12. Not only will it save you money, but it will also make your life less hectic and stressful.

Enjoy the holidays, and stay in your budget at the same time. With a little careful shopping and planning, you do not have to dread giving Christmas gifts to the people you love. In fact, you can look forward to it, and really take pleasure in the spirit of giving!