Gift Giving Made Simple

Who among us doesn't want to simplify and save money these days? But finding that perfect gift for every person on your holiday gift list is time consuming and hard on your budget. Here are some tips to bring the jolly back into your holidays:

Start by deciding how much to spend on each person's gift. Next decide which item to buy. Did you notice that "item" is singular? There's no need to make a dozen decisions or run all over town. You can buy the same item for every person on your list, and the gifts will still feel thoughtful and personal. You may even be able to complete the job in one single afternoon without leaving the comfort of your living room. All you need is a catalog and a phone or a computer.

Gifts for $75 and under

Lands' End offers a Turkish Terry Robe for women in regular and petite sizes ($56.50) and in women's sizes 1X-3X ($62.50) which is available in five colors. Men's robes ($72.50) are available in five colors and in sizes M-XXL. Lands' End clothing is available on-line, by catalog and at Sears store.

The iPod shuffle 1GB (holds 240 songs) is available for $49 and the iPod shuffle 2GB (holds 500 songs) costs $69. Shuffles come in five colors at Apple Stores and at www.applestore.com. iPods ship within 24 hours and shipping is free. Be sure to include an iTunes gift card so the recipient can download the music of his or her choice.

Gifts for $50 and under

A down vest would be a welcomed winter gift for all of but those living in tropical climates. Lands End offers a premium goose down vest for men and women for $29.50 in a rainbow of colors. Add coordinating fleece gloves ($12.50), a scarf ($12.50), a fleece cap ($12.50), or an ear wrap ($25.00).

A toiletry kit for travel is another great gift suitable for everyone on your list. The Lands' End Lighthouse toiletry kit is available in a large size for $34.50, in a small size for $29.50 and comes in five colors.

Lighthouse duffels are also available in five colors from Lands' end in small ($39.50) and medium ($49.50) sizes as are medium ($34.50) and large ($44.50) tote bags. These items can be personalized for the recipient with a monogram for $5 per item.

A new pair of pajamas is another gift that is welcomed on Christmas morning. Lands' End has sleep sets, nightgowns and pajamas for children and adults from $25 to $40.

Eddie Bauer has similar merchandise and has a catalog, a website and stores. You will also be able to find similar gifts at major department and discount stores.

Gifts for $25 and under

You can buy books for everyone on your list. Find a gardening book for grandma, a sports book for your teenage nephew, a World War II book for your great-uncle the veteran or a picture book for your new godchild. You can save gas and shipping fees by shopping on-line through amazon.com which offers free shipping on purchases over $25. Or you can spend a pleasant afternoon at Barnes & Nobles making your selections.

Gifts for $10 and under

Everybody eats, and people enjoy receiving food gifts at holiday time. Hickory Farms is a good source for food gifts. Their products are available in malls and on-line. Beer or turkey summer sausage sticks and cheese bricks sell for $7.99, gourmet mustards are available for $4.49, and a four cheese wheel is $9.99.

Gourmet soup, cocoa, bread and other dry mixes are a staple at many gift shops and sell for less than $10.

Gifts for $5 and under

Buy a set of holiday cookie cutters and write your favorite sugar cookie recipe on recipe cards. Punch a hole in the corner of the card and tie each cookie cutter to a recipe card with some curling ribbon.

There are many Christmas ornaments available at discount stores for $5 or less. Match the ornament to the recipient's hobby or interest for a personal touch (a dog ornament for a dog owner, an apple ornament for a teacher, a cardinal ornament for a nature lover, etc.).

The Current catalog offers a set of 24 candy bar wrappers personalized with your name for $6.99 (approximately $.30 per wrapper). Buy standard chocolate bars at a cost of around $1.00 each, wrap with a wrapper proclaiming your holiday greetings, and you have a fun and unique gift for everyone on your list.

Holiday towels for the bathroom or kitchen, hot pads and oven mitts are inexpensive and available at discount and dollar stores.

Paper napkins with a holiday theme would be a useful gift for any holiday hostess.

Winter or Christmas theme socks are a fun Christmas gift for adults as well as children.

Buy small holiday-themed containers from dollar stores and fill them with holiday Hershey's kisses, red and green M & Ms or other Christmas candy.

Gifts for any amount

Gift certificates for clothing, food, movie tickets, movie rentals, gas, sporting goods, etc., are available in any amount at the store/restaurant or on the establishment's website. Gift cards are particularly convenient if you're going to mail the gift. If you are presenting the gift card in person, you can put the card in any size bag or box. Weigh down the package by including a rock or another heavy object to create surprise. To personalize the gift, tie on a Christmas ornament which will have special significance to the recipient (a miniature piano for a music lover, a golf ball ornament for a golfer, etc.)

Sources:

www.landsend.com

www.applestore.com

www.eddiebauer.com

www.hickoryfarms.com

www.currentcatalog.com