Top 10 Gift Ideas on a Budget

Top 10 Gift Ideas on Budget
The holiday season has snuck up once again. You've got four siblings, three nieces, one nephew, your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles to buy gifts for - not to mention your close friends. You've also got a very tight budget…What should you do? Here are few ideas to get you started.

1. Baby sit. You have brothers and sisters who have little ones running around, offer to baby sit them for a night or two. Your siblings deserve some much needed adult time, especially around the holidays and this generous offer is easy on your wallet and theirs. For an added bonus, after you put the little ones to bed, invite your significant other over for a good old fashion make out session on the couch.

2. For the females in your life, scented lotions. Start probing your favorite girls about which scents appeal to them. Most perfumers create coordinating lotions that are less expensive than cologne. Ladies love lotion and they like to smell good. Look at your local Target, Ross, or TJ Maxx for the best deals. Can't find the scent they love? Then get them a beauty gift of another kind, look for mani/pedi kits, spa kits or soap kits. Scented candles are a nice touch too!

3. The boys love the video games (from your nephew to your boyfriend)! You can search the internet for stores in your area. Pawnshops usually have a huge selection of games, which they check over to make sure the games are in good condition. Since they want to move their inventory quick, they often have good deals on video games, like three for the price of one. Three gifts for the price of one … good shopping.

4. A recent, framed picture of yourself is a perfect gift for your grandparents. Discount retail outlets offer great frames at affordable prices. Take a digital picture of yourself, print it, frame it, and wrap it up! Your grandparents will love this gift and they'll stop bugging you for a recent picture. This is also a great gift for your parents or other relatives on your list.

5. Got a movie buff in your life? Give them the gift of entertainment with a gift certificate to their favorite theater. Spend a little extra mula and give them a gift certificate that includes snacks and drinks.

6. Everyone knows someone who loves art! These people are perfect candidates for museum passes. Or purchase two tickets to an opening or exhibit you know they want to see. Two tickets give them the option to see it with someone special or go twice if they like.

7. A scarf and hat combination is always a nice gift. Available at most retail stores, a matching scarf and hat goes over well with the fashion and weather conscious person in your life. What is their favorite color? What color is their coat? By doing a little research, you can give a thoughtful and inexpensive gift. Look for sets that come with gloves too.

8. Who doesn't have an I-Pod or MP3 player? Better yet, who doesn't love to download music to create their own CDs? Get them an I-Tunes gift card. I-Tunes gift cards come in varying amounts, and with songs costing as little as 99 cents each, a little goes a long way!

9. A magazine subscription. Your friends at Publisher's Clearing House, who incidentally want you to win a million dollars, offer popular newsstand magazines at discounted rates. You can put your name in the drawing for a million and get your special someone their favorite magazine. They'll love getting mail that isn't a bill, plus a subscription to their favorite publication is a gift that keeps on giving.

10. Coffee is the nectar of the working god, so get that god or goddess a Starbucks gift card. You can put any amount you can afford on one of these. Spend at least five bucks, and whoever receives this gift can buy their favorite coffee drink and maybe one for you too. Vanilla soy latte please, thanks. Or you can get them a bag of their favorite flavor of Starbucks coffee and a mug to drink it from.