Cheap Christmas Gifts that Couples will Love

Christmas can be a stressful time when you are low on funds. The tight economic times that we are living in just makes it that much worse. We love our friends and relatives and want to give them something to show that love, but we want to do it without going into debt or causing a financial hardship in our household. Buying, or making, gifts that are inexpensive but still heartfelt is a smart way to go this Christmas season. When you are searching for a gift, or gifts, for a couple on your shopping list, it becomes even more difficult. The combination of tastes make sit harder to find just the right present. While there are many different things you could purchase, here are a list of my top five ideas for cheap presents that are still very thoughtful and fun.

1. Purchase a gift certificate to their local movie theater. You can also include enough money on the certificate to buy snacks as well as tickets. Usually, $35 - $40 will cover tickets and plenty of snack foods from the concession stand. This is ideal for a couple with limited finances or for a couple with children. What a great way to give your friends a night out! If you can afford it, include a gift card to their favorite restaurant for a pre or post movie dinner.

2. A "date in a basket". This is a great gift when you are really short on funds. Purchase a cheap basket and fill with things such as the basic ingredients for a romantic dinner. Some ideas are a bottle of wine, a loaf of french bread, pasta sauce, candles and a CD of romantic music. You can include a bottle of massage oil and some "naughty" gifts as well if your friends would appreciate it!

3. If your friends are parents, one of the nicest and most sincere gifts is a certificate to babysit. All parents relish an evening out without the little ones. This can

be combined with either of the previous gifts or given separately if you are very strapped for cash. A great idea is to offer a series of babysitting! Either once a month or maybe every other month. This gives a gift that lasts all year!

4. How about a personalized Christmas Tree Ornament? You can purchase an ornament that has a picture frame as part of it. Then, add a picture of the couple or a picture of you with the couple. You could give an ornament with the year on it. Or, have an ornament engraved with the couples' names and the year. Give it as a gift that is also about the memories from the past year. This is a cheap gift that is especially thoughtful for a young couple just building their ornament collection or as a special memory for newlyweds or new parents.

5. Board Games! What is more fun than game night? Find a game that is bound to bring lots of fun and laughter and give it to the couple with promises of a "playdate" someday soon. Some suggestions are games such as Apples to Apples or Battle of the Sexes. This is a gift that gives laughter, fun and time and is also fairly cheap.

Any gift that you give is going to be appreciated. By putting some thought into it, you can give a wonderful gift and still have money left to pay your bills. Have fun giving gifts to your coupler friends and relatives and have a wonderful Christmas!