Helping someone take a class is a great idea for a gift. Learning something new is certainly a gift that keeps on giving long after the holidays have passed.
Giving Gifts That Will Save Money
I love the holiday season. I love being able to bake cookies and give them to my friends, put up decorations and — most of all — give gifts. But with only a couple of weeks left until Hanukkah and a few more after that until Christmas, I'm really trying to buckle down with my gift lists.
With the current economic crunch, I know a lot of people are focusing on items they can make themselves or that they can purchase on sale. I'm taking a little bit of a different route this year, though. Instead, I'm focusing on gifts I can give that will help my friends and family save money in the long run. So far, I've found that my choice of gifts hasn't been any more expensive than gifts I've given in years past — and in some cases, it's been significantly less expense. There's several categories that these helpful gifts fall into:
Tools
One of my younger cousins is hoping to buy her first car this year. I know she isn't going to be able to afford something in perfect condition, so I'm thinking a few tools might come in handy. One of our other cousins knows cars inside and out and has promised that, as long as our new driver has a few basic tools, he'll make sure she can handle at least a few minor repairs so she doesn't have to drag her new ride to the shop constantly. The same goes for houses — if you have a few basic tools, you can often avoid paying money for repairs you can handle yourself.
Education
While classes can pay off in the long run, there are plenty of other educational expenses that make for great gifts. One of the most useful presents I received my senior year of high school was a big book of scholarships and how to land them. There are so many different ways to help someone out with their education — and there's lots of warm fuzzies that go along with helping someone else getting ahead. I do think it's worth noting that you shouldn't limit yourself to thinking about college expenses. It all depends on the goals of the gift recipient, and you should talk to him before making a decision.
Just Ask
It's always worth asking what the people you want to give gifts for what they need this year. There's probably something higher up their wish lists that another book or DVD — and there's nothing wrong with giving a useful gift. I've already spread the word in my family that I want a couple of kitchen items to help support my eating-in habit. I bet there's something you'd particularly like to help you out in the New Year — let us know in the section and help us all get a head start on our gift list.
Best of Wise Bread
I am spreading the word that I would like some small fruit trees for my garden. Also seeds and so on for next springs vegetable garden.
I plan to eat them all, so that definitely will save me money. ;)
Great ideas :) I'm asking for a slow cooker so I can take advantage of stewing less expensive cuts of meat and cooking up vegetarian favourites like lentil stew and vegetarian chili (these dried goods are oh-so inexpensive!)
I'm with you. Many years a go my husband's family asked what I wanted for Christmas. I told them a circular saw, doing my best to convince them. "You could all pitch in and it'll cost you only about $10 apiece." Just before Christmas a box came in the mail. It was an UGLY serving platter. What a let down. I was crushed. A few days later another box came. My saw. Oh I love that thing. Mightily useful. (The platter was a joke.)
offer free babysitting - for an evening out or a weekend lover's getaway - great way to keep a couple together !
Actually Hanukkah starts December 21st. Plenty of time to organize gifts.
I love the idea of asking what people want. As adults we should all be able to handle the 'non-surprise but getting an actual gift we want'. I am pretty impossible to shop for and my mom called me this year and offered up an idea since she knows me but was worried whether or not I'd like it. She's getting me a bean cookbook and these amazing beans from Rancho Gordo (heirloom varieties). I was ecstatic - the perfect gift. And I'm glad she asked and now I get to look forward to getting them!
For me, no gift can top a gift of cash! I do not want something that someone 'thinks' I can use. I don't want something that someone thinks I would look good in. I don't want more stuff period. I like to pick out what I want, when I want it (something on sale in January, perhaps), or just put it in my bank account to pay future bills. A gift card to a store where I shop is almost as good. Not romatic or 'holiday spirited'? That doesn't bother me a bit. The best gift is one the receipient wants and/or can use, not what the giver wants to give.
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Every Christmas my mom gives my boyfriend a pair of jeans. They are usually his only pair of everyday pants until the following Christmas.
It's a thoughtful gift and a gift of time, because he HATES shopping and really loves just having the new pants appear about the time his old ones start to wear out.
Fortunately, my bf pays attention to my needs. My mum gives me a nice sum of money, which I can put in the bank or use for important purchases (coat, boots and such). My MIL asked me suggestions for my present... ah, Pandora's box was opened! I made a list of all the nice things which I'd like and use but don't buy so often now that I'm tight with money. :-)
Surprises are nice, but being able to wish for something is nicer sometimes...
