Holiday Gift Guide for the Super Broke

For many people facing serious financial challenges, the holidays can be a seriously stressful and sometimes melancholy time of the year. Even those with more disposable income may find themselves in an incredible amount of credit card debt by the turn of the new year. In fact, countless people have argued for decades, that the holidays have become increasingly capital based and less community, family, and spirit based due to commercial and media pressure.

Because the U.S. holiday spending behavior is not likely to change over night (if ever), here is a list of nine gift ideas for those of us whose funds are abnormally low. This group is the "super broke," and in case you don't know if you fit into this category, here is a simple test: If you have to use the change in the ash stray of your car to buy lunch, or if you have to scrape up your last five bucks for gas, this is for you. It is constructed to help you get through these rough, cold, peppermint flavored, jingling times.

Note: For your own comfort and sanity, you might consider picking up a second job. Seasonal work is pretty abundant this time of year, and may be just what you need to get through your monetary crunch.

The first thing to remember is that everyone does not need a gift. A box of 10 holiday greeting cards should cover most of the people in your circle. To save even more money, send electronic Christmas cards instead. There are loads of e-greeting card websites to choose from including Hallmark.com, Bluemountain.com, and Yahoo Greetings.

1. Create music CDs. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Depending upon your ethical stance, you could download super cheap music by song or whole albums - some albums for less than two dollars - from the controversial Russian website, Allofmp3.com. You can download music for pennies.

2. Give the gift of fine art. If you have a friend with a young child, ask your friend if their child would draw a picture for you. Supply the child with an 8 x 10 piece of paper or brown paper bag and ask your friend to remind their child to sign their name at the bottom. Voila! You have a piece of fine art from an unknown artist. Purchase an inexpensive frame and matting and frame and mat the piece yourself. Be sure to thank the artist with a small token - even if it's just a dollar or a movie pass.

3. Bake something. Never mind the cookbooks for this one. All you need is a box of cake mix or a tube of pre-made cookie dough. You don't even have to know how to bake, only how to follow instructions located on the back of the box or side of the tube. This gift shows that you put some of your time and heart into their gift. Glad ™ has plenty of disposable plastic ware you can purchase for your packaging.

4. Create a private concert. Have you ever seen the movie Finding Neverland? A whole staged production in your living room isn't required, but if you have any musician friends (especially those who might owe you a favor) or if you're a musician yourself; you can invite one to 10 people over and host a private show at home. Just make sure you don't allow it to last too long. Your neighbors may not be as appreciative as your guests.

5. Cook dinner. Use one of those Christmas cards you purchased and scribble a dinner invitation in it. Time, place and date. Hike over to your local bookstore, or go to your favorite online bookseller and pick up a cookbook from Rachael Ray, Gordon Ramsey, or Giada de Laurentiis. Then all that is left to do is flip through your new cookbook and find a dish that sounds interesting and cheap. Purchase the ingredients and follow directions. Easy. This could knock out two or three gifts at once.

6. Create a mixed tape (or DVD). Record three to five minute clips of five odd or interesting shows, films or documentaries. You don't have to start at the beginning of the segment, nor at a place that explains what the viewer is seeing. For example, you may want to record three minutes of a documentary on open heart surgery and then switch to five minutes of a 1983 clip of Wild Kingdom following the behaviors of the Indian pachyderm. It will be a unique 18 to 25-minute experience that no one else will give them this Christmas.

7. Publish a biographical transcript. Interview eight or nine friends and family members of a person, asking questions and soliciting comments about them and write it all down then type it up and bind it in a presentation folder before giving it to that person. It is so nice to read wonderful (and even embarrassing) things people have to say about us… even if it is Uncle Bob who wants to reminisce about that wild night in Vegas…

8. Give a bunch of gag gifts. If your sister has a problem with spending, buy her a piggy bank. If your nephew has been getting into trouble for his foul mouth, buy him a bar of soap. If your best friend spends a little too much time on the phone or if your mother is always late, get them egg timers. You get the point. With each gift, be sure to include a note that tells them why they are getting this gift from you, otherwise they might not get the joke and may end up thinking that you're just strange.

9. Hit the thrift stores. If you haven't been in a while, you might be surprised at all the great finds you can stumble upon at second hand stores. From paintings to furniture; jewelry to stemware and everything in between. Many even carry brand new items that larger stores have discontinued. Beware, all thrift stores are not the same. If you're not vibing with one, browse through a different one. As Smokey's mother said, "shop around!" You might also want to try out your local pawnshops and consignment stores.

Don't be ashamed of downsizing this year. If you've been super broke for a while, chances are, the people in your circle are already aware of it and won't be expecting a Rolex from you. However, if your super broke status is new, take this as your call to be creative. An inexpensive, but tailored gift means so much more to so many. Besides, for the super broke, re-gifting is always an option!