Recession Guide for Women's Gifts

Celebrating your friend's or sister's birthday is wonderful, unless you are on a tight budget. What can you do if you are invited to someone's birthday party, but don't want to spend a lot of money on the gift?

If your family's or friend's custom is to bring a gift, then don't worry. I have compiled a list of thoughtful and hip women's gifts that are priced at the recession oriented dollar value of $15 or less.

Women's Recession Gift Guide Idea #1 - Crabtree & Evelyn

Crabtree & Evelyn has high-end lotions, soaps and perfumes. However, they are a bit pricey and I personally don't spend extra money on luxuries like this. There are always sale bins at this store which contain a few items which might be discontinued or are from last year's lines.

I recently found a LaSource hand therapy lotion that was $14 at full price, marked down to $7 on sale. I bought this gift for a friend's birthday and she loved it. This is great option for a gift if you can find a few items for 50% and combine them.

Women's Recession Gift Guide Idea #2 - iTunes

Nowadays you will find that many women have iPods or iPhones. It's easy to forget to download new music or sometimes you just don't want to spend extra money on something as intangible and non-essential as music.

An iTunes gift card for $15 is a thoughtful gift that fits anyone's taste (if you know that they already own an iPod or iPhone).

Women's Recession Gift Guide Idea #3 - Travel Book

A unique gift for a woman who either doesn't get to travel much or who travels all the time is a travel book or restaurant guide.

If your friend just moved to a new city or metropolitan area, consider buying her a Zagat restaurant guide for her city. If she doesn't have the opportunity to travel too often or has a limited budget, purchase a regional travel guide. This way, she can plan short getaways or at least read about places near her that are more accessible.

If your friend has an unlimited budget, you can buy her a travel book of the entire United States of America or a book on a country you know she has been longing to visit.

Women's Recession Gift Guide Idea #4 - Makeup Case

If your friend is planning a trip or she travels on a regular basis, a new makeup case is always a welcome gift. My personal favorite brand of case is Le Sportsac. Le Sportsac has constantly updated colorful designs and they are reasonable priced. Your best bet to obtaining a Le Sportsac case for under $15 is to combine a coupon with a sale at a department store such as Macy's.

Of course, you can find many makeup cases for under $15, if it doesn't have to be a brand name like Le Sportsac. Stores like Kohl's and TJ Maxx have good selections.

Women's Recession Gift Guide Idea #5 - French Milled Soap

Nothing feels more luxurious on a woman's skin that a thick, creamy French milled soap that lathers up without bubbles, but with pure soap. French milled soaps also have a deep fragrance that lingers after your shower.

My favorite is lavender scented imported soap that is sold at Trader Joe's. These types of soaps cost less than $5 a bar, so you can buy three varieties and give them together as one gift. I was always the happy recipient of French milled soaps when my friend worked at Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) and she received the corporate discount on their luxury goods.

I remember that these soaps were always one of my most remembered gifts when we celebrated my birthday.

As you can see, there is no shortage of ideas for women's budget gifts, if you know what to look for and where to shop.