Budget Friendly Gift Ideas

Gift giving can be expensive, especially if you have a large family or lots of friends. Throw in an ailing economy and it can be down right depressing. Below are some inexpensive gift ideas to help you get the most for your money!

Quick Holiday Tip: The very BEST way to shop is to shop AFTER the holidays and get all the great 50-70% off sales. You can also look for big sales throughout the year. If you can plan for that each year, you will have most of the work done by the time the next holiday season rolls around!

Low Cost Gift Ideas:

Homemade gifts:

A few Examples...

* knit, sew, crochet - You can make blankets, scarves, mittens, napkins, etc.

* scrapbook- You can create a photo collage, a special memory scrapbook, etc.

* woodwork - You can design some napkin rings, pens, cross, keepsake box, etc.

* jewelry - This is a great idea for those who have this ability. Make a beaded necklace, earring, etc.

* potpourri - You can make your own with different spices and scented oils.

* bath salts - create you own homemade jars of bath soaps

* Be Creative! You can do SO much of you just get those creative juices flowing and USE your God given talents!

Practical and Inexpensive Gifts you can Buy:

Time: Nothing says I care more than your time. You can make a coupon gift, take a friend to lunch, organize a room in your friend's house. Whatever your talent is, give it to someone. It costs you nothing but your time and THAT is the best gift you can give.

Edible Goodies: This can go in so many directions. Cook for someone. Bake cookies and put them in decorative tins you can get at the dollar store. Make jar gifts with the dry ingredients and recipe of your favorite cookies, brownies, etc.

Pedicure: This is less then $20 and I know BOTH sexes like this! LOL!

Gift Cards: These are great gifts when you have no time or for parties. $10 is not a bad gift card. Trust me the person will NOT give it back! LOL!

Music: Create a CD of your friend or loved one's favorite songs. If it is for a spouse make a LOVE CD.

Chocolate: For many women this is a gift they will LOVE you for!

Ornament: You can buy or design a pretty ornament.

Gift Basket: Get in inexpensive basket and add some of their favorite things to it. Or make it themed...candles, spa, edibles, etc.

Candles: Need I say more?

Gourmet Nuts: They sell these at grocery stores cheap. You can put them in a pretty container and there you have a yummy and fun gift.

Stationary: This is always a sure thing with a woman.

Gourmet Coffee or Teas: Again, you can find these in grocery stores. Instead of going to a specialty sop where you will spend too much money, buy them at the grocery store and make the presentation creative.

Magazine Subscription: Most magazine subscriptions are fairly inexpensive. They usually range from $10-$25.

Movie Night: Buy a $5 blockbuster gift card, large microwave movie theatre popcorn bowl, and candy. Put it in the popcorn container and there you have a gift that anyone will appreciate.

Beauty Supplies: Look for sales. Buy one get one free lotions are very popular this time of year. Use it to your advantage and you can have two gifts for the price of one.

Framed Picture: This is the perfect gift for a parent of loved one. Frame a picture you know they will appreciate. They will LOVE it!
For the Kids...Below are Cheap Gift Ideas for your children and teenagers.

Some of these inexpensive gift ideas can be used for multiple ages. That is why you may see the same idea more than once with a different twist in some cases!.

Toddlers...

Balls: Toddlers are easy to please. Balls are fun and teach eye hand coordination.

Dress Up Clothes: You do not have to spend a fortune on a store bought dress up outfit! Go to your local thrift store, give some pretty hand me downs, or clear your closet. They will LOVE dressing up.

Puzzles: Great gifts for little ones.

Books: Buy them a book and READ it to them.

Play Dough: My kids LOVED play dough and it's non toxic, so this is a great and inexpensive gift for toddlers and even a little older.

Stuffed Animals: Who doesn't love stuffed animals?

Children 5-10...

Time: Time is important to your kids. Make them a special coupon book of things you know they would like to do. Or make a "gift certificate" of a special day you plan and present it to them. They will have it to look forward to in the near future.

Dress Up Clothes: You do not have to spend a fortune on a store bought dress up outfit! Go to your local thrift store, give some pretty hand me downs, or clear your closet. They will LOVE dressing up.

Candy: This is a no-brainer.

Board game: Games are fun. PLAY the games with them.

Books: Buy them their favorite book or a few in their favorite series.

Diary: Encourage them to write their feelings.

Coloring Books and Crayons: Most kids love to color.

Hot Wheels: My HUSBAND loves these. LOL!

Stuffed Animals: Who doesn't love stuffed animals?

Barbies: Great gift for a girl and MANY of them are $10 and under.

Slippers: Kids love character slippers. Pay Less sells them for cheap.

Jump Rope: Easy and great gift to get them moving.

Tweens and Teens...

Time: Time is important to your kids. Make them a special coupon book of things you know they would like to do. Or make a "gift certificate" of a special day you plan and present it to them. They will have it to look forward to in the near future.

Candy: This is a no-brainer.

Board game: Get a great game that a teenager will like and tape a coupon on it for a fun day with family and friends to play it. Teens are at the end of there time with us. MAKE the MOST of it!

Gift Cards: Teenagers LOVE to shop. This is a GREAT gift for a boy or girl.

Beauty Supplies: Most teenage girls LOVE anything related to beauty.

