Five Last Minute (Frugal) Gift Ideas

Author: Kerry Hook

Ok, so we are coming down the homestretch on this Christmas thing and you're scratching your head wondering how you will afford to give gifts this year. Maybe you've even been avoiding gift shopping because you know your funds are limited. Here are some ideas for all you last minute shoppers in need of frugal gift giving ideas.

1. Take your favorite recipe for bean soup, cookies or muffins. Pick a recipe that you are sure the recipient will love. Maybe it's your secret chili recipe, maybe a sponge cake. Carefully – neatly write the recipe on an index card or if you have them – colorful recipe cards. Put all the dry ingredients into a bag or jar and add the recipe with a pretty bow. Be sure to separate any ingredients that don't get mixed in together until later in separate bags. Layering your ingredients makes for a nice effect. Do not put any wet ingredients in or they will spoil. Recipients will know to add the "wet" ingredients (i.e. eggs or milk) themselves because they'll see it on the recipe card.) During the holidays there are many pretty bags that you can use to really make this gift special. If you use a jar, then cut some pretty fabric and use ribbon or elastic bands to secure it to the top of the jar.

2. Check your local stores for last minute sales. Often merchants will mark down their merchandise when it gets very close to the holidays. You may not have the large selection that shoppers earlier in the season have, but the mark-downs can be substantial. I've found great deals at the local drug store, hardware store and even some grocery stores.

3. If you have some mad skills, but no money then you are still in luck. You can offer your skills to recipients in the form of redeemable coupons from you. Are you a carpenter or plumber? Then print off a coupon offering to do some work for your recipient of your gift that you know they need. A single mom would especially appreciate a gift certificate for work around the house. No specialized skills? How about offering babysitting services for several nights for the young family on your list? And of course, most everyone can bake some cookies so put them in a nice tin with a bow on top. Perhaps you're a gourmet cook or can put together a week of frozen meals for that special person. After all – everyone eats!

4. Make your own specialized gift baskets. For example, do you have a high school student on your list that is going off to college next year? Put together a basket of sample size toiletries to help them get started in their new dorm. This is good for the traveller on your list too. Cat lover? Pick up some catnip, small cans of food or treats and wrap it up in with a bow. Dollar stores, superstores, and drug stores are great places to pick up deals on these types of items. You may have a basket around the house or pick some up for very little at a dollar store or second hand store.

5. Re-gifting. I'm not a huge fan of re-gifting, but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. Certainly, these days some people are comfortable with it. Just be sure that the item is brand new, never opened and is not something that has a built in expiration date. Old scented candles or soap for example should never be re-gifted because they lose their smell over time. An unopened popcorn popper from your wedding that you forgot to return because you got two of them would be a suitable item to re-gift. And of course, it is imperative that you don't re-gift to the item to the same person that originally gave it to you. That's never a well-received gift!

So look around the house, shop around the neighborhood and think about your many skills. There are frugal ways to give gifts that your family and friends are sure to love. Merry Christmas to all and Happy Holidays to the rest!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gifts-articles/five-last-minute-frugal-gift-ideas-3875130.html

About the Author

Kerry Hook has a website for all those who want to live well for less. The Frugal Retiree, loaded with more great articles that will help you save money on travel, medicine and more. Please visit: http://www.thefrugalretiree.com to learn more.

If you are interested in seeing all the great bargains we've found, please go to: http://www.thefrugalretiree.com/hotdeals.html

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