Top 5 Christmas Gift Ideas on a Budget

Author: Lilly G

The holiday season can be one of the most magical times of the year. But every year as I watch another penny, nickel, dollar, or twenty go through my fingers, it gets less and less magical. Christmas gifts for your loved ones are sometimes hard to come by when you're on a strict budget. And just because you have a budget doesn't mean you have to feel like Scrooge, or like you're giving less than desirable gifts. (Massages at esthetic schools aren't any less relaxing!)

Here is a great list of some inexpensive Christmas gift ideas for those of us who have to be a little more frugal this year:

Christmas Ornaments: Personalized Christmas ornaments are a great idea. They are sentimental, thoughtful and … cheap! (The first two attributes cancel out the last.) Don't count these out as a gift idea.

Day Spa Package: That's right, you read correctly… get that special person in your life a gift certificate to a local beauty salon or day spa – located in the nearest cosmetology school. Nearby esthetic schools are the perfect place for a day of relaxation, at a fraction of the cost. They have all of the same services, priced much lower than other salons or day spas: manicures, full body massages, you name it. Why spend more when you can get the same luxuries for less.

Music: Nothing says "I care" like a mixed CD… Luckily there are even better ways to express that sentiment these days. If the lucky person you're buying for has an MP3 player of any kind, why not let them choose their own tunes? Give them an iTunes gift card (available in $5 denominations) and let them make their very own mixed CD.

Picture Collage: For less than $20, you can pick up a picture frame, print off 6-8 pictures of good times in the past (black and white look just as snazzy) and make a lasting impression on a friend or relative. For an extra special touch, buy a metallic pen and write some special captions by the photos. And, voila! A truly thoughtful, wonderful gift.

Baking: Homemade baking is one of the single yummiest gifts ever! Baking tins are usually available at dollar stores or big lot stores. Just make some delectable, digestible goodies; pack ‘em up and you're ready for Christmas!

There you have it: five perfectly thoughtful, wonderful, joyful and, ahem, inexpensive, Christmas gift ideas. Remember: Christmas doesn't have to break the bank!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gifts-articles/top-5-christmas-gift-ideas-on-a-budget-3853572.html

About the Author

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and publisher. She enjoys writing on a variety of topics, and is currently researching esthetic schools and beauty salons in Canada.

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The Perfect Girlfriends' Getaway: Manicures for Everyone

Author: Jennie Li

If you're looking for an affordable getaway with your girlfriends, consider going out together for an afternoon of manicures in Vancouver. It's your opportunity to go out and show your girly side and get totally spoiled at the same time. It's also less expensive than a lot of other entertainment options.

Getting all dolled up together is the ideal way to get away from it all. Some girlfriends look so forward to getting pampered together that they make their manicures in Vancouver a monthly activity. You can go with just one or two girlfriends or your sisters if you want more of a low-key day.

Bonding time with girlfriends is essential. Research shows that people who are social live longer than those who are less social, so consider a girlfriends' getaway to be a necessity for better health. Some women even jokingly refer to their time together as "Mental Health Time."

By spending quality time with your girlfriends, you are better able to combat the stressors in your life. Psychologists know that the more time you bond with friends, the better you're able to cope with all of life's little pressures.

It's up to you to decide if you want to all get the same sort of nail services, or if you each want to show your uniqueness and get different services. Whether it's 3D nail art, Swarovski rhinestones, or Japanese nail art, your manicures in Vancouver will be unforgettable.

Manicures are anything but boring today. There have been so many innovations in nail art that you'll wonder why you haven't been paying more attention to your hands. There are also nourishing treatments available to help make weathered nails and hands look tidier.

Nail art is truly "artwork" now, and it can be as plain or elaborate as you want it to be. If you love new trends, Japanese nail art may be for you. However, if you're not ready for anything trendy quite yet, you can still opt for the tried and true manicure of buffing, shaping, and cuticle care. Getting a hand massage is the perfect way to relax and let your cares float away.

Imagine getting your nails perfectly done up and then heading out for dinner with the ladies. What could be better? Call your girlfriends and do something special for a change. Manicures in Vancouver are the kind of luxury that every woman looks forward to seeing on her calendar.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nails-articles/the-perfect-girlfriends-getaway-manicures-for-everyone-3304450.html

About the Author

SweetNailSalon.com features manicures in Vancouver as well as pedicures in Vancouver. If yo're looking for a trendy new place to pamper yourself, visit SweetNailSalon.com.