Frugal Fridays with Amber

Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas

If you’re on a tight budget, the thought of coming up with unique Christmas gift ideas can be enough to send you into a panic attack. Even if you’re only buying for your spouse, children, and close friends, it’s easy to spend several hundred dollars on Christmas gifts.

Fortunately, it is possible to have an enjoyable Christmas without resorting to bankruptcy. You don’t have to spend every Saturday afternoon making handmade gifts, but you do need to plan ahead.
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Shopping Tips

Remember the following shopping tips as you’re selecting Christmas gifts:

* Set a budget and bring only the specified amount of money to your shopping trip. Or, keep all of your gift receipts in a special folder.
* Avoid using credit cards to pay for your Christmas gifts. It’s too easy to overspend.
* Minimize your gift list. If you’re buying Christmas gifts out of an obligation to someone, approach him/her with the idea of meeting each other for dinner instead of exchanging gifts. If you purchase gifts for your extended family, discuss drawing names to reduce the expense.
* If you’re looking for cheap Christmas gifts, start early. In January or February, make a list of who you plan to buy for. Then, keep your eyes peeled for gifts that can be purchased on sale.
* Start a gift closet. If you’re always caught off guard by secret Santa exchanges at work or unexpected holiday parties for your children, develop a small stash of art supplies, scented candles, and other small gifts to be used for this purpose.

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Gifts for Children

Fads in children’s toys come and go with a surprising speed. When you’re looking for cheap Christmas gift ideas for children, stick to the classics. Consider the following gift ideas:

* Puzzles
* Hardcover books purchased on sale
* Crayons and coloring books from your local dollar store
* Play Dough
* Wooden blocks
* Bubbles, balls, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, or other small outdoor toys
* Small stuffed animals
* Puppets
* A bulletin board for his/her room
* A soft blanket

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Gifts for Women

When it comes to buying Christmas gifts, women are fairly easy to please. The following Christmas gift ideas typically go over well with women of all ages:

* A framed collection of family photographs
* Pens, pretty stationary, and a small book of stamps
* A holiday platter or serving bowl
* A small selection of gourmet chocolate bars
* A scented candle
* A decorative photo album
* A calendar featuring photographs or illustrations related to her hobbies or special interests
* A new Christmas ornament
* A potted plant
* A basket filled with small kitchen gadgets, new dishtowels, and handwritten copies of your favorite recipes

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Gifts for Men

Many women believe that men are the hardest people to shop for on any Christmas list. But, you don’t need to buy him fancy electronic gadgets to show how much you care. Stick to the following inexpensive Christmas gift ideas:

* A few favorite magazines tied with an attractive ribbon
* A basket of deli meat and cheese
* Gourmet barbeque sauce
* Expensive socks
* A coffee cup filled with his favorite candy
* A movie theater gift certificate
* A new flashlight, with an extra set of batteries
* A bottle of wine
* A gift certificate for a free car wash
* Treats for his prized pet


source:
http://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Gift_Idea
Find more information and more gift ideas