Does frugality play a part in your gift giving? (sale, best, old)

[howard555]

I have a tendency to want gifts I give to others to be something they will use. They don't need any knick-knack to sit on a table and do nothing. They don't need new picture frames or other type of gift.
Two examples: I gave someone who has everything a roll of stamps. They'll use them guaranteed.
Another who loved rock and roll I gave a video called Rock Pop & Doo Wop and a gift card to their favorite cafeteria and a book of stamps.
Boring gifts but they will get used.

I don't need "things" (money is not a thing thank goodness) so give me a case of toilet paper. However I guess things can be sold.

[Pitt Chick]

Frugality of a gift? no... not even on my radar.

The ability to be consumed and/or experienced? yes.

[howard555]

Originally Posted by Pitt Chick

Frugality of a gift? no... not even on my radar.
The ability to be consumed and/or experienced? yes.

I meant use ability though the item may be boring unlike other gifts they may receive.

[albert648]

My gifts almost always consist of "nice" things that are small that someone might hesitate to buy for themselves (e.g. a $25 candle or $50 cocktail set or an expensive bottle of wine) or straight cash/gift cards.

[LilyMae521]

I quite often buy a couple books of stamps for gifts.. The folks I give them to have always been very happy. Makes sense to me.. and the folks in my life are pretty much on the same page as I am.. we all have more than enough stuff.

Sometimes I have added some nice note cards..which increases the likelihood that a thank you note will be sent. ;-)

But I don't consider it frugality.. rather practicality. Subtle but distinct difference.

[kygman]

Not really. My wife has put $100/month in a Christmas Club as far back as she can remember. Right now at Christmas we have 5 grands under 18, and 11 (plus one on the way) grandyoungsters to buy for. They all get a toy and an outfit. Grands over 18 and our kids/spouses get a $50 gift card and some goodies we bake for Christmas. Money usually works out pretty good.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by howard555

I meant use ability though the item may be boring unlike other gifts they may receive.

I like to gift hand made wood furniture and toys. That way they can be used for firewood in case necessity requires.

Does anyone need some 50 mpg cars? I have a lot to get rid of before my upcoming estate sale. Free fuel! Brew your own fuel, or use discarded jet A or heating oil. Costs about $200 in parts every 100,000 miles

They'll last the rest of your driving days, very practical! And a nice gift to pass along when you're done.

[Maddie104]

Sometimes I give practical gifts sometimes not.

My Dad disliked getting gifts; didn't want too many "things." Liked gardening but always said he had everything he needed.

One day I noticed he wasn't wearing his watch so I asked him about it. He said it needed to be repaired. Unbeknown to him, my mother gave me the watch to get repaired. I put the repaired watch in a box and wrapped it. When he opened it, he said that it looked like his old watch. I told him it was and he laughed that I outsmarted him and it was the best gift over. Cost of the watch repair was about $50.

I always gave my husband's grandmother an assorted box of greeting cards and several books of stamps. She was in a nursing home and always worried about getting to the post office for stamps to pay her bills.

So, it depends on the person and what I think they will enjoy. Sometimes that may be cash.

[Parnassia]

Depends on the person and situation. I don't have that many people to give gifts to these days and rarely bought gifts just to claim credit for giving something. IMHO, finding the absolutely perfect gift for the right occasion is priceless. Doesn't matter whether its inexpensive or not. I'm more likely to splurge on a perfectly strategized surprise I know someone will really, really love.

[Tigger84Ag]

I like practical things, for our granddaughters birthday we had her SUV tires rotated, oil change , brakes checked, battery checked, fluids topped off. She needed this done more than any gift.