Last minute gifts ideas
Here are some last-minute, low-cost gift ideas. What have I left out? Share your ideas - you might just help someone finish their holiday shopping!
- A portable cigar case. Compare rates on NextTag. Good for co-workers, your boss, a male friend or relative.
- A bulb kit. Buy a set of bulbs from a garden store, then plant a few in a pot. Tape a picture of the flower to a toothpick or skewer and plant it in the dirt. Tie with a ribbon. Pots are often cheap at discount stores. In the Valley I like Pottery, Plants and Things at 12144 Magnolia Blvd. Great for girlfriends, co-workers, and neighbors. If you lack time to assemble, Smith & Hawken sells many blooming bulb gifts
- A special piece of art from your child paired with a gift card. Consider having your child dictate a story about the recipient...
- ...to give the gift added sentimental value. Frame it if your budget allows. Great for teachers and grandparents.
- Six to 12 cookies, stacked and wrapped in tissue paper (if you have it) and plastic wrap. Tie on the top to make a bow. It will kind of look like a pineapple.
- A magazine subscription that plays into one of the recipients hobbies or interests. Buy one from the rack and include a note that lets them know they will be receiving it for a year. Find great rates on Magazines.com.
- Mani/pedi kit with three to four tools and a fun color of nail polish. Look for coupons because these supplies often go on sale. If you have the bank, pair it with a certificate to a salon. I like Target's prices for toiletries or head to the dollar stores.
- A desk plant. Stick with ones that are easy to keep alive, like bamboo or a mini money tree.
- Gift basket. Buy one or assemble one on your own at Cost Plus World Market. They sell baskets and items to put inside. Line the basket with shredded paper.
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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Home-baked goodies are always a welcome treat. Every year I look forward to mini-loaves of special breads from two of my friends. Yummmmmm! You can also enclose the recipe, if it's a particularly tasty item. Bake once, give to many!
I have to give 11 little gifts that cost no more than $1.00, it is for my group. I have no idea what to give them. I don't want to give them a lot of junk? Thank you, www.willothewispl@yahoo.com.
This is a tough one. If you are low on money or have a strict spending limit, go for gifts with high sentimental value. Here are some ideas I came up with.
+ Write a thoughtful note on a card (many stores have a 99-cent card section).
+ Give them a print of a picture you took. If you cannot find a $1 frame at a garage sale or thrift store, perhaps create your own homemade frame by gluing the photo on cardboard and then cutting out a frame from cardstock or other thick paper you may have at home.
+ Give them each a single flower. Perhaps if you tell the florist what they are for and buy 11 of the same flower you can get a discount.
+ Buy 11 sheets of nice paper (as your budget allows, of course) and, in your neatest handwriting, copy a poem onto each sheet. Find a poem on http://www.poemhunter.com/poems/
That's all I could think of right now. Who else has a suggestion?
How about re-gifting a new, unused and unwanted gift?
SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT
Great suggestion, SCRS. I did that with a few presents this year and I think the recipients will really like them. ~Julia
Couple things you could do as well is:
a) Buy a big bag of holiday candy (maybe peppermints or mint chocolates) - you can get them at the 99 cent store too - and wrap them in cute holiday bags with a ribbon. (You can also place the holiday treat bag in a personalized coffee cup - chocolate & coffee are a good pair) - and don't limit yourself, you can do the same with a peronalized cup and a bag of tea (if you know the person is not a coffee drinker).
b) Starbucks is having a percentage off on ALL merchandise for a week - try checking some items out.
c) I'm a HUGE bakery & candy fan for the holidays so you could also try - decorating a cute jar or wine glass with a bow or ribbon & filling it up with candies, chocolates or cookies.
d) Or just get some pretty wrap and ribbon and decorate a bottle of sparkling cider - ralphs or vons usually has them on sale or at a really great deal - or you could go a little more expensive and decorate a bottle of classy wine.