Gift Giving Inexpensively

Simple Ideas for the Very Last Minute Shopper

By Heather Sokol on December 23, 2011

I can’t believe I’m heading out to shop today—I was doing so well this year! I just found out that the amazing gift I purchased for my sis weeks ago was given to her yesterday by someone else.

And, so I’m off in search of another perfect gift. While I hope to finish today, and steer clear of stores tomorrow, it is nice to know there are store hours on Christmas Eve just in case.

I know I’ll come up with something awesome for my sis, but occasionally I’ve had to go with a last resort item, as we come down to the wire.

Here are several gifts you can purchase all the way up to Christmas Day:

Magazine subscriptions: Find deals at Amazon, then wrap the current issue with your subscription note. Check the magazine rack at the nearest convenience store, for super last minute options!
Daily Deals: Give the gift of time with a ticket package, family fun attraction or restaurant deal from Groupon, EverSave and more.
Gift Cards & Cash: It may not be very personal, but you can get cash at the ATM and gift cards at Walgreens (open on Christmas Day). At least you can choose one of these fun ways to package money!
Movie Tickets: Order & print online at any time. Plus, Get 20% off $25 in movie tickets when you use your Visa Signature card.

Fess up—who is still left on your list?

Photo Credit: Flickr

{The New Home Ec} 18 Creative Ways to Give Cash & Gift Cards

By Heather Sokol on December 21, 2011

I know, I know. Gift cards & money aren’t the most personal gifts, but sometimes it’s just the way to go. It’s often hard to come up with just the right gift for some people, especially at the last minute. And, sometimes the right…

Share the Warmth

By AliciaMarie112 on March 3, 2011

On this chilly day, I wanted to share about BlanketStatements.org. For every blanket that is sold in their online store, Blanket Statements will donate an identical blanket to a local women’s shelter. Those that purchase the blanket can choose to include a message with the blanket that is donated or give it anonymously. I love [...]

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31 Day Budget (Day 17): Giving Gifts on a Budget

By Heather Sokol on January 17, 2011

31 Days to a Better Budget Giving Gifts on a Budget Each day of the series offers new tips, ideas and a challenge to start the year with a solid financial plan. I was originally going to focus on the entertainment budget today, but last night I had a brainstorm and switched tactics. I started [...]

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1 Day Until Christmas: Very Last Minute Gift Ideas

By Heather Sokol on December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas, dear friends & readers—I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend. This is my last post until the middle of next week. I need a break between the countdown and our new year plans. See you on the flip side! The Countdown to Christmas is officially at its end—just 1 day until [...]

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Big Gifts From Small Packages

By Heather Sokol on December 22, 2010

It doesn’t take a lot to turn a small gift into a big presentation—you just need a simple way to make the gift look like more than it really is. We gave simple Starbucks gift cards to Stacia’s teachers this year in a coffee mug bouquet. I cut a small piece of floral foam, slipped [...]

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8 Days Until Christmas: Gift Wrapping Party

By Heather Sokol on December 17, 2010

The Countdown to Christmas is bringing us closer & closer to the big day—8days until Christmas. Image by Premier Packaging via Flickr On Friday night, I attended Angie’s annual cookie exchange. It was a lot of fun, and I left with dozens of different cookies for the hubby to share at his office this week. [...]

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9 Days Until Christmas: The Gift of Memories

By Heather Sokol on December 16, 2010

SWAGG is a free mobile app (download here) that lets you shop smarter using your mobile phone. Buy, send or swap SWAGG GIFTS and organize your old school plastic gift cards. For every download of the app between now and Dec. 31, 2010, SWAGG will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) , up [...]

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10 Days Until Christmas: Gift Wrap Alternatives

By ForTheMommas on December 15, 2010

The Countdown to Christmas continues—10 days until Christmas. Are all your presents wrapped and under the tree? If not, check out Shannon’s tips for avoiding the paper trash this holiday season. Gift wrap can be costly. Not only is it costly, it is ultimately trash. So this holiday season, why not try some alternatives to [...]

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13 Days Until Christmas: Easy, Frugal, Homemade Gifts (More Edible Treats)

By Heather Sokol on December 12, 2010

The Countdown to Christmas is heating up—13 days until Christmas. I love holiday baking—I love homemade gifts, my friend’s annual Christmas cookie swap and, well, eating delicious treats. What I don’t love is high grocery bills throughout the month of December. Sugar, flour, eggs, butter, vanilla are all used in mass quantities this month, but [...]

Filed Under: Gift Giving • Holidays • Recipes | 1 Comment