Gift Ideas for Those on a Tight Budget

With Mother's and Father's Day just around the corner, money can become tight buying gifts for multiple people. Here are a few tips to save your pockets and still have great gifts.

When people say, "It's the thought that counts," it's usually because the gift really sucks or it's just not their style. Here is a cure for both of those problems that is really cheap and you thought will really count. When money is tight you have to think outside of the box, look at what you already have. Most people have Cd's or know in the age of MP3 players you may have a large collection of music. Make a Cd for someone you love for any holiday (Easter, Mother's day, Father's Day, Birthday or just because.) Just keep in mind that the music is for them and not you. Copy things that they might like, call it their mix. You can even get jewel cases for these Cd's so it can look more professional. For example my mom is a big Beach Boys fan, I took my down loads from my MP3 and mixed her a beach boys Cd with a few other songs that she loves. It was a big and it was customized just for her. With a homemade card your completely homemade gift will be a splash.

Another idea is if you have a relative living far away you can mix video's and pictures that you have taken of your family and send them, some homemade memories. It helps keep them close and you will have a blast looking back at all your precious memories. I have tried this for my Mother -in- Law, she should be receiving her first DVD in a few days for Easter, but I know she will love it. With the kids growing, it is amazing at how quickly they change and sometimes a picture or a movie of them is just what the doctor ordered to cure home sickness.

Not a techy person than try something a little low tech. Visit your local discount store and purchase some glass votives ($.44), some decorative ribbon you know the kind with little beads hanging from it ($2.00), votive candle ($.24) and glue. I prefer hot glue but you can even use Elmer's glue. Cut your ribbon to fit around the outside edge of the votive and glue it on using a thin layer of glue. Put the candle in it and you have a beautiful, elegant looking candle. Customize it to the person decor for a special gift. Wrap it in organza and a homemade gift card and you have a present for pennies. I have done these for several occasions and they are always a hit. Great for wedding gifts add a bottle and champaign and your gift will be a hit. Not to mention the happiness you will feel when someone ask where they can get these special gifts and you can proclaim they are exclusively by me. You may just be taking orders.

What ever the occasion just remember that people love to receive gifts from the heart and they will go over better than anything that you can buy in a store. You will have a sense of pride and the gift will say more than words can.