In Defense Of "Cheap" Gifts

If you are not yet in a solid place financially...

Or if you still have credit card debt or owe anyone money (mortgage, student loan?)...

You SHOULD NOT feel obligated to buy extravagant gifts for family, friends, and the girlfriend or boyfriend this holiday season. A big price tag doesn't make you a better person, so don't go burning up your credit card to impress someone. We all know this is one of America's toughest years since the Great Depression. Everyone recognizes that.

It's how you act on the other 360 or 364 days of the year that really matter, anyway. If you've been a lousy parent, throwing down for a Playstation 3 or HDTV isn't going to make the difference. 

Even though I am in the best financial position I have ever been in, I plan on spending no more than $20 (per person) on each of my closest family members and friends. Here are some great gift ideas that won't cost you much:

• A tasty bottle of wine. A truly excellent South American Malbec should cost no more than $15 at your local wine store -- or go for an Australian Shiraz for $10 to $12. Both are great, classy options. 
• A magazine subscription. Get someone you dig a two year subscription to VOGUE (for the ladies) or GQ (for the lads) -- about $20 for two years, and about $12 for one year. We all know print publishing has been in a bad place financially lately, but there are still a few great, timeless publications that will never go out of style. Get one of those.
• Swatch. This is more expensive (around $50), but I would say it's good for someone you've been seeing for a while. Don't give her an overpriced diamond (why go into credit card debt for that transparent little piece of rock?) -- she'll get bored with that after about two minutes. Instead, spend $50 on a Swatch... they're Swiss-made, quartz movement (precise), and last pretty much forever (replace the battery every 3-5 years, that's it). They come in a wide range of styles and limited edition designs.
• A book. $15 or so. And it can be an incredible gift if you pick out a book that really matches the individual's personality perfectly. Inscribe it with a personal note. 

There, phew, I'm finished. Regardless of whether you are worth $5,000,000 or are in the red $65,000, you shouldn't be going wild this holiday season. Save that money for a worthwhile investment, some good stocks (be careful -- more on this later), or at least a kickass vacation. Cruises are dirt cheap right now... 3-night Bahamas cruises for about $250. That is simply unbelievable. I plan on taking one early next year, end of January or early February hopefully.

Til tomorrow,

Outlaw

Comments

[DaMitzaaaaaah]

Best Christmas 'tradition' my family and I started a few years ago: Stockings ONLY!

Rules:
1. no giftwrapping
2. nothing that can't fit in the stocking
3. no item in the stocking over $10
4. absolutely no gift cards, gift certificates or cash

This takes all of the pressure off of gift shopping and actually makes it alot of fun. I start looking for stocking stuffers around Halloween cuz i can't wait. It's a total blast shopping for a bunch of cheap little gadgets, snacks and trinkets that are totally individualized. And its like getting a bunch of fun presents (my fav is the projectile-launching toys my mom always puts in...shooting my dad with a little plastic doodad while he's passed out on the couch is a Christmas memory I will always cherish).

Where to shop:
1. Dollar General (the everythings-a-dollar store)
2. Toy stores/departments
3. Home Depot/Lowes (yeah, guys can be a lil harder to buy for)
4. Sephora/Ulta (makeup stores - think 'sample sizes')
5. Specialty food stores

[Leah]

I totally agree with this. This year me and my family are not doing gifts. Well except for the kids (2 nephews and a niece and I did a community kid gift. People may call me cheap but my debt calls me paid.