How to Cut Corners when Buying Gifts
From 3arf
When it comes time to buy a gift for a loved one, having the money to do it, can sometimes be challenge. Instead of stressing yourself out trying to come up with magic money for an expensive gift, give thesesuggestionsa whirl:
- Bargain shop. Attend blow-out and clearance sales. These sales can offer mega good deals on the perfect gift for a specific person on your list. Another good way to bargain shop is scouting yard sales and going out of business sales. The point? Check out every sale you can find time to attend.
- Free samples. There are companies that offer promotional free samples for just about anything you can imagine. All you have to do to find them is some simple online research. Keywords to use in your search depend on what you are looking for like make-up or coffee. Just type in whatever you are looking for followed by something like "free samples" or "free samples of..." and let the fabulous world wide web do the work for you. Many of these companies will even ship the samples free of charge, although some companies may require you to pay a small shipping and processing fee. Be sure to read all of the given information (including the fine print) before you sign up for the sample to avoid accidentally joining an expensive club or group.
- Homemade gift ideas. Sometimes a gift created with your own hands means more to someone than one you paid $100 for at a store. Making something yourself shows them you took the time to create something unique and special just for them. Ideas include cooking/baking their favorite treat, writing a poem or song and drawing them a picture. There are, of course, other ideas like knitting them blanket or making a scrapbook. That is the beauty of homemade gifts, you can be creative.
- Dollar stores. Some people consider these places to have poor quality items. This is a bunch of hooey! You can can come across some great deals on everything from clothing to greeting cards and wrapping paper in a dollar store. Why would you pay more at a high-end retailer, for the exact same item found in a dollar store? The truth is, once the tags come off, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between high end and dollar store items.
- Gift cards. This is the gift to give someone who is rather difficult to shop for. Buy a gift card to a place they really enjoy going like a restaurant or favorite store. You can also give gift cards for books, music and movies. The nice thing about giving gift cards is that the recipient can choose their own gift, so you do not have to agonize over choosing the right color or style. Gift wrapping these cards is a snap since many places will put them in an envelope for you. You can add a ribbon or festive decals/stickers if you feel the need to do so.
No one likes to admit when they are low on funds, especially when special events and holidays roll around. It is even rougher on the purse strings when the economy is on a downward spiral and everyone is pinching pennies just to make ends meet. The light at the end of the gift giving tunnel is that you have options on how and where to find that perfect gift. This light also offers ways to save you some money, and that will make anyone smile.
