We may or may not be in a recession, but every year things get tight in January if we're not careful in December. Here are some tips for more careful spending through the holidays.
1. Plan early. Make a list, figure out a budget and stick to it. You can save money, not necessarily just by buying cheap holiday gifts, but by taking advantage of early-bird sales and avoiding last-minute shipping premiums.
2. Bake your own. There are literally thousand of things you and your kids can bake that are often better than store-bought items, especially when it comes to baked goods and candy.
3. Make your own. FamilyFun.com has lots of kid-friendly crafts projects for holiday gifts. We especially like the House Keys holder (http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf117gift/famf117gift2.html) It's simple ideas like these that can really make both kid-giver and recipient beam.
4. Have family make a gift list. There's nothing that wastes money faster than buying useless items you find in the check-out aisle just so you have a present on Christmas. Everyone would rather get something they really want, even if it's not a surprise, than an item they have to return, or worse, throw away a few weeks after the holiday.
5. Recycle. Wrappings and ribbons costs add up. 2008 will be the year that reusing wrapping paper doesn't look stingy, but smart and energy-conscious.
Even with cost-cutting, there's no reason to eliminate holiday giving entirely but there are simple ways to make it cheaper this year.
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Hi everyone,
I believe that something you can actually wear, like a watch or something you use everyday and always carry with you like a cell phone, perfume, a office table clock, an Ipod, a handbag, or a digital camera, is the most personal way to be remembered by the one you want to offer something to.
Every time that person will look at herself in the mirror or will use that something you have given her, she will think of you with gratitude and appreciation !
Summer sales are on on many web sites.
I have found an online department store called Little Gift Ideas
They have a variety of branded items including perfumes, watches, designers' sunglasses, digital cameras, cell phones and hundreds of other great gifts starting at 3$ up to 5000$.
All items are sold at DEEP discounts if compared to the suggested retail prices.
If you dig a bit you will even find some that go for 80% off the usual retail price.
At the moment they have a summer sale on and they offer an additional 10% OFF their usual prices on most products.
I believe it is worth a visit since they have plenty of great opportunities for you to offer branded items in big demand at very affordable prices.
Merryl
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