There are an infinite number of gift-giving possibilities this holiday season. But during tough economic times, the best gift may just be one that saves the recipient some money.
Here are a few ideas:
Books.
Cookbooks, home improvement books, and other how-to books can give people the tools they need to do things for themselves (and save money doing it!)
FoodSaver. Your recipient can learn how to stretch their food budget by buying in bulk and repackaging their finds into smaller servings using this vacuum sealer.
Crock-Pots. Teach family members that cooking doesn’t have to be a chore. Be sure to include a note telling them to check out A Year of Crockpotting for recipe ideas.
Magazines. What’s better than a useful gift? It’s one that arrives in your mailbox every month. Consumer Reports, Taste of Home, Kiplinger’s Finance, and Readers Digest are great options.
Gift Cards. The key to making this a personal gift is to really know the types of places the recipient shops. I also like to give gift cards to unexpected places: a grocery store, a drug store, a restaurant or movie theatre. When money is tight, people often appreciate being able to treat themselves to something nice. A gift card can make them feel special.
Gift baskets loaded with goodies. Here’s where you can really use your great bargain hunting skills. Use coupons, sales, and clearanced items to assemble gift baskets loaded with snacks and candy. Or put together a basket of personal care items you got for free or nearly free. A well-thought-out collection of goodies can help the recipient stretch their budget and feel pampered at the same time.
Any other gift ideas you would add to this list?
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