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Pro tip: Avoid buying gift cards whenever possible. Gift cards are impersonal, but they also let the recipient know how much you spent. If the recipient happens to give you a far more expensive gift, you may feel a bit embarrassed about that $20 gift card. It’s an uncomfortable situation you can avoid by choosing to give gifts without a price tag.
What to Buy for Your Parents:
Your parents are very special, amazing people with unique tastes and hobbies. Use their personality to determine what to buy. For example, does your dad enjoy sports? If he’s a football fan, you can save money by purchasing him a gift subscription to enjoy football for the remainder of the football season. Best of all, it’s the time of year when the DIRECTV NFL Sunday Ticket mid-season offer is available, so you’ll save a great deal in terms of subscription price.
How about mom? Is she a selfless caregiver? If she spends her time taking care of others, she needs a spa day for herself. No, you don’t have to splurge on an expensive spa treatment. You can give her a basket filled to the brim with her favorite bath time goodies. It’s inexpensive, thoughtful, and can include extras, such as a robe, slippers, a manicure set, and other pampering items. You could even include a bottle of wine.
What to Buy for Your Children:
Children are easily the most expensive to shop for. What child doesn’t have an expensive electronic on their shopping list? That being said, there are ways to save. Pick up those big-ticket items on Black Friday, and supplement with interesting, less expensive toys and items.
For the smaller children, you can go to a toy store specializing in low cost toys ($5 and Below or something comparable). That allows you to get a boat load of toys without overspending. Board games make great group gifts, and this time of year there’s lots of deals on popular favorites.
For older children, find out what they’re interested in and do your best to compliment these tastes. Make sure they understand the value of a dollar. If you spend hundreds on an expensive electronic, they can and should understand if there aren’t tons of other presents under the tree. Supplement your shopping with mini items they like, such as makeup or sports equipment.
What to Buy for Your Friends:
Friends can be difficult to buy for; even though you know them well, so do their other friends and their families. When it comes to the holidays and shopping for a close friend, you risk buying them something similar to what others are buying them. Check with their family and other friends to ensure your gift stands out.
If you’re trying to save money, rest assured sentimentality doesn’t cost must. Frame a photo of you and your friend, and include a personal inscription (an inside joke or your names). Your friends will appreciate a personalized gift basket or a piece of original art or DIY (if you’re talented in that way).
Although this is just a few ideas, this list can help with gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list. Something as simple as an ornament or maybe even a coffee mug with hot cocoa. Have fun this year, and enjoy the holidays and the shopping. It doesn’t have to be as crazy as you think.