Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas
November 20th, 20071. Send Christmas emails instead of cards
The costs quickly mount when you are sending a handful of people nice Christmas cards – particularly when you’re paying for international postage. Design your own or utilise one of the many free online Christmas card services.
2. Check out your local second hand store
There’s a lot of truth in the saying one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Packed to the rafters with furniture, homewares and other accessories, these stores are the perfect place to find cheap xmas gifts. And who knows, you may even find yourself a great party outfit for Christmas day at a fraction of the new price.
3. Try Auction sites like E-bay.
Think of these sites as online department stores filled with cheap Xmas presents.
4. Donate to a worthy cause
Not-for-profit organisations like Oxfam allow you to purchase items such as a goat for needy communities. A simple card with a message saying I’ve made a donation to ‘X charity’ in your name will have you smelling like roses. NB: You could also take a leaf out of Seinfeld cheapstake George Costanza’s book, ie. paying lip service to charitable donations when in fact you haven’t spent a cent.
5. Gift Vouchers
Want the person to finally know exactly how cheap you are? Gift vouchers are an excellent way to declare how much you value your friendship. Who knows, choose the right value and you may be able to wipe the person off your Christmas list for years to come.
6. I’ve got one word to say to you – ‘Re-gift’
Received a present that you’re know you’re never going to use? Rather than sticking it at the back of a cupboard, re-gift it instead! Be warned though, there’s a certain art to re-gifting. Firstly it’s very important that you maintain the packaging in pristine condition while you’re unwrapping and secondly be sure to keep a record of who gave you the gifts in order to avoid giving the gift back to the original giver (though this is a very effective way of ensuring that you don’t have to worry about them next year). The very best at this craft will be even recycle the wrapping paper.
7. A Compilation CD
Throw a couple of your favourite songs onto a CD, throw in a little cover art (if you can be bothered), and thank you m’am, you’ve got yourself the perfect cheap xmas present.
8. Promises. Promises.
Dear Carl, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. I couldn’t think of any gifts to give you so next time you’re in town give me a call and I’ll take you out for a meal! Cheers, Peter.
This is the world’s best cheap Christmas gift – it has all the elements of good intention, but it places the receiver in the most awkward position. When he doesn’t make it to town till June, Carl can hardly call Peter on his Christmas present offer. And even if he does, the use of the word ‘meal’ is so ambiguous you could cover off this gift in a quick lunch at a café – with change from a $20!
9. Local Markets
Local markets can be a minefield for those shopping for cheap Christmas gifts.
10. Wrapping paper
One of the best ways to disguise inexpensive Christmas gifts is with some classy wrapping paper. A carefully wrapped mug, wrapped in beautiful silver paper and a classy red bow will have them thinking you spent more than you really did.
