Meaningful, Bargain-Priced Gift Ideas

Rebecca Hayes
Rebecca Hayes, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Aug 22, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
Plan Ahead
  • Birthdays, holidays, and graduations are generally predictable and you always know they are coming so it is a good idea to always be watching for the perfect item at a great price. This way you also won't be rushed. If you are trying to save money the best thing you can do for yourself is give yourself plenty of time to find the right gift. Designate a place in your house to put the gifts so that you always know where they are.
  • If you are thinking ahead that also gives you time to listen and pay attention and find out what people are wanting. For family or friends that live far away ask those close to them to pay attention for a few weeks and find out what they might like as a gift.
Give Time as a Gift
  • Gift certificates are an old standby for gift givers but give them a twist and make gift certificates for friends that offer your time. Have a friend who loves to garden? Offer a certificate to weed and help them in their yard. Know a couple who could use a night out away from the kids? Offer them a certificate for free babysitting. Do you know that a friend or family member wants to learn how to do something you know, like knitting, scrapbooking, a foreign language, cooking etc. Offer them certificates for lessons.
Gift Baskets
  • Usually any single item in a gift basket just isn't right for giving as a single gift, but when items are put together you can make a wonderful gift. Think of things the person enjoys; come up with a theme, or think of a life event that will be coming up for that person for inspiration for your gift basket.
Homemade
  • Your kitchen is a great place to come up with ideas for gifts. Have a dish that your best friend just loves? Make up a batch and attach the recipe. Home canned jams and jellies make great gifts. Have a special sauce, spice or desert topping? Make some and put them in nice jars to give as gifts.
  • Gardens can also be used to create beautiful gifts. If you have a plant that is getting large and needs to be separated, find a fun pot to put the plant in and give it as a gift. It will last longer than cut flowers. Have herbs in your garden? Create a pesto or give your chef friend fresh herbs. Snip fragrant flowers and herbs, let them dry and use them to create a potpourri.

Published by Rebecca Hayes

A SAHM I enjoy learning new things and coming up with party ideas. I enjoy scrapbooking, running, cooking and doing other crafts. I have a degree in English with a minor in Biology. I also run a discount sup...  View profile

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