HEY EVERYBODY! CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE, AND CHANCES ARE, EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR THAT SPECIAL GIFT FOR EVERYONE ON THEIR LIST. BUT IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, YOU'RE ON A BUDGET. :) MY SEARCH FOR VERSATILE, INEXPENSIVE, ALL PURPOSE GIFTS ONLINE, SIMPLY WAS NOT AS FULFILLING AS I WOULD'VE LIKED BECAUSE MOST OF MY FINDINGS WERE NOT IN MY PRICE RANGE, AND MOST OF THE GIFTS (THOUGH AMAZING) WERE NOT THINGS THAT WOULD WORK FOR ANYONE ON MY LIST. So, I've COME UP WITH MY OWN LIST OF VERSATILE, INEXPENSIVE GIFTS THAT WILL WORK FOR EVERYONE, AND TIPS TO MAKE THE SHOPPING MORE ENJOYABLE :). FEEL FREE TO SHARE!
* Most of these gifts (if not all) will work for pretty much anyone, of course, just keep in mind whether purchasing for an adult or child, guy or girl. List does not apply children under five.
TIP # 1:
IF Y0U'RE NOT SURE, GO WITH A GIFT CARD.
Let's face it, sometimes we just have no idea what to get someone. In this case, let them get what they want. This way, you control the amount, and your loved one get's something that they absolutely know they like! PS, don't be afraid to ask the person what gift card they might want; this way there is no uncertainty about what sort of gift card to look for. Kids love gift cards because they get to do the choosing.
TIP # 2:
DIVIDE AND CONQUER.
After you write your initial list of people to shop for, divide it up. (I rewrite it). How many women are you shopping for? How many men? How many children?
This way, you can divide your gifts up into little groups. This can make the shopping simpler, and you can possibly get done more quickly.
TIP # 3:
THE SAME...BUT DIFFERENT.
Another way to simplify choosing gifts, is to buy several of the same item, just in different varieties. For example, body wash. This is something that everyone can use, and there are different varieties, whether for men, women or children. Depending on where you purchase, you can find multi-packs with more tan one bottle. Use the same approach to presents that you do to the wrapping paper: Get several for one price.
TIP # 4:
LET THE PACKAGING BE PART OF THE PRESENT.
Use your better judgement with this one; sometimes, it is cheaper to just wrap. But this is also an area where a person can get very creative. For example, if you have someone who loves gardening, see if you can fit their present into a flower pot decorated with bow, rather than a box and wrapping, that will just be discarded anyway. This way, they get to use the flower pot too.
Tip # 5:
TRY TO GET ALL DONE AT ONCE.
This might seem to defeat the purpose of de-stressing, but this saves the shopper from making so many trips. Personally, I love places like Costco, Wal-Mart and Target because they have...well... EVERYTHING. I know that some people would rather make more trips to smaller stores in order to avoid large crowds, which I completely understand; but around Christmas time, even smaller shops have large crowds; and getting as much done as possible in one trip saves gas as well.
Tip # 6:
PICK A CARD...ANY CARD.
Whether it's an eCard, or sent snail mail with a stamp, Christmas cards are still a wonderful way to bless those you love that you can't be with on Christmas, or that it is simply not practical to buy for. These can be purchased at a dollar store, for... you guessed it! You can either get a box of Christmas cards or 2 for a dollar. (Hey, not bad) :). And then of course there are always E-cards, which can be cleverly designed and are even simpler to send and receive.
Tip # 7:
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE DOLLAR STORE!
Now, granted, depending on the store, some of the "bargains" you find...are actually not worth the dollar you pay for them. I've just found this to be true. But, in the end, I am a HUGE fan of dollar stores because I can't think of a better place to get all of your wrapping, your Christmas cards...and quite possibly, all your gifts too. Use your smart shopper sense, and you just may find everything you need!...and what a deal!
PRACTICAL, INEXPENSIVE GIFTS THAT EVERYONE LOVES:
1. Body wash
2. Wash cloths and hand towels
3. Popcorn
4. Notebooks or pads of paper
5. Safety pins or tacks
6. Blank CD's
7. Throws (blankets)
8. Hard candy or gum
9. Pens, markers or highlighters
10. Post-it's
11. Tea bags, hot chocolate, or packets of cider
12. Coffee (dry)
13. Power strips (electrical)
14. Scented pine cones
15. Seeds and gardening tools
16. Themed duck (duct) tape. (camo... anyone?)
17. Batteries
18. Toothbrushes
19. Socks or slipper-socks
20. Shoe laces
21. A Dictionary or thesaurus
22. Calendars
23. Journals
24. Picture Frames
25. Scarves, gloves and hats
26. Handkerchiefs
27. Brushes and combs
28. Manicure sets
29. Hangers (Pkg.)
30. Rubix Cubes (Who doesn't love these?)
31. Headphones
32. Chargers (for phones or IPads or iPods)
33. Puzzles
34. Photo Albums
35. Cookbooks
36. Sparkling Cider
37. Audiobooks
38. Lens cleaner (glasses)
39. Sunglasses
40. Laundry baskets
41. Travel cases or Makeup bags
42. Key chains
43. Water bottles
44. Flameless candles
45. A thermos, coffee cup or travel mug
46. A plate, cup and bowl dish set
47. Lotion, shave gel, or aftershave
48. Umbrellas
49. Money belts (for traveling) (these fit under your clothes).
50. Cookie kit or recipe/ingredients kit
FEEL FREE TO SHARE! Merry Christmas everyone!
