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Our family tries to set a price limit of around $20 on gifts. When our family was larger, we'd draw names like a secret Santa program. This helped us to not spend more than we could afford. My niece and nephew are in their teen years, nephew 17 niece 14. Today we got their gifts at Bath & Body Works. My niece loves to shop there so we got her a $20 gift card which includes a coupon for a free item up to $13. My nephew burns incense and hangs black ice car air fresheners in his room. We got him two men's scented candles and a metal candle holder. They smell great for men, not too strong. They have other men's scented products including lotion, soap, shampoo, and other items. They also have good products for young girls including girl's scented hand sanitizing gel with a carrying strap to attach to book bag.
Another gift idea is a magazine subscription. Highlights, Zoo Books, and National Geographic for kids are some examples. You could do the same for adults with adult magazines.
If you don't have money, you can do a service to friends and family as a gift. Instal or inspect smoke detectors, clean refrigerator coils, clean AC coils, install weather stripping, inspect and insulate central air ducts, make repairs on the home, sew/knit clothing, leather/wood burning, hand made clock (they sell clock motor), photography, etc.
Hi Sailordave, it is nice to see that I am not the only one that starts their shopping early. Each year I buy one large gift, and the rest are small ones. I dont spend a lot of money on the large gifts because I bargain shop for Christmas the entire year. If I find something that they want or that I want to give them I keep an eye on the prices' for that item to go down.
The reason I start so early is because this is one of my favorite times of year. And I do not want to spend it in long lines, I want to be home with family and enjoy the decorations and great Christmas movies. After Halloween (which is my one I dont like), I start to get the decorating starting. I spent my money on the decorations and like to enjoy them as long as possible. You have started a great post, and have provided some great ideas. The holidays do not have to be a stressful event. Even when it comes to the cooking. I used to do it all on my own, and now when I invite people over I tell them to bring their favorite dish to enjoy with everyone else. Happy holidays and happy shopping.
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