Looking for some inexpensive gift ideas? These ideas are
good for birthdays, Valentine's Day, or practically any other gift-giving
occasion.
Free or Almost Free
Write an "IOU" for something the recipient usually pays to
have done. Good examples of special services you can provide are
babysitting, housecleaning, giving a permanent wave.
Create a gift using your computer. Make a "Certificate of
Appreciation", type a favorite poem to be displayed in a picture
frame or make a family cookbook.
Make the recipient a book of coupons (using your computer or
construction paper and markers). Include coupons for free massages,
evenings of undivided attention or nights off from cooking.
Present the recipient with a letter volunteering to do a task that
he or she either doesn’t enjoy or have time to do. Clean out his
attic. Change her oil. This summer weed his flower beds.
Create a piece of art. Do you paint, compose music or write poetry?
What could be more special than the gift of a song, poem or painting
created in honor of your loved one?
Gather family pictures and an old (but in good condition) photo
album. Come up with funny captions to go along with each picture.
Write the caption on colored paper and tape beside each photo in the
album.
$5 or Less
Give a gift certificate for a movie rental at a video store.
Blockbuster sells certificates in $5 increments.
Using a camcorder and a new video tape, make a special video of the
recipient’s children or grandchildren. Have the kids sing songs or
tell what they love most about Daddy/Grandma/Aunt Sally.
Make a gift basket filled with inexpensive items from yard sales. If
you can come up with a theme (example: kitchen gadgets, fashion
accessories), that would be great. If not, make it a grab bag style
basket with all sorts of useful items.
Buy an inexpensive picture frame. Personalize the gift by putting a
special picture in it. A picture of the recipient and her pet, her
grandchildren or yourself would be great.
Make 2 batches of the recipient’s favorite cookies. Wrap one batch
up in a decorative tin to be enjoyed now. Wrap the other batch in foil
and a ziplock bag to be frozen and enjoyed later.
Up to $10
What about gift certificates for McDonald’s, Baskin Robbins or
TCBY? These inexpensive certificates are wonderful for young children,
teenagers or even the newlyweds who can’t afford to go out very
often.
Put together a gift basket of snacks for the late night TV fanatic.
Fill a basket with gourmet popping corn, individual bags of chips and
pretzels, cans of nuts, etc.
For the coffee drinker who can’t afford to splurge, buy a pound or
two of gourmet coffee from a coffee shop. Add a decorative mug from a
dollar store.
Most dollar stores have a wide selection of bath products. Pick out
several different bubble baths, bath oil and body lotions. Arrange
them in a basket or in a festive gift bag.
Check out the bargain book rack at your local book store. Find a
book on a topic of interest to the recipient.
Buy a long distance calling card for someone who would enjoy calling
home more frequently. (This idea is a good one because it is also
inexpensive to mail to out-of-town recipients!)
For someone who is struggling just to make ends meet, put together a
"care package" of household items everyone needs such as
detergent, paper products, or pantry staples.
Indulge the recipient by buying something for which she won’t or
can’t afford to splurge. Examples: fancy chocolates, luxurious bath
products, gourmet cheeses, sparkling water, etc.