Disposable Cell Phone: If you cannot afford a cell phone, get them a disposable one. At least they will get it for a bit and it will encourage them to work for it!

CD's: Music is a no-brainer. Be careful what you put in their ears though!

Books: If they like to read, get them their favorite type of book. Or get a devotional book. Spiritual growth is important at this age.

Journals: They need to have a place to vent and put their feelings

Pens: I know girls love these.

Craft Supplies: If they are crafty or good with their hands this is a fun gift.

Models: A lot of boys like to create models.

Pedicure: This is less then $20 and I know BOTH sexes like this! LOL!

Sports: Get them a poster of their favorite sports person. Or, anything related to sports!

Party: Create a coupon or certificate agreeing to throw a slumber or regular party for them and be the hostess with the mostest.

Clothes: What teenager doesn't like clothes?

Magazine Subscription: Most magazine subscriptions are fairly inexpensive. They range from $10-$25.

As you can see, there are MANY things that you can do and buy this Christmas season without going crazy and overspending. Be creative. Pray. Look for the best deals, and soon you will find that holidays do not need to be expensive!

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved.

Romantic Meals on a Budget

Food and romance go hand in hand. But, if you're on a budget, you don't need to spend a lot of money to show your sweetie that you love him. You can have a romantic meal at home - for the cost of a regular meal. The food you choose is not nearly as important as the atmosphere you create. You could easily make a very romantic meal from pizza or sandwiches if you take the time to create the perfect ambiance in the room.

Choose your main dish according to your partner's favorite dishes. There's no point in feeding him something he dislikes. Plus, an upset stomach is not very romantic, so take his food preferences into account when planning.

Appetizers are a great way to dress up any meal. Some favorite romantic additions include asparagus, artichokes, oysters, black beans, strawberries, and chocolate.

The presentation of your meal is more important than the foods you serve. Keep things simple and mix flavors and textures, giving the meal contrast and different shapes. Plan ahead and prepare everything you can in advance so that your final meal preparation goes quickly. Romantic foods can include almost anything if you serve the meal with soft candlelight and music.

Here are some additional tips to plan that perfect romantic meal:

Decorate your table with tall candles and inexpensive flowers placed in a glass vase.

Add a pretty tablecloth and cloth napkins to add elegance to your romantic meal.

Fold your napkins into decorative shapes and use napkin holders made from colorful paper with romantic massages or poetry written on the paper.

Use your best dishes or simply purchase 2 plates in a discount or thrift store. Strawberries dipped in chocolate are not only yummy, but they are very romantic. Purchase inexpensive fortune cookies with romantic fortunes inside for a little excitement if you desire.

Use your imagination instead of your credit cards to create a romantic meal that neither of you will soon forget. You'll be able to relax and enjoy your romantic meal, knowing that you aren't going into debt enjoying it.

Budget Meal Planning Made Easier Than Ever

Cooking healthy and delectable meals without sacrificing your budget could become a very troubling dilemma. However, budget meal planning is not an impossible task. With the right techniques and strategies, you could actually create delicious dishes without spending too much money.

If you want to know how to come up with cheap meal planning ideas, you should know some tips about planning meals ahead of time. With these wonderful tips, you would definitely feel invincible and more confident every time you step inside your kitchen, put your apron on, and create special dishes for your family.

Capitalize on hot grocery discounts

Before creating a grocery list, you should look around some grocery advertisements. Keep your eyes open for products that are on sale. You could save a whole lot of money once you buy groceries from items that are on sale. Do not forget to use your grocery coupons before they even expire. Budget meal planning is much easier if you could effectively reduce your grocery expenses.

After noting down some great bargains, you should start checking your cupboards and your refrigerator. Make sure that you have enough cooking staples like salt, sugar, flour, bread, eggs, and other important ingredients. You could even buy things on bulk because this is less expensive than buying single grocery items on a regular basis. However, make sure that you could consume all of them before they expire in order to avoid wasting your money on spoiled goods.

Read your old and dusty cookbooks

Actually, the best source for meal planning menus could be hiding inside your dusty bookshelves and cabinets. Put your cookbooks to use and watch out for different recipes that you could cook. Check the different ingredients needed in different recipes and cross out those dishes that need expensive ingredients and goodies.

After browsing through your cookbooks, you could already continue your frugal family meal planning by creating a comprehensive weekly menu.

Do not forget to consider the preferences of your family members while drafting your plans. Budget meal planning does not mean that you have to torture their taste buds in order to come up with inexpensive dishes. Come up with inexpensive dishes that would satisfy everyone gathered around your dining table.

List down each dish

While creating your meal plans, do not forget to list down each dish from Sunday to Saturday. Write the name of dishes under the corresponding day that you plan to cook them. Include side meals, desserts, or special beverages that you would like to prepare for each day.

Put those plans to action

Your budget meal planning would not be complete until you have put your plans to action. Start by doing your groceries and buying all the necessary ingredients that you would need for the week. Bring a grocery list with you and never buy something that is not included on your list.

These are the most important tips you should know about budget meal planning. Always remember that this task would also seem easier once you solicit suggestions from the entire family. You could also make things easier for you by looking for a free meal planning software or a competent meal planning service on the market.